Audio help for a beginner?

swj123 · 01-19-2015, 09:13 PM

Hello all, I have been following this thread for some time. In June of last year we had a garage fire that was started by a 2001 Explorer. Long story short it took out my wifes Lexus and my 2012 Altima. All is better than new now. But.. in the search for a new car for my wife I found a Black 2013 370Z with 3k miles for $28000. I put this in it right away (Kenwood Excelon DDX8901HD) But now it's income tax time I'm ready for some speakers and a amp. I am hearing great things about the Hertz line but didn't see them at Crutchfield where I normally buy my stuff. Wondering how the Hertz and Focal line would compare. I'm able to spend up to $500 or so on the speakers. Also these will be my first components. I am able to do all the work myself (retired postal electronic tech) Not afraid to tear it apart. Sorry so long.

Nillaz · 01-20-2015, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swj123

Hello all, I have been following this thread for some time. In June of last year we had a garage fire that was started by a 2001 Explorer. Long story short it took out my wifes Lexus and my 2012 Altima. All is better than new now. But.. in the search for a new car for my wife I found a Black 2013 370Z with 3k miles for $28000. I put this in it right away (Kenwood Excelon DDX8901HD) But now it's income tax time I'm ready for some speakers and a amp. I am hearing great things about the Hertz line but didn't see them at Crutchfield where I normally buy my stuff. Wondering how the Hertz and Focal line would compare. I'm able to spend up to $500 or so on the speakers. Also these will be my first components. I am able to do all the work myself (retired postal electronic tech) Not afraid to tear it apart. Sorry so long.

I had Focal 165KF's in my first 370Z and have Hertz XL's in my second. The mids are a bit different but the most noticeable difference is in the tweeters. My experience is that Focals have a sharper sound to them whereas Hertz are somewhat less aggressive.

I like to listen to my music fairly loud and depending on the type of music I was listening to the Focals pronounced crispness had a tendency to start bothering my ears after awhile. I don't really have this issue with my Hertz tweeters.

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed my Focals a great deal and had I been able to get them out of my wrecked Z before the insurance company took possession I would have in a heartbeat. To give it perspective, if the worst decision you ever have to make is whether to get Focal or Hertz components you live a charmed life.

Welcome to the forums BTW!

swj123 · 01-20-2015, 12:35 AM

Good info. Thanks. I just turned 60 and this is my first Z. Maybe a midlife crisis. Na. I was a gearhead in the 70's burning up the streets with another Z. Z28. Now I just want to cruise around and listen to tunes. I listen to older rock like zz top, eagles, Pink Floyd etc. When I got the car I put what I thought was a decent headend. The Kenwood. I like it a lot. XM, Stream Spotify from my Samsung S5 on BT, USB drive full of music. I am going to go with Components this time and see how that goes. Let me ask this. Pretty sure I know what you will say. If I go with the Focals or the Hertz do I need a amp for sure? I know it probably depends on the speakers. And I'm not going to run a sub. Just curious. I guess I would be more apt to spend more on the speakers If I didn't need the amp right now. Thanks

Nillaz · 01-20-2015, 03:19 AM

I'm sure my answer isn't a surprise, but I always recommend an amp for aftermarket speakers. You don't "need" an amp, but most headunits simply cannot drive aftermarket speakers well.

I love my speakers dearly, but given the choice of my Hertz components running off my headunit vs less expensive speakers plus a decent amplifier I would choose the latter without hesitation, every time. I'm sure you will get varying opinion on this, but that's my 2 cents.

As an aside Kenwood's Excelon units like you have are very nice. They have a strong focus on sound quality and just have an amazing selection of audio options. I can't imagine you being anything but well pleased with it.

SouthArk370Z · 01-20-2015, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swj123

... If I go with the Focals or the Hertz do I need a amp for sure? I know it probably depends on the speakers. And I'm not going to run a sub. Just curious. I guess I would be more apt to spend more on the speakers If I didn't need the amp right now. Thanks

If you are getting enough sound out of the HU, no real need for another amp. Want some more volume? Then get more amp.

swj123 · 01-20-2015, 11:53 AM

Do you know if I could Bridge the front and back speaker outputs on my Kenwood HU the same way you can on a amp? Just Curious.

