ICE fitting for Chimaera?

[Corin Denton]

Hi, I bought some new speakers etc for my Chimaera, a mate of mine is a professional ICE installer, he needs some work on his car so while I work on his he's returning the favour, I have a variety of options so some advice would help.
I have at my disposal.....

Clarion head unit and changer,
Kenwood minidisc,
Kenwood amp (small)
Sony amp (huge!)
Celestion boxed 12" sub
Eminence boxed 10" sub.

I want a punchy clear sound as I really enjoy my music. My speakers are Rockford Fosgate, rear 6x9 and front standard size, all Punch series.

I was not going to use the subs at all but thinking of using the small Kenwood amp just to run the rears but my mate says I would be better off amping the fronts and letting the head unit drive the rears as the rears can tend to drown the front in that design of cabin?
Any comments?

Also I am tempted just to fit the mini-disc as CD changers always seem to be untidy in Chimaeras plus with the minidisc the disc storage saved too as you can compress four albums onto one mini-disc, therefore store about 20 albums in a mass the size of a fag packet!
Any comments?

Anyone tried anything different like 6" subs in the storage behind the seats?

Any input gratefully received.

[Corin Denton]

Had it done, that's why i need an upgrade!!!

[Corin Denton]

Just where is the best place to cut for 6x9s, I read in the 'bible' to leave some of the vent intact to allow airflow and to stop the cabin balooning but it doesn't go into much detail?
Thanks.

[Corin Denton]

According to Steve Heath the rear vents are to allow air to flow through the cabin to stop the rear screen inflating like Escort cabriolets on helium at speed!

[Corin Denton]

I think that could be the answer, so everyone agrees with amping the front then?

[Corin Denton]

Two way Rockford Fosgate punch series.

[Corin Denton]

Right had the install done today, went for the Kenwood MD, 6x9 Rockford Fosgate rears with the small Kenwood amp driving them with reduced gain so not to outshine the fronts, mounted inbetween the rear cones behind the carpet in the boot, moved one of the vents between the 6x9s for airflow but my mate who helped me with the install thinks I should get a really good single slot CD and ditch the MD as they don't perform half as well as CD in a car environment, fro his experience MD is great at home etc. but in a car sounds compressed, any feedback?

[Corin Denton]

I like MD because I can store them so easily, not running long play at the mo, just copied down The Coral and Electric Six's new albums on one disc still got much more room in the fag packet for lots of albums!