[C-K]

Hey everybody

So this is the situation... I want to put together a system for a daily driver that will sound good. The car is a 2009 Mazda 3 sedan, currently with a basic factory setup: CD player and four door speakers. My plan is to keep the stock headunit, upgrade the speakers and add an amplifier, and add a subwoofer. I have one requirement: I already own a pair of amplifiers that I would like to use because of their practicality.


- (1) Arc Audio KS 125.4 MINI (75w RMS x 4 @ 4ohm)


- (1) Arc Audio KS 500.1 MINI (500w RMS x 1 @ 2ohm)


Lastly, it’s more of a goal than a requirement, but I’d prefer to keep the appearance stock.


I’m at the stage of planning where I’m looking at replacement speakers. I’m interested in CDT’s products, and would like some honest input on their quality, performance, etc., as well as any recommendations for my application.


I also have some questions for you SQ guys…


This might be blasphemy, but are coaxials really that inferior? I would be looking at the CL-6EX or the COX-622…


What’s everybody's opinion regarding the sound quality of convertible component speakers? I would be looking at the CL-E61CV.


Does anyone have experience with the braxial configurations? Do they sound very different than the convertible components? …I’m sure you can tell by now I’d like to exhaust every possible option before cutting into my panels to mount a pair of tweeters.


I realize this is like going to the Dawg Pound and asking if anybody’s a Browns fan, but I’ve had a hard time finding input from people who actually have experience with CDT.

I encourage you to speak freely; I’m sure there’s plenty I can learn from you all.

[David]

First off, you sir have some pretty nice amps


Are you looking to compete? or just have a nice sounding daily system?

and keeping the stock look is no problem, Have you checked out the JL audio cleansweep? Its a piece that allows you to keep the factory Headunit, but have the features of a aftermarket!

IMO I would take the Component set over co-axil's or any others. But that is depending on whether you want to compete or just have an upgraded system.

Also IIRC your car does have stock tweeters right? in the upper triangle of the door panel

[C-K]

First of all, David, thanks for helping me get this off the ground!

Originally Posted by David

First off, you sir have some pretty nice amps

Thank you.

Originally Posted by David

Are you looking to compete? or just have a nice sounding daily system?

I'm not looking to compete... Although I can appreciate such discriminating attention to detail. I take pride in the little things, and so naturally want a quality product, which is what brings me to CDT.

Originally Posted by David

and keeping the stock look is no problem, Have you checked out the JL audio cleansweep? Its a piece that allows you to keep the factory Headunit, but have the features of a aftermarket!

What is your opinion on the Cleansweep compared to an Audiocontrol LOC? Or to an Arc Audio SRI? I don't completely understand what would be best for my application and why...

If you don't mind, I have a question about the Cleansweep... There's two pairs of outputs, how can I run that to both my amps?

Originally Posted by David

IMO I would take the Component set over co-axil's or any others. But that is depending on whether you want to compete or just have an upgraded system.

I'm really just looking for an upgraded sound... Granted, I haven't heard a component set in-car - but are they that superior? The cost isn't necessarily the issue, because a lot of sets seem to be good values. It's the installation.

Originally Posted by David

Also IIRC your car does have stock tweeters right? in the upper triangle of the door panel

I have the base model, base system. My sail panels have stalks for manually moving the mirrors heh...

If you don't mind, a few more questions have come to mind...

First off, admittedly, I'm not at the level of those on here... I'm not sure if I know enough to appreciate the performance differences between, say, the ES series, and the CL series when it comes to justifying the cost differences. That said, I've heard mixed emotions about the lower model CDT's, and whether they're everything they're known for. What are your opinions on this?

Second, does an "active" setup refer to running a pair of components off a four channel amp, with two channels going to the woofers and two going to the tweeters? Again, at my level, (assuming I go for components) would I realize the gains in doing this?

Apparently like everyone else says, I think I'd have trouble living without rear speakers... I've tried fading to the front; +2 and I liked it better, but all the way, I wasn't exactly sure... Not saying I liked it or not, just wasn't sure what to make of it...

One more thing... The stock speakers were 6"x8" and I was intending to make a mounting plate for a 6.5"... My question is, room permitting, if I made a mounting plate with a 5.25" woofer and a tweeter for the stock location, would there be any SQ issues with the drivers in this configuration? I realize every car's different, but are the any "basic rules" this is breaking that I don't know of?

Thanks for your time. I don't know much, so take it easy!