Sound System Advice

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 6:40 pm

That's another reason I like my system in my car. I've pretty much have it setup where my sub can hit notes down to ~32hz. So even the really low stuff I can hear/feel in the music. I'll listen to cd's in my car and then listen to them even on my home system and I'm waiting for the really low bass to kick in....it never does....it's like something is missing after you hear music with a very large/broad frequency spectrum on a system that can reproduce vs on a system that can't.

Probably the lowest bass I've heard....felt should I say is off of the original MTV AMP cd. Track 6. It starts off with a tribal snare drum sound....and then all of sudden introduces this insanely low bass with the snare drum. I've never heard another system reproduce the bass in that track as well as my single JL 12. I'm sure there are ones out there that could.....just not on your every day car.....

eastbaysubaru · Post by **eastbaysubaru** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:15 pm

I'm also running a single 12" JL:D

-Brian

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:28 pm

I'm running a 15" Lightning. Got it cheap, so I couldn't complain. It's surprisingly crisp though, so I like it.

rmorriso · Post by **rmorriso** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:37 pm

Thanks for all the opinions guys, its really helped.

I'm not looking to spend too much, not too much of an audiophile. Here's what I'm looking at right now:

-A basic 6 1/2" Pioneer upgrade for all the speakers. I chose them because their RMS matches pretty well to my deck. (26watt for the deck and 30watt for the speakers)

-Infinity 12" sub in custom box. I got a friend who has built his own box who can help me out, and I've heard good things about infinity. (300watt RMS/1050watt max)

-Alpine Mono Amp with low pass filter (350watt RMS/700watt max)

look like a pretty good basic setup?

Also, since my deck only has front/rear outs, should I run the sub off the rear out then? It should be fine as long as the amp has a low pass filter right?

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 8:06 pm

My only thing is deck power is usually pretty dirty in comparison to amp power. The only thing I'd probably change is get a small 4-channel for the front & rear speakers....or a 5 channel. However running the front & rear speakers off the head unit should be fine.

As for your wiring issue. Does the head unit have RCA's? I'm assuming it does. Since you are using the high level or speaker leads for the speakers themself, use one set of RCA's (front or rear) to run to the amp to provide it signal for the sub. Most head units will have at least one rca, and usually two. Some also have a feature what's called a non-fading preout which was designed for sub's. The signal strength remains the same regardless of how you adjust the fader.

what model pioneer premiere HU do you have?

boostjunkie · Post by **boostjunkie** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 8:36 pm

Legacy777 wrote:I don't think the big issue here is what is better/optimized/etc.

I think the big issue here is people have different tastes.

If that person can't hear the difference, by all means go with the less costly option if it fills your needs. This is also what makes a great salesman. One that will sell you something you need, vs. one that will sell you something they think you need.

Here, here. I haven't even read all of the posts except for the last page, but this is what I would say whenever someone asks me about car audio.

rmorriso · Post by **rmorriso** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:50 pm

It's the DEH-340. Thanks for the tips on the amp. Its starting to look like more than I wanted to spend, but I guess on the bright side I can carry all this equipment into my next car down the road as well.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:34 pm

"If that person can't hear the difference"

Sure, but it could also be the person can get the same quality of sound at a normal level of volume.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:46 pm

Normal is subjective.

I find that windows down on the highway wanting to listen to sattelite or a CD, is a normal volume level. Apparently, you don't think this.

What's normal for me, isn't normal for you or boostjunkie, or evoloutionmovement, or Legacy777. Everyone is different. Apparently, you feel that you can get the quality you are after with the stock WRX sub. While myself, and a few others, don't feel the same way.

"normal" is overrated.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:49 pm

Send me an MP3 of a song you like and a testing location and I will tell you the DB produced by the subwoofer (at a volume below distortion).

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:53 pm

I think nothing beats the stock system - and it only gets better with age!

Steve

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 10:56 pm

The stock 40 watt system with the headphone plug is pretty good if you upgrade the paper speakers.

I did this for my mom and bought her a male to male headphone jack, she sticks a walkman into the tray below and listens all the time.

