THANKS SOOO MUCH FOR REPLYING...I WASN'T EVEN GONNA CHECK TONIGHT BECAUSE I'M EXAUSTED...AGAIN.
First off, I got the car today, and here are my first (and final) impressions of the stock system. And yes, I did turn the SP off. Now, here goes, just my own opinion, compared to how my last car sounded.
Last car had an infinity system, I presume made by Harmon, but had that sub in the middle of the deck, and lacked bass. I used a shitty amp, a good sub, at least for me in a sealed box, and a regular, non powered loc. The car, for 7 years, was great sounding to me.
Now, to this car...well, to say that the sound was lackluster sounds like an improvement to what my ears think of it. IMO, there is NO bass, mid, low, sub or otherwise. And, the highs suck as well. Very disappointed with it. The thoughts I'm gonna be coming to were in my mind before I picked up the car.
Also, the fact that they even call that a subwoofer is laughable to me. Jesus, that is a misnomer if I have ever heard one.
So, here are my thoughts as of this morning (before getting the car), and now exactly the same afterwards. I would like all of your, and everyone's advice on this.
As you know, I have 3 main things against me. 1. Health issues. 2. Financial deficiency. 3. A need to do anything I do myself, as I cannot afford to pay a shop for what is going to be described as a simple install.
All I would like to do is add an lc2i, new, good power amp, and use my same sub/box.
Now, all the questions.
1. I am stumped on exactly what inputs go into the lc2i, so without a knowledge of that, I cannot even begin. Having driven a car with bass that was enough for me, driving home from the dealership made me feel naked, literally.
2. I cannot do all of the work to completely bypass the factory amp and wire in all new speakers and amps, period. So, going with that thought, here is what I've been thinking since I got up this morning.
a) First figure out how to add the bass I want. Your pics for lci7 and bypassing the amp were great info, but I just can't do all of that, mainly for health issues.
So, I was thinking, is there a CHANCE that if I find the right front components with high sensitivity with such low factory amp power, will it make a difference. IMO, it HAS to, that is how poorly I perceived factory setup.
b) If what I said in a) would make a difference, I'd like to find the best possible components for bring out the most given the low power. Yes, I know that is a stretch, but, there has to be an improvement, a and that is something I can do. Taking out the rear seat and deck cover is just un-doable for me. So, I see so many people using Focal components. Are they sensitive enough to add any semblance o of especially treble, which I feel I had none of, and as far as the mids that come with them, will they produce better (again, HAS to) sound that what is in there now. I need to continue using the factory amp. I am in no way concerned about the changing the center at the moment. Gosh, I don't think I even heard it anyway.
c) Again, back to speaker sensitivity at low power. I already know from experience that you are not gonna get thumpy mid-bass without hefty power, unless physics and the design of the current offering o of components has really been re-engineered since "my" day.
d) Finally, presuming that a) is possible, and I hope that it is, I would like suggestions on what speakers to get. I NEED to hear the highs, which I felt were less than lacking. Also, the mids were bland as well, audible, but not nearly what I am used to.
I went from my old car, last driven on 7/9, which imo slammed pretty good, to this???? The fact that the word premium is even used to describe it baffles me.
So, what I really need are answers to 1. and a) and d) above. I know that 1. will add the needed bass. And, I can do some sound deadening on the interior of the rear deck, but disassembling the entire back end is gonna be out of the question. Also, I can add any treatment for sound that your guys advise, as long as I don't have to completely disassemble the car! And, if I am gonna have the door panels off, let me know where to put/what kind of sound deadening material to use.
There has to be a reason that people are using the focal 165 series. But, I am REALLY hesitant to pull the trigger on anything at this point until I get the much needed advice from you guys. No, it will not live up to grand expectations, but, even a minuscule improvement, throughout the entire frequency range, is much needed.
Again, instructions like you gave for the lc7i would be great for the lc2i. And, I really don't know how to find the "best" speakers to get "ok" sound out of low power. And imo, what is in there now does not even come close to "ok" in my opinion.
Actually, I was expecting disappointment to begin with with all of the reading I've done here and elsewhere. So much so, that I think that using the word disappointed sounds like better that what I actually experienced. < disappointed!
So, will you guys help me with the questions I've asked here?
If the only way to get the signal for the lc2i is to take the door panels off, and I am not sure if I need left and right, and tap into the wires for tweeter and mid there (will that be full range, or do I need some other signal as well), then I'll just replace the door speakers and tweeters at the same time.
At this point though, besides equipment for the bass, I have no clue what "better' door speakers to choose. I am not even worried about those in the back deck.
Sorry this has been long, but, I felt a full disclosure of my impressions were in order.
I will wait with baited breath for your opinions.
Thanks again, so much,
Viper
P.S. Please mention any equipment I might want to look at or need and forgot about. Thank you.
www.diymobileaudio.com