Kenwood-Excelon-DDX8901HD

Nillaz · 01-20-2015, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swj123

Do you know if I could Bridge the front and back speaker outputs on my Kenwood HU the same way you can on a amp? Just Curious.

Kenwood-Excelon-DDX8901HD

Don't do this.

There were some Pioneer headunits that allowed you to bridge the rear channels to run an efficient sub, but what you are considering is a good way to smoke your headunit.

swj123 · 01-20-2015, 01:30 PM

Nope. Not going to.

swj123 · 01-20-2015, 12:54 PM

I just called Crutchfield and talked to a woman that recommended these with no amp. She said they sound amazing. Any thoughts? Thanks

Infinity Reference X REF-6500cx 6-3/4" component speaker system — also fit 6-1/2" openings at Crutchfield.com

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01-19-2015, 09:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
swj123 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 34 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 11	Hello all, I have been following this thread for some time. In June of last year we had a garage fire that was started by a 2001 Explorer. Long story short it took out my wifes Lexus and my 2012 Altima. All is better than new now. But.. in the search for a new car for my wife I found a Black 2013 370Z with 3k miles for $28000. I put this in it right away (Kenwood Excelon DDX8901HD) But now it's income tax time I'm ready for some speakers and a amp. I am hearing great things about the Hertz line but didn't see them at Crutchfield where I normally buy my stuff. Wondering how the Hertz and Focal line would compare. I'm able to spend up to $500 or so on the speakers. Also these will be my first components. I am able to do all the work myself (retired postal electronic tech) Not afraid to tear it apart. Sorry so long.

01-20-2015, 12:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
swj123 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 34 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 11	Good info. Thanks. I just turned 60 and this is my first Z. Maybe a midlife crisis. Na. I was a gearhead in the 70's burning up the streets with another Z. Z28. Now I just want to cruise around and listen to tunes. I listen to older rock like zz top, eagles, Pink Floyd etc. When I got the car I put what I thought was a decent headend. The Kenwood. I like it a lot. XM, Stream Spotify from my Samsung S5 on BT, USB drive full of music. I am going to go with Components this time and see how that goes. Let me ask this. Pretty sure I know what you will say. If I go with the Focals or the Hertz do I need a amp for sure? I know it probably depends on the speakers. And I'm not going to run a sub. Just curious. I guess I would be more apt to spend more on the speakers If I didn't need the amp right now. Thanks

01-20-2015, 03:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nillaz Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Reading, PA Posts: 259 Drives: 2012 370Z M6 Sport Rep Power: 3370	I'm sure my answer isn't a surprise, but I always recommend an amp for aftermarket speakers. You don't "need" an amp, but most headunits simply cannot drive aftermarket speakers well. I love my speakers dearly, but given the choice of my Hertz components running off my headunit vs less expensive speakers plus a decent amplifier I would choose the latter without hesitation, every time. I'm sure you will get varying opinion on this, but that's my 2 cents. As an aside Kenwood's Excelon units like you have are very nice. They have a strong focus on sound quality and just have an amazing selection of audio options. I can't imagine you being anything but well pleased with it.

01-20-2015, 11:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
swj123 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 34 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 11	Do you know if I could Bridge the front and back speaker outputs on my Kenwood HU the same way you can on a amp? Just Curious. Kenwood-Excelon-DDX8901HD

01-20-2015, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
swj123 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 34 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 11	Nope. Not going to.

01-20-2015, 12:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
swj123 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 34 Drives: 2013 370Z Rep Power: 11	I just called Crutchfield and talked to a woman that recommended these with no amp. She said they sound amazing. Any thoughts? Thanks Infinity Reference X REF-6500cx 6-3/4" component speaker system — also fit 6-1/2" openings at Crutchfield.com