First car audio setup.

[Dzmno]

Hey guys. I'm new to the forums here so go easy Ok, so here's the deal. I own a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. These are obviously not meant for superior audio, but being 20 years old, music is something I really enjoy. I finally decided I'd like to ditch the sub par stock audio for some nice aftermarket parts. I'm hoping you guys can answer a few beginner questions for me.

I own this head unit: h ttp://www.crutchfield.com/p_110VM9214B/Jensen-VM9214BT.html?search=vm9214bt&skipvs=T (Sorry for the weird link. I guess new posters can't use them. Just remove the space.)

I guess the power it puts out is not all that great, but I'm on a budget (yes I realize it's an expensive head unit, but I NEED the GPS) so it'll have to do.

I purchased these speakers for the front: h ttp://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SPS410/Alpine-SPS-410.html?search=Alpine+VENDORID500&searchdisplay=Alpine

These for the back: ht tp://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSA1304/Pioneer-TS-A1304C.html?search=Pioneer+VENDORID130&tp=106

I know the 4" speakers in the front are very small. They aren't ideal, but the Jeep factory speakers are an awkward size that I couldn't find anywhere so I had to settle for these with an adapter plate. The one's in the back are component and I'm hoping I didn't mess up by getting these considering I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing, especially when the word 'crossover' comes into play.

For the most part, they sound OK. The 4's are a little quiet, but they're small so I guess it's expected. I hear there's a 'break in' time for new speakers? I only have roughly 2 hours of play time on them. The only issue I have is the bass they produce is lacking severely, which brings me to my next topic.

I need a subwoofer. What am I looking for? I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive, yet still capable of quality performance. I listen to mostly electronic music (trance, etc.) so I'm not looking for the ignorant loudness that can be heard down the road. I've been looking at this particular subwoofer: ht tp://www.crutchfield.com/p_108BASSLIN/Infinity-BassLink.html?ssi=0&tp=27756

It's relatively cheap and already comes with an amp built in so I figure setup should be pretty easy. What's your opinion on it? I know it's not a $300 Digital Design, but it's about all I can afford. From the reviews, it seems pretty decent. Sounds like it has enough punch to add that extra level to my music. The only thing that worries me is I saw the phrase 'paper cone' in there.

So here comes a list of questions:

-Would I benefit from an amp? I've heard that putting an amp on cheap speakers can make them sound pretty good. I'm not sure if I'm getting the full potential from mine at the moment. I know I could go out and get a 5 channel amp to power my whole setup, granted that's another $350.

-Apparently for component speakers you need a crossover. I don't have one of these and my speakers seem to work fine without it (I could be completely wrong though and sound like an idiot here.)

-Is the onboard amp on that subwoofer mono? AKA it's dedicated to that subwoofer only and nothing else can be hooked up to it.

Sorry for the long read; I broke it up the best I could. Thanks in advance to anyone that helps me out here.

Click to read more...

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Welcome //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wave.gif.002382ce7d7c19757ab945cc69819de1.gif

To answer your questions:

1. Amping your speakers over just using the headunit outputs will definitely give you an increase in both overall loudness and sound quality. Normally you would just amp the fronts because that's where you are sitting most of the time and therefore is where you should focus your sound. For the back you typically leave the stocks in and just run it off of headunit power but you bought some speakers for the back (which isn't a bad thing). Since you bought speakers for the back as well it would be a waste not to amp them, so I suggest looking for a 4 channel that would fit your needs. 5 Channel amps are good if you're tight on space or are planning on running a low powered setup. However most people prefer separate amp setups because if you want to beef up the sub stage you don't need to replace the 5 channel, just the mono amp for your subs.

2. Comps usually come with crossovers when you order them. Coaxials about 99.9% of the time have a built in crossover that will split up the sound between the mid and the tweeter.

3. Not quite sure what amp you're referring to. Subwoofer channels on amps are typically mono because the frequencies that a sub plays aren't directional, so to speak. In a space as tight as a car, it's not necessary to have a stereo setup for your sub stage.

 

[Dzmno]

Not quite sure what amp you're referring to.

Just the one that comes attached to the sub. What's your opinion on that particular subwoofer?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

ok i guess ,but you can get better than those .i've heard that they aren't very loud and in some cases can barely be heard at all.what you should be looking for is a single 8 or 10 inch sub with maybe 200-300 watts rms in a ported box .that would do just fine in your jeep ,you are saying that you don't want a lot of bass ,just something to fill in the bass in your music.also you will definately notice a difference on the speakers too if you amp them

 

[Dzmno]

.i've heard that they aren't very loud and in some cases can barely be heard at all.

You mean the subwoofer, or speakers?

what you should be looking for is a single 8 or 10 inch sub with maybe 200-300 watts rms in a ported box

I'm glad you mentioned this. Ported vs closed. What's the difference?

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

i was talking about the basslink, they are designed for small car mostly,as far as the box sealed is more of an sq box ,which plays a wide range of frequency's ,a ported plays lower and more bass with less power when tuned .also i like the ported ,because the woofer pulls cool air in and out which helps keep the coils cooler as where in a sealed if you get the coils warm they stay warm longer,because you are just pushing the warm air around in the box

 

[murph 10+ year member]

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/subwoofer-classifieds/521553-re-coned-sa8s.html this in a sealed enclosure with a 400-500 rms amp

 

[pbnj22 10+ year member]

You mean the subwoofer, or speakers?


I'm glad you mentioned this. Ported vs closed. What's the difference?

search and look it up basically ported will be louder and a little more loose (good for rap hip hop) and sealed will be consedirably not as loud but good for sql and rock setups.. with not a whole lot of watts to work with though your better off going porter but use the search button on that for a more in depth answer

 

[murph 10+ year member]

He listens to techno and with a sealed you get a nice flat response with a nice punch vs ported with a boom. In other words sealed is better and cheaper for him to do with the sa8 you can't go wrong in a sealed enclosure.

 

[pbnj22 10+ year member]

im not the most experienced guy in audio but with only a few hundred watts i wouldnt think he would get much "boom" out of a sealed to make it worth it..

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

SSA Dcon 10 or 12 sealed in 1-1.25cu/ft on a Maxxsonics or Audiopipe monoblock for substage.

my 2 cents...

 

[Dzmno]

Thanks for the input. I guess my plan now is to go with a 4 channel amp for my speakers and then go ahead and get a mono for a sub. Still not 100% on which sub though. Quick question: which amps would you recommend? Remember, I'm on a budget, so I'm not looking for the best of the best. How many watts would I want for each amp? Also, is it possible I could get 2 amps and a sub for under $300?

 

[brodeisel 10+ year member]

i use to have a wrangler i know space in the trunk is hard to find so i would go with a single sa 8. they will do exactly what you need and you will have some trunk space also. i would get a decent 5 channel also

look on the classifieds for a 5 channel amp. i will go try to find some to post in here for you.

 

[murph 10+ year member]

not all 3 for under 300 but you could get it all for around 400 for the mono amp get an mb quart onyx 1000.1

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

should just wall it off with 8 15's and call it a day.