Few questions for a total audio n00b

lol matt keep in mind that was at 11V, and we found out later that it was down a MOFSET or 2 oh and power was 18xx at 2.8 ohm for the soundstream
the PA 5500 FLA did 1408W @ 2.85 ohm on stock electrical yes it dropped voltage pretty good

idk how much your really looking for power in a amp but here ya go:
http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/s...252d1200D.html
http://www.audioque.com/aq/?page_id=26
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...RZ1700.1D.html

i'd be happy with anyone of those

oh and whiney i'll show you some voltage drop

Hey guys, I figured I'd just update this thread rather than making a new one. But is there any guides here (or anywhere) to installing this stuff? With pictures if possible. That would be very helpful to me. Not knowing a ton about cars sometimes I have trouble visualizing exactly what I need to do.

Also, still looking for good speakers. got some ideas in mind, but if anyones got anything they really like in their car let me know. Mids and highs are just as important to me as bass, so I want something of pretty nice quality to go with my sub. If there's one thing I can't stand it's cars where all you can hear is the bass.

Eclipse SC8365 - Sonic Electronix

That's about as good as you'll ever get price/performance. My speakers(a/d/s/ 346is) are on ebay for $250 with a different crossover. Shouldn't effect performance though.

You can get ideas for installation through my build threads on gpona. Link is bottom of my post.

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Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

Eclipse SC8365 - Sonic Electronix

That's about as good as you'll ever get price/performance. My speakers(a/d/s/ 346is) are on ebay for $250 with a different crossover. Shouldn't effect performance though.

You can get ideas for installation through my build threads on gpona. Link is bottom of my post.

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What would you recommend with a larger budget though. i'm not getting rear speakers now so I have more money to put into my fronts. Assuming I can probably find a good deal somewhere I'm thinking speakers 300-400 would be good. I mean I don't want to buy a speaker JUST for the price, but mids and highs are important to me and I have to think that in most cases more expensive speakers probably are better quality. I'm probably going to go to a store soon and test some out but looking for opinions on what I should look at more in that price range. Or do you really think these speakers could outperform most 300 dollar speakers (or to the point atleast where the more expensive wouldn't be hardly noticeably better).

Well those eclipse retailed for $700 before Eclipse went under. Before a/d/s/ went under, my 346is speakers debuted at $1200 and settled at $900 and were a "fire sale" of $600. The 336px version went for about $3k I think? The px were nothing more than the original design with bling.

Don't get caught up on price I guess is what I'm saying. Everything has it's 15 minutes of fame. If you wanted to research crossover points, phase, response graphs, speaker response in a given airspace, off axis vs. on axis + understanding how use RTA graphs to tune the installation(this list can go forever) you could put together a set from peerless, seas, dayton, usher, etc etc. and compete with "$10,000" speakers. In the 90's the rule of thumb for sound was that costs = 90% install + 10% hardware. Car audio can be as simple as using a microwave or as ridiculous as curing cancer...it's up to you to decide how far you're willing to go to procure your "sound quality"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

Well those eclipse retailed for $700 before Eclipse went under. Before a/d/s/ went under, my 346is speakers debuted at $1200 and settled at $900 and were a "fire sale" of $600. The 336px version went for about $3k I think? The px were nothing more than the original design with bling.

Don't get caught up on price I guess is what I'm saying. Everything has it's 15 minutes of fame. If you wanted to research crossover points, phase, response graphs, speaker response in a given airspace, off axis vs. on axis + understanding how use RTA graphs to tune the installation(this list can go forever) you could put together a set from peerless, seas, dayton, usher, etc etc. and compete with "$10,000" speakers. In the 90's the rule of thumb for sound was that costs = 90% install + 10% hardware. Car audio can be as simple as using a microwave or as ridiculous as curing cancer...it's up to you to decide how far you're willing to go to procure your "sound quality"

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ya you got a good point. would you recommend the speakers you got over the eclipse ones you posted? idk much about speaker specs or what the crossover point and what not exactly indicates so its not always easy for me to tell whats good and why.

