Hi folks,
New to the forum here.
I decided to put some good sound in my 3/4 ton 2000 Suburban.
This is what I put in to date.
Eclipse 8443 HU
Eclipse EA3422 Amp 4x50
MB Quart RCE216's front and rear doors with baffels made for the rears.
Sirius Sat. Radio into the aux in. Kenwood go anywhere reciever.
Here are my questions-
On the HU do I mess with the cross over setting? The MB's have Cross Over Units. I am new to the jargin and equipment, and I dont even understand what the cross over is doing. If someone has a good link for a good read, I would appreciate it.
The system sounds great. Better than any system I have ever had before. Maybe a bit to much base, but when I adjust it out, I lose some great depth if that makes any sence?
Should I get a sub? I am not into hip hop. Mostly rock 60's and up with some smooth jazz or good blues.
If an sub is a great investment, looking for some recomendations?
If so, any recomendations were to mount without giving up floor space? I travel alot and the seats are up and down and out alot.
I have a gizzalion more questions, but I start with this.
Thanks in advance.
Fish
Replies (8)
Swez on 09/15/2003 20:29:05
Your HU has a few nice features and the internal HU crossovers are nice if your amps don't have HP/LP filters. Most do these days. About the only thing you may want to consider is to tweak the LP (Lo-pass) filter on the HU so that the main speakers only get ~60-80 Hz and up. The signals for bass, below 80 Hz will be handled by a subwoofer. This is easier on smaller speakers as they don't try to reproduce bass they were not designed to do.
Sub and amp... yes, a very good option and will add a new dimension of low end to any music you listen to. No need for a large sub system either as you need the cargo space. A single 10 or 12" sub in a sealed enclosure is adequate for nice balance on bass to your exisiting system. No need for a large amp or expensive sub either. Figure 150-200 watts (RMS) of amp power and matching sub will do fine. Bazooka, Infinity or JBL offer powered sub combos that are easily removed when you need the cargo space.
Have a look at this as a possible option: Infinity Bass Link is small, nice bass and easy to place anywhere you need same. The passive radiator adds more lows to smaller woofers and still takes only a modest amount of space.
http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_BassLink.htm
About crossovers... these devices split up the frequency band and allocate specified frequencies to the correct drivers. Ie: Tweeters get the highs only and the mids get signals below the tweeter only etc.
There are some very complex filter networks out there for Car, HT and Pro audio applcations and the crossovers help give high deinition sound to each speaker in the system. If you wish to learn more about crossovers, here's a link to read. It may be a bit over your head now... but with time and study, it will make more sense.
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/xovrslop.htm
Enjoy the forum and ask as much as you care to... somebody will try to help if they can.
Swez
Old Man Audio
mrfish on 09/15/2003 21:37:09
Thank You,
Nice common sense answer and good advice.
The next question would be about the satelite radio. I know it is new, and maybe all the bugs are not worked out.
My questions are-
Why does it convert the digital signal to analog? I am not sure if this is the cause for my dissapointment of the sound quality, but it is not great. It has three output levels. On high, it has distortion. Med. is ok, low is muffled.
Also, going through the aux, I have to turn it off while listening to AM or FM or I get a cracking noise in the speakers. Fine with CD. Tried another HU, same thing. Again, turn down the output of the kenwood KTC-H2A1 and it is better, but not eliminated. I was told nature of the beast with the feedback of two feeds at once. Anyone else experience this?
I must say, it is nice no commercials. I drive several hours a day between two states, and it is worth the money to me not to have to use all three FM's for local stations, and gosh I hate commercials. ESPN Radio is great, comedy channel when I need to lighten up! Just wish it sounded better.
Swez on 09/16/2003 08:19:39
Not had much experience with this new technology (XM Radio) to date, so I cannot say that what you mention is common or not.
It does sound like the gain output from the XM receiver to your HU via AUX input has to be matched in signal power. If too much input signal, overdrive the Aux inputs. If not enough signal, poor sound quality.
Wait and see if others have any experience with this one and can give you some tips on what can be done to improve sound quality from the XM reciever.
