[XtremeRevolution]

For anyone who has installed a SQ system please answer the list of questions below.


Speakers (woofer/tweeter):
Are you running a 2.1 (front speakers only w/sub) or 4.1 (front and rear speakers w/sub)
What did you go with?
Did you change them? If you did, what did you change them to and why.
How long have you been using these speakers in your SQ system?
If you could make changes what would they be?

Amps:
What did you go with?
what are the power ratings?
If you could make changes what would they be?


Sub:
What kind?
Sealed or ported or other style box?
If you could make changes what would they be?

Deadening:
which brand? SDS, Dynamat..etc.
How much did you use?
Do you think you should have used more or less than you did?

Install:
How did you route wires?
Where did you install your amps and miniDSP?
Is there anything you would have done differently?
Were there any other parts you found you needed when installing this audio system?

I realize this is a bit lengthy however, I believe this is a good start to allow others to learn from those that have already walked down this path.

Rear speakers destroy the front sound stage. You have sound firing toward the floor right behind you; woefully unnatural and useless. You never miss them once they're disconnected.

I've had the Silver Flutes in the front doors since I wrote those articles. They haven't let me down and continually impress people. I wouldn't change them out.

Boston Acoustics GT475 for the front stage (way overpowered, but got it cheap), and Boston Acoutics GT2300 for the subs (because dual 18s in an IB).

Subs are two 18" Peavey "Black Widow" Low rider subs in an infinite baffle install. Search for my thread on that in a thread titled "cone area is king." It's not a beginner's install though.

I used SoundDeadenerShowdown in everything, of course.

Only thing I would have done differently with the wires is run higher quality RCAs. I have a new set that need to go in, just haven't had the time. Don't cheap out on cables. Everything else, I'm happy with.

The amps are in the trunk behind the subs (see pictures) and the miniDSP is somewhere in the dash hidden away.

You're not too far, you should just drive down here to hear it for yourself. Let me know if there are questions I missed that you wanted answered.

With the Silver flutes unavailable till next month I have decided to try and see if I understand the lessons XR and the SQ v1 and v2 pages have taught me by looking at other speakers and tweeters that are available. One tweeter that caught my eye was the Dayton Audio ND20FB-4. From the design it looks like it would be easy to fit with a little hot glue. Not sure how accurate the FR graph is but if true could be good for off-axis setups.

Easy fit is one thing, but the idea behind getting the most out of a 2-way front sound stage is to get a tweeter that can cross as low as possible. The Vifa does the best job I know of in that price point, all things considered, but the ND20FA and ND20FB tweeters do not do well. Those need to be crossed at closer to 3,500hz. They would not be a good match for the Silver Flutes. About all they're good for here is ease of install. Go with the Seas Prestige tweeters I listed in the mid range kit instead.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Night, I am currently running my set up active through a Pioneer 800PRS head unit... front mid/highs and my stage 4 subs.... I have lots of control from the driver seat...and no experience with any kind of external DSP processor's . MY plans for the near future are to swap out the 800 and install Stage 4 P99RS deck, and add the TS-S062PRS mid into the mix.....and swap out my amps for more power.....AND add more sound deadening !!!

You should really look into the miniDSP. Does what a high end deck does for a fraction of the cost. 36 bands of parametric eq, 3 crossover types at up to 48db/octave slopes, time alignment, custom programmable filters, shelf filters, and more I'm forgetting. The 2-way miniDSP is $100.

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[XtremeRevolution]

I am planning on just running the front, as it is just me in the car 90% of the time. I had asked that just to see if there was anyone that ran with the rear speakers as well.



Briefly looking around I couldn't find anything that would match the Silver Flutes, unfortunately they wont be back in stock till mid or late may.... good things come to those who wait I guess.




Two things I will not compromise on are the cabling (power and audio) and the deadening. Most of my "savings" in this build will be from using components I have on hand. Later this year I should have some expendable cash to upgrade amps and possibly the sub if i'm not happy with them.



Ah finally some pics of your dual 18" IB setup haven't finished reading the cone area thread. My plan right now is to mount the JBL 4ch on the rear deck and the mono on the passenger side like you had in some of the earlier pictures. Would you happen to have some pic of the miniDSP mounting? I am planning on getting the diy version and mount it near the 4ch amp as to minimize the number of rcas I run through my car and for easier access to tune the DSP should I feel an itch to do so.




Would love to but I don't know if I will have any time to get out there. I think this is a good start for questions answered. I hope others that did this type of build jump on and provide their insight as well.





I will probably go with the vifa (now peerless) as i can't justify the seas at this time. That is unless their performance is truly worth the extra $60 for a pair. But on paper they seem to have a similar stats and off-axis response.