also this might be stupid, but what wiring harness should I get for the kenwood execelon kdc-x794. I don't want the GMCO integration harness because I feel like thats a bunch of extra money for things i don't care about (plus some very bad reviews involving stereo quality). i just don't want to buy the wrong one as I have a feeling I would somehow do.

harness: call all the car audio shops in your area and see what is available. Mine was $30 and is green with an internal speaker. That way it's only interface with my stereo is turning it off and on through rap.

speakers: I have no experience with the eclipse speakers. Mine work well with stock crossovers. if you used the same locations and some eq i think they'd sound very good for you. The problem is that they have a slightly low Qt for the mid and install is crucial. It's best to design an enclosure for them; probably my next project. Otherwise, with my available dsp built into my head unit I've been abled to make them work quite well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

harness: call all the car audio shops in your area and see what is available. Mine was $30 and is green with an internal speaker. That way it's only interface with my stereo is turning it off and on through rap.

speakers: I have no experience with the eclipse speakers. Mine work well with stock crossovers. if you used the same locations and some eq i think they'd sound very good for you. The problem is that they have a slightly low Qt for the mid and install is crucial. It's best to design an enclosure for them; probably my next project. Otherwise, with my available dsp built into my head unit I've been abled to make them work quite well.

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what exactly is dsp and what does it let you do.... lol tried to find the answer myself but i couldn't seem to find any good article really outlining it.

DSP = digital signal processor. It's a generic term. Mine provides cross-over selection for high pass to one set of pre-outs, hp and lp for a 2nd set, and lp for subwoofer. I also have time alignement on 6 channels, 5 band parametric or 7 band graphic eq. Those are the most important features it offers for me. I have the option to attach alpine's imprint processor too. A few of the more popular dsp's in car audio are jbl's ms8, audison's bit one, behringer something rather(image dynamics use to adapt the power supply for dc since it's a ht piece), the h700 and h701 by alpine, and i don't want to list anymore.

ok so I've ordered a couple things now (fi q sub and the kenwood excelon kdc-x794 headunit). I'm about to order a couple amps and then some component speakers once i figure out what exactly I want.

I was wondering if anyone could run me through a quick list of things I'll probably need. I've got a mounting kit and I'm still working on finding a cheap wiring harness that works. I also need an amp kit[s] to wire up the amps for the sub/speakers. I don't know if anyone has any good suggestions there. Anyways I'm sure there is other wires and what not I might need. So, if someone could help me out here it would really help beat a lot of confusion. I just don't want to finally get all my stuff and realize I don't have something I need. A good kit of tools for fooling with wires and what not (or just a list) would be nice as well.

Also, whats the cheapest/easiest way to install component speakers in the gxp.. idk where i should put the tweeters

that kenwood is a nice unit ;) good pick

For wiring, i'd say knukoncepts. They got some great stuff. Something like that will be fine, also dont forget the 3 sets of rca's and about 100-150' of 14 gauge speaker wire.
0 GAUGE DUAL AMP POWER KIT
As for tweeter placement, I800 will be the man to answet that question...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by whiney

For wiring, i'd say knukoncepts. They got some great stuff. Something like that will be fine, also dont forget the 3 sets of rca's and about 100-150' of 14 gauge speaker wire.
0 GAUGE DUAL AMP POWER KIT
As for tweeter placement, I800 will be the man to answet that question...

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That kit will be everything I need for 2 amps right?

I know I need speaker wire but is brand really important there? Theres a large range in price there so does it matter what brand I end up using?