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:02 pm

That's what I eventually plan on doing - just upgrading the stock speakers (which aren't even blown!). I have a Kenwood CD deck which has lasted well (4+ yrs and counting) where other decks I've had didn't last over 3. Not bad where I hardly listen to the radio, just CDs whenever I'm driving.

Steve

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:04 pm

Ciper - Give it a rest. I've listened to the WRX sub, and I find it inadequate for my needs. Period. If you REALLY want to give me a decibel reading, fine, but what are you trying to prove? I've got plenty of bass in my car, and I would NEVER go to a WRX sub. It doesn't suit my needs, so why are you pressing it? Just because it's right for you, doesn't mean it's right for everyone. From my drivers seat, you are wrong about the sub.

On another note:

Are headphones legal in CA? They are illegal in Maryland apparently. One of my friends got pulled over for wearing headphones while driving. Not sure if he got a warning or what though.

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:07 pm

BAC5.2: Im trying to show that the WRX sub is right for more people than you give credit. You want to push a large subwoofer box and seperate amplifier and I doubt many of the people reading this thread need it.

Headphones that cover both ears are illegal. If you dont mind monoral your okay. Thats why headsets for cell phones are allowed.

boostjunkie · Post by **boostjunkie** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:25 pm

ciper wrote:Headphones that cover both ears are illegal. If you dont mind monoral your okay. Thats why headsets for cell phones are allowed.

Threadjack!

I'm pretty sure the reasons for headphones (stereo ones anyway) is so that you can hear a police siren or emergency vehicle. However, if you're hearing-impaired, are you prohibited from driving a car?

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 1:31 am

Looks like deaf people can drive
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs79thru81.htm

Why do they discriminate against blind people!

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 2:22 am

With some of the people I encounter on the road, I don't think they do.

A lot of clarirvoyants out there testing their ability to drive by psychic vision, too.

Steve

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 1:36 am

will anyone get back on topic? we've gone from speakers and amps to fuel efficiency in one thread! meanwhile, i'm in the midst of replacing my audio whatnot and i'm looking for some kind of stereo wire designation chart of somekind... in other words: is there a list of what color wires for ours go to what part of the car? i have a non-working passenger side feed in the front, and the opposite in the rear (driver side) in addition, i'm replacing the wiring harness, so i'd like to know what wires feed what devices in there.. if anyone has an electrical diagram, or a post to point to (i've searched.) i'd be greatful. --josh, do you have anything on this? i know you have some good audio stuff on your site... but not what i'm looking for..

-=TRSTNj

boostjunkie · Post by **boostjunkie** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 1:55 am

evolutionmovement wrote:With some of the people I encounter on the road, I don't think they do.

A blind person destroyed my legacy

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:40 am

91legacy_sleeper - Can you be more clear about what you need? It seems to me that between these two pages you should be able to figure it out:

http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/bcstereo/
http://www.main.exper...cyradiodiag.jpg

Kelly · Post by **Kelly** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 7:22 am

Me thinks I'll avoid the whole audio discussion.
For I am an audio snob.
and nothing is ever good enough.

Yukonart · Post by **Yukonart** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 9:07 am

rallitektech wrote:Me thinks I'll avoid the whole audio discussion.
For I am an audio snob.
and nothing is ever good enough.

Werd werd, and more werd.

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 2:31 pm

vrg3 posted any info I would have......only other thing I can suggest is the electrical section of the 92 FSM scan I have on my site.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8 ... ectrical)/

tris91ricer · Post by **tris91ricer** » Wed Apr 14, 2004 10:10 pm

Thanks vrg3. i think i really need to stick with geeks helping me put things on my car instead of thieves. My deck was put in kinda sloppy by this car thief i knew awhile back, and all i had to do was smoke him out... shoulda known.. all the wires are willy-nilly and it worked for about a year until recently when i decided to "get out of the ghetto" and really start making my car the pimp machine it should be. It's still a work in progress. Anyway, thanks for the links, mucho appreciado. i think. I'll get on that this evening after i buy another wiring harness, just to make things neat..

later y'all...

-=TRSTNj

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Sound System Advice