Thread: Audio Phase of my Installation

Originally Posted by Osiris

Now that I have had my carputer in my car for about a month now I am ready to move on to the audio stage of my installation. I dont want the focus of my car to be the carputer so I am looking for a discrete low profile, low power setup. When I say low power, I mean low draw on the cars vehicle system. I have come to the conclusion that the best method of doing this is going with a 5 channel amp. That way I wont have two amps and an inverter pulling from my alternator and I can still benefit from an entry level sub in my setup. Is this a correct assumption?

I did some looking around and found these so far. Let me know what you think of this and will it work.

Hifonics ZX8000 5 Channel Amp

Rockford Fosgate Stage1 Sub

I have 6x8 Pioneers that run about 60watts rms and 6 1/2's in the rear that are about 50watts rms. The RF sub would be 150rms.

*edit* Also do you guys recommend the 12" or 10" version of the RF sub?

Power is additive...be it current(flow (I1+I2+I3 where I=amps)) or consumption (watts (P1+P2+P3 where P=watts)) If you have a single 5 channel amp that draws 2 amps at peak power and 2 amps that draw 1 amp at peak power... you are using 2 amps of power... so don't feel limited to one amp if you are concerned about that. The rest is research. You'll have to find the mean idle static load of the amplifiers you select and do the math, and there's no one that can help you with that. Research is your friend here... Likely the local stereo shop will not be too concerned with your need for low power consumption as normally, someone who is going aftermarket will accomodate for power requirements... that might be the way you want to direct your thoughts. Often times, a good transmission network (cabling) & source (alternator/battery(ies)... usually not too expensive) is the best plan. Further, you might want to look into a good power management controller for your carputer installation.

As for the sub (what do you mean by RF?)... will it be mounted FREEAIR, or PORTED in a box engineered box... Size matters, but, I find that the bigger you go, the "looser" your bass color will be. Smaller is tighter (punch). This is where the advice of a local stereo pro will be helpful... it is a good idea to just BS with one... usually... those guys love to hear themselves talk. Get their info, come back here and get yet more opionions.

Sorry... I know this is a bit vague (I am trying to be helpful), but your question is pretty subjective. Keep an open mind to solve this problem... you don't want to disappoint yourself.

Originally Posted by Osiris

*note* By RF, I meant Rockford Fosgate. *note*


BMVEE: Where do you get the manufactures specs on the amps/subs. Alot of the sites have dumbed down or generics set of specs. Sometimes you can access the users manual via .pdf and see the specs but this is rare. Adding anymore cables and batteries than that I allready have is out of the question. Defeats the purpose of a simple install and just more stuff that I dont want in my car. Im more focused on the car itself and just want to hear decent music.

What Im Looking For.
Generally what I need know is good solution for my carputer to have an amplified 4 channel speaker setup and a sub to cover the low ends that is more than noticable to me. I want to try to stay away from high draw amps also. Im not looking to spend much on the amp nor the sub. Thats why I chose the Hifonics and Rockford Fosgate sub. Basically it comes down to power effeciency, cost, and sql (not interested in spl).

I will be soon replacing all the interior speakers with Infinity kappa's and getting rid of the Pioneers. Thats a prime example of where I wanna go. Pioneers were more than good but the Ininitys overall have a greater sound quality and are around the same price. Hope this better explains more of what Im looking for. Thanx for the replies.

Ya know... I'm probably going to have to put on my flame retardant suit, but I've always been a big fan of Pioneer. The stuff works very well and has always been pretty power efficient. I know the HiFonics, RF, Orion, SoundStream... et al are more popular, but they use juice to do it. If you are intersted in low power consumption, but want a 5 channel to run everything (sounds like you are more into what I am into now... done car stereo to death and just want nice sound), I think I'd look at Japanese amps... not the favorite of most boom SPLers, but for what you are wanting, I think it's a good alternative. They are, as a rule, pretty power lean.

I agree with everyone, free air sucks, but I was only asking questions. If you are like me, you are looking for tight, punchy bass, so I'd go with more smaller subs rather than big ones. One 10 is doin' it for me. I also like the fact that they don't need as much space for install.

Getting the specs will be your challenge I guess. PDF manuals, or phone calls to the manufacturers are usually the best source. Most of the manufacturers have 800 numbers that you can call for pre sales support.

If you want another alternative to the Infinity Kappas, Look at MB Quart. They have a very rich sound that isn't too bright or dull and have a very rich bottom end. My personal slant is that Alpine, Infinity and Pioneer are usually a bit bright for my listening pleasure. That said, the Infinitys are nice.

As for keeping it simple, I've gone so far as to use the existing OEM amp in my 3er and added a small amp for my factory sub (yes, Pioneer ). I, like you, want a nice sound that fills the car comfortably and sounds good. I'd love to have the big power since low level stuff tends to sound much richer, but I don't want it at the cost of simplicity. I have a ski pass thru which in which I have installed a 10" sub. It's completely hidden and adds just enough bottom end to fill in the gaps. It's no where near the other stuff I've done over the years, but I just don't want to start chasing the audio dragon again.

I wish you good luck!

OK... I'm off the soap box now

Originally Posted by Osiris

I am leaning towards a sealed box definetly no bigger than a 1.5. Cant stand the sound and the size of bandpasses, ported may be a possibility and free air is out of the question. I want the box to be as small as possible also because as i stated in my first post, I dont want the computer/audio system to be the center of attention.

1.5 cubes is pretty big if you ask me. My 12" sub only wants a .95 or so cubic foot box (sealed of course). And I just made a box for a friend who obtained an RF sub for free (10"), and just to let you know, the ported box they had in the book was 1.5 cubes, so if you are willing to do ported, just make the one in the book! (assuming the box plans will be similar). Oh, and RF subs really like ported boxes from what I have heard.

Matt

Originally Posted by Osiris

I have come to the conclusion that the best method of doing this is going with a 5 channel amp.

Something I would think about, is if my amp blew, I'd have to replace a 5 channel amp. If I ran two amps and one blew, I would have to replace that amp instead.

which is gonna be a more costly fix.......