new to "the game", where to start?

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

too much for me to read at 11:30 at night lol. and keep in mind i wasn't even born in 89 lmao

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

im 17 lol so i do have a lot to learn. (hence the defensive part prbly) d*** immaturity i guess. but i feel pretty good on what i do know at my age.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

im 17 lol so i do have a lot to learn. (hence the defensive part prbly) d*** immaturity i guess. but i feel pretty good on what i do know at my age.

And you should feel good about what you have knowledge of, and best of all.. you are letting those know of your experience,tricks,that work, and have worked for you, and letting others know.I was installing HU and cbs, on the side at n electrical outlet shop in Waco Tx.Car Audio didnt hardly exist other than radios, and speakers with eqs, at the age of 16, then in 88, the amplifiers started to hit the area..Proton,Fultron,Realistics,Kraco,and just started blowing up from there, and I started putting systems in at 19 in my front yard lawn after work.I had alot of fun, and had a a great laerning experience, and Ive enjoyed it every since, and I just turned 43 last month, and still enjoy it today.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

yeah I'm starting a mentorship with a car audio pro in my town. he knows a lot and hopefully i can learn a lot from him. and maybe get some discounts lol

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

yeah I'm starting a mentorship with a car audio pro in my town. he knows a lot and hopefully i can learn a lot from him. and maybe get some discounts lol

LOL..Nothing wrong with that..Hell Ive given alot of stuff away even.ADS speakers and Sherwood amps , stuff like that, to younger guys that were working to make ends meet at home.It is deff a hobby, and do enjoy it.I have, and still do.He may even let you in the shop to learn installing ect,just be respectable of the work place, and ask without touching from my experience..LOL!

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

yeah i will. he did my last install for me cuz i was clueless and I've bought stuff from him on multiple occasions. fuses, extra wire, loc, stuff like that. so he likes me a lot. and i think he would eventually let me help some. but for now I'm just fine with watching and asking questions.

plus ill get school credits for it. lol

 

[accuab 10+ year member]

That's the best way to learn it is from someone that already knows it. A lot of folks, including me, learned by trial and error. That is a costly and frustrating way to learn it.

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

yeah tell me about it. i have some speaker wire ran into my engine compartment cuz i had it taped to the 12v when i ran it lol. too lazy to take it out...

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

OP, there's a lot of bad information on this thread posted by people who didn't even take the time to read your posts!

You can flat out ignore anything by anyone who asked what kind of car you drive. Also ignore anything by anyone who asked your listening preference after you already said how you listen and what you think is loud.

Now take a couple days to USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION here. For electrical upgrades I would suggest at least running a #4 wire from the - terminal of your battery to the frame. As close as possible, with a sturdy bolt, and sand the spot down to bare metal. This is generally adequate for 1000W which should be plenty for what you're trying to do.

Are you opposed to buying used equipment? Factory refurbished or B-stock? Lots of great deals to be had if you're flexible.

You will also want a subwoofer. If you have a jigsaw, caulking gun, and drill and access to lowes or home depot you can build your own for 50$ (75 carpeted....and a utility knife and staple gun would come in handy). Avoid prefab if you can, but if the price is right you may get by with it.

You should not have to give up much trunk space for what you're after, nor will you need a zillion watts.

Spending some time/money in sound deadening in your front doors will go a long way. Depending how many "RCA OUTPUTS" you have on your head unit you may be in the market for another one to do things properly.

I have personally done 2 installs with 5.1 surround for guys with that budget that both sound great. One used factory mids and highs but has 3000W on a pair of 15's (for good explosions and such in movies), the other used just a small 10" sub in a sealed box and more focus into nice fronts. Both guys are happy with what they got (well the guy with the 3000W on subs wants louder, but he's not big into moderation).

I think you would do well searching for a "5 channel" amp. It's the simplest way to run all your components and a subwoofer with one package. Most of them will have more than adequate power for what you're after. A single 10 or 12" sub should also get you where you need to be.

I generally focus my efforts into the front component speaker locations (better quality and sound deadening) then cheap out in the back and gain them down (you ever been to a concert where they play behind you? ....sounds un-natural, but some people like a little in the rear).

Do a little research here and do a little more research on people from whom you are taking advice.

 

[fish1234 10+ year member]

I have an Arc Audio KS 900.6 amp that I will sell to you if interested at a good price. Used for a little under a year and taken well care of. You would be able to run your whole system off this one amplifer and have very good SQ as well. Take your time and search, go listen at some local shops for product comparisons, most importantly get what YOU thinks sounds good to you in your own vehicle!

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Also:

 

[PwnFx 10+ year member]

OP, there's a lot of bad information on this thread posted by people who didn't even take the time to read your posts!
You can flat out ignore anything by anyone who asked what kind of car you drive. Also ignore anything by anyone who asked your listening preference after you already said how you listen and what you think is loud.

Now take a couple days to USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION here. For electrical upgrades I would suggest at least running a #4 wire from the - terminal of your battery to the frame. As close as possible, with a sturdy bolt, and sand the spot down to bare metal. This is generally adequate for 1000W which should be plenty for what you're trying to do.

Are you opposed to buying used equipment? Factory refurbished or B-stock? Lots of great deals to be had if you're flexible.

You will also want a subwoofer. If you have a jigsaw, caulking gun, and drill and access to lowes or home depot you can build your own for 50$ (75 carpeted....and a utility knife and staple gun would come in handy). Avoid prefab if you can, but if the price is right you may get by with it.

You should not have to give up much trunk space for what you're after, nor will you need a zillion watts.

