Basic sound install advice.

Post by **maxxis** » 29 Apr 2008, 16:24

Split from: http://www.pcformat.co.za/modules.php?n ... 388#934388

Guys if I can make a recommendation please get proper HU's.

Get at least a Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony or JVC unit.

The signal quality from the cheaper units are just not up to scratch.

I used to run a Sony HU that retailed for R3500 and the SQ was brilliant. Lately fong-kong seems to be churning out a load of cheap DVD players and they all suck. Seem great for a start but down the line they all croak and you are left shelling out for a new unit. Remember that good sound comes from good head.

My latest sound project uses a JVC In-dash DVD player with motorised screen. Retail is around R6k and its well worth it. The quality is mind blowing.

Also don't skimp on the front stage. Get some quality splits like Hertz, JL, DLS, Rockford, etc. The cheap ones are just nasty.

Most important of all. That amp with 300000W output is most likely only rated at 65W RMS per channel.

For subs make sure you have a proper box built. I used to run 2 x 12" Pioneers in a box that was built to house one and its sounded good. I then dropped the one sub and switched to 1 x 12" in a proper box and it pounded my nuts. Proper box dimensions matched to the requirements of the sub is crucial to good SQ.

Feel free to add to the list.

Post by **KillerByte** » 29 Apr 2008, 18:14

how do you suggest mounting the amp?

AlphA · Post by **AlphA** » 29 Apr 2008, 18:47

maxxis -> could'nt agree more regarding the HU and the front stage. Lots of guys go wrong with the HU and can never get it right thereafter. Personally, I prefer Pioneer (Premier range), although their decks are not as fancy looking as other competitors (eg Sony) They sound really good though...

WRT subs I'm a Pioneer fan.....I run a Pioneer 12" which is now 9 years old and still going strong.....

Post by **Anthro** » 29 Apr 2008, 18:54

KillerByte wrote:how do you suggest mounting the amp?

Depends what car you got - one needs to evaluate space and what you want to spend on it obviously

ADV4NCED · Post by **ADV4NCED** » 29 Apr 2008, 19:07

Ya great...I need some help buying sound again since mine was stolen LITERALLY after living 4 days in Durbs :/

Im looking at a 12" sub (Also pioneer fan

) 2x 6*9's and an mp3 player.

Now my question is...does it gotta be 4 channel sound or can it be 2? The local audio shop is telling me its gotta be 4 channel however my mate says it can be 2 channel and will supply more watts to the sub / tweaters

Since I dont know much about sound, cant really decide on what to go for

Suggestions on specifically what parts to get would be great!

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 29 Apr 2008, 20:53

KillerByte wrote:how do you suggest mounting the amp?

KB, i was a semi pro sound installer at a car place.... have no fear i will sort you out bro...

Post by **Anthro** » 29 Apr 2008, 21:08

ADV4NCED wrote: Im looking at a 12" sub (Also pioneer fan ) 2x 6*9's and an mp3 player.

Now my question is...does it gotta be 4 channel sound or can it be 2? The local audio shop is telling me its gotta be 4 channel however my mate says it can be 2 channel and will supply more watts to the sub / tweaters

Since I dont know much about sound, cant really decide on what to go for

Suggestions on specifically what parts to get would be great!

I recommend getting a good head unit first - this can run the tweaters (for now)
get a 4 channel amp that you can bridge on the sub - a DualVoiceCoil sub would be nice as well...
Headunits.. go for either Pioneer / Kenwood.. if you can afford these..
Sony aint bad either.. they make some of the sexiest MP3 players out there (IMO)
check for a combo maybe?
http://www.autostyle.co.za/prodview.php?prod_id=12547

maestro_za · Post by **maestro_za** » 29 Apr 2008, 23:53

Pioneer ... Pioneer ... and Pioneer. HUs and subs. Bang for your buck for sure!

Lately I've been amazed at Camtec amplifiers in terms of performance and price. I have a Camtec monoblock waiting for my boot. Vibe Audio is also getting good rep.

Just so lazy to put audio in my new ride

I'm not sure about Sony though. Many differing stories on their products. Some installers swear by them but most people say they crap. Only ever used one HU of theirs and it blew on me after 2 years (running factory speakers ... no amplification at all). I don't think I'll go near 'em anytime soon.

My 0.02c

AlphA · Post by **AlphA** » 30 Apr 2008, 06:57

Agree with Anthro - Sony make really attractive HU's...... I have used 3 different Sony HU's and they all had this noticeable hiss (like when one uses chrome/metal tapes)... Never had the problem with Pioneer and Kenwood. Personally, I will stay away from Sony HU's.

Post by **maxxis** » 30 Apr 2008, 07:46

ADV4NCED wrote:Ya great...I need some help buying sound again since mine was stolen LITERALLY after living 4 days in Durbs :/

Im looking at a 12" sub (Also pioneer fan ) 2x 6*9's and an mp3 player.

Now my question is...does it gotta be 4 channel sound or can it be 2? The local audio shop is telling me its gotta be 4 channel however my mate says it can be 2 channel and will supply more watts to the sub / tweaters

Since I dont know much about sound, cant really decide on what to go for

Suggestions on specifically what parts to get would be great!

What car is this going into?

Personally I hate 6x9"s. If you plan on running a 12" then the 6x9" will be useless.

At the moment my new SQ car is getting a set of 5.25" co-axials to replace the 6x9"s in the standard locations. The sub is a 10" that will take care of all the bass.

Amp. Starsound Chrome series. Targa, Camtec etc are all good value amps with plenty of kick.

