SI in a car with focal 165k2's

[nickmig]

I was thinking of getting two Sonic Impacts, and having each drive it's own side of the 165k2's. The set consists of a 3/4" tweeter and a 6.5" midbass, left and right.

On the datasheet for my speakers, it claims they have a 92db/m sensitivity at 2.8 V/1m. I currently have a soundstream rubicon 502 (125w x 2) powering the components, and I listen to music loudly every once in a while. I am planning on powering the SI's off of my carputer power supply. Do you guys think the SI's will be loud enough in a car environment?

Here is the specs of the 165k2s

[mourip]

Why not run it off the car's 12v DC? ... and maybe add a resevoir cap ahead of it to help with transients?

Let us know what you end up doing and how it sounds.

Best,

Paul

[DJNUBZ]

It won't be loud enough. If you are looking to try something different then that would be different but it will not be close to the quality of your rubicon.

[nickmig]

close to quality, or close to how loud it is with the rubicon.

I have read so many of these good reviews, but what listening level are people reviewing it at?

[BWRX]

moderate listening level with fairly efficient speakers at HOME! unless your car is not moving or has a LOT of sound deadening material, you have to overcome a rather loud noise floor which means your speakers require more power. 9W/ch at 8ohms can get high sensitivity speakers to more than adequate volume levels in small/medium size rooms. then again, it depends on what you consider an adequate volume level.

[DJNUBZ]

"close to quality, or close to how loud it is with the rubicon"

Both. To get any kind of useable volume you havbe to push the T amp to it's limits and even then you may not have enough output. To bad you can't bridge those amps, then it would be a possability.

[Variac]

You should get the amps to try it- then if it doesn't work you have the amps for a bunch of other projects! They come in handy!

[nickmig]

Well, I purchased one from parts express...I'll be able to tell you guys how it sounds after my finals are over (wed.) or when I get the amp in the mail. Thanks for the opinions, and I am hoping that it will get loud enough. I've been doing a lot of searching and I haven't seen anyone thats hooked them up in a car.... maybe there is a reason behind that. With the sensitivity, what is the difference between them measuring at 2.8v/1m instead of at 1w/1m? Are they doing this so the speakers look more sensitive then they really are?

[BWRX]

Originally posted by nickmig
With the sensitivity, what is the difference between them measuring at 2.8v/1m instead of at 1w/1m? Are they doing this so the speakers look more sensitive then they really are?

If you have an 8 ohm speaker, the sensitivity at 2.83V/1m and 1W/1m would be equal. If you have a 4 ohm speaker, the sensitivity at 2V/1m and 1W/1m would be equal. If the speaker is 4 ohms and the sensitivity is quoted at 2.83V/1m then it would be the same as the sensitivity at 2W/1m. Since your speakers are 4 ohm nominal, the 92dB @ 2.83V/1m is a misleading figure. It would be less than 92dB @ 1W/1m, actually more like 89dB @ 1W/1m.

[motherone]

The SI will still put 10-15 watts into a 4 ohm driver. You might want to tweak the output caps for a 4 ohm load. You may also wish to biamp the component set if it supports it -- 1 SI for the left and 1 for the right. Unless it's a series x-over, you can probably find a way to biamp the set.

I also think with mods, the SI would probably be on par with the rubicon in terms of SQ..