The challenges of achieving a high-end car audio setup

I put this up as an intro of The Audio Journey on a forum, of what I think about high-end home audio vs high-end car audio, and how that ties in with the items that appear on my blog:

Me, I'm just a high-end audio fan, been one for many years. As for high-end car audio, I must say I have not yet heard a car audio system that can quite match a good in-home setup in sound quality. My take on it (some may disagree) is that this is due to: (1) difference in quality of source, amplifier and speaker components when comparing high-end home audio vs car audio; (2) sometimes difference in philosophy of equipment design, ie designing products for dynamics vs natural sound; and (3) difficult in-car acoustics.

Couple that with the difficult consideration for owners of newer cars: (4) integration of head unit with car's HVAC and/or navigation systems; and (5) (rightful) reluctance of owners to tear up doors/dashboard/panels/pillars in order to optimally place speakers and amps.

With all these factors, the question in my mind is: How does one maximize sound quality while minimizing the amount of major surgery on the car? And my take is: (a) good head unit, if possible; (b) good OEM integration processor, if not possible to change head unit; (c) good amplifiers; (d) good speaker components/systems in stock locations; and (e) meticulous, systematic tuning.

Yes, while tone controls are the bane of high-end home audio, I believe they are the boon of high-end car audio, eg I think the Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2 is probably one of the better OEM integration processors around in terms of allowing flexibility of tuning, with individual channel equalizers, time delay and all, while the JL Audio CleanSweep CL441dsp is probably one of the easiest to use, given that it comes with automatic equalization.

As and when I come across new items that fulfill conditions (a)-(d), or facilitate (e), I will list them, with pics, as soon as practically possible.

FS: JL Audio Slash 250/1

1 x 250W high-end car audio amplifier (monoblock). Adjustable input level, equalizer, high-pass, low-pass and infrasonic filters.  Excellent condition, with original box and manual.

Price:  RM800

McIntosh: "...For the Love of Music..."

Having been around since 1949, the McIntosh brand has grown to become today one of the most esteemed brands in the high-end home audio/video and car audio industries. McIntosh today is owned by D&M Holdings (owned by Bain Capital), that owns an array of audio businesses such as Snell Acoustics (which has been integrated under McIntosh), Marantz and Denon.

The sound quality of McIntosh products is unquestioned. Its older tube and solid-state preamps and power amps are amongst the most sought after vintage items. Many of its products over the years, such as the C45, C200, C2200, MA6900, MC275, MC501 have received "Stereophile Recommended Class A" ratings, while some other products, such as the C46, MC402, MC2102, have been "The Absolute Sound Editors' Choice" classifications.

McIntosh entered the high-end aftermarket car audio business in 1992, after the acquisition by Clarion provided the management direction and necessary financial resources to do so. The car audio business has continued to grow even after Clarion sold McIntosh to D&M Holdings in 2003. Contrary to some rumours, McIntosh products are all made in its Binghamton, NY. This was confirmed by Charlie Randall, President, McIntosh Laboratories in an interview in 2009.

McIntosh has provided high-end OEM equipment for the Subary Legacy, Ford GT and Harley Davidson. Its aftermarket high-end car audio range includes head units, power amplifiers and speaker systems. For high-end audio enthusiasts looking for similar sound quality in their cars, McIntosh is probably one of a few aftermarket brands that have built their reputations upon high-end home audio, along with the likes of Dynaudio and Focal (JM Lab).

FS: McIntosh MSS630 (SOLD)

2-channel, 2-way high-end car audio speaker system. Includes 2 x 6.5" mica-filled polypropylene woofer/midrange drivers, 2 x 1" soft-dome tweeters and 2 x MN630 crossovers. This is a current model in the McIntosh product line-up.  Condition is mint as new, with original box and unopened manual.

Price: RM1.4k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MSS530 (SOLD)

2-channel, 2-way high-end car audio speaker system. Includes 2 x 5.25" mica-filled polypropylene woofer/midrange drivers, 2 x 1" soft-dome tweeters and 2 x MN530 crossovers. This is a current model in the McIntosh product line-up.  Condition is mint as new, with original box and unopened manual.

Price: RM1.2k
(SOLD)

FS: McIntosh MCC82

2 x 40W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable to 1 x 80W. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters. An interesting review of the MCC82 in a MINI Cooper.  Excellent condition.

