Car audio

[Sweety]

I'm a bit of a car audio fan & think there are others on here who are also so thought i'd start a thread on it for people to discuss the topic & show of their installs & put up the spec's of their system:thumb2
For a little reference here's some links to good forums I know of with loads of info & how to's & enclosue calculators
Forum's
Talk Audio (UK site) http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/ipb/
Car Audio (US site) http://www.caraudio.com/forums/forum.php

Enclosure Calculators
http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/boxcalcs.asp
Win ISD Google search will bring up places to down load it from:thumbs

 

[makeitfit]

Good idea As you know I've been learning a bit of late :thumbs
Could you link to an easy guide to wire sizes . I get a bit lost with all these gauges and swg and what not
Also as a matter of interest. On my vito install I'm fiddling with on and off, I used an isolating switch to stop the sub amp coming on automatically. How can I wire in a little LED so I know the switch is active ?

 

[Sweety]

Good idea As you know I've been learning a bit of late :thumbs
Could you link to an easy guide to wire sizes . I get a bit lost with all these gauges and swg and what not
Also as a matter of interest. On my vito install I'm fiddling with on and off, I used an isolating switch to stop the sub amp coming on automatically. How can I wire in a little LED so I know the switch is active ?

Hopefully this might help http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0qre1KX2UgL/learn/learningcenter/car/cable_gauge_chart.html :thumbs
As for the LED have you fitted the switch to the signal feed wire from the stereo (head unit) ? if you have splice into the signal feed wire after the switch & run it to a relay as the switch feed like you would if you were fitting a set of spotlights & the output wire to the positive side of an LED & earth the other side, a permament & earth will also be need for the relay as you know. Every time the amp is switched on the LED will light up to tell you:thumb2 A relay is needed as the signal wire is very low current:augie A lot of installers add relays to the signal wire so extra cooling fans come on as soon as the amps power up or for LED lighting around amps in their amp racks.
Hope this makes some sence:augie

 

[makeitfit]

Ah well that explains a lot indeed, cheers I hadn't realised the head unit feed was such a low output. Relays it is then :thumbs

 

[makeitfit]

and another thing Sound deadening mat ?It seems oodles of dosh. I'm going for a good install on my Cortina project and wondered if painting the inside of the doors with bitumen to create a thick layer and rust proof at the same time would work ? :nenau

 

[SNH]

Sweet.


If any of you are on Facebook the check out budget boomers forum & budget boomers classifieds.

Welding wire is a popular choice for powering amps etc.

Ordering my set up this week

4 jbl gto 6508c 6.5" components (front & rear).
2 jbl gto 804 8" subs will be in a custom box to save space
Alpine mono amp

Already got the headunit - alpine ida x300

 

[jims-terrano]

Mines a Sony with all the writing worn off the most of the buttons, them that arent worn off the writings too small to read. Id love an mp3 aux input usb that plugs into my steeringwheel, either that or a new car:lol:lol

Anyone remember those cheap goodmans graphic equaliser jobbies with all those tacky sliders.

 

[AlexD333]

Well ive got a nice old setup in the terrano, an alpine head unit with led gizmos.

Ive got an 1100watt amp under the drivers seat, custom speakers in all doors bigger than stock and a 10" square kicker in a custom case in the boot, as it's been mentioned before I have quite thick wiring running the sound system as this is essential for good sound.

The terrano actually have lovely clarity now of vocals ect, and the bass if you want it that way )for the likes of dub ect) can shake the windows and mirrors very well, it's like a free massage seat :lol:thumb2

 

[makeitfit]

Mines a Sony with all the writing worn off the most of the buttons, them that arent worn off the writings too small to read. Id love an mp3 aux input usb that plugs into my steeringwheel, either that or a new car:lol:lol

Anyone remember those cheap goodmans graphic equaliser jobbies with all those tacky sliders.

