Any comments on my first system?

[mattf 5,000+ posts]

Just wanted to say hey and this is my first post here, but I've been reading for a while now.

I just got my first system last week. Its got -

Pioneer DEH 3700MP

2 - 12" Kicker Comps

Power Acoustik 620w amp

I built the box myself, its a sealed box with 1.6ft^3 per sub. I haven't got it carpeted yet. Where would I go to find carpet for it? I've never seen stuff like that in a store before.

For the amp settings, I have the level set at about 60% up, the cross over on low pass, and the lpf setting on 40hz.

I'm not really sure what all of these do exactly, so I hope they are set alright.

The sub wiring is also another area of confusion for me. Right now I have each sub wired to the amp separetly, sub+ to amp+ and sub- to amp-, for each sub. Does that sound right?

I would really appreciate any comments on the setup/settings if you got em. I know you guys like pics, so I was sure to get some, even though I haven't quite figured out the Photobucket resizing thing yet. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Matt

Click to read more...

 

[OnYrMrk 10+ year member]

It is a great first system. And to know you installed it yourself, congrats!

My first system was a bit extreme, a pioneer supertuner I, Jensen 250w 11band graphic eq, 4 pairs of jensen quadrax 6x9's in the hatch of my '80 mercury capri. thing would kill your ears with treble and midbass was decent, if you didn't distort them very much. So to look at your first system, well done!

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

Congrats and welcome......

You'll soon enough realize a 'system' consists more than just a HU, subs and an amp. I would've liked to see you start with a fronstage and then find subs to integrate, but heck most people do it the way you did. You get props from me because you built your own enclosure, good to see....

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

Try to set your gain on the amp with this method.

http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=63933

And raise your HPF around 80hz.

Carpet can be found at stereo shops. Ask around. Or hit up your local fabric stores. Online is an option also.

Looks good:thumbsup:

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

PepBoys has carpet, too.

Congratulations, and looks like you did a great job choosing your equipment.

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

It is a great first system. And to know you installed it yourself, congrats!
My first system was a bit extreme, a pioneer supertuner I, Jensen 250w 11band graphic eq, 4 pairs of jensen quadrax 6x9's in the hatch of my '80 mercury capri. thing would kill your ears with treble and midbass was decent, if you didn't distort them very much. So to look at your first system, well done!

Eight footballs in the hatch? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

DId you seal the hole where the wires go into the box w/ caulk?

Get some terminal cups by the way... it just looks so much better!

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

i think i saw carpet for sale in the classifieds. there is a sticky in the wiring forum with sub wiring diagrams.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

DId you seal the hole where the wires go into the box w/ caulk?
Get some terminal cups by the way... it just looks so much better!

Terminal cups are 'teh ghey' //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

I like to run straight wire from my amps to subs myself. The less connections and wire taps the better.

 

[mattf 5,000+ posts]

DId you seal the hole where the wires go into the box w/ caulk?

Yep.

You'll soon enough realize a 'system' consists more than just a HU, subs and an amp.

Yeah, I know, I just used that for a lack of better words. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/veryhappy.gif.fec4fed33b4a1279cf10bdd45a039dae.gif

Thanks for the comments, and I'll look into the carpet.

Matt

 

[I want SExxx 10+ year member]

First off what is the coil configuration on your subs?..... Also I usually get carpet at Wal-Mart. It's back in the automotive section usually under the floor mats. Use that with some good spray adhesiv and stples on the bottom. A roll is like 9 bucks after tax and you'll need one or two.

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

Looks good... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

 

[mattf 5,000+ posts]

 

[HiAmplidude 10+ year member]

First time do-it-yourself-er... extremely well-done. You'll probably just need a little Neosporin and a band-aid for that bite "the bug" just gave you *hehe*. Now you're in it and there's no turning back, buddy.

Curious, did you get enclosure volume advice from someone, or from the owner's manual, or just a good guess?

Yea, swing by Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Checker, or pretty much any main-stream auto accessories/parts store and you'll find "trunk liner" carpet (near some other fuzzier stuff) that will match your trunk perfectly. You may even want to use it to re-do your existing floor panel to clean it up.

Since you already have the speaker cable holes drilled, you may be interested in a set of binding posts. Although straight cable provides the most lossless bridge into the box, some of these puppies work quite well and look good: http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&DID=7&WebPage_ID=3

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

If I were you, just seal up those holes and drill out the speaker wire out of the sides or back of the box for a cleaner look before you carpet