Hey guys, first off thanks for the advice regarding the problem i was having with the speakers cutting out when i applied the brakes. I mentioned to the install guy that the ground wire location could be wrong, half an hour and everythings works, so thanks again.
Now ive decided to upgrade my stereo. Namely my crappy kenwood sub and crappy kenwood amp that is powering it need to go. Also i have rear shelf Pioneer 6" by 9" 3 way speakers that i want to replace as i find the sound to be quite murky. Unfortunately the car came with 6" by 9" holes in the rear shelf so i have to go 6by9. Im very happy with my MTX thunder 4244 amp that is powering the speakers and my front 6" speakers so they can stay.
Its tough to give a budget because everything is more expensive here (australia). But in terms of speakers im thinking along the lines of the Pioneer Audiophiles (or something similarily priced). Im not sure if i want a 10 inch or 12 inch subwoofer, though i prefer short sharp bass notes as i mostly listen to rock music and i ofcourse need a new amp to power this subwoofer
Any reccommendations would be great, though keep in mind that mostly whats available to me are the Japanese brands (pioneer, kenwood, Sony, Clarion) plus MTX. So if you can reccommend along those lines then that would be cool.
Thanks.
- Jarrod.
Replies (14)
Swez on 09/13/2003 06:30:28
Glad they were able to clear up your audio issues so fast. Was it a poor ground?
About your rear deck 6x9's... some have modified the opening with a prefab or home made baffle panel that allows you to install 6.5" 2-3 way round speakers. If you stick with the 6x9 format, Pioneer Premier has some pretty good speakers in that format.
As for your sub system... MTX makes a full line of decent amps for subs. Not cheapest guys on the block... bit they are reliable. As for sub(s) Can you provide a short list of web sites in your zone that cater to car audio? With these links, might be able to find you some nice subs and amp as well.
Clarion makes some very nice HU's and speakers. Ledt's see what they have in amps and subs:
AMPS:
http://clarion.com/amps/amps03.htm (APX 401.2)
http://clarion.com/amps/amps01.htm (DPX1001.2) will require 2 subs to handle the power of this amp.
SUBS:
http://www.clarion.com/subwoofer/sub05.htm
http://www.teamclarion.com/SharedWebDBs/clarionsupport.nsf/5f19efe6a4b0a4a086256ba400152c7e/af4873c58c88001288256cd30074a325/$FILE/SRW1243%20OM%20Final.pdf
A single 12" in the proper enclosure will give very good results for Rock music. A single Voice Coil, 4 ohm 12 coupled with the smaller amp noted above will do fine for good SQ and moderate SPL. Just bridge the amp to MONO and you have plenty of power to do the job. The APX 401.2 amp seems just right for the sub mentioned above.
If you go to the larger amp, DPX1001.2 you'll want to use a dual sub enclosure and ~300 RMS power handling per sub.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/14/2003 22:02:33
thanks, bit expensive for the amp, (the smaller one is listed at $699.99 on Clarion Australias home page!!). Although thats what the website says, wouldnt be suprised if i can pick it up for $400ish in your average Car audio store. It makes me jealous when i read of you northern hemisphere people picking up good quality stuff for next to nothing. Still, musn't grumble.
The subwoofer looks pretty good. SOrry to pester with questions...but what does a voice coil do? should i go with one or two? Because i noticed the price difference is fairly negligeble.
-Jarrod.
ttocs on 09/14/2003 23:45:53
the voice coil is the motor structure of the speaker. By adding a second coil you increase the number of wiring possibilities. If you get a dual 4 ohm voice coil, you can wire them in parallel and get a net 2 ohm load. Most amps will put out more power at that impedence, and give more sound. We are not talking a huge difference, but it can help.
Swez on 09/15/2003 07:55:25
Yes, dual voice coil subs tend to handle more power and dissapate more heat as well. If using more than one sub, several wiring options are available as well.
About amps... can you get JBL Monovalve series amps at reasonable price down under? There are 4 main flavors of Class D amps in the Power series from JBL: BP xxx.1
150.1 150 RMS at 1 or 2 ohms, 75 RMS @ 4 ohms
300.1 300 RMS ..................... 150 RMS
600.1 600 RMS...................... 300 RMS
1200.1 1200 RMS.......................600 RMS
Very reliable, very inexpensive here in the States and potent amps as well. Have a look:
http://www.jbl.com/car/products/category.aspx?cat=amp
Am not sure if you can get these in Ausie Land to date, but ask around and see what you can find.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/17/2003 22:56:39
Thanks for the advice mate. Im honestly not sure how gettable JBL amps are down here. A friend of mine has JBL speakers so ill give him a call and see where the hell he got them from.
cheers.
