I have an opportunity to buy CDT HD642 speakers with CDT-10LP tweeter. The thing is right now I have Phoenix Gold Octan-R Components in the front and Phoenix Gold Octane-R coaxials in bak, a SoundStream 480.4 amp powering them.

First off...what are your opinions on the optimal setup in this situation? What combination of speakers should I leave/install in my car? How should I power them? where should I install them? Should just put the CDT's in the front somewhere and move the Phoenix Gold Octane-R comp's to the bak, or what...I don't know...recommend me something...

These are all questions I really would like answered ASAP because I only have like 3 days before I have to make my decision.

 

id buy em pending the price of the cdts.

 

CDTs are quality especially HD series, don't know about Phoenix

 

I think i can get them for like $200, for the whole shebang. There are like 2 things concerning me.

1. The HD642's are a three piece component set, 6.5", 4", and 1" tweeter (plus the crossovers). So I'm just wodering where I could install the 4" mid/bass speaker cause I have no Idea.

2. Also should I leave the back speakers in there or take them out? Or should I put the comps that I have in the front in the rear shelf? Or would it be better to take the bak speakers out, make the holes in the rear shelf ports for the sub. Then take the Phoenix Gold comps and stick them in the rear doors, and have the CDT's in the front.

3. I'm also getting 2 tweeters for the front stage fill put under the front windshield.

Anyway...I would like to hear some recommendations...because If I buy the speakers I'm not going to have a lot of mula left over, and I'm just wondering how I should run the setup for the highest SQ possible, and I need to know the costs and the type of labor envolved in what I'll need to do.

 

So, what do you think would be the best allocation of speakers? Anyone?

BTW - considering the amp that I have I was thinking of running 240watts RMS per channel (at 4ohms bridged). They should be able to handle that right? especially with the extra 2 tweeters.

 

CDT claims they are designed to sound great to sound in factory locations

 

yea pretty decent off axis imo

 

your not getting me. The HD642 are already a 3 piece component set meaning that each channel has (1)-6.5" Mid, (1)-4"Mid/bass, (1)-Tweeter. Plus I'm also getting the frontstage system, which adds another tweeter to each front channel. So what I'm asking is where I can fit the 4" mid/bass in the front? The doors? I don't know ....where is there room in the front to fit the 4 inch speakers?

 

You would have to make a custom panel to put the 4" mid on.. preferably down by the kickpanels

 

Somebody was actually selling custom made kickpanels not to long ago. Search, maybe you'll find them

 

custom kick panels if you live near jersey im sure Don would assist in some way

 

well I got fuked out of the HD642's. But now I'm looking for anything close to as good as those speakers. I was thinking of going with Phoenix Gold Elites TI6.5 components. Any recommendations on that or should I get the CDT HD-62's?

 

I had the HD-62's and the ES-620's in my last car. They are really excellent quality speakers. The HD series had the better midbass response out of the two. While the ES had the edge with a better tweeter (it was just amazing). Either one is a good choice. The HD series offers more value for the money tho.

The HD and ES series use an oversized midrange (modified Vifa driver) that is quite deep. It will be a custom install usually. Also the inner door should be sealed with a dampening material to get the best possible midbass response. The x-overs are also quite large in comparisont o other components. Again its a matter of a custom install.

If you're willing to do the work, you get an awesome component set.

CM

 

I already have dynamating installed in the front 2 doors and the rear shelf. I probably going to go with the HD-62's. I was thinking of getting 2 sets. Put 1 in the front doors, and 1 in the rear doors. Then leave the rear speaker locations open as ports for the sub that I'm getting in the trunk. What do you think of that setup?

 

or should I get a smaller midrange for the rear doors ... like the 4" or the 5 1/4? Or just stick with the 6"?

And what do you mean by "...it will be a custom install usually..."?

 

Don't waste the money on a good component set for the rear doors. The complexity of installing a midrange with a low and high pass x-over system isn't worth it. Get a cheap set of co-axials and throw them in there. 90% of the sound should come from the front speakers for proper imaging.

Custom install....because the speakers are (as I recall) quite deep. Most people fabricate an MDF spacer to build it up slightly so the end of the speaker doesn't stop the window from rolling down. The speaker is closer to 7" in diameter than 6.5" so there may be issues with clearance for the sides if its not mounted on an MDF spacer too. Its not a big problem. A small piece of MDF and a jig-saw is all you need to make your own spacers.

CM

 

offtopic: do jigsaws cut through abs plastic well?

 

a lot of plastic melts when it is cut with a jigsaw, and if not seperated right away, will stiffen up again, so usually it's hard to get the clean cut you want.