Swez
PS Did you like the self contained sub package noted above?
mrfish on 09/16/2003 14:05:25
Yes, the Infinity basslinkamp is pretty neat. I like the idea. Best, I can test it fairly easy without alot of set up. Thanks for the tip.
ttocs on 09/16/2003 17:08:31
is the XM piece a FM modulated? It sounds like it with the problems you are experiencing. By using an FM mod piece, it takes the digital signal, and converts it into a FM station that you tune the radio to to get the music. When this happens, you loose bandwith as FM is just not capable of 20-20khz. This would also effect your am/fm reception when it is on as when you turn the XM piece on, it actually turns off you factory antenna to help reject outside noise. WHen you turn it off you allow the use of the factory ant, and get normal reception.
I have a buddy with the basslink. It does a good job...
mrfish on 09/16/2003 17:45:21
No, that is the main reason I went with the Eclipse HU. I wanted to feed into the HU and not thrugh the cassette via FM Modulated. The Kenwood reciever though, and all of them as of date, converts the digital to analog. Kinda goofy. They claim CD quality, but it is degraded some.
Also, XM is the competitor. I have Sirius. I dont think there is much difference in the signal or the recievers from what I have read.
Thanks again for the ideas!
Ron
ttocs on 09/17/2003 11:44:00
the sound quality should be the same between the two brands.
They have to have a DA(digital to analog) converter. You cannot hear digital.
But that is strange that you are getting side effects on your radio from the sirius tuner. I have never heard of that. I will be at the shop on friday. If you can wait that long I will ask the guys there to see if they have had this problem before. I have done a few of the satalite radios since returning from my install sabatical, but not enough to give good advise really...
Also, good choice on sirius, I have stock in them....
mrfish on 09/17/2003 13:44:42
Hey ttocs,
Thanks, Have them turn the output gain on the set up settings to high, then either go to am of fm, and you will here the blead/cracking. Not a huge deal, I just turn off the Sirius when I am listening to local radio.
I understand that I need the D/A. I believe the HU has D/A converter also, as the manual shows digital inputs through the aux in the eclipse. Correct me if I am wrong, as I am a bit out of my element. I know electronics, but I am new to the sound game.
Good call on the Sirius stock! I think you will make some good greenbacks once this takes off.
New to the forum here.
I decided to put some good sound in my 3/4 ton 2000 Suburban.
This is what I put in to date.
Eclipse 8443 HU
Eclipse EA3422 Amp 4x50
MB Quart RCE216's front and rear doors with baffels made for the rears.
Sirius Sat. Radio into the aux in. Kenwood go anywhere reciever.
Here are my questions-
On the HU do I mess with the cross over setting? The MB's have Cross Over Units. I am new to the jargin and equipment, and I dont even understand what the cross over is doing. If someone has a good link for a good read, I would appreciate it.
The system sounds great. Better than any system I have ever had before. Maybe a bit to much base, but when I adjust it out, I lose some great depth if that makes any sence?
Should I get a sub? I am not into hip hop. Mostly rock 60's and up with some smooth jazz or good blues.
If an sub is a great investment, looking for some recomendations?
If so, any recomendations were to mount without giving up floor space? I travel alot and the seats are up and down and out alot.
I have a gizzalion more questions, but I start with this.
Thanks in advance.
Fish
Replies (8)
Swez on 09/15/2003 20:29:05
Your HU has a few nice features and the internal HU crossovers are nice if your amps don't have HP/LP filters. Most do these days. About the only thing you may want to consider is to tweak the LP (Lo-pass) filter on the HU so that the main speakers only get ~60-80 Hz and up. The signals for bass, below 80 Hz will be handled by a subwoofer. This is easier on smaller speakers as they don't try to reproduce bass they were not designed to do.
Sub and amp... yes, a very good option and will add a new dimension of low end to any music you listen to. No need for a large sub system either as you need the cargo space. A single 10 or 12" sub in a sealed enclosure is adequate for nice balance on bass to your exisiting system. No need for a large amp or expensive sub either. Figure 150-200 watts (RMS) of amp power and matching sub will do fine. Bazooka, Infinity or JBL offer powered sub combos that are easily removed when you need the cargo space.
Have a look at this as a possible option: Infinity Bass Link is small, nice bass and easy to place anywhere you need same. The passive radiator adds more lows to smaller woofers and still takes only a modest amount of space.
http://www.justwoofers.com/Woofer_Pages/Infinity/infinity_BassLink.htm
About crossovers... these devices split up the frequency band and allocate specified frequencies to the correct drivers. Ie: Tweeters get the highs only and the mids get signals below the tweeter only etc.
