You can -- and they used to sell stealth boxes for 12" subs I believe. There just aren't many options as far as 12" subs that will perform well in that small amount of airspace, since most need more than .65 cu.ft. and even if they don't need more...they would likely sound a lot better with more.

 

Where do I start?? This thread has turned into a monster. But hey, Im happy you guys are so helpful. First off, Fred thanks for clarifying, im a "she" however, in 96 z28's defence, most ppl on here are "he's" No harm, no foul. I havent had the 12" sub in my camaro yet. I come from a family of corvette owners. This is my first Camaro and she is pretty bare. V6, plain ole factory nothing special stock speakers and a 6yr old pioneer bottom end Headunit. My sub and amp came out of my old Blazer. I bought them back in the day. My amp is only 220 watts and its a 2 channel. I think the sub is a 1000w Pioneer. It hit hard enough in my blazer. Sadly my head unit is still in the blazer. I replaced my door speakers with Sony 4ways. Now Im finding this was a mistake. It sounds terrible. The sail panels are still stock and im adding hatch panels with the speaker enclosures from another camaro. What I mean by loud and crisp is, I can turn it up to where it hurts my ears, but it doesnt distort the music. I dont HAVE to use the 12" sub. But I havent heard very many good sounding systems with out a sub. Sounds like I need a bigger amp with more channels. I plan on rewiring like Fred suggested.

 

Not necessarily bigger or more channels....if you're happy with the output of yours, then keep that sub/amp combo -- or again, use the current amp for front components and buy a new amp for the sub (whatever works out best for your budget).

There is never a need for 4-way speakers -- stick to 2-way, IMO.

I also don't t hink you should add speakers to the hatch -- more is not better. Better sound is better, and most feel they can achieve a better soundstage with front components only, with a sub and possibly some midbass in the sails.

You want it to hurt your ears w/o distortion -- there is no question that you need an amp. Start small.... and amp only front components for now -- you'll be satisfied and realize you don't need more speakers in the hatch, etc.

Prolonged exposure to SPL over 85 dB can permanently damage the ear. Momentary levels exceeding 130 dB are more than the human ear can safely handle and can result in serious pain/permanent damage. So again...hurting ears is relative -I doubt you meant physically hurting though Here is a nice reference chart for the hell of it: http://www.abelard.org/hear/hear.htm

 

My setup gives me a crisp clean sound. I don't mean to push Alpine down HER throat, I just gave her my suggestions from what I know...and what I have experience with. If her goals are a crisp, clean sound then they are exactly what my goals were when I was upgrading my stereo. I am VERY happy with my setup and I like to share it so others can reap the benefit. Sometimes I word my opinions wrong because I am confident in my knowledge on this particular subject.

A headunit alone can provide excellent sound. If you are ever in Michigan I will let you hear mine just to prove it to you.

Some user friendly details about my system....

My Z28 has the Alpine headunit CDA-9883, four 6.5 in Alpine Type S Model: SPS-17C2, and the Bose powered speaker in the trunk. The Bose speaker in the trunk is the original that came with the car.

This is the Monsoon design offered as a premium sound package. Sounds great. The Bose powered speaker in the trunk has it's own amp, which gives it a little "thump" if you want it to. All in all I had about $335 invested in it and I love it.

No doubt that the Monsoon design helps make my system sound a lot better. But even in my 94' (which did not have the Monsoon design) the 4Alpine's sounded great. So I support and encourage Alpine because of my spectacular results with the brand.

My apologies if anyone has been offended.

 

No I dont want to hurt my ears, but I like to roll my windows down and use my car as a Stereo for outside when I go to the lake etc.

 

Hatch speakers are nice for that...if you really use your stereo like that that often. If you do end up with hatch speakers, could always just plug them in when you use your car as a massive boom-box. With the hatch open, the sound from those speakers has no problem getting out of the car. I would still advise against simply getting these to use as part of your normal listening setup as well though.

 

Whoops Sorry about that

Here's an E-bay find of the US Acoustics 4 Channel Amp I have except it's 85 Watts RMS

I like the quality / features for the price ratio of these amps, as well as the specs, but not real well known, or an easy company to deal with if you have issues..., but the prices are reasonable

I would say get a 4 channel amp for the main speakers, put them in the doors and in the sail panels (Rear Seat Area). Then use your current amp and sub for now, or maybe switch the box and sub to a 10" Stealth Box Setup if you like.

I would also agree with Fred, Two Ways are all you really need, my preference is Boston Acoustics, but they get pricey. So my compromise is Inifinity Kappas But you really want to go to an audio store and listen to a number of different speakers then decide

From your discussions this should get you were you want to be for a budget price, although probably a little more than $400....

 

If you plan on just fronts, here's a nice 2 ch amp: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-GM-520...9933999&sr=8-7
I've read some reviews on that older model Pioneer and haven't read anything negative. That's the only place I've seen those new for that price as well - a lot of the discount sites I use don't carry that amp...I wish I would have discovered it sooner.

I like these components from Elemental Desings because you can mount them coaxially: http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=49
Coaxial mounting allows for components without putting holes anywhere in our doors. CDT also makes a set like this.

 

Don't get deaf

 

ha best advice yet

 

Oh I won't. I want it loud for when I'm not in the car. I like to go down to the lake park my car by the dock and listen to music while I tan in the summer.

 

NICE

 

Very funny yungin' . Anyway, I think I have a good idea of what I am going to get. Thanks for your help guys.

 

PICS?

 

Get a nice 4ch amp. I am still rocking a 10 year old Alpine V12 amp and it plays loud and clean.