Also, why 3 rca cables? just curious... i remember hearing something about rca cables but never took the time to look into them. any recommendation on a brand again? Just want to make sure I'm gettin some decent quality stuff. And I read something about needing a distribution block? Not sure what that is really or which one I might need

Sorry for all the questions guys lol, I feel like I need every little thing clarified to me. I'm having my friend help me with this so hopefully installation will go smoothly. He's not a car audio guy but he has built computers so I think he has a pretty solid understanding of electronics.

imo rcas are rcas as long as they are by themselfs (mines next to the power wire)
you can use a distro block but you would only be needed for the grounds (that kit has one with it)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rkrajnov

That kit will be everything I need for 2 amps right?
Yes, it should be.
I know I need speaker wire but is brand really important there? Theres a large range in price there so does it matter what brand I end up using?
Honestly, wire is wire. Your pick there.
Also, why 3 rca cables? just curious... You will need a set for fronts, rear and subs i remember hearing something about rca cables but never took the time to look into them. any recommendation on a brand again? Like turbotrav said rca's are rca's, split them up and you will be fine. Just want to make sure I'm gettin some decent quality stuff. And I read something about needing a distribution block? Not sure what that is really or which one I might need All you will need would be a 0 gauge in to like 2, 4 gauge outlets. that kit has one by the looks of it too.

Sorry for all the questions guys lol, I feel like I need every little thing clarified to me. I'm having my friend help me with this so hopefully installation will go smoothly. He's not a car audio guy but he has built computers so I think he has a pretty solid understanding of electronics.

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Hope that helps out a bit.

haha ok. now in terms of amp placement... well where did you guys put yours? I was thinking I could put the one for the sub on the rear seats. I guess i could do the speaker amp on the drivers side seat. That amp kit should be enough wiring for me to do that right? im thinking it should be fine judging by how much wire is there. seems like more than enough to get the job done.

also, you said i need a set of rca's for my front, rear, and subs, but what if I'm just leaving the rears stock and not amping them? I wouldn't need RCA's for them then I don't think? or maybe I'm just misunderstanding something haha. Please correct me.

I have 2 4channels and crossovers mounted on a plate that is pushed to the front of the trunk, and the sub amp is mounted on the box. I've never dealt with an 04+ but the 97-03's you almost need to put a plate up to give you something to mount to. Now for the rca's yes you only need 2 sets then, but for the price of them, may as well run another set if you want to upgrade in the future.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by whiney

I have 2 4channels and crossovers mounted on a plate that is pushed to the front of the trunk, and the sub amp is mounted on the box. I've never dealt with an 04+ but the 97-03's you almost need to put a plate up to give you something to mount to. Now for the rca's yes you only need 2 sets then, but for the price of them, may as well run another set if you want to upgrade in the future.

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Gotchya. And maybe it's wrong, but I've heard you shouldn't mount your sub amp right on the box? Also, whenever you get a chance do you think you could take a picture of your set up? I'm just trying to get as many ideas as possible for mounting the amps and crossovers. I would like to take up as little trunk space as possible since I do use my trunk. Is there a thread here or somewhere else possibly showing peoples amp set-ups, etc...?

I haven't really noticed a problem with having it mounted on the box. In extreme cases they will fall apart, my bud had 2 2200d's on 2 18" fi btls and it broke a couple of the capacitors and what not off. But im only running 1000 watts right now. As for the mounting I have a pic of my amp board, but none of it mounted in the car, it was sanded down and painted gloss black with blue led's in the crossovers. Now as for the tweeters, i've had good luck mounting them in the a-pillar, if i was you i'd mount them up a little higher. I would have if I didn't have gauges, and a random video of some real sub flex...
YouTube - Fi Q 15"
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c...untitled-2.jpg
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c.../untitled1.jpg
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c.../untitled2.jpg
http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/c.../untitled3.jpg

found a potential pair of speakers and I have a question.

Would it really make that huge of a difference in overall sound to go coaxial over components?

In example, I was looking at the JL c5 650's and I noticed they have a counterpart called 650x which seems pretty much identical except they are coaxial. They still have external crossovers as well. The reason I bring this up is because I wouldn't have to worry about mounting the tweeters which was something I was a little unsure about. However, if I'm just not gonna be getting the full effect with coaxials I think I might just bite the bullet and go for the components. I have a feeling this is something that might be more personal taste, but I want to know what you guys think about it.