The miniDSP is just hidden behind the panel you can pull off to the center console from the passenger side. No pictures.

The Seas is truly a better speaker and worth the cost. They have more excursion and a lower resonant frequency which helps them cross lower. I'd say a solid 300-400hz lower, which is a lot. I think I had them crossed at 1900hz in another car. In addition, the vifas have a bit of harshness around 3-4k that you have to EQ out (which I did), but they aren't as smooth as the Seas tweeters.

They're excellent for what they are and handily beat tweeters and that cost 10x what they do with car audio labels. The Seas are just one step above them.

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[XtremeRevolution]

I got the DIY version to save a few bucks but both will work just the same. Don't forget the minidc.

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[XtremeRevolution]

XR,

Are you still offering those door baffles?

I haven't done much audio work in the last year, but I'm planning on getting a few sets made in the next month or so.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

After re-reading v1 and v2 there seems to be a little confusion.. the vifa/silver flute combo seems marketed as the high value "budget" option. where they Dayton and seas is marketed as more the mid level better sq option on the v2 thread. However, after reading through the v1 thread I got the impression that the silver flutes perform better than the daytons. I may have missed something because it was a lot of info to sort through.

In the V1 thread, I tried the Dayton DA-series drivers. The Silver Flutes were indeed better than the DA-series drivers. In the V2 thread, I discussed the Dayton RS-series drivers. Two totally different drivers. the RS-series drivers are better than the Silver Flutes if you have a tweeter that can cross low enough, but they're also notably more expensive.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Sweet. Just got my Vifa (Peerless) tweeters in today. Looks like I might need to cut away some material from the front to get them in the stock tweeter location. Is that what everyone else did that installed these tweeters?

View attachment 227986 View attachment 227994

Yep, just file away that faceplate till it fits just right. Shouldn't take too long at all. Depth won't be an issue.

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[XtremeRevolution]

Just got my miniDSP in today. It's smaller than I expected. Just need to order my sound deadening and wait for those 6.5" Silver Flutes to come back in stock then I can get this build underway.

In other news I decided I want to give a shot at some DIY home speakers... I'm thinking the Orient Express.

I've built Paul's Overnight Sensations MTM. Great speaker, I use them for blasting music in the garage and my wife complains of how loud it is...in the living room. I don't think you can go wrong with any of Paul's designs.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

I'm debating between the OS MTM or the OE... I'm leaning towards the OE because 1) I am really liking those darn silver flutes. 2) my onkyo HTIAB is only 8ohm stable.

Really want to build me a pair of those Statement Monitors but I feel I should get my feet wet with something like the OS MTM or OE first.

Yeah, the statement monitors are not a beginner's design, nor are they cheap to build. I regret that I have them stored under the desk in my home office. With a 3.5 and a 1.5 year old running around, I couldn't risk them sticking something through the tweeter and having to blow $250 on a new pair (they only sell them in pairs). Not kid friendly speakers, at least not until I get some covers on the front.

For home use, I REALLY like the TangBand W5-704D. It is one of the smoothest drivers I've ever heard. I designed a pair of TMs with it, using another Vifa tweeter with a large faceplate. They're incredibly smooth overall with very low listening fatigue.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Let me know if you want to build the ones I designed and I can get you the schematics. The TB driver is great as the dome isn't easy to push in.

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[XtremeRevolution]

I'll be able to make a batch toward the end of this month or early next.

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[XtremeRevolution]

Just stick with the Silver Flutes and wait till they're back in stock. They're well worth it.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Got an email from SDS. My order has shipped. This is by far the most expensive part of my build.

Cost so far...

mini DSP + Isolater: $122
Vifa BC25SC06 tweeter : $27
KnuKoncept Kables + fused distribution box: $68
SDS Sound deadening : $234

Total: $451

Expected remaining costs:

Silver Flute Woofers: $75
XRs Speaker Baffles: $65?

Final expected project total: $591


Lessons learned (thus far):
1) Don't forget to calculate shipping costs.
2) Not all equipment can be reused. In my case 8+ year old amp power wires with substantial corrosion.

I think this weekend I will start mounting amps and running wires. Once I get my Silver Flutes and the Baffles I will do the rest of the install.

It's worth noting, the first install I put in the Cruze used two coustic power logic amps for the front stage. They were made in 1992, which at the time made them 20 years old. They sounded great.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Send them an e-mail and get another estimate on when they should arrive.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Just got off the phone with Madisound. They said the Silver Flute Woofers just left china and should be available around the 13 of June. They will email me when they do come in.

Good, at least they're in transit. Not much longer now.

 

[XtremeRevolution]

Silver Flutes are BACK. Website will be updated either today or Monday. I just called them and placed my order

Awesome! I'm planning on getting the baffles knocked out this weekend.