[surfnsnow]

A few more photos...you can see the hustmat and foam on the doors

 

[surfnsnow]

i just updated my HK system with JL C5s in the dash and doors, with a modest JL amp (60 watts per channel RMS). I didnt swap out the center channel or the sub yet. The center channel is just process sound so theres very little hitting it anyway. Im probably going to put a better amp on the factory sub first and see if that helps it (cause its terrible as it is) and if that doesnt help then ill swap that out with a JL sub. The JL isn't bad sounding, not as terrific as i had hoped, a little bright to my ears, but thats also without tinkering with the crossovers yet. I wanted to listen to them defaulted first to see how they sounded. I probably should have gone with the Focals, but couldn't find anyone local that sold/installed them, so this was the next best thing in terms of reviews.

My HK speakers are in a box in the garage but I'll try and take a photo of them when I have chance. The factory "sub" is actually the same as the front speakers 6x9's (actual 6x9's though not 6.5 like the premium)- actually the sound the factory sub produced wasn't all that bad when you look at the speaker it is coming out of but doesn't even compare to a true sub. Even an 8" would blow that away I imagine. I'm not sure the factory sub can even handle much more power...also mine would rattle with just the the factory amp so if you are going to put more power too it you might want to hushmat behind it as the Subaru's don't have much sound deadening stock.

 

[HPCON]

12 or 8

where you able to find the 12 speakers??? The advertisement shows 12 however I can only count 8... the amplifier is also an 8 speaker amp. Just curious if the advertisement and sales brochures are off.
Besides, my installer was asking about this issue.

 

[ammcinnis]

where you able to find the 12 speakers???

The four door speakers are coaxials. That's how marketing types magically turn four into eight.

 

[myx13]

What type of speaker mounts did they use for the focals in the door?

 

[groberts]

A few more photos...you can see the hustmat and foam on the doors

Did you go with the Focal Flax 2 ways? and is the tweeter really mounted near the midbass driver in the door as I see in the lower door photo?

 

[surfnsnow]

They created a custom bracket to mount the tweeters in the doors at the angle.

 

[surfnsnow]

Did you go with the Focal Flax 2 ways? and is the tweeter really mounted near the midbass driver in the door as I see in the lower door photo?

Yes, the rears are the focal 165 flax 2 ways and yes, the tweeter is mounted as you see in the picture. So you could say that it is essentially a coax (which you could buy for a few bucks cheaper) but I wanted the separate tweeter/better speakers/crossovers you get with the 2 ways since I was powering them with a separate amp. As there are no rear door tweeter holes, I didn't want to create them so had them build out the speaker bracket so they could set the drivers back a bit so that the tweeters also fit within the factory door panel.

End result is that it sounds really really good. Even with the overpowering K2s in the front, I can sense the balance and fill those rears are providing and when I was testing out the sound and setting in rear seat, the sound is just as good, if not better (given the proximity to the sub) so amazing sound in all positions.

 

[whalepirot]

Does anyone know what the power rating of the amplifier to the rear speaker?

I checked Crutchfield for fitment and they only show 6 3/4" (or 6x9) as the largest, but that is strictly bolt-in. From the outside, an 8" pure sub appears no problem, with minimal trimming and surely a mount reinforcement; probably some sort of ported enclosure, for a couple reasons. The stock is 5 ohm of strictly bass signal.

I'd not be surprised to also need a dedicated amplifier to avoid clipping, which may be part of the rattling sound mentioned. Big, clean and real power is truly for controlling the mass of a speaker from uncommanded excursions, due to the moving mass of the cone, beyond the signal presented.

 

[loudounoutback]

front door depth

I think I searched diligently and couldn't find the answer to:

how much depth is there in the front doors for a 6 x 9 speaker\???

I guess JBL's will fit at 3" ...is there any more room for something like 3 1/4" speaker depth?

 

[whalepirot]

I think I searched diligently and couldn't find the answer to:

how much depth is there in the front doors for a 6 x 9 speaker\???

I guess JBL's will fit at 3" ...is there any more room for something like 3 1/4" speaker depth?

I suggest calling Crutchfield as they have info on such dimensions that are not available via the website.

