Decent 300W setup?

crazyman50000 · 09-08-2006, 08:06 AM

Ive done a course in electronics so know a bit about amps and the like (I won't say everything cuz someone will proove me wrong )

Anyway, Im thinking about getting a decent audio system for my car, but don't want to be buying a new one in 3 years time when I get a new car.

In short, I want something that is gunna last me a while.

Im thinking about this setup :

Alpine SXS-1357 for the front speakers running straight off the head unit
JVC KD-G521 headunit
Stealth X-Bass 15 sub and amp package (buy one get 1 free)

Total cost : Around £300

My questions are :

Can that headunit power both sub amps, and can those in turn, power all 4 subs to a decent rumbly volume?

Can that headunit actually connect to the subs?

Is this a good setup?

Ive only got a Renault 5 so it's likely that Ill only be using 1 box and sub to start with, then slap the other in if I get a bigger car along with some midrange speakers in the back if needed.

Im not asking what should I buy, just is this a good desision. If not, why not and what do you recommend instead?

Also, I know as well as anyone else this WON'T come to 2000 watts.

2 channel 500watt amp = ~250 watts / channel rms or ~175 watts / channel = ~700 watts max-ish with all 4 subs and both sub amps

Shadow · 09-08-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Can that headunit power both sub amps, and can those in turn, power all 4 subs to a decent rumbly volume?

Headunits don't power amps, they simply provide signal.

Quote:

Can that headunit actually connect to the subs?

Absolutely not.

Quote:

Is this a good setup?

I'd recommend against JVC/Sony and I've never heard of that brand of sub or amp. Those S type speakers are good though.

It'd probably be cheaper and better in the long run to get a better pair of subs and a single amp to go with that. I'd recommend getting an Alpine, Pioneer, Panasonic, or Kenwood Exelon receiver instead of that JVC. JVC and Sony HUs are made by the same company. I've never seen a JVC deck in the past 5 years that didn't develop a problem with the disc accepting/ejecting mechanism.

RedGTiVR6 · 09-08-2006, 08:28 AM

Though you've stated that you've taken a class in electronics, but it sounds to me like you're a little misguided on what exactly goes on with a car audio system.

First question I have is: Is that 300 price you have the limit of what you are willing to spend?

crazyman50000 · 09-08-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

Though you've stated that you've taken a class in electronics, but it sounds to me like you're a little misguided on what exactly goes on with a car audio system.

First question I have is: Is that 300 price you have the limit of what you are willing to spend?

Misguided?! Im completely new to this. I know mosfets, though more expensive are better than transistor amps though.

Also, done a bit of research and Ive found out my head unit needs a pre/out if Im gunna get ANYWHERE with an amp.

£300 seemed a decent figure. I can push up to about £500 but more than that Id rather not spend that much.

I know the more you can spend, the nicer your kit, but I don't want something that will cost the earth. My car didn't cost £300...

Also, I found out in that amps manual that its 50W x 4 PMPO, and I know PMPO is a useless figure (unless someone can tell me otherwise.) In the manual it has the figures at 19W x 4 RMS which I get as 13.4W/channel

I always thought you can convert RMS to watts by multiplying by 1/(sqrt 2)
Or multiply about 0.707

There is a Sony w/ 1 pre out and aux-in for about £120. Im thinking no more than £150 on a header unit, no more than £100 for front speakers, rest on sub speakers / sub amps.

RedGTiVR6 · 09-08-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by crazyman50000

Also, I found out in that amps manual that its 50W x 4 PMPO, and I know PMPO is a useless figure (unless someone can tell me otherwise.) In the manual it has the figures at 19W x 4 RMS which I get as 13.4W/channel

I think you mean the HU here, don't you? Not the amplifier for your subs?

crazyman50000 · 09-08-2006, 09:08 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

I think you mean the HU here, don't you? Not the amplifier for your subs?

