"The best sounding stereo I have ever heard"

[fuzzysnuggleduck]

That phrase, or a version there of, I've heard from two friends in reference to the stereo system installed in my '91 4Runner.

I'm trying to understand how it's possible that I've managed to create the best listening experience either of these educated and well listened people (one is a musician in three bands, the other our good friend Tom) had every experienced for significantly less than $1000CAD? It seems absurd to me, even though I also think that it's the best I've personally heard. How is this possible?

This is in Car Audio because I want to know the physics behind this, the reason. I want to figure out why my vehicle sounds as good as I and others think it does, especially for such a relatively simple system without extraordinary or expensive equipment. Most of you are familiar with the specs so I won't bother here. It's somewhat basic, but there's nothing of the stock system left except for the rear speaker enclosures.

MY MIND IS FREAKIN' BOGGLED!

The questions I have:

#1
Is the large interior airspace size of my vehicle an important part of the sound? Does the fact that the sub is in the same airspace as my ears and body make a difference to how well a sub blends with the rest of the spectrum?

#2
I haven't sound deadened a single bit of that truck. There is a bit of a heavier mat under the carpet but it doesn't seem nearly as effective as a real sound deadening job would be, especially since it's not secured to any surface. The dynamics can't be that great, can they?

#3
I'm not pushing that much power. I'm doing MAX about 45-50W to each channel of components (woofer AND tweet) and maybe 100W or so to the subwoofer. I don't know if the amount of power I'm driving the woofers with is all that important to SQ and listening experience but I don't suppose 40-50 for the components or 100 for the sub is really all that much. Does perhaps the fact that I'm NOT pushing a lot of power (but using the amp quite effectively as those are right near rated max numbers) play into the SQ of a system? Does SQ usually decrease with power? Increase?

#4
How much do I owe to PG?

#5
How much do I owe to the install? Did the fact that I used pro and very, very good amateur advice the whole way make the whole difference between fucked install and proper install?

#6
Are me and my friends totally delusional?

--

I have a feeling about some of these but I have confirmed my beliefs or inclinations (especially that delusional one...).

[VW337]

Coming from my background I can easily say the listening experience is 30% equipment and 70% install.


An install can make cheap shit sound like a million bucks or make it sound cheap and the same applies to good stuff.


You sir have above average equipment and a better install than 80% of the people who upgrade their systems.

[bdubs767]

Coming from my background I can easily say the listening experience is 30% equipment and 70% install.

Id say 20% gear, 50% install, 30 % tunning.


I've had some very very exotic speaker, and I can tell you this much...

All did sound better then your RSd set after lots of time spent tunning/installing, but for a drop and play your RSds are by far hands down best drop and play speaker I have ever heard. As for the exotics they usually sound like shit when they werent tunned/installed properly.

Your set up is perfect in theory, mazimixed your the Depth and width of your stage w/ speakers in kicks. And have the best possible solution to PLD in a car w/ both speakers in kicks too. Only down fall you can argue is low sound stage, but w/ eqing and firing the tweet correctly that can be over come.

There are three suggestion I can make to you though...as you'll find always somethign else to beef up lol. Id find a way to get a sub that can play lower then the XMAX. Since the RSd can play down to 60hz cross @ 60hz to some other sub w/ mor elow end presence. The second add TA, EQ, and more flexible xover the PPI DCX one is a nice option for a great price. The third buy a m100 run it to the sub for more power and go active it will solve your power problem w/ your RSd wanting more, and in theory active is better. You bypass any problem w/ impedence and sensitivity, extemre flexibilty, and fix phase issues most passives have.

Lots more work but after going active I dont think I could ever go back to passive.

[fuzzysnuggleduck]

All did sound better then your RSd set after lots of time spent tunning/installing, but for a drop and play your RSds are by far hands down best drop and play speaker I have ever heard.

I would never imply my system was actually the best system. That would be a terrible joke! Hehehe. I realize there is a ton of room to improve, I'm just wondering why, for what it is, it's seemingly so impressive for those who aren't spending several thousand on their installations... perhaps that's just it! ahahahahahahahaha, sorry, I just realized something. Durrrrrrr.

[Mackenzie]

Makes me ready to get my m44 up and going.

[Bfowler]

All did sound better then your RSd set after lots of time spent tunning/installing, but for a drop and play your RSds are by far hands down best drop and play speaker I have ever heard.

I would never imply my system was actually the best system. That would be a terrible joke! Hehehe. I realize there is a ton of room to improve, I'm just wondering why, for what it is, it's seemingly so impressive for those who aren't spending several thousand on their installations... perhaps that's just it! ahahahahahahahaha, sorry, I just realized something. Durrrrrrr.

\

you do have some pretty damn good gear. think about what that gear would go for if you paid normal people prices:


m44 ~$200 shipped
rsd6cs $180
xmax10 ~$100 shipped.

you made out pretty well!

that very likly IS the best gear they have heard, and on top of that it is installed properly.