Please help me with recommendations

Kurack · 07-25-2008, 07:55 AM

I am about at the end of pulling my hair out.

I've been running a CarPC system for over one year and it just doesnt put out the sound it should. I'm not going to go into what I currently have, you can search for that, but its not relative to this post. What I want is recommendations on what gear I should get to make a thupping carPC system, but keeping a couple items I dont want to give up:

1.) My CarPC is an HP dc7800. This is brand new small form factor PC that repalced my custom VoomPC VIA setup...this PC as as powerful as the average desktop.
2.) I have 2 , 10inch BA G5's dual voice coil subs...these should be PLENTY for nice bass.

Aside of that I am willing to ditch all my other gear and replace it with new gear, so based on that what can you all recommend for :

1.) USB soundcard
2.) Rear 6x9 speakers, fron components and tweets
3.) AMP to power the rear/components and tweets
4.) AMP to power the 2 G5's (I have my eyes set on the JL 1000/1)
5.) Capacitors for the G5's. I run a redtop Optima and havent had issues with my current setup as far as power

I think my problem is my current USB sound card selections (24bit live and X-fii) not configured properly...but i'm bout ready to give up on them.

Here are my subs i want to keep:

Here is my current gear, which I want to ditch! not liking Rockford anymore. Also, thats my old CarPC voom in this picture:

Here is what everything is in, so I want the best:

scott_fx · 07-25-2008, 11:41 AM

you need to tell us what it is you're looking for and what is missing in the current setup. if you just wan't thumping? do you want better sq? do you not like the bass output of the current system? how is the soundstage? is it too quiet? what's your budget? what's the largest size driver you can put in the front speaker locations? etc..

Kurack · 07-25-2008, 12:31 PM

i want loud and want bass. My budget isnt unlimited, but I dont want to go crazy...i mean i dropped the $300 per G5 or whatever they cost 3 months ago. I've been using Rockford all around, which i dont care for....maybe its how i have the CarPC tuned...i think overall its the speakers and amps.....for instance, the CarPC is loud already, but i think i blew out 2 of my Rockford Fosgate speakers, one rear and one front. So i need speakers that can handle a good amount of power.

scott_fx · 07-25-2008, 01:42 PM

you need to learn how to tune and install your equipment properly. you shouldn't be blowing speakers if you set your gains correctly.

since you're vague on your budget still. i'd suggest going with dynaudio or focal components up front (if you can get an 8" mid in your door, go with that). xtant amps (100-150 wrms per chan up front, at least 500 to the subs but since you sound like a bass head, go with more). deaden the entire vehicle with damplifier pro or raamatt. screw the rear speakrs, you dont need them in that car. and then take the time to learn how to install and aim your speakers properly, then read the tuning faq on here. for a 'soundcard' id suggest going with the alpine h701 or the modded behringer like i have. it's not usb, but digital... close enough... they are external :-)

Kurack · 07-25-2008, 07:43 PM

Ok it must be the tuning, cause my **** sounds HORRIBLE!

I got a sweet deal today on the follow gear brand new!, just got done installing the following gear...

BA G5's 2x10 (had these)
JL 1000/1 amp for Subs
Bass remote for JL 1000/1
JL 450/4 for rears/fronts
Focal Polyglass 165VR (front)
Focal Access 690 CA1 (rear)

I have this all wired up to an HP dc7800 PC using the Sound Blaster USB External X-fi and the sound was crappy still.

So your saying ditch the Sound Blaster USB and got with an PXA-H701? (is that even a sound card?)

Let me look for that tuning doc, but a link would help. I find it hard to beleive with this gear my **** should be sounding like doggie doodoo

scott_fx · 07-25-2008, 09:25 PM

tuning doc:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/car-...e-your-eq.html

well, if you can eq, t/a and x-over with that soundcard and actually get it to work (seems like your biggest problem right now). then you could try sticking with it. if not i'd go for a more powerful solution like the two i linked to.

also make sure your aiming on all your speakers are correct (this doesn't mean point them at your head... some tweeters deal a lot better with off axis response. Another thing, make sure your doors are well damped and make sure you do your best to seal off any holes in the door (as best you can).

Kurack · 07-30-2008, 07:39 AM

Went to Tweeter and had the guy I bought the new gear from tune the car somewhat and HOLY CRAP...actually going to start a new post on a question I have about how powerful it was.

Anyways, this guy says lay off the 3sixty ,that its crap compared to the Alpine PXE-H650 , Although it sounded like i didnt need it, having it might make it so much better....I might pick it up.

scott_fx · 07-30-2008, 10:59 AM

jeez, i dont know if i'd put the 3sixty.2 in the 'crap' category. the alpine h701 is another option for you, i had great luck with it but you need to mount the rux controller, which i didn't like. if you're really into the show car thing you could get the behringer dcx2496, it'll give your car the wtf! factor (it's a pro audio rack component)