This is by no means going to be a audiophile type system. Just something to sound better than stock and that I can enjoy. Here's what I have so far. I am sticking with the stock H/U and rear speakers, for now. The amp will run the Diamonds and the Sub. The rears will remain powered by the stock H/U.

MTX RFL404 Amp http://www.mtx.com/caraudio/products...RFL404_amp.cfm

Diamond D373i's up front http://www.diamondaudio.com/content/view/119/132/

JL Audio Stealthbox
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_s...hp?fit_id=1512

Also adding an Electronic Bass Control box up front.

All in all I think it should sound pretty decent. Thoughts? Opinions? Criticisms?

 

Got everything installed today and it sounds damn good considering I'm using the stock H/U. The JL stealthbox thumps and that MTX amp seems to put out really clean signal so far. Oh and I went with the JL sub because a buddy of mine sold his 07 Lariat and sold me the sub for $150. All in all very pleased. Will be adding rear speakers soon though and just powering with the fronts off the amp. I'll look my fade option but oh well.

 

I love Diamond Audio; good choice on that.

There are smarter people on here than I am so they may have a different POV but I would use the amp's power for the front speakers and sub and just run your soon-to-be new rear speakers off of the HU's power.

 

Not a bad idea and I may try it that way first. I will have to turn my gain way down on the amp for the front channel to get them to equal out though. Another option is just to add a MTX RFL300D for the sub only and run the speakers off this MTX. This series of MTX amps are stackable. hmmm that option actually sounds better. I'll have to do some measuring. I have the amp mounted under the back passenger side seat. The 40 section.

Yeah I'm really liking these Diamonds. I was going to get a Diamond amp, the shop I bought from carries these also. But the owner talked me into this new MTX RFL amp. I guess they've been out for about a year now. He said he's had absolutely no problems with them and they are really clean. I'm pleased so far. For sure not the best amp choice out there but it does the job.

Tuned it up a little more last night.


Nice looking bike btw.

 

I have to agree with you guys on loving Diamond Audio! I have on 07 supercrew with a pioneer deh-mp7800 head unit, diamond D373i 5x7's up front, stock in the rear, and jl stealthbox. the diamonds are being powered by and alpine pdx at 100 watts a channel and the sub by an alpine pdx bridged at 300 watts. I was really happy with this setup. I really love the diamonds, but I broke down and bought a set of JL ZR570 components for the front to replace the diamonds. Mainly because every thing I have read has been absolutely positive about these top of the line JL components. I installed the components on Tuesday and I am VERY VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!! i think the diamonds which I got for $89 online sound atleast twice as good as the JL components.

 

Ostate - just give them a bit of time to break in and warm up.

 

ostate are those JLs starting to sound as good as the Diamonds yet?

 

MX, No they don't sound as good yet. But I talked with Low_e_Red and a few others and they all said they need a few weeks to break in. I am crossing my fingers and hoping they start to sparkle for me in a few weeks. Kind of wondering if I am underpowering them as well with only 100 watts. I loved the diamonds from day one and actually have a set of diamond 6.5 components sitting here collecting dust. Was gonna install them last year, but i didn't want to cut my doors up to make em fit. I'll keep u up to date on the JL's.

 

Thanks. I'm leaning more and more towards the Diamond components. One reason is the crossovers have a rear acoustic fill hookup for your rear speakers that run of the same channel but doesn't affect the impedence load on the amp. Not sure how it effects the sound though.

Where'd you run your wires for the front components? Drill out the plug through the boot?

 

Yeah, the "Rear Acoustic Fill" feature on the Diamond crossovers seems like a pretty neat feature. But, not having ever heard them set up using that feature in a vehicle before I cannot comment on how they sound?
I put my crossovers in the back where the jack is located. On the passenger side I removed the panel in front of the fuse box and I ran the 4 wires(2 tweets, 2 woofers) in a sleeve. There is a rubber grommet that pops out and gives access to the door boot. Then just used a coat hanger to guide the wire into the door. On the driver side I popped off the panel that encases the hood release lever. I then drilled a hole on the front side of the metal, Not the side part where the parking brake mechanism and other wires are located. I drilled it slightly bigger than my wire sleeve. Just be careful b/c there are some wires behind the front metal area, but plenty of room for a hole of adequate size. Once through the front metal area the wire can be easily accessed through the rubber boot and led into the door with a coat hanger. Hope that helps.

 

That's helps a bunch. After looking again at where to run wires last night I wasn't real thrilled about going through that plug. Is it possible to get a picture of where you drilled? Just below the molex plug, then pull the boot away from the plug and snaked wires?

I took a chance on some Old but supposedly brand new Diamond Comps off Ebay. If they are what the guy claims the should sound damn good. All German made with silk dome tweeters. 5 1/4" woofers so no cutting.

Not sure where to mount these crossovers yet. My amp is mounting where your xovers are. I think I'm going to fabricate a plastic "shelf" out of an old computer monitor riser and wrap it in some black fabric. Then mount the xovers under that with the amp on top. Should work out. good.

Thanks again

 

That sounds like a pretty good plan for your mount. I will try and pull that panel on the driver side off when I get a chance this weekend, so I can post a pic for ya.

 

Don't go through the trouble of pulling your panel off just for a pic. I'll get it figured out. I appreciate the offer though.

Just got the Diamonds today. Nice. Kids have basketball games all weekend so I gotta wait on the install. Hopefully next week.

 

Got these installed after the last b-ball game this afternoon. Just got done. Early verdict is "I can't believe I got these for $110."

First song was Kansas, The Wall. Yeah I'm old. But also, this song is my reference for every component I've ever bought for both home and car audio for the last 10 years. Just a great range in this tune. Adjusted my gains and crossover points on the amp during the first listen. Running them with a MTX RFL404 50x4. Sub is a JL Audio (10") Stealth box in a 06 F150 Supercrew. Second and third time through I just sat back and enjoyed. Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Live One CD was next. At the beginning of the first song, In Too Deep, the snare drum this guy uses good kill a charging rhino at 50 paces. Very well mixed CD and they handled it well.

To say the least (which I haven't) I'm highly impressed. I had Diamond 373i fronts in there before this. I bought those with the amp and the sub. I got a screaming deal on the sub from a buddy who sold his 07 screw ($150). The 373s were temporary until I found a deal on some comps and then move the them to the back. I didn't do that today and I probably won't. I planned on running them off the RAF of the crossovers.

Ok now for the funny part. I'm still using the stock h/u. lol New head is coming but I just can't make up mind. The truck already has a DVD for the kids in the back. I really don't need nav and honestly I don't like a single din unit. PLUS I love having the 6 disk changer in the h/u. Yeah I still do CDs. I generally won't burn CDs too digital format unless I make them. Just too many crap digital files out there.

*Disclaimer: I'm not an audiophile. I think I know what sounds good, though. At least to me! I've played in bands (drummer) since I was around 15 or 16 (42 now). So maybe my hearing is gone anyway.

Sorry for the ramble. Doubt if any gives a **** anyway. lol

 

MX, I'm glad you got your diamonds in and that you are liking them, b/c those are the two most important things. One, its hard to have something in your possession and not have the time to install them, and second its even better when it satisfies your ears. Glad you didn't have to wait a week to install em. What diamonds are they? The hex series? Did you end up drilling a hole on the drivers side?