Hey guys, I just got my system installed in my 1999 chevy silverado single cab pickup. I decided to go with ample audio. I've got 2 Exonic Competition 12's powered by an A-Series 1100DX amplifier, Exonic 650 Speaker component system powered by Exonic 270 amplifier.
My box was build and installed right behind my seats where the factory toolkit and jack used to be kept. Don't get me wrong, the system pounds for days, but im having some problems with rattling and with getting the sound to carry beyond the cab of the truck.
I am looking into getting some Dynamat behind some of the surfaces that rattle the most and just removing the littler stuff, but my main problem is that my bass, no matter how loud I have it, almost cannot be heard from the sides of my truck. If anyone else out there has a similar problem please let me know what you did to deal with it.
Thanks.
Replies (6)
Swez on 09/29/2003 09:12:46
Newer vehicles have a fair amount of sound dampening materials and are sealed so well that the bass is well trapped in the cabin.
The rattles... just pick away at them as you find them. Silicone, rubberized boots on metal latches and catches may help and removing loose items to the a truck bed tool rack will all help.
BTW, having much of the bass contained in the vehicle is actually a good thing as you will not be as likely to pick up excess noise tickets and alert potential thieves to your new toys.
Swez
thebullet on 10/1/2003 23:58:30
Thanks Swez. I found that the bass is louder in front of and behind my vehicle, but as I move around to the sides it becomes almost silent. I had Faster Harder Louder by Bass Mekanik going and I just walked around the whole truck and the spots that were the loudest were andwyere behind the cab and anywhere in front of the headlights. As soon as I walked past the headlights towards the door the bass seemed to totally disappear. I guess Chevy single trucks just have poor acoustics.
I don't want to blame my system because I still haven't been able to get it up to its max potential due to excessive rattles (the newer chevys got skimpy with clips and bolts). But just the same, do you have any familiarity with Ample Audio products? My setup consists of 2 Exonic Comp 12's powered by an A-Series 1100DX amp with Exonic 650 Speaker Component system powered by A-Series 214 amp.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated Swez. The tool rack was already removed when my box was installed, and I am slowly locating the things that rattle. Unfortunately the second worst rattler is my rearview mirror :/ But it is getting better, and I appreciate your help thus far.
Thanks
Jon
Swez on 10/2/2003 10:26:44
Jon,
Ample Audio makes some very fine products. A friend of mine sold only high end gear off his previous web site and Ample was one he always he was very proud to sell. Very few field failures and returns on that product line so you know you have something good based on that alone.
As for rattles and such, silicone, foam tape and dampening sprays can help a lot. The Mirror is a tough one to calm down as the entire windshield is probably flexing to create that noise. Wonder if one of those wide angle mirrors that go across the entire head liner might help eliminate that issue. Does that present mirror have a daylight/night sensor that changes tint for night driving?
Swez
thebullet on 10/2/2003 15:25:13
No, Swez, the mirror doesn't change tint. Just a regular mirror. Seems like I'm gonna have to look into some of that dampening material to get rid of some of the rattles; that's what most people have recommended that I do.
I have heard of a few different items for sound dampening, one being Dynamat and the other being a kind of spray foam. Is one superior to the other or do they both get the job done?
Thanks
Jon
Swez on 10/2/2003 15:49:19
Dynamat and other sheet goods are great for adding mass to large panel areas in doors, floors, trunks and trunk lids. Tedious work, but can make a big difference in silencing panel rattles.
The sprays are best for tight areas where sheet goods are not possible to use. Some have noted that truck bed liner coatings do a very good job on panels and tight spaces.
Rusted out body parts, can use "GREAT STUFF" expanding foam. Need to be careful with this one as it expands considerably as it works. Cleaning it is a bear, but once ot cures, can be shaped with a razor knife then sanded if needed.
Silicone adhesives and dual sided tapes work well in some very tight spots like tail lights, license plates and other loose trim type rattles.
That's about all I can think of for the moment.