Ha Ha yes, infact I still have mine :lol but I had it as a yoof and had no money for the Goodmans so got a cheap "Saisho" version
My very first in car entertainment was called Shirley :naughty

 

[jims-terrano]

I ened up looking at dab kit for cars after reading this thread. Silly prices or what:nenau

Actually quite fance summat I can stick a memory card or connect into my phone but the cheap stuff on ebay is really cheap. Would like the steering wheel controls to be utilised again but seems like compatible radios are pots of money.

 

[makeitfit]

I use my phone all the time into my head unit as I stream Deezer
No need for Cds, MP3s or USB things, just 3.5 to 3.5 = boom :thumbs

 

[jims-terrano]

So are any of the standard terrano speakers any good including the teeny tweeters in the door mirror inner trim.

 

[makeitfit]

Mine were goosed when I got the truck so who knows ?

 

[Sweety]

Wow didn't think there would be as many replies on this thread but i'm pleased there are:thumbs

So are any of the standard terrano speakers any good including the teeny tweeters in the door mirror inner trim.

The tweeters aren't to bad TBH & i've not replaced mine yet but when I come to replace the front door speakers with a set of component speaker then the stick ones will be getting replaced & the angling changed for better sound staging. The standard Nissan speaker are junk if you ask me both of the T2's i've had the voice coils have started to go with in a month of fitting a better after market stereo as they seem not to be able to handle a bit of extra power & the magnets on the speakers are tiny which is never good:doh
As an example of how small the magnets are here's the factory 5x7" speaker next to the 6.5" speakers I fitted into my front doors


Cheers SNH will look up budget boomers:thumbs know the owner of bassmechanix one of the top audio installers in Newcastle & can also be found on FB:augie

 

[Sweety]

With the feed wire from the stereo it doesn't need to be able to carry any sort of load on the wire as it's just for telling the amp to switch on/off

and another thing Sound deadening mat ?It seems oodles of dosh. I'm going for a good install on my Cortina project and wondered if painting the inside of the doors with bitumen to create a thick layer and rust proof at the same time would work ? :nenau

No the bitumen wouldn't really do anything for the sound some have used lead flashing but it can peal off when it gets hot i've read. Yes sound deadening can be costly depending on how much you use & what brand, not added any myself yet but am planing on doing so. It can also really help to cut road noise down but there is a lot of good threads on Talk Audio about it:thumbs

 

[SNH]

I paid £20 for my alpine, had to buy new wiring and a genuine alpine lead but still only stands me at £35



No cd but does, radio, usb and ipod. I did look at DAB and it's something I'll definately upgrade to in the future.

Been to have mine measured up at the installers today for the boot build and door speakers.
It'll be getting started once he's back off holiday next weekend :thumb2

 

[jims-terrano]

I'll have one like that :thumb2

 

[Sweety]

Ok here's a run down of my set up at the min as things will change over the next year or so when funds allow:augie
Stereo: Kenwood KDC-BT25SD Hands free, CD, IPod, SD Card, USB & Blue Tooth music inputs, loads of other toys & cross overs for every speaker
Front Speaker:JBL GTO626e 6.5" 2 way
Rear Speakers: JBL GTO 5.25" 2 way
Sub Amp: Kicker ZX 250.2 250w RMS bridged to one channel
Sub: JBL GT3-10 (10")
Sub enclosure: Custom 45L with 2.5" port tuned to 33Hz

 

[jims-terrano]

Is it easy to remove the speaker grills to allow you access to replace the speakers or do you have to remove the whole door card?
Dont fancy removing door cards cos i have memories of previous cars door cards with clips breaking or flying everywhere and handles refusing to come off.

 

[Sweety]

Is it easy to remove the speaker grills to allow you access to replace the speakers or do you have to remove the whole door card?
Dont fancy removing door cards cos i have memories of previous cars door cards with clips breaking or flying everywhere and handles refusing to come off.

Sadly Jim it's a door card off job as the front speaker grills are part of the door pockets & secured in place behind the door cards & I think the rears are the same IIRC