Hooking entire system to 1 audio output?!?

**XxAndyxX** · 01-12-2004, 12:33 AM

I'm currently planning out my my new carputer and I'm curious how you can hook up your door speakers and subs to that one audio output? Does this make a big difference on how your system will sound Vs. a regular car cd-player?

**killerfishes** · 01-12-2004, 02:19 AM

just uses somthing like this
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=274%2D511

one for left and one for right.

**craigyb** · 01-12-2004, 03:20 AM

Hmm, that'll work for about 20mS, then blow everything up, PC and HeadUnit.

If what you are saying is "how do I get the sound from my PC to come out of my existing car speakers", then there are several options available to you.

1. FM modulator (poor quality, noisy etc)
2. Cassette tape adaptor (for personal stereos etc)
3. Aux inputs on your existing head unit (best option if it has them)
4. CD changer to aux input adaptor (same as option 3)
5. Buy a new head unit with Aux inputs
6. Get rid of head unit and replace with power amps driven directly by your PC.

I think that's everything...

**XxAndyxX** · 01-12-2004, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by craigyb

Hmm, that'll work for about 20mS, then blow everything up, PC and HeadUnit.

If what you are saying is "how do I get the sound from my PC to come out of my existing car speakers", then there are several options available to you.

1. FM modulator (poor quality, noisy etc)
2. Cassette tape adaptor (for personal stereos etc)
3. Aux inputs on your existing head unit (best option if it has them)
4. CD changer to aux input adaptor (same as option 3)
5. Buy a new head unit with Aux inputs
6. Get rid of head unit and replace with power amps driven directly by your PC.

I think that's everything...

I'm removing my head unit all together to fit my LCD screen so it looks like the best option and cheapest option would be 6. What I'm thinking about doing is buying a 2-channel amp for my 2 sets of coaxial speakers. Then I'll just bring both of the amps (amp for subs and amp for coxial) into one audio cable using a Y connection. Then just plug that into the audio output of my carputer. How does this sound?

**craigyb** · 01-12-2004, 10:35 AM

Awful....

If your PC has stereo output, which I presume is what you are using, you need something to split the frequencies for the Sub etc.

A graphic or something similar will have the neccessary filters, or some sort of active line level crossover.

PC ---> EQ/Xover ----> Amp ----> Speakers
\--------> Amp -----> Sub

Something like this maybe?

**craigyb** · 01-12-2004, 10:36 AM

The botton line hasn't shifted across the page correctly, but it should be the sub out of the EQ/Xover connected to the amp.

Craig

**Nic** · 01-12-2004, 10:44 AM

whats wrong with it? works fine for me in fact most amps have crossovers on them which is what i'm using

Originally Posted by craigyb

Awful....

If your PC has stereo output, which I presume is what you are using, you need something to split the frequencies for the Sub etc.

A graphic or something similar will have the neccessary filters, or some sort of active line level crossover.

PC ---> EQ/Xover ----> Amp ----> Speakers
\--------> Amp -----> Sub

Something like this maybe?

**craigyb** · 01-12-2004, 11:22 AM

OK, yes, I've seen amps with Xover's built in, my mistake.

Your throwing full range at the Y splitters off to the 2 amps, one amp is set to Sub frequencies.

All makes sense now.

**XxAndyxX** · 01-12-2004, 11:48 AM

My amps have a Xover built in. Also, I've heard that the stock speakers in my 01' Firebird already comes with a amp... Does anyone know if this is true? It would sure save me some money.

**Cryogen-x** · 01-12-2004, 12:15 PM

Well.. you probly wont want to use the stock amp only b/c the wiring harnesses on those things get pretty hairy... all the ones i have seen anyway.. but i have not seen any OEM spec amps on newer vehicles either.. last one i saw was in a 91 nissan pickup truck

so if you are good with wiring up car stereos you could probly figure it out.. but i would recommend going aftermarket...

just my $0.02