car audio experts

[DCI]

Yeah the mini shows up at Texas Heatwave car show each year.

Sounds very good to be fair, haven't listened to it in years tho so could have changed

[Lunk1]

Sorry, I had a wedding reception to attend

A. I was thinkn a 4 channel to push the door speakers and a mono for the sub. Any advantage or disadvantage?

If you get time would you mind putting a list of make and model of equip. you would suggest that would give me the best bang for my buck. Anywhere you think is the best place to buy ie: Crutchfields?

[austinite]

Sorry, I had a wedding reception to attend

A. I was thinkn a 4 channel to push the door speakers and a mono for the sub. Any advantage or disadvantage?

If you get time would you mind putting a list of make and model of equip. you would suggest that would give me the best bang for my buck. Anywhere you think is the best place to buy ie: Crutchfields?

Yes, the advantage of 2 amps is the ability to manage audio better. Have control over both; the sub and the mids/highs. Otherwise you'd lose either balance or fade. Dedicated amps are always better. You might consider small amps. Most manufacturers are now making amps smaller, so you can stack them if need be. You can also run a 5 channel amp, which has a channel dedicated to your subwoofer, and draws less current. You don't want to go too big on your amp wattage so that your alternator is not stressed out.

Crutchfield is an MSRP company. You can get a better deal locally from a car stereo shop. If anything, you can use Crutchfield as your negotiation tool with the local guys. Nothing sucks more than having a warranty that requires shipping.

Head unit: Kenwood DDX370
Door speakers: Rockford Fosgate P1572 (2 pair)
Amplifier: Kenwood KAC-7005PS (5 channel)
Subwoofer: Rockford Fosgate R2D2-12 (Do not confuse with R2D4-12, needs to be a 2 ohm single coil sub)
Radio install dash kit: American international, model: FMK552
Radio install wire harness: American international, model: FWH598

You'll need the following wiring:

- 16 gauge speaker wire for the door speakers. About 50 feet.
- 12 gauge wire for your sub. 8 feet.
- 3 sets of RCA cables. (12 ft each)
- Power wire, 4 gauge. About 18 feet.
- Ground wire, 4 gauge. About 4 feet.

^ you might find a "kit" containing all of that.

If your car has steering wheel radio controls, you can use a PAC SWIJACK to retain their function.

[austinite]

ps. If you go over budget, you can hold off on the head unit. You'll need a 3-way line output converter to connect your amp to your factory radio, then upgrade the radio at a later time. But I know for a fact I can get ALL that locally, within your budget, and you'll get change back.

[FRDave]

Sonic Electronix has really good prices and factory authorized. They will match prices too if you do find it cheaper. Check out their Labor Day sales...

They sell many brands, surprisingly a lot of high end brands most people have never heard of.

[austinite]

^ dave, sonic is not authorized for most manufacturers they sell. They claim so, and lots of goods are refurbs.

For example: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Support/Online_Etailers/

Most manufacturers are actually super strict about e-tailers.

[FRDave]

^ dave, sonic is not authorized for most manufacturers they sell. They claim so, and lots of goods are refurbs.

For example: http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Support/Online_Etailers/

Most manufacturers are actually super strict about e-tailers.

I just checked and they are authorized for many manufactures, but not all. Kenwood for example, it looks like they offer their own 1yr warrant.

Nice thing for me is they are local and I have all equipment, just need an alarm and in dash GPS.

[Lunk1]

So you suggest a 12" over a 10" or even 2 10"? I notice the vehicle specific box by atrend is for 2 10's

[austinite]

So you suggest a 12" over a 10" or even 2 10"? I notice the vehicle specific box by atrend is for 2 10's

Well, if you go with 1 sub, I would do a 12", if you go with 2 subs, I'd go with 10".

Ten inch subs, due to their size, will respond a lot faster than a 12" sub, making for more accurate, sound quality bass where you get that clean thud instead of the "rolling bass". They make the same sub I mentioned in 10". R2D2-10

[Lunk1]

Am I missing something? Is there NOT a 3.5mm jack on the suggested HU?

[austinite]

Am I missing something? Is there NOT a 3.5mm jack on the suggested HU?

In the back. Usually run it to the center console to avoid wires hanging from your dash. If you want an Aux jack in front,

Some other models have aux in front. If you can find last years model, would be great.. DDX319

[Lunk1]

This looks like a nice system. The only think I'm torn on is the atrends box vs a standard wedge or something similar that would fit under the seat.

If I went with the 2 10's, the 5 channel amp would not work correct??

[austinite]

This looks like a nice system. The only think I'm torn on is the atrends box vs a standard wedge or something similar that would fit under the seat.

If I went with the 2 10's, the 5 channel amp would not work correct??

yeah it will work. Good thing you mentioned that. You'd need the 4 ohm impedance subs so you can run them in series down to a 2 ohm load. You want your amp to see a 2 ohm load.