Jarrod.
Swez on 09/18/2003 08:20:53
JBL amps and speakers are pretty much available in most parts of the world. You may have to dig hard to find a reasonable price on same... but well worth the looking.
I know the UK websites offer JBL products... but not sure what web sites are avialable in Aussie Land for car audio. One option is get a friend to buy what you want in the States and ship it to you. It may take awhile to get it.. (maybe 2-3 weeks shipping time) but I really don't know what Customs issues and taxes are though.
Swez
Tray on 09/18/2003 09:02:40
Maybe if we had a better idea what equipment you can/can't obtain, we could give you a better idea.
Swez on 09/18/2003 17:51:25
He noted MTX, Pioneer, Sony and few other Japanese brands as well. But yes, we can help you better if we knew what brands are avialable in your area. Brand and model numbers are most helpful and if there are car audio web sites in Austrailia, what would they be and we can check for options in your price range, that will get the job done.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/22/2003 01:17:58
The Carion APX401.2 is the amp ill go with. ive found it going for $350 at a local store which is about at the top end of my price range for the amp. I was listening to my mates earthquake sub playing a wide variety of music and that sounds really good so i might go and get that one. Nothing like hearing a component actually in a car before you buy it. Thanks for the help guys. The 6x9s ill leave alone for the time being atleast though those pioneer 5 wayers have a really good sound to them.
Jarrod.
Swez on 09/22/2003 07:02:47
If you go with the Clarion amp noted, you'll probably want to bridge it to MONO for about 280 watts RMS into a 4 ohm load. So, when buying a single sub for you system, make sure you get a sub that is ~300 RMS power rated and nets a 4 ohms load.
One sub you may really like is Infinity. Since it is Japanese, you may see them in your area. They have 3 models that meet the criteria noted above. See if you can find a dealer in your area that has these.
1. Infinity Reference Series: LOOK here: http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_Reference.htm
2. Infinity Kappa Series: LOOK here: http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_Kappa.htm
3. Infinity Kappa Perfect Series: LOOK here: http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_KappaPerfect.htm
Several guys I have worked with have purchased them and love em. Even the low priced REF series is an outstanding performer for the price. I suggest you try a single 12" as they handle more power and in a compact enclosure.... ~1.0 cf sealed, it will give you clean, low bass and good punch as well. Larger boxes will give more boom while smaller boxes have less boom and more punch. If you don't have the space, then go with the single 10" sub.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/22/2003 10:25:33
Hmm...they actually sound really good. I havent seen them locally, but that doesnt mean they arent there. I can always try and get a shop to order something in for me if not immediatly available. Good stuff, ill definitely get my mates to drop into this site sometime. Though only 2 or 3 of my friends lare into car audio so not sure exactly how much i can help :)
Swez on 09/23/2003 08:57:19
Jarrod,
Bring them along for the ride... the more the merrier! One of the difficulties we have here, is servicing the Austrailian car audio crowd. Several drop in for information, but we seem to have a hard time showing them gear that is available in that part of the world. Some US sites will ship to the UK and other parts of the world as well... but you'll be waiting a while as shipping seems to take several weeks plus Customs.
Most guys don't have local web e-tailers info to check prices and specs on gear we have here. We don't really know much about the gear you have available there ... so we are fishing in the dark at times if you cannot get what we have available here.
In order to better serve our Aussie bretheren, a decent list of web sites that cater to your area would be most helpful. Got any suggestions between you and your mates? If you guys can compile a listing of e-tailers, we can set the details in our FAQ for future references. That will speed up the process of searching for quality gear and we'll be more effective in offering product ideas as well.
Comments?
Swez
Jarrod on 09/24/2003 01:37:26
Well, okay.A quick search on the net has actually found me quite a few sites. Ill look them up and list the good ones when i get the chance. I would do them now but i have an assignment due tomorrow and i should probably finished that off instead.
Swez on 09/24/2003 06:44:38
Great idea!
Feel free to list the websites as you find them. Some will have low end gear only while other may have a nice mix of low end and high end gear. We can then review the sites and build a list of GOOD, BETTER & BEST choices based on performance, brand name and price. I often shoot for a blend of these 3 parameters which I often offer as a best buy choice.