Yeah, sorry wasn't very clear...

crazyman50000 · 09-08-2006, 09:45 AM

After tlaking to Red on MSN, Ive decided Im gunna go through with the following setup:

Sony CDX-GT300 HU
Alpine SXS-1357 Speakers for the front
Stealth XBASS 15 B.O.G.O.F sub amps and subs in the boot (but as I said, Ill be using 1 box and 1 amp cuz I doubt Ill have the the room and Ive only got 1 p/o anyway)

crazyman50000 · 04-18-2007, 11:54 AM

Well it's done.

After about 8 months later, I finally bought my first set up. Totalling £347 :

Toxic TX600N 600W Amp : £90
Sony XSL121P5S 1200W PMPO SUB : £40
Wiring kit : £17
12" Sub box : £40
Clarion DXZ758RMC Head unit : £160

I think the sub could probably be upgraded and Ill likely need a new set of speakers for the front, but Ive just changed my car to a Polo so Ill see how it sounds with it first. I haven't picked the car up yet but when I do...read on...

The sound difference from transistor to mosfet really struck me. That HUs filters really do work for my compressed music that sounded well...compressed on my dads old JVC (think low quality WMA and you're in the right ball park.) Not anymore. The sound's loud, boomy and defined - very nice for me. It's not perfect as OMA isn't a lossless codec - but it isn't bad either by any means.

Im liking all the features on it aswell. Im no audiophile by any means and don't know a great deal about car audio, but I do recognise what I define as "good sounding" when I hear it. Which is plenty of bass and good all round definition with a slight turn down of the upper mid range. My current set up delivers that so in my book it's money well spent even though I do recognise the room for improvement.

I spent about an hour just fiddling with it. Playing with the bass settings, the filters, the screen colour and welcome message. And in the end - as I said - was pleased with the sound even through the current set up.

Baring in mind, this is still with the old set up (2 x 175W 6x9's and 2 x 20W Pioneer front speakers) which was running off my dads JVC KS-FX12 (albeit w/o the auto changer)

As I said, I haven't got the Polo yet and didn't fancy ripping apart the Renault 5 to install an amp and sub for all of 2 weeks. So I did a nice, quick swap over job on the HUs and Im chuffed to say the least!

Just need a 3rd opinion really. Bass junkies (where I bought it all from) said it's a 600W set up. My mate who plays with car stereos a bit said it's more like 300W.

I just don't fancy blowing the sub up trying to install it, despite being advised "it's the same power as the amp" by Bass Junkies.

If I can't get a clear answer, my plan is wire it up, turn the gain down to 0 on the amp and just really gradually turn it up till it distorts then turn it down slightly (practically what it says in the instructions)

I could do with a rough guide as to how much louder compared to my current set up it will be - or quieter. Just a "noticeably quieter" or "a lot louder" or something along those lines will do...

Also, an opinion over if what Ive bought is worth it would also be nice...

symon_say · 04-18-2007, 01:36 PM

Men look for good 4 ch amp a nice set of comp, and a decent sub.

Please dont get a sony HU (is garbage), if you're on a budget look for some profile, lanzar or hifonics amp, get coax from alpine or pioneer revs, and get a kicker comp or cvr, or a pioneer sub. For the HU keep under alpine, pioneer, kenwood, jvc, panasonic, eclipse or clarion, those are great brands and have quality units.

With this setup you cant go wrong for a entry level. Do yourself a favor keep away from SONY.

And watts are not everything in bass talking, box is more important.

crazyman50000 · 04-18-2007, 01:47 PM

Eh? I said Ive already bought the stuff as listed above. This was just an update...

symon_say · 04-18-2007, 01:58 PM

sorry then, didnt read all, was to long.

Enjoy your system

crazyman50000 · 04-19-2007, 03:30 AM

Just to recap, system now owned :

Toxic TX600N 600W Amp : £90
Sony XSL121P5S 1200W PMPO SUB : £40
Wiring kit : £17
12" Sub box : £40
Clarion DXZ758RMC Head unit : £160

How much louder is that than what Ive got? (a bit louder etc)
How much power is it really?
Was it worth the money?