Swez
PS Dynamat is very expensive and there are other products out there that do a very good job at much less cost per sq ft. You may want to post a new thread and see what others have used.
thebullet on 10/3/2003 22:38:30
Thanks Swez. I think I'll do that.
My box was build and installed right behind my seats where the factory toolkit and jack used to be kept. Don't get me wrong, the system pounds for days, but im having some problems with rattling and with getting the sound to carry beyond the cab of the truck.
I am looking into getting some Dynamat behind some of the surfaces that rattle the most and just removing the littler stuff, but my main problem is that my bass, no matter how loud I have it, almost cannot be heard from the sides of my truck. If anyone else out there has a similar problem please let me know what you did to deal with it.
Thanks.
Replies (6)
Swez on 09/29/2003 09:12:46
Newer vehicles have a fair amount of sound dampening materials and are sealed so well that the bass is well trapped in the cabin.
The rattles... just pick away at them as you find them. Silicone, rubberized boots on metal latches and catches may help and removing loose items to the a truck bed tool rack will all help.
BTW, having much of the bass contained in the vehicle is actually a good thing as you will not be as likely to pick up excess noise tickets and alert potential thieves to your new toys.
Swez
thebullet on 10/1/2003 23:58:30
Thanks Swez. I found that the bass is louder in front of and behind my vehicle, but as I move around to the sides it becomes almost silent. I had Faster Harder Louder by Bass Mekanik going and I just walked around the whole truck and the spots that were the loudest were andwyere behind the cab and anywhere in front of the headlights. As soon as I walked past the headlights towards the door the bass seemed to totally disappear. I guess Chevy single trucks just have poor acoustics.
I don't want to blame my system because I still haven't been able to get it up to its max potential due to excessive rattles (the newer chevys got skimpy with clips and bolts). But just the same, do you have any familiarity with Ample Audio products? My setup consists of 2 Exonic Comp 12's powered by an A-Series 1100DX amp with Exonic 650 Speaker Component system powered by A-Series 214 amp.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated Swez. The tool rack was already removed when my box was installed, and I am slowly locating the things that rattle. Unfortunately the second worst rattler is my rearview mirror :/ But it is getting better, and I appreciate your help thus far.
Thanks
Jon
Swez on 10/2/2003 10:26:44
Jon,
Ample Audio makes some very fine products. A friend of mine sold only high end gear off his previous web site and Ample was one he always he was very proud to sell. Very few field failures and returns on that product line so you know you have something good based on that alone.
As for rattles and such, silicone, foam tape and dampening sprays can help a lot. The Mirror is a tough one to calm down as the entire windshield is probably flexing to create that noise. Wonder if one of those wide angle mirrors that go across the entire head liner might help eliminate that issue. Does that present mirror have a daylight/night sensor that changes tint for night driving?
Swez
thebullet on 10/2/2003 15:25:13
No, Swez, the mirror doesn't change tint. Just a regular mirror. Seems like I'm gonna have to look into some of that dampening material to get rid of some of the rattles; that's what most people have recommended that I do.
I have heard of a few different items for sound dampening, one being Dynamat and the other being a kind of spray foam. Is one superior to the other or do they both get the job done?
Thanks
Jon
Swez on 10/2/2003 15:49:19
Dynamat and other sheet goods are great for adding mass to large panel areas in doors, floors, trunks and trunk lids. Tedious work, but can make a big difference in silencing panel rattles.
The sprays are best for tight areas where sheet goods are not possible to use. Some have noted that truck bed liner coatings do a very good job on panels and tight spaces.
Rusted out body parts, can use "GREAT STUFF" expanding foam. Need to be careful with this one as it expands considerably as it works. Cleaning it is a bear, but once ot cures, can be shaped with a razor knife then sanded if needed.
Silicone adhesives and dual sided tapes work well in some very tight spots like tail lights, license plates and other loose trim type rattles.
That's about all I can think of for the moment.
Swez
PS Dynamat is very expensive and there are other products out there that do a very good job at much less cost per sq ft. You may want to post a new thread and see what others have used.
thebullet on 10/3/2003 22:38:30
Thanks Swez. I think I'll do that.
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