Thanks,
Swez
Now ive decided to upgrade my stereo. Namely my crappy kenwood sub and crappy kenwood amp that is powering it need to go. Also i have rear shelf Pioneer 6" by 9" 3 way speakers that i want to replace as i find the sound to be quite murky. Unfortunately the car came with 6" by 9" holes in the rear shelf so i have to go 6by9. Im very happy with my MTX thunder 4244 amp that is powering the speakers and my front 6" speakers so they can stay.
Its tough to give a budget because everything is more expensive here (australia). But in terms of speakers im thinking along the lines of the Pioneer Audiophiles (or something similarily priced). Im not sure if i want a 10 inch or 12 inch subwoofer, though i prefer short sharp bass notes as i mostly listen to rock music and i ofcourse need a new amp to power this subwoofer
Any reccommendations would be great, though keep in mind that mostly whats available to me are the Japanese brands (pioneer, kenwood, Sony, Clarion) plus MTX. So if you can reccommend along those lines then that would be cool.
Thanks.
- Jarrod.
Replies (14)
Swez on 09/13/2003 06:30:28
Glad they were able to clear up your audio issues so fast. Was it a poor ground?
About your rear deck 6x9's... some have modified the opening with a prefab or home made baffle panel that allows you to install 6.5" 2-3 way round speakers. If you stick with the 6x9 format, Pioneer Premier has some pretty good speakers in that format.
As for your sub system... MTX makes a full line of decent amps for subs. Not cheapest guys on the block... bit they are reliable. As for sub(s) Can you provide a short list of web sites in your zone that cater to car audio? With these links, might be able to find you some nice subs and amp as well.
Clarion makes some very nice HU's and speakers. Ledt's see what they have in amps and subs:
AMPS:
http://clarion.com/amps/amps03.htm (APX 401.2)
http://clarion.com/amps/amps01.htm (DPX1001.2) will require 2 subs to handle the power of this amp.
SUBS:
http://www.clarion.com/subwoofer/sub05.htm
http://www.teamclarion.com/SharedWebDBs/clarionsupport.nsf/5f19efe6a4b0a4a086256ba400152c7e/af4873c58c88001288256cd30074a325/$FILE/SRW1243%20OM%20Final.pdf
A single 12" in the proper enclosure will give very good results for Rock music. A single Voice Coil, 4 ohm 12 coupled with the smaller amp noted above will do fine for good SQ and moderate SPL. Just bridge the amp to MONO and you have plenty of power to do the job. The APX 401.2 amp seems just right for the sub mentioned above.
If you go to the larger amp, DPX1001.2 you'll want to use a dual sub enclosure and ~300 RMS power handling per sub.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/14/2003 22:02:33
thanks, bit expensive for the amp, (the smaller one is listed at $699.99 on Clarion Australias home page!!). Although thats what the website says, wouldnt be suprised if i can pick it up for $400ish in your average Car audio store. It makes me jealous when i read of you northern hemisphere people picking up good quality stuff for next to nothing. Still, musn't grumble.
The subwoofer looks pretty good. SOrry to pester with questions...but what does a voice coil do? should i go with one or two? Because i noticed the price difference is fairly negligeble.
-Jarrod.
ttocs on 09/14/2003 23:45:53
the voice coil is the motor structure of the speaker. By adding a second coil you increase the number of wiring possibilities. If you get a dual 4 ohm voice coil, you can wire them in parallel and get a net 2 ohm load. Most amps will put out more power at that impedence, and give more sound. We are not talking a huge difference, but it can help.
Swez on 09/15/2003 07:55:25
Yes, dual voice coil subs tend to handle more power and dissapate more heat as well. If using more than one sub, several wiring options are available as well.
About amps... can you get JBL Monovalve series amps at reasonable price down under? There are 4 main flavors of Class D amps in the Power series from JBL: BP xxx.1
150.1 150 RMS at 1 or 2 ohms, 75 RMS @ 4 ohms
300.1 300 RMS ..................... 150 RMS
600.1 600 RMS...................... 300 RMS
1200.1 1200 RMS.......................600 RMS
Very reliable, very inexpensive here in the States and potent amps as well. Have a look:
http://www.jbl.com/car/products/category.aspx?cat=amp
Am not sure if you can get these in Ausie Land to date, but ask around and see what you can find.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/17/2003 22:56:39
Thanks for the advice mate. Im honestly not sure how gettable JBL amps are down here. A friend of mine has JBL speakers so ill give him a call and see where the hell he got them from.
cheers.