Run you setup with the following: (Civic is running like this and the Jetta did)

- 4 Channel amp powering the front splits and sub
- HU running the rear speakers.

Rear speakers are just for ambient fill and should never overpower the front stage. They are merely there to compliment the front.

With regards to subs. Pioneers are great. Have one that might be going into the Civic in a spec enclosure and its about 7 years old. Still in perfect condition.

Post by **KillerByte** » 30 Apr 2008, 12:28

I have ordered my 6" splits, my sub enclosure and my wiring kit.

I have 6" Co-axials that will be moved to the rear shelf with the split kits being installed in the doors.

Can I assume every one will agree with me that its worth spending the money on good quality cables.

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 30 Apr 2008, 12:34

KillerByte wrote:I have ordered my 6" splits, my sub enclosure and my wiring kit.

I have 6" Co-axials that will be moved to the rear shelf with the split kits being installed in the doors.

Can I assume every one will agree with me that its worth spending the money on good quality cables.

agreed KB...

viceroy · Post by **viceroy** » 30 Apr 2008, 12:54

KillerByte wrote:I have ordered my 6" splits, my sub enclosure and my wiring kit.

I have 6" Co-axials that will be moved to the rear shelf with the split kits being installed in the doors.

Can I assume every one will agree with me that its worth spending the money on good quality cables.

Yes...just remember to lay your power cables away from your audio cables

Post by **KillerByte** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:00

the golden rule of audio. lol.

firestrm is helping me. score!!!

maestro_za · Post by **maestro_za** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:02

You doing the install yourself KB? I'll assist if you do

4 Gauge cabling only dude ... I swear by it

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:05

KB you may have to take maestro up on his offer.... the lady is away next wknd which leaves me with my baby boy... 11 months old.... but we shall see....

maybe i can teach him how to drill...

Post by **KillerByte** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:08

Firestrm is helping me do it.

this is the cable set i have ordered

http://www.autostyle.co.za/prodview.php ... dstr=&str=

6m x 4GA clear red power cable
-1.2m 4ga clear black/purple/blue ground cable
-10.5m x 12GA black speaker cable
-6M x 16GA blue remote turn on wire
-7.5 clear ble RCA cable with 4 plugs x 4 plugs
-1.8m split loom tubing
-1 power ring terminal
-1 fused power block with 2x 80A AGU fuse
-20 cable ties
-4 female disconn
-2 Ring terminals
-2 spade terminals 4GA
-5 spade terminals 14-16ga
-5 rubber grommets
-2 butt conn 18-22ga red
-1 button conn 4ga red
-1 white screw
-2 black self tapping screw

maestro_za · Post by **maestro_za** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:09

Firestrm wrote:KB you may have to take maestro up on his offer.... the lady is away next wknd which leaves me with my baby boy... 11 months old.... but we shall see.... maybe i can teach him how to drill...

Being Dad ... awwwwhh ... responsibilities ...

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:14

maestro_za wrote:
Firestrm wrote:KB you may have to take maestro up on his offer.... the lady is away next wknd which leaves me with my baby boy... 11 months old.... but we shall see.... maybe i can teach him how to drill...
Being Dad ... awwwwhh ... responsibilities ...

a Dad's gotta do what a dads gotta do... KB if you dont mind entertaining an11 month old ill do it for ya...

maestro_za · Post by **maestro_za** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:17

I'll pitch, even if my skills aren't needed. I love car audio, along with many other things.

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:20

maestro_za wrote:I'll pitch, even if my skills aren't needed. I love car audio, along with many other things.

you coming to jhb? KB is coming to my spot...

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:21

KB you here?

JAM · Post by **JAM** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:26

Not to hijack the thread, but I have 2 x 12" Pioneer Premier 2000 W, 750 RMS subs and 1 x Audiobank 3000 W Monoblock for sale.

Any one interested?

Firestrm_ZA · Post by **Firestrm_ZA** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:28

JAM wrote:Not to hijack the thread, but I have 2 x 12" Pioneer Premier 2000 W, 750 RMS subs and 1 x Audiobank 3000 W Monoblock for sale.

Any one interested?

nope

naughty · Post by **naughty** » 30 Apr 2008, 13:49

see bang for the buck is one thing - and then high end stuff is another - and it all depends on how high you wanna go

my setup would not be classified as loud by any means - nor would most people think of it as awesome cos it wouldnt seem good to anyone who didnt really know what to look for in a high end setup - but suffice it to say that at retail values getting a systm like mine would set you back around R30k or R40k and not a dvd screen in sight 8O 8O 8O

my setup is purely for ultimate SQ and wouldnt do too badly in an SQ comp - and some of the brands im using are definitely not mainstream and are very specialist

my install also isnt mindblowingly pretty looking - but it looks decent enough to ensure that people know its a custom setup - but its due to change pretty soon - i will get screens for the back seats eventually but it isnt a priority since very few people sit in the back seat - but im going to get cheapie removable stuff ie those two screens for R1500 linked to each other or something like that but you cannot watch video or play games while driving so that means i dont want to put temptation in my way ie having a screen upfront would mean at some stage id try to look at it whilst driving - and to me thats a HUGE no no

heres a description and some pics of my stuff - please note that this would be a typical rookie SQ setup competitively - and to go into amateur/expert/pro divisions you would need much better

1) Kenwood KCD01 cd player

2) phonix gold EQ230 (on its way)

3) two x phoenix gold xenon x200.4 amplifiers

insides

4) JBL GTO1502D 15" DVC subwoofer

5) MB Quart Q-line QSD split component set (this is truly high end stuff)

6) audioquest rca interconnects and Dali speaker cable
7) various fuse blocks and power cable