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General => Car audio => Topic started by: squirrel on 17 May 2005, 23:13

Title: Will shopping list work???
Post by: squirrel on 17 May 2005, 23:13

I have decided on the setup I want, would anyone be able to check it over and make sure its ok before I buy the rest?

Head Unit - Sony CDX R6559 - already bought
2 x Infinity Reference 6402cf 6 x 4 @ 40W RMS - already bought
2 x Infinity Reference 4002i 10cm @ 35W RMS - already bought
1 x Infinity Reference 1030W 10" Sub @ 250 RMS, or Sony XS-L101P5S @ 300W RMS - not bought yet
1 x Sony XM-504Z 4 channel amp @ 4 x 50W RMS - not bought yet
1 x JBL GTO-75.2 2 channel amp @ 1 x 260W RMS - not bought yet

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: Splinter on 18 May 2005, 09:24

Won't work, you aint got any cables!  :smiley: You need decent thickness power. Half decent oxy free speaker wire and very good RCA leads.

I'd upgrade to some better quality front speakers when you get chance, even some good quality 2nd hand components. It will make a huge difference to quality up front. The rest should be okay for a budget system. Consider getting a ported box for the sub, if your wanting it a little louder (with slightly less punch) It can sound twice as loud, a ported box will need to be a little bigger than a sealed one.

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: CHR15 on 18 May 2005, 17:57

ditch the rears! :evil:

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: squirrel on 18 May 2005, 18:48

I've only just bought the fronts!  :huh: I can't upgrade already lol

What would I upgrade too? I thougth Infinity were a quality brand, what other 6x4's could I have bought?

I am keeping the car totally stock apart from adding the sub obviously! So I can't get speakers which won't fit in the doors, or rear panels.

With regard to the sub box I am panelling off the two sides of the boot, one side wil house the sub, the other side will house my Xbox. Then I'm having a 17" widescreen LCD screen in the centre! Should be good once its all in.

I think I'm going to need to consider the power aspect of this installation. Any suggestions? Will I need a second battery?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: CHR15 on 18 May 2005, 21:22

just dont have any rears...they just bring the centre of the sound back towards the rear of the car, which aint where you are sitting i presume!! :evil:

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: golfpro on 19 May 2005, 08:01

do you really mean 17"? thats pretty big!

I agree with chris too, dont put the rears it and just have fronts and a sub. Works for me!

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: squirrel on 19 May 2005, 08:20

Yep, I already have the LCD screen, and its definately a 17" widescreen.
Its all going in the boot so I can play xbox and watch DVD's "Pimp My Ride" style! When at shows or camping.

I'm making it all removable so the car will remain stock.

I really need to know more about powering it all though, I'm guessing the single car battery won't be enough to power the screen and xbox for a few hours at a time without going flat.

Can anyone describe how setup the power?? Second Battery??

Thanks

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: Splinter on 19 May 2005, 18:40

You need to fit a 'split charge relay' wired to alternator & 2nd battery so that its charged when engine is running and you can use it, knowing that you can always start the car!

If you have a decent car stereo shop nearby, they can sort you out with one, or go mail order. All the simple wire instructions will come with it. You then need a voltage meter to give a guide to when battery is going flat after a few hours of stereo and xbox! You'll need a different type of battery to a normal car one, and I'm not sure on the price of these nowadays, but think they're about twice as expensive!

Personally, I've always preferred having rear speakers as it 'fills' the car with sound better, but a simple system can often sound the best. All my speakers are in the stock locations, with upgraded fronts (inc tweeters) and rears (inc tweeters) Try it with & without rears (seeing as you've got them), and see which you prefer.

Don't 4get the 12v power invertor for the xbox and screen!!!

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: squirrel on 19 May 2005, 23:42

Thank you Splinter!
I like your style. I have always preferred rear speakers too.

I'll have a look at these power splitter thingies you mentioned, and the battery too.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how I get on, and post some pics too.

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: CHR15 on 20 May 2005, 08:08

looking forward to seeing the pics....should be awesome!

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: Splinter on 20 May 2005, 11:14

PS, (In case you don't know) Make sure that all the speakers are in phase. ie, all positives from amp to positives on speakers.

They will work either way, BUT speakers will cancel each other out a bit if, ones moving out as other's moving in (if you know what I mean) Especially important if you have rear's as well.

Get some silver backed sound deadening sheets or large rolls (similar to dynamat) off ebay or somewhere for front doors, rear doors/wings and boot floor&tailgate to make it sound better. This will cost £50 to £150 unfortunatley  :smiley: Takes a few hours to fit too! but done carefully will make a huge improvement. Take all your seats out to do this 1st. They remove easily (5min job)

Use decent thickness MDF if you're making sub enclosure and make it solid. Don't use 3/8" thick, that's too thin. Need 1/2" thick minimum. Sealed enclosure needs to be 0.75 cubic feet. Ported normally twice as big. Finish with some nice acoustic cloth (again from ebay or somewhere cheaper than stereo shops) Take time to securley fasten speakers, etc. GOOD INSTALLATION & quality wiring makes the difference.

oh, and one main thing after all that's done.... Post some pics!  :tongue:

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: CHR15 on 21 May 2005, 08:55

superb post mate!

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: squirrel on 23 May 2005, 23:33

Thanks Splinter,

That will be useful!

My first amp should arrive this week so I can get the first 4 speakers wired up correctly, then wait til I get the sub and second amp in a couple of weeks.

Any ideas where I would fit a second battery without shrinking my boot space anymore!, its only a little Cab boot you see. And I'll be boxing one side off for the sub and the other side for the xbox.

I'm in a bit of a planning phase still at the moment.

Thanks again.

PS How is Leonardo and co? ;)

Title: Re: Will shopping list work???
Post by: Splinter on 24 May 2005, 00:06

Here's all the bits needed for a split charge relay kit: http://thebassbin.co.uk/shop/product/products_id/250.html

and a typical dry-cell battery: http://thebassbin.co.uk/shop/product/products_id/181.html

Me and my mate used to buy a few things from that company years ago, until he got a job at caraudiocentre in Nottingham (also good!). Both firms do very good products at good value, and some great packages and know their stuff so can give some advice.

Just to show prices are pretty good 12" sub & box package: http://thebassbin.co.uk/shop/product/products_id/2144.html

We once installed 5, 15" subs (imported from US) in the back of an Astra! Was seriously loud and kept breaking his boot lock. Used to enter Sound quality comps and SPL comps with it. He still only had one battery though, but kept his engine running all the time, all day!  :shocked:

Best get your boot plans down on paper. Sketch idea after idea with measurements, then eventually you'll work out whats best. If you modify your engine bay and a little, turn battery 90 degrees, a new tray, you might be able to get two small batteries in there! Maybe? :huh: