My systems the money pit! It's everything I wanted but Im PISSED!

[RcRacerDrew 10+ year member]

For the past two years now Ive been saving and shopping, reading every car stereo book I can and every magazine article...Ive even started selling and installing stereo equipment to kids at my school. The other day I got offered a job from our stereo shop. Man am I pissed! Every time I sit in my car I hear a new rattle or think up a new imaging problem. Im feeling really book smart but theres noone around me who can show me anything hands on. I dont know what the hell my mids are supposed to sound like or why I can't seem to get my subs to sound how I want. What am I supposed to do? I love this stuff and you all gotta help a brother down from the top of the bridge before he jumps!

Also if you could check out my system specs below...any ideas for good modifications over the winter? Im considering anything or everything new to make my self feel better about this! 10's instead of 15's maybe? 1/3 octave EQs?

Thanks everyone!

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[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

The only things I would do are:

1) Rid of the caps, for a high output alternator; and

2) Remove the rear fill.

Only my opinion ... you are the one who listens to it every day - if you like it, leave it alone. If you think you need to change something around, change it around. I also say, leave the 15's //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

- Steve

 

[RcRacerDrew 10+ year member]

Ive debated the alternator option alot.....what is the biggest benefit of the alternator over my caps? Should I do both? Thanks for the insight!

 

[Bavarian3 10+ year member]

first of all, what is it that u dont like about ur system? whats wrong with it? u only mentioned the rattles, so to take care of rattles u need sound deadener.

What else is the problem? A's are top of the line subs. Rear fill will mess up ur imaging. OZ i hear are awesome components. and like steve said ditch the capacitors, not that this will effect the SQ. and get a high output alt.

 

[RcRacerDrew 10+ year member]

Well I got it dynamated a ton already...whole car was stripped but you know how those annoying rattles come back? Ive also had my As in 3 boxes and finally gave up on trying to vent them and instead went sealed....the box I have now for them is prefab but its pretty solid. I just get in freinds cars that have like some alpine type Rs and it seems like theirs is almost on the same level as mine.... I wanna have a professional or someone take a look at it and maybe help me with some tunning and tips but it seems like none of the shops around Indianapolis are very into that stuff. I love the equipment I have...I think im just overly anal about all the little details...and my rear fill...its faded almost all the way out unless my freinds in the back seat start complaning.

 

[Bavarian3 10+ year member]

well thats ur problem is ur box. Pre-fab sucks and is not suffficient for an A. did u build ur ported boxes when u made them? or were they prefab too. I say u design some nice plans for a box that willl give them the perfect amount of room and build the box. Also how much power are u sending them.

 

[RcRacerDrew 10+ year member]

Yeah the prefab is definatly bringing me down and Im not planning on keeping that...Do you know of anyone on here that builds boxes? I built all the other and I just dont have time to make another one. Im sending 500 watts to each. Do you think thats enough? Also, What do you think about adding a 1/3 octave EQ?

 

[tommyk90 5,000+ posts]

Yeah the prefab is definatly bringing me down and Im not planning on keeping that...Do you know of anyone on here that builds boxes? I built all the other and I just dont have time to make another one. Im sending 500 watts to each. Do you think thats enough? Also, What do you think about adding a 1/3 octave EQ?

Ahh, i don't think 500 watts a piece is enough to make 15A's happy. Should try to go with 700-1000 a piece.

 

[Bavarian3 10+ year member]

Yeah the prefab is definatly bringing me down and Im not planning on keeping that...Do you know of anyone on here that builds boxes? I built all the other and I just dont have time to make another one. Im sending 500 watts to each. Do you think thats enough? Also, What do you think about adding a 1/3 octave EQ?

since ur using a pre-fab sealed box, no i dont think 500 watts is adequate. Since ur running them way below RMS power its much better to build a bigger box or ported especially so they move easier with the less power. I say take care of the important things before worrying about the EQ but yeah im looking to add an EQ in my system soon but ive completed everything else and im very happpy with my install and products and am just looking for an extra kick of SQ.

 

[lombardo 10+ year member]

That doesn't sound like enough watts to me.

 

[TPABlazer 10+ year member]

i run 500 wrms to my 12a in a selaed i built and its nowhere near enough

 

[RcRacerDrew 10+ year member]

Well alright! Looks like im getting a bigger amp and having someone make me a sturdy box! I knew the prefab was jankity and im embarassed about having that thing in my car but I really thought 500 was enough....good stuff.

 

[ss3079 5,000+ posts]

Well alright! Looks like im getting a bigger amp and having someone make me a sturdy box! I knew the prefab was jankity and im embarassed about having that thing in my car but I really thought 500 was enough....good stuff.

I'm sure you'd enjoy some more power //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Then a new alternator would definetely be in the question, too.

As for a box, if you don't want to do it yourself ... I'd speak to Donn - LoneRanger - he'll work something real nice out //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

- Steve