How's this audio setup sound?

**Sonicxtacy02** · 01-09-2008, 02:53 PM

I'm looking to upgrade the audio in my accord now that my carputer is all but complete (least i hope it is). The current system consists of:

-Sound Blaster Live USB
-400 watt Boss 4ch. amp
-6 1/2" Pioneer front midranges (no idea of model .. came with car)
-stock tweets
-stock rears
-Visonik compact 500w sub and amp

pretty sad right lol. Here's what i'm looking to get into:

-Same Sound Blaster live USB
-Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.1
-AMP (havent decided which.. help me out)
-Infinity Kappa component set for fronts
-no rears
-2 Dual 1100max subs
-alpine sub amp

Hows that sound for a nice upgrade to what i currently have? Couple more questions/notes

1. I feel like the sound blaster is the real weak link still but i'm not quite sure. I know the subwoofer line voltage is TERRIBLE on it though. Will the 3Sixty be all i need to get that voltage up?

2. I know the 3sixty can be controlled via palm bluetooth but is there software i can run straight from my pc that works as well. i have a bluetooth dongle of course

3. I've considered swapping the Infinity's for a DLS component system, but because of there cost it wouldnt be there top of the line model. Should i stick with the infinity's (with there piercing tweets) or go DLS 4th gen or so

4. Which amp (2ch or 4ch, i may add rears later) should i install. Or will the boss which has been good to me for the few years i've had it be good with the 3sixty's support?

thanks in advance!

**pokki** · 01-09-2008, 03:02 PM

3. I've considered swapping the Infinity's for a DLS component system, but because of there cost it wouldnt be there top of the line model. Should i stick with the infinity's (with there piercing tweets) or go DLS 4th gen or so

That all depends if you like the infinities. If you don't like their sound then yes look at alternatives.

4. Which amp (2ch or 4ch, i may add rears later) should i install. Or will the boss which has been good to me for the few years i've had it be good with the 3sixty's support?

Although I'm no fan of BOSS, and would never recomend it, provided the amps working well, you're not going to experience any major differrence upgrading amps with the components you are looking at.

PS nice to see someone drop rear speakers - they realy are a waste in many cars.

**Sonicxtacy02** · 01-09-2008, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by pokki

That all depends if you like the infinities. If you don't like their sound then yes look at alternatives.

Actually this is the only car i've ever owned that does not have infinity's lol. I do like there clarity. And i also like the fact that they put out almost NO bass so i can leave that to my subwoofer without having to actively cross them over.

**pokki** · 01-09-2008, 03:13 PM

1. I feel like the sound blaster is the real weak link still but i'm not quite sure. I know the subwoofer line voltage is TERRIBLE on it though. Will the 3Sixty be all i need to get that voltage up?

Going from the specs, the 3sixty can boost the input by 10dB, which is approx 8x the input voltage up-to a max of 5 volts. So presuming you have a 1 volt output from your soundcard the 3sixty should be able to boost to a full 5volts.

2. I know the 3sixty can be controlled via palm bluetooth but is there software i can run straight from my pc that works as well. i have a bluetooth dongle of course

RF don't state windows support in the specs for the 3sixty. However Windows mobile is listed so you may be able to control it on the PC via a emulator.

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...S&series_id=49

**Edit - actually there is beta windows support/control, see here:
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/scrip...%3Afaqs.faq_id
**

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-09-2008, 03:27 PM

I'd get rid of the boss amp no matter what. Just about anything will be a better amplifier than anything from boss, same with the dual subs...

both of those lines are about as bottom of the barrel as you can get.

Buy reputable equipment and you won't be replacing it as quickly.

I'd go DLS over Infinity for the speakers, and any well known, name brand amplifier will do. Pick some out and post some choices up. If anyone tells you to go with any particular brand I'd be weary. Sticking with any well known name brand amplifier will yield the same results. If you were going with high end equipment I'd say different, but since you're using a boss amp and dual subs, you won't notice a difference.

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-09-2008, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by pokki

you're not going to experience any major differrence upgrading amps with the components you are looking at.

actual rated power being delivered and not just claimed, less clipping, less over heating, less distortion, etc. I'd say those are reasons enough to make the upgrade and get rid of the POS...

**durwood** · 01-09-2008, 03:39 PM

I could recommed a just about anything to you, but without a budget I don't know where you stand.

**Kimota** · 01-09-2008, 03:40 PM

Hi Sonic

1. Will the 3Sixty be all I need to get that voltage up?

I believe your referring to the REM connection used to turn the 3Sixty.1 on. Not sure if the sound blaster will suffice but you can tap into any circuit switched with the ignition for the REM.

2. I know the 3sixty can be controlled via palm Bluetooth but is there software I can run straight from my pc that works as well. I have a Bluetooth dongle of course

Sure can here's the link just make sure to download the version for the 3 Sixty.1

3. I've considered swapping the Infinity's for a DLS component system, but because of there cost it wouldn’t be there top of the line model. Should I stick with the infinity's (with there piercing tweets) or go DLS 4th gen or so

I think the Infinity's are a good choice.

4. Which amp (2ch or 4ch, I may add rears later) should I install. Or will the boss which has been good to me for the few years I’ve had it be good with the 3sixty's support?

I’m partial to the alpine PDX 4.150

Concerning the 2 Dual 1100max subs, do you mean each sub will be 1100 RMS or together will both subs total 1100RMS. If each sub you’re looking at is 1100 RMS you’re probably going to need an amp for each sub. If both subs together total 1100 RMS I'd recommend Alpine PDX 1.1000 and 2X Alpine R type subs.

I'm using the 3Sixty.2 (I'm using my factory head unit) in my setup and do have the software loaded on my CarPC but generally I find it quicker and easier to make adjustments using my Pocket PC.

P.S

You can find some really great price for your equipment on Ebay
Good luck with the setup

**pokki** · 01-09-2008, 03:51 PM

actual rated power being delivered and not just claimed, less clipping, less over heating, less distortion, etc. I'd say those are reasons enough to make the upgrade and get rid of the POS...

Although I agree they're not by any means good, they often lie about their ratings, and the long term reliability is questionable, it's still prety hard to make a bad sounding amp. In this situation clipping should be illiminated though correct install, speaker distortion is going to be significantly higher than the amps (below clipping), as for heat output - can't comment there.

And if they didn't already own it, then yes I'd tell them to keep away. But the money spent upgrading the amp would be better spent on better front speakers and the quality installation of them, presumign the owner is comfortable with the long term reliability aspects fo theri current amp.