Slightly, ok, very confused, car audio newb thinking of a car pc...help me out lol :P

**tomsel** · 01-14-2008, 07:47 PM

Hey

Well, at the moment, I have the bog standard, factory stereo fitted to my Corsa ('02 model), and have been looking around at different audio products, namely new speakers, amps, a sub, etc, and have found a few things I like (I'll post the models at the end of the post but unimportant at the moment).

But, also toying with the idea of getting a car pc, really like the idea, and for argument sake, let's say I was to get the 'Beginner Car PC Packager - Stage 3'...

What I'm confused about is where I'd plug all that stuff I just mentioned ^. Personally, I don't know enough about car audio equipment to go messing around trying to install it all myself, will probably just take it to the local Halfords or some other garage to get the speakers etc fitted, which is straight forward enough... But the confusion, for me atleast, comes in when I purchase the car pc.

Let's say that I go out and buy the speakers, amps, etc tomorrow, get them fitted to the factory head unit (it'll have to do for a little while...), then a month down the line, buy the car pc. Is it just a case of swapping out the head unit for the Xenarc one (or whichever one I end up getting) and plugging the amps into that? I can imagine that working for things like, DVD, radio, etc.. But I'm finding it hard to understand how, in PC mode, with the amps/speakers connected to the head unit and not the sound card (can you even connect them directly to the sound card?) that the PC will output any sound...

I appreciate the help, that was a very long-winded way to ask a pretty simple question... But it's already typed out now...so it's staying :P

Thanks Again,

- Tom

___
(Also, haven't decided on audio equipment yet, but this is more of a case of 'something along the lines of')

2x Component
Hertz Energy ESK 165.3
(100W RMS / 200W Peak)

1x 2-Way Amp
Kenwood KAC-7203
(170W RMS / ?W Peak)

..
Going to pass on rear speakers for now. When money allows it (y) lol.
..

1x Sub
15" Vibe AC15 EVO
(1500W RMS / 4500W Peak)
^^ Only on recent reading have I realised how much space these take up, do you think that would fit in the boot and still leave a fair bit of room for other things? ^^

..and an amp for the sub, suggestions welcome.

I realise this is a car pc forum, but you know, while I'm here, is that setup any good? Kinda mixed the brands up a bit there, but I'm open to advice...

Thanks

**pokki** · 01-14-2008, 08:48 PM

Can't answer your carpc questions as I don't have experience with those items.

However

i realise this is a car pc forum, but you know, while I'm here, is that setup any good? Kinda mixed the brands up a bit there, but I'm open to advice...3

Decent choice of front speakers
Ok amp
Sub - not something i'd buy
Skipping the rear speakers - good decision

Without a budget I can't accurately recomend an amp or sub package.

**galvitron** · 01-14-2008, 08:55 PM

It's a lot more involved than I can cover here in this post, but it is doable. I would suggest one of two paths for you:

- Hire a pro to do the install
- Read on this sit about this stuff for quite a while until you have enough info absorbed into your brain that you feel comfortable doing it yourself. All the info you need is here for your perusal...

**Bugbyte** · 01-14-2008, 10:51 PM

Check the FAQ for car PC wiring diagrams. If you have trouble understanding them after examining them for awhile, you'll need to get a professional to install the system for you.

**bigbuffs** · 01-14-2008, 10:58 PM

Start here and read up on everything you need because it is a big project. Hooking up the speakers is fairly easy and just requires running wires from the amp to the computer unless you keep the Head Unit and use the aux in jack (if it has one)

**Mylt1** · 01-15-2008, 01:03 PM

with that sub at that power you will be lucky to hear the door speakers. the amp you have picked out for the hertz is a little on the high side. im not a fan of over powering, i dont mind 10 maybe 15w over but 70wRMS over the ratings of the speakers is a little much.

**tomsel** · 01-16-2008, 02:26 PM

Ok, thanks for all the help (y)

Had a read through some of the posts in the FAQ, most relevant one being this one, and I think I understand it a fair bit better.

It looks pretty straight forward to connect the pc to the car audio system, the setup in the second picture seems to be the best way, and if worst comes to worst I'll do it that way. The third picture shows what I want to do, connect the PC to the car head unit, and have the head unit output the sound to the amps/speakers. This would would allow me to use the head unit for cd/radio whilst the PC is off/powering up, and then use the PC as the audio input when it's on.

But, if I use aux-in as the pic shows, won't the sound quality be terrible, compared to a direct connection to the amp as in pics 1 and 2?

Ideally I'd like to set it up like the 3rd picture, but if the sound quality is a lot lower compared to the other ways it's not too much of an issue to just connect it directly to the amp/s, I'd just be sacrificing the ability to use radio, etc?

Thanks again

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-16-2008, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mylt1

with that sub at that power you will be lucky to hear the door speakers. the amp you have picked out for the hertz is a little on the high side. im not a fan of over powering, i dont mind 10 maybe 15w over but 70wRMS over the ratings of the speakers is a little much.

Overpowering doesn't matter at all. If a system is properly tuned, having a ton of head room is ABSOLUTELY desired. It gives the amplifier far greater control over the speaker.

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-16-2008, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by tomsel

But, if I use aux-in as the pic shows, won't the sound quality be terrible, compared to a direct connection to the amp as in pics 1 and 2?

That entirely depends on the quality of the aux-in on your head unit (in other words, the quality of your head unit). It will also depend on the quality of your media files (mp3s).

If FM audio is a must, why not look into the HQCT? Excellent SQ can be had without a head unit and ONLY with a CarPC. I've proven that 4 times over now.