There are some very complex filter networks out there for Car, HT and Pro audio applcations and the crossovers help give high deinition sound to each speaker in the system. If you wish to learn more about crossovers, here's a link to read. It may be a bit over your head now... but with time and study, it will make more sense.
http://www.eatel.net/~amptech/elecdisc/xovrslop.htm
Enjoy the forum and ask as much as you care to... somebody will try to help if they can.
Swez
Old Man Audio
mrfish on 09/15/2003 21:37:09
Thank You,
Nice common sense answer and good advice.
The next question would be about the satelite radio. I know it is new, and maybe all the bugs are not worked out.
My questions are-
Why does it convert the digital signal to analog? I am not sure if this is the cause for my dissapointment of the sound quality, but it is not great. It has three output levels. On high, it has distortion. Med. is ok, low is muffled.
Also, going through the aux, I have to turn it off while listening to AM or FM or I get a cracking noise in the speakers. Fine with CD. Tried another HU, same thing. Again, turn down the output of the kenwood KTC-H2A1 and it is better, but not eliminated. I was told nature of the beast with the feedback of two feeds at once. Anyone else experience this?
I must say, it is nice no commercials. I drive several hours a day between two states, and it is worth the money to me not to have to use all three FM's for local stations, and gosh I hate commercials. ESPN Radio is great, comedy channel when I need to lighten up! Just wish it sounded better.
Swez on 09/16/2003 08:19:39
Not had much experience with this new technology (XM Radio) to date, so I cannot say that what you mention is common or not.
It does sound like the gain output from the XM receiver to your HU via AUX input has to be matched in signal power. If too much input signal, overdrive the Aux inputs. If not enough signal, poor sound quality.
Wait and see if others have any experience with this one and can give you some tips on what can be done to improve sound quality from the XM reciever.
Swez
PS Did you like the self contained sub package noted above?
mrfish on 09/16/2003 14:05:25
Yes, the Infinity basslinkamp is pretty neat. I like the idea. Best, I can test it fairly easy without alot of set up. Thanks for the tip.
ttocs on 09/16/2003 17:08:31
is the XM piece a FM modulated? It sounds like it with the problems you are experiencing. By using an FM mod piece, it takes the digital signal, and converts it into a FM station that you tune the radio to to get the music. When this happens, you loose bandwith as FM is just not capable of 20-20khz. This would also effect your am/fm reception when it is on as when you turn the XM piece on, it actually turns off you factory antenna to help reject outside noise. WHen you turn it off you allow the use of the factory ant, and get normal reception.
I have a buddy with the basslink. It does a good job...
mrfish on 09/16/2003 17:45:21
No, that is the main reason I went with the Eclipse HU. I wanted to feed into the HU and not thrugh the cassette via FM Modulated. The Kenwood reciever though, and all of them as of date, converts the digital to analog. Kinda goofy. They claim CD quality, but it is degraded some.
Also, XM is the competitor. I have Sirius. I dont think there is much difference in the signal or the recievers from what I have read.
Thanks again for the ideas!
Ron
ttocs on 09/17/2003 11:44:00
the sound quality should be the same between the two brands.
They have to have a DA(digital to analog) converter. You cannot hear digital.
But that is strange that you are getting side effects on your radio from the sirius tuner. I have never heard of that. I will be at the shop on friday. If you can wait that long I will ask the guys there to see if they have had this problem before. I have done a few of the satalite radios since returning from my install sabatical, but not enough to give good advise really...
Also, good choice on sirius, I have stock in them....
mrfish on 09/17/2003 13:44:42
Hey ttocs,
Thanks, Have them turn the output gain on the set up settings to high, then either go to am of fm, and you will here the blead/cracking. Not a huge deal, I just turn off the Sirius when I am listening to local radio.
I understand that I need the D/A. I believe the HU has D/A converter also, as the manual shows digital inputs through the aux in the eclipse. Correct me if I am wrong, as I am a bit out of my element. I know electronics, but I am new to the sound game.
Good call on the Sirius stock! I think you will make some good greenbacks once this takes off.
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