 

[HPCON]

Thanks for all the help Groberts and Surfnsnow... I pulled the trigger 3 weeks ago!
Here is what I ended up with: Focals 165krx2 fronts, Focal 165Krc rears, JL sub 10TW3, JL amp XD700/5v2, Audio Con Lc6i line converter with all new wire and a super custom built sub box. $3,000 the entire job installed and calibrated. I also had an adjustment after the 2 weeks passed...
THE verdict: the best 3k I have ever spend! The sound its just amazing; watercolors sounds fantastic; the sound is beautifully crisp and detail; and that sub is so sweet with all the bass at the lower end of the car.
Extremely happy. Going to Utah Sunday, so my drive is 12 hours... I am looking forward to the time in the car. i'll get to hear all my music all over again and find all the sounds that I have been missing.

Thanks

Pacific Stereo in Riverside, Cali.

 

[surfnsnow]

Thanks for all the help Groberts and Surfnsnow... I pulled the trigger 3 weeks ago!
Here is what I ended up with: Focals 165krx2 fronts, Focal 165Krc rears, JL sub 10TW3, JL amp XD700/5v2, Audio Con Lc6i line converter with all new wire and a super custom built sub box. $3,000 the entire job installed and calibrated. I also had an adjustment after the 2 weeks passed...
THE verdict: the best 3k I have ever spend! The sound its just amazing; watercolors sounds fantastic; the sound is beautifully crisp and detail; and that sub is so sweet with all the bass at the lower end of the car.
Extremely happy. Going to Utah Sunday, so my drive is 12 hours... I am looking forward to the time in the car. i'll get to hear all my music all over again and find all the sounds that I have been missing.

Thanks

Pacific Stereo in Riverside, Cali.

Congrats on pulling the trigger and great choices on the equipment, I love those KRX2's, worth every penny to me. As you are now experiencing, the system brings a smile to your face everytime you hear it. The only problem is that I find myself always volunteering to drive on long road trips with friends because its so great, which leads to the miles adding up, but heck, it's a Subaru, it's meant to be driven.

Where did you install your sub box? Groberts and I did completely different set-ups and yet both yielded fantastic results, curious what your approach was? Looks like yours is the 3.6R so you had the factory sub to deal with, like myself.

 

[loudounoutback]

I found this to be an easy, no wife-required way to handle the door panels without disconnecting everything: 3 bungee cord support the full weight with no stress; towel protects door against scratches

 

[pawel]

I found this to be an easy, no wife-required way to handle the door panels without disconnecting everything: 3 bungee cord support the full weight with no stress; towel protects door against scratches

That's a good idea! nice job

 

[loudounoutback]

I did JBL GTO328 in the front and GTO938 doors; I figured I would see whether the 3 1/2 JBL dash speakers which are "full range" 2-ways should be wired as such or as tweeter only. They are convenient to use since they "drop-in" with the mounting tabs fitting the OB screw holes.

After much experimenting with the equalizer, my conclusion: better sound with just tweeters in the dash. (I re-used the blocking cap from the original speakers). Pretty impressive bass from the 6x9's, with the major limitations being the freq response of the head unit and the limited number of frequency bands in the equalizer.( a 12 or 15 band unit would really improve things as you could tune out most cabin resonances that are sound chamber effects, not just sheet-metal caused boominess that can be handled with Dynamat-type stuff..

Benefit: Although the full range 3 1/2's are probably $20 more than just a good pair of tweeters, no mods or special brackets are needed to just use them as tweeters.

All 4 speakers only cost $110 so a terrific bang for the buck.

 

[HPCON]

I installed the subwoofer in the same location you did, however, your installation was a lot cleaner. They did build a sub box that fitted in the cavity of the original sub.
Picture to follow
How do I post pictures on this site?

 

[groberts]

I keep my photo's in Photobucket. Copy the link and select the Icon "insert image"

 

[HPCON]

Sub Install Picture

Finally I was able to download picture..

 

[surfnsnow]

View attachment 194306
Finally I was able to download picture..

Nice! The box looks good. I like how the material used for your sub box is the hard plastic (easy to clean) and won't snag.

On that part of the Subaru cargo protector that they cut, I had my shop find a suitable piece of rubber and attach it there to keep any liquid or sand contained to the mat. I'm sure it can't be more than a $10 DIY project from Home Depot, but worth it to keep the integrity of the mat. This will matters more if your like me and often have wet gear in the back.