Hi:
I'm new to high performance car audio equipment and need some expert advice.
My car is a 1996 Chevy Caprice LT1.
My object is to install a good SQ system. No earshattering booming subs.
After much research, I've ready to purchase either the CDT CL 61a at Zeb for $150 or the new HD62 Carbon Fiber (not the Pro HD62 ) at Zeb for a special intro price of $200. I'm leaning towards the HD 62 Carbon Fiber which seems better.
My questions are:
1. Which is the better system and by how much?
2. Should I do any upgrades (456 crossover to 560, 3/4" tweeter to 1" tweeter) or is the system already balanced for optimum compatibility, and changes will only reduce performance?
Thanks
Regards,
John
Replies (6)
Pezzulli on 11/6/2003 18:45:06
Oops! Just read Swez's advice to newbies.
Additional info:
Head Unit - Plan to purchase Alpine CDA 7897
Amp - No idea. Need to read up on amps. {:-) At this point, I'm like a new teacher who reads the lesson the night before he teaches it to the class. I had planned to ask about amps at a future date, since the amp won't be purchased until next month.
However, your recommendations (and why, so that I can learn) would also be appreciated now.
Thanks again.
Regards,
John
Swez on 11/7/2003 00:30:46
Will work with you as you define your goals John.
As for the CDT's whatever you desire here is appropriate. The Classics are the mid-line products. The HD62 is the next rung up the ladder. Many I know, have bought the CL-61a's and are very happy with performance and price.. your call on that matter. In fact, I may get a pair... just as they are such good performers... CL-61a's.
Think "big picture" of your end goal for your system, then we can work it back to get you there,
Swez
PS Welcome to CK !
Pinch on 11/7/2003 01:23:33
I finally got my CDT HD 642s up and running (well sort of at least) and I have to say they are everything I hoped they'd be and more. I only have one of the amps I'm gonna need to power them, but for now I have only one side hooked up. I am running an Alpine MRV-T320 bridged to power one side with 220 RMS watts. ASAP I will acquire and install a similar amp to power the other side. Anyway, CDT makes a fine speaker. I really went out on a limb because nobody in Reno (I knew) had heard of them.
They really do Pink Floyd justice...
Oh yeah, the point of all this is that I would definately buy CDT given the choice again. Also, they have GREAT customer service and if you shoot them an email, you may save big by buying "B" stock items which perform the same but have MINOR aesthetic defficiencies.
Good Luck,
Pinch
snipe523 on 11/7/2003 11:29:30
Whichever set you decide to get you will not be dissapointed. I have a CL-61's and they are amazing for the price. I would say if you have the extra 50 bucks go ahead and get the HD's. My CL's have very good midrange and the tweeters are very crisp sounding without ever sounding harsh.
Pezzulli on 11/7/2003 13:56:46
Hi Guys:
Thanks for the quick response and advice. As a newbie, my purchase of CDT components will now be an enjoyable experience, since I won't be second-guessing my choice immediatley after the purchase. The choices out in audioland are simply mind-boggling!
I will certainly contact CDT and ask about their B stock items.
My goal is to have a good/very good SQ system for my personal listening pleasure. Probably mid-range as far as components, with an overall expenditure of approximatley $1200 not counting dynamat and other non-component costs. So far it looks like this:
Head Unit: Alpine cda7897 $500
CDT HD 62 CF Speakers $200
Amp - to be recommended by this group
Other ?- to be recommended by this group
My music tastes vary from Bocelli to Doo Wop (yeah, I'm an old man).
Please recommend an amp and whatever else you think that I would need, so that I can start to look for the best deals.
Thanks again, this site is great!
Regards,
John
Swez on 11/7/2003 16:15:55
Hey, you have another Old Guy here too... me.
Your Comps should sound great with 100-150 watts RMS per channel. You may want/not want rear fill, but I prefer it as it fills the cabin with plenty of sound. Does not have to be Comps like the front stage... but a good pair of matching Coaxials will do well. CDT makes some good coaxials too.
Can go for a larger 4 channel amp and spend more, or a pair of adequate 2 channel amps (1 for Comps, other for rear fill) will do the job. What amps to try? Depends on your power requirements and how much you wish to spend. Some very good brands can be has for low prices off te web, or you can shoot the moon and but the high end gear. (I see very little difference... except the features and price)
Thinking about a little bass? A modest sub/amp will really add a whole new dimension to what ever you like to listen to. Most car speakers will take you down to 60-80 Hz just fine. But for real bass (30-100 Hz) a good sub and amping power will fill out the gaps.
No, you don't need a 2000 watt thumper system... just enough bass to bring it all together. A 300-500 watt sub amp and a good 12 will do the job well.
Comments?