So... R2D410

[Lunk1]

yeah it will work. Good thing you mentioned that. You'd need the 4 ohm impedance subs so you can run them in series down to a 2 ohm load. You want your amp to see a 2 ohm load.

So... R2D410

so you just wire them together then to the amp?

[austinite]

Yes, series like this...

Negative from subwoofer 1 to negative on subwoofer 2.
Positive from subwoofer 1 to positive on subwoofer 2.

Negative from subwoofer 2 to negative on amp.
Positive from subwoofer 2 to positive on amp.

That brings the total impedance down to a 2 ohm load.

[Lunk1]

Yes, series like this...

Negative from subwoofer 1 to negative on subwoofer 2.
Positive from subwoofer 1 to positive on subwoofer 2.

Negative from subwoofer 2 to negative on amp.
Positive from subwoofer 2 to positive on amp.

That brings the total impedance down to a 2 ohm load.

Yup. got it. tracking down and getting prices on all of this will get me started for a bit. Many thanks.

[Lunk1]

Hey A., what do ya think of this HU?



AVH-P3400BH - 2-DIN Multimedia DVD Receiver with 5.8" Widescreen Touch Panel Display, Built-In Bluetooth®, and HD Radio™ Tuner | Pioneer Electronics USA

[austinite]

Nice. I was actually going to suggest Pioneer as they're very comparable. That one has bluetooth which is nice. Plus you'll pick up a lot more radio stations with the HD tuner. The interface is much nicer looking, but somewhat cumbersome. Not as user friendly as kenwood, but you get used it fairly quickly.

[Lunk1]

I can find all the components (minus wiring and install kits) for around $650ish. Ebay is about the cheapest I have found everything.

H/U $250 (pioneer)
4 5X7's $100
2 10'S $100
AMP $200

+box approx. $100

[austinite]

^ good deal man. I think you can get those speakers cheaper, but still overall, good price for the package.

[crazy mike]

Hey anyone heard of Memphis Car speakers ??? ...crazy mike

[austinite]

Hey anyone heard of Memphis Car speakers ??? ...crazy mike

Yes .

[crazy mike]

Well Austin~ tell me about them. I looked at the Polk Audio 6-1/2" coaxial and they will not go into my Volvo. I found some Memphis Audio that will work just great. I have to scrap my original factory covers for any application. But are they as good as a least the Polk. Remember mikey has a financial problem here.
So what's up with these.......? ..cm

[crazy mike]

...........

[austinite]

Memphis is good. They're far more popular for their amplifiers than speakers. They started with amps forever, and only in the last so many years did they start making speakers. So they're fairly new in that category but I've never heard any negative reports on them.

In January, I was at the consumer electronics show (CES) in Vegas, and they had a massive booth, no less than a million dollar spot. So obviously business is good for them which is a good sign. I have no real experience with their speakers, however.

[crazy mike]

Cool man. I like what I saw and heard. I wasn't going to do any stereo work on my car but the door blew out 100%. I found that my dash tweets are dust... So I found some to replace them. When I get some money. So the price is ok and I just got paid. Gonna get some speakers and start to replace all the speakers in time. THX ...crazy mike

[DCI]

Dyna Audio are great too if you can pick them up cheap

[austinite]

Dyna Audio are great too if you can pick them up cheap

True. They're manufacturing for car makers now, too.

[DCI]

Yep and they are swedish too so probably make speakers to fit into the Volvo handy enough. Most of the upgraded car audio stuff from the manufacturer is a bit limp

[crazy mike]

It's all about money. I'll spend more on my body for me at my age. Living on SSD ya gotta make heavy choices or ya might not eat or have gas to drive to the gym. Along with the fuel I inject into my A$$....ha!

[DCI]

Check out for second hand ones man Great Value to be gotten in the Audio game buying seconhand.

[Lunk1]

Best (in ear) ear buds with crisp sound and plenty of bass for under $100....GO!?

[DCI]

Sennheiser are always good, stay from Beats etc over priced shit, I must ask my friend got a set made custom for around that money must ask what company they are.

[Lunk1]

Austinite !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! Where are you???????????????????????????????????????

[austinite]

hello. What's up buddy.

[Lunk1]

Got this unit. It is used from Ebay. It's in great shape and came with the main wiring harness but no manual. There are a number of other plug ports in the back, I assume for things like back up camera and nav. I just want to make sure I have all the necessary stuff to wire it up.
pioneer avh p3400bh

[austinite]

If you're doing an amp, you'll be using only 4 wires from the harness. Power, ground, remote and constant. You'll need a pair of RCA's for each channel on your amp. That's really about it for wiring on the receiver. Everything else is at the amp.

Factory antenna lead goes into that black hole (lol) on the far upper left. You won't use anything on the right side (unless you got the ipod/video cable).

[Lunk1]

So the yellow and blue ports are not an issue? I was considering adding the back up cam...

[austinite]

Not unless you want the camera. Blue port is satellite radio. You need a box for that, Viper SCC1. For camera you need the RCA + power/ground and reverse light wire.

[Lunk1]

Thanks buddy.