Price: RM1k

FS: Dynaudio System 242GT (Brand new) (SOLD)

2-channel, 2-way high-end car audio speaker system. Includes 2 x MW162GT 7" MSP woofers, 2 x MD102 1.1" soft-dome tweeters, 2 x X252 crossovers, all mounting hardware and grills. This is a current model in the Dynaudio product line-up.  Brand new condition, crossovers still shrink-wrapped.

Price: RM2.9k
(SOLD)

FS: Tru Technology S44

4 x 65W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable to 3/2-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters, variable bass boost. This is a current model in the Tru Technology product line-up.  Some interesting reviews: Review 1 and Review 2.  Immaculate condition, with box and manual.

Price: RM1.6k

FS: Tru Technology S500 (SOLD)

1 x 325W high-end car audio power amplifier (monoblock). Adjustable input level, high-pass and low-pass filters, variable bass boost. This is a current model in the Tru Technology product line-up.  Immaculate condition, with box and manual.

Price: RM1.4k
(SOLD)

FS: JL Audio Slash 500/1 v2 (SOLD)

1 x 500W high-end car audio power amplifier (monoblock). Adjustable input level, equalizer, high-pass, low-pass and infrasonic filters. This is a current model in the JL Audio product line-up.

Price: RM1.4k
Sold

FS: JL Audio Slash 250/1 v2

1 x 250W high-end car audio amplifier (monoblock). Adjustable input level, equalizer, high-pass, low-pass and infrasonic filters. This is a current model in the JL Audio product line-up.

Price: RM900

FS: McIntosh MC423 (SOLD)

2 x 30W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable to 1 x 60W. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters.  Excellent condition, with original box and manual.

Price: RM1.2k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MC224

4 x 55W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable to 3/2-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters.

Price: RM2.6k

FS: McIntosh MCC404M (SOLD)

4 x 100W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable into 3/2-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, one-band equalizer, high-pass and low-pass filters. The "M" designation behind the number 404 means that it comes with the built-in McIntosh meters. This is a current model in the McIntosh product line-up.  Excellent condition.

Price: RM4.1k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MCC204 (SOLD)

4 x 50W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable into 3/2-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, one-band equalizer, high-pass and low-pass filters. This is a current model in the McIntosh product line-up.

Price: RM2.4k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MC443M (SOLD)

1 x 300W high-end car audio power amplifier (monoblock). Adjustable input level, high-pass and low-pass filters. The "M" designation behind the number 443 means that it comes with the built-in McIntosh meters.  Excellent condition.

Price: RM2.4k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MC440M (SOLD)

4 x 50W + 2 x 100W high-end car audio power amplifier. Yes, it is a 6-channel. Bridgeable into 5/4/3-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters. The "M" designation behind the number 440 means that it comes with the built-in McIntosh meters. An interesting review involving the MC440 (same specs except no meters), some Morels and Dynaudios.  Another project involving the MC440M.

Price: RM3.6k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MC440 (SOLD)

4 x 50W + 2 x 100W high-end car audio power amplifier. Yes, it is a 6-channel. Bridgeable into 5/4/3-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters. An interesting review involving the MC440, some Morels and Dynaudios.  Very good condition, with original manual.

Price: RM3.2k
Sold

FS: McIntosh MC427 (SOLD)

2 x 100W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable to 1 x 200W. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters.  Excellent condition, comes with original box.

Price: RM1.8k
(SOLD)

FS: McIntosh MC420M (SOLD)

4 x 50W high-end car audio power amplifier. Bridgeable into 3/2-channel configuration. Adjustable input levels, high-pass and low-pass filters. The "M" designation behind the number 420 means that it comes with the built-in McIntosh meters. Some reviews of this amp can be found here.

Price: RM2.1k
(SOLD)

Greetings: How this blog works

1. The blog will be updated with additional items as they come along.
2. I will update sold items with a "(Sold)" in its title.
3. Any questions, please feel free to email me at theaudiojourney@gmail.com.
4. Please also feel free to email me if you have suggestions how I can improve the blog and listings to better serve you, or if there are specific products you are looking for.
5. Thanks for looking!