Swez
I'm new to high performance car audio equipment and need some expert advice.
My car is a 1996 Chevy Caprice LT1.
My object is to install a good SQ system. No earshattering booming subs.
After much research, I've ready to purchase either the CDT CL 61a at Zeb for $150 or the new HD62 Carbon Fiber (not the Pro HD62 ) at Zeb for a special intro price of $200. I'm leaning towards the HD 62 Carbon Fiber which seems better.
My questions are:
1. Which is the better system and by how much?
2. Should I do any upgrades (456 crossover to 560, 3/4" tweeter to 1" tweeter) or is the system already balanced for optimum compatibility, and changes will only reduce performance?
Thanks
Regards,
John
Replies (6)
Pezzulli on 11/6/2003 18:45:06
Oops! Just read Swez's advice to newbies.
Additional info:
Head Unit - Plan to purchase Alpine CDA 7897
Amp - No idea. Need to read up on amps. {:-) At this point, I'm like a new teacher who reads the lesson the night before he teaches it to the class. I had planned to ask about amps at a future date, since the amp won't be purchased until next month.
However, your recommendations (and why, so that I can learn) would also be appreciated now.
Thanks again.
Regards,
John
Swez on 11/7/2003 00:30:46
Will work with you as you define your goals John.
As for the CDT's whatever you desire here is appropriate. The Classics are the mid-line products. The HD62 is the next rung up the ladder. Many I know, have bought the CL-61a's and are very happy with performance and price.. your call on that matter. In fact, I may get a pair... just as they are such good performers... CL-61a's.
Think "big picture" of your end goal for your system, then we can work it back to get you there,
Swez
PS Welcome to CK !
Pinch on 11/7/2003 01:23:33
I finally got my CDT HD 642s up and running (well sort of at least) and I have to say they are everything I hoped they'd be and more. I only have one of the amps I'm gonna need to power them, but for now I have only one side hooked up. I am running an Alpine MRV-T320 bridged to power one side with 220 RMS watts. ASAP I will acquire and install a similar amp to power the other side. Anyway, CDT makes a fine speaker. I really went out on a limb because nobody in Reno (I knew) had heard of them.
They really do Pink Floyd justice...
Oh yeah, the point of all this is that I would definately buy CDT given the choice again. Also, they have GREAT customer service and if you shoot them an email, you may save big by buying "B" stock items which perform the same but have MINOR aesthetic defficiencies.
Good Luck,
Pinch
snipe523 on 11/7/2003 11:29:30
Whichever set you decide to get you will not be dissapointed. I have a CL-61's and they are amazing for the price. I would say if you have the extra 50 bucks go ahead and get the HD's. My CL's have very good midrange and the tweeters are very crisp sounding without ever sounding harsh.
Pezzulli on 11/7/2003 13:56:46
Hi Guys:
Thanks for the quick response and advice. As a newbie, my purchase of CDT components will now be an enjoyable experience, since I won't be second-guessing my choice immediatley after the purchase. The choices out in audioland are simply mind-boggling!
I will certainly contact CDT and ask about their B stock items.
My goal is to have a good/very good SQ system for my personal listening pleasure. Probably mid-range as far as components, with an overall expenditure of approximatley $1200 not counting dynamat and other non-component costs. So far it looks like this:
Head Unit: Alpine cda7897 $500
CDT HD 62 CF Speakers $200
Amp - to be recommended by this group
Other ?- to be recommended by this group
My music tastes vary from Bocelli to Doo Wop (yeah, I'm an old man).
Please recommend an amp and whatever else you think that I would need, so that I can start to look for the best deals.
Thanks again, this site is great!
Regards,
John
Swez on 11/7/2003 16:15:55
Hey, you have another Old Guy here too... me.
Your Comps should sound great with 100-150 watts RMS per channel. You may want/not want rear fill, but I prefer it as it fills the cabin with plenty of sound. Does not have to be Comps like the front stage... but a good pair of matching Coaxials will do well. CDT makes some good coaxials too.
Can go for a larger 4 channel amp and spend more, or a pair of adequate 2 channel amps (1 for Comps, other for rear fill) will do the job. What amps to try? Depends on your power requirements and how much you wish to spend. Some very good brands can be has for low prices off te web, or you can shoot the moon and but the high end gear. (I see very little difference... except the features and price)
Thinking about a little bass? A modest sub/amp will really add a whole new dimension to what ever you like to listen to. Most car speakers will take you down to 60-80 Hz just fine. But for real bass (30-100 Hz) a good sub and amping power will fill out the gaps.
No, you don't need a 2000 watt thumper system... just enough bass to bring it all together. A 300-500 watt sub amp and a good 12 will do the job well.
Comments?
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