Jarrod.
Swez on 09/18/2003 08:20:53
JBL amps and speakers are pretty much available in most parts of the world. You may have to dig hard to find a reasonable price on same... but well worth the looking.
I know the UK websites offer JBL products... but not sure what web sites are avialable in Aussie Land for car audio. One option is get a friend to buy what you want in the States and ship it to you. It may take awhile to get it.. (maybe 2-3 weeks shipping time) but I really don't know what Customs issues and taxes are though.
Swez
Tray on 09/18/2003 09:02:40
Maybe if we had a better idea what equipment you can/can't obtain, we could give you a better idea.
Swez on 09/18/2003 17:51:25
He noted MTX, Pioneer, Sony and few other Japanese brands as well. But yes, we can help you better if we knew what brands are avialable in your area. Brand and model numbers are most helpful and if there are car audio web sites in Austrailia, what would they be and we can check for options in your price range, that will get the job done.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/22/2003 01:17:58
The Carion APX401.2 is the amp ill go with. ive found it going for $350 at a local store which is about at the top end of my price range for the amp. I was listening to my mates earthquake sub playing a wide variety of music and that sounds really good so i might go and get that one. Nothing like hearing a component actually in a car before you buy it. Thanks for the help guys. The 6x9s ill leave alone for the time being atleast though those pioneer 5 wayers have a really good sound to them.
Jarrod.
Swez on 09/22/2003 07:02:47
If you go with the Clarion amp noted, you'll probably want to bridge it to MONO for about 280 watts RMS into a 4 ohm load. So, when buying a single sub for you system, make sure you get a sub that is ~300 RMS power rated and nets a 4 ohms load.
One sub you may really like is Infinity. Since it is Japanese, you may see them in your area. They have 3 models that meet the criteria noted above. See if you can find a dealer in your area that has these.
1. Infinity Reference Series: LOOK here: http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_Reference.htm
2. Infinity Kappa Series: LOOK here: http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_Kappa.htm
3. Infinity Kappa Perfect Series: LOOK here: http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_KappaPerfect.htm
Several guys I have worked with have purchased them and love em. Even the low priced REF series is an outstanding performer for the price. I suggest you try a single 12" as they handle more power and in a compact enclosure.... ~1.0 cf sealed, it will give you clean, low bass and good punch as well. Larger boxes will give more boom while smaller boxes have less boom and more punch. If you don't have the space, then go with the single 10" sub.
Swez
Jarrod on 09/22/2003 10:25:33
Hmm...they actually sound really good. I havent seen them locally, but that doesnt mean they arent there. I can always try and get a shop to order something in for me if not immediatly available. Good stuff, ill definitely get my mates to drop into this site sometime. Though only 2 or 3 of my friends lare into car audio so not sure exactly how much i can help :)
Swez on 09/23/2003 08:57:19
Jarrod,
Bring them along for the ride... the more the merrier! One of the difficulties we have here, is servicing the Austrailian car audio crowd. Several drop in for information, but we seem to have a hard time showing them gear that is available in that part of the world. Some US sites will ship to the UK and other parts of the world as well... but you'll be waiting a while as shipping seems to take several weeks plus Customs.
Most guys don't have local web e-tailers info to check prices and specs on gear we have here. We don't really know much about the gear you have available there ... so we are fishing in the dark at times if you cannot get what we have available here.
In order to better serve our Aussie bretheren, a decent list of web sites that cater to your area would be most helpful. Got any suggestions between you and your mates? If you guys can compile a listing of e-tailers, we can set the details in our FAQ for future references. That will speed up the process of searching for quality gear and we'll be more effective in offering product ideas as well.
Comments?
Swez
Jarrod on 09/24/2003 01:37:26
Well, okay.A quick search on the net has actually found me quite a few sites. Ill look them up and list the good ones when i get the chance. I would do them now but i have an assignment due tomorrow and i should probably finished that off instead.
Swez on 09/24/2003 06:44:38
Great idea!
Feel free to list the websites as you find them. Some will have low end gear only while other may have a nice mix of low end and high end gear. We can then review the sites and build a list of GOOD, BETTER & BEST choices based on performance, brand name and price. I often shoot for a blend of these 3 parameters which I often offer as a best buy choice.
Thanks,
Swez
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