Car with no system..How do I wire the speakers to my MP3 system?

fogleroller · 02-14-2002, 11:38 AM

This setup is still all in my head (planning stages). I have a 240sx with no system at all. I plan on getting speakers and installing my computer inside the dash with a 5" LCD.

My question is: How do I hook up the speakers to the system to get quality sound? Do I need an amp? There will be no Deck at all.

The motherboard is a Shuttle FV24 http://www.shuttleonline.com/spec.php3?model=fv24

Do I have to get a high quality sound card?

thanks!

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: fogleroller ]

mp3z24 · 02-14-2002, 11:50 AM

without a head unit i believe you are going to need an amp. the simplest way would be to get a 2 channel input with 4 channel output, with an internal crossover. that way you can input right and left, and set the amp to output the highs to the front (typically smaller speakers) and the lows to the back (typically larger speakers)
for a sound card, you probably want to look for a card with rca outputs, since that is the input for the amps. i personally would recommend a sound blaster awe 64 gold sound card. it is an ISA card, and comes with right/left rca outputs.

now this is mostly just an idea that i am tossing your way. i havent personally set up anything like this, but i have seen it done somewhere on the web. there may even be some folks here who have do similar setups.

oh, you might also want to look for a radio tuner card for your computer, in case you want to tune into sports, news, traffic, weather, etc. basially anything that isnt an mp3.

you will probably also want to look into a touch screen, since all of the functions of the radio are going to be controlled by your computer.

~mike

fogleroller · 02-14-2002, 11:59 AM

Hey, thanks for the info. Is that soundcard available in PCI? The motherboard I am using only has one pci slot, and no ISA.

Yeah, I may add a radio tuner in later, i will need it for traffic reports.

I will look into touch screens, just too expensive for me right now. I really want a touchscreen that will fit a double din slot, that would be nice.

I will have a touch pad in my arm rest, and a wireless keyboard in the glove compartment.

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: fogleroller ]

Maveric · 02-14-2002, 01:15 PM

If a touchscreen is too expensive for you right now then the amp you will need to power your speakers is going to be WAY too expensive for you. Head units typicly ouptut ~200 watts and if you are going for just an amp I wouldn't get anything less than 300 watts. You looking at ~$200-$300 at least.

fogleroller · 02-14-2002, 01:45 PM

OUCH! Dammit

mp3z24 · 02-14-2002, 02:03 PM

that sound card is only available in ISA i believe. you might want to check out some other sound cards that have a full input/output attachment. the specific models escape me right now, but basically they have a module that fits into a full size drive bay and allows you to imput and output audio. they are usually used for midi and digital music production.

~mike

graviss · 02-14-2002, 02:03 PM

First I would reconsider putting the fv24 in the dash. There's enough room for it but you're also talking about a soundcard. It would probably work with a doubledin but how much trouble do you want to go through when troubleshooting or transfering files to it...not to mention heat.
I know nothing about touchscreens so I can't help you there.
Now to get sound to your speakers without a head unit you will need an amp. Most aftermarket head units only supply about 20-25w to each speakers - stock are even less. So the amp you would need should do about 4x 25w. If you don't care about 4 seperate channels (mostly everything is stereo anyway) then you can get a 2x 50w amp. Either one of those shouldn't set you back too much (I plan on selling my 4x 55w for $150 next week).
For the soundcard, I like the soundblaster live. Just try to get one that has 2 or more outputs in case you decide to upgrade later.(2outputs sends 4seperate channels but you'll need to split it with a Y-adapter first).
Anyway, I hope some of that made sense and let us know what you decide.

fogleroller · 02-14-2002, 03:22 PM

as far as file transfer, i will be using a USB wireless NIC (Dlink, Linksys). Yeah, the heat might be a factor, i'll figure something out(maybe have the AC vented into that area and run temp sensors). It will be going above the glove box, and some parts might be in the glove box itself.

I wonder if i can get away with a USB sound card?

How does this sound? Creative Extigy? http://www.americas.creative.com/pro...95&product=251

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: fogleroller ]

etrik · 02-14-2002, 03:33 PM

for usb soud if you got the money go with a sb live extigy. it has an sb audigy audio chip and has superb quality. jmho.
Etrik

fogleroller · 02-14-2002, 03:37 PM

hahaha, we posted that at the same time

masterful · 02-14-2002, 03:46 PM

Concerning the head unit vs amplifier output reply earlier, I thought I would add that head units might be rated for around 200 watts, but EXTREMELY rare is the head unit that actually puts out more than 12-15 watts per channel continuous. In fact, last I checked, there wasn't even a standard used by which ratings could be compared. 200 watts peak for one company doesn't necessarily mean 200 watts peak for another company. In fact, if you were to look at some of the Bose systems that are touted so highly (mostly home audio, but same concept) you would see that they don't claim near the wattage abilities as a Kenwood system would . . . yet they sound better, and have more power. Don't worry as much about the specs of the amplifier you're considering . . . instead hear it's capability. If you can't hear it in the store in a satisfactory situation (and you probably can't when you consider you're hooking it up to a computer), then make sure you can bring it back for refund or exchange before committing to the purchase. Then if it doesn't work for you . . . next!

Just my way of thinking.

Jeffrey.

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