Spending some time/money in sound deadening in your front doors will go a long way. Depending how many "RCA OUTPUTS" you have on your head unit you may be in the market for another one to do things properly.

I have personally done 2 installs with 5.1 surround for guys with that budget that both sound great. One used factory mids and highs but has 3000W on a pair of 15's (for good explosions and such in movies), the other used just a small 10" sub in a sealed box and more focus into nice fronts. Both guys are happy with what they got (well the guy with the 3000W on subs wants louder, but he's not big into moderation).

I think you would do well searching for a "5 channel" amp. It's the simplest way to run all your components and a subwoofer with one package. Most of them will have more than adequate power for what you're after. A single 10 or 12" sub should also get you where you need to be.

I generally focus my efforts into the front component speaker locations (better quality and sound deadening) then cheap out in the back and gain them down (you ever been to a concert where they play behind you? ....sounds un-natural, but some people like a little in the rear).

Do a little research here and do a little more research on people from whom you are taking advice.

What do you mean when you say a #4 wire? Is that like, 4 guage wire?

Is this similar to the "Big 3" method?

 

I'm not at all opposed to buying refurb/b-stock, so long as it has at least a 1 year warranty with it.

 

I doubt I'd be able to build my own box, but then again, I've never tried, more than likely I'd be wasting my time, last time I tried to build anything with wood was in 9th grade woodshop, and it was a birdhouse, needless to say, it didn't end up housing any birds.

As you said, I most likely won't need over 1,000W, but then again, it couldn't hurt to have more, right?

I believe I have 3 RCA outputs, if by RCA outputs, you mean red/white --> http://tinyurl.com/rcaoutputs1

 

I haven't had much time to read up on anything yet, as I've been busy with work/family issues, so bare with me, still asking these basic questions

How do component speakers work? From what I can tell, there's separate tweeter that you have to mount somewhere yourself, how do you go about doing that?

It's just confusing.. Lol.

 

Is it bad to mix different speakers? (Crappy example): Pioneer Blahblahblah in the front, and Alpine blahblahblah's in the back? Or doesn't it matter?

 

I'm going to get started reading the thing posted a few pages back, the bcae1.com link..

 

[PwnFx 10+ year member]

After reading and learning a little more about this, I don't know if I have the tools or the skills to perform the tasks required, which is upsetting.

I live in a small apartment where I have on-street parking, and I've just got a small toolbox.

I have the money to do it, but I don't have the space or knowledge of how a vehicle works, to do things such as the "big 3" upgrade, which seems to be the simplest of tasks, I don't think I'd be capable of doing this.. :/

 

Is there any places local to Pittsburgh that I could take it to, that wouldn't cost me a fortune?

 

[daboyfrumdabx 10+ year member]

I think you just need to keep reading and absorbing. You came with here with a thirst for knowledge and ready to get your hands dirty, which is a much better start than most of us had. Tools needed aren't much. Some wire snippers, screw driver or drill, hammer, maybe some sockets, that's the basics of whats needed for an amp install. Building a box may require more but perhaps then you need to consider paying to have one built. Any tools you invest in will come in handy again sine you'll likely make at least some changes in the future. I say you shouldn't give up on the idea. You have time. It's cold. Read until it's warm enough out for you to do it outdoors.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

What do you mean when you say a #4 wire? Is that like, 4 guage wire? Thats the abbreviation, yes.Is this similar to the "Big 3" method?Yes, but IMO the most imoprtant one is battery - to chasis... that would be priority...go out of your way to do that, do the others if you have enough wire left over

I'm not at all opposed to buying refurb/b-stock, so long as it has at least a 1 year warranty with it.

Sundown has some good B-stock at SSA forum generally, JBL/Infinity/Harmon ebay store auctions some nice gear as well refurb. db-R electronics also has good refurb amps from time to time. All would provide warranty

I doubt I'd be able to build my own box, but then again, I've never tried, more than likely I'd be wasting my time, last time I tried to build anything with wood was in 9th grade woodshop, and it was a birdhouse, needless to say, it didn't end up housing any birds.

Not much harder than a birdhouse, but if you don't have tools and don't feel inclined you will have to budget for a box. Get a good one made, this is one place you really don't want to cheap-out.

As you said, I most likely won't need over 1,000W, but then again, it couldn't hurt to have more, right?

Actually when you get much beyond that you need to consider electrical upgrades which is a whole nother level of expense and commitment. Keep in mind the difference between 1000W and 2000W is only 3dB (in theory, in practice probably less) which is noticeably louder, but not dramatically.. and almost definite need of an extra battery! A few hundred extra watts on tap is generally a good thing, but you'd never hear the difference between say 1000W and 1400W all things being equal.

I believe I have 3 RCA outputs, if by RCA outputs, you mean red/white --> http://tinyurl.com/rcaoutputs1

Yes, and if you have 3 sets you can run front/rear/sub from your head unit without anything too complicated.

I haven't had much time to read up on anything yet, as I've been busy with work/family issues, so bare with me, still asking these basic questions

How do component speakers work? From what I can tell, there's separate tweeter that you have to mount somewhere yourself, how do you go about doing that?

It's just confusing.. Lol.

Yes, a separate tweeter. They generally are better quality than coaxials, but you do need to mount the tweeter. Most have options for cutting out a hole the size of the tweeter, or to surface mount (only a couple screws and a hole to run wire). Neither is terribly difficult.

That being said there's plenty of great sounding coaxials which are generally simpler and less expensive.

Is it bad to mix different speakers? (Crappy example): Pioneer Blahblahblah in the front, and Alpine blahblahblah's in the back? Or doesn't it matter?

Doesn't matter in the least provided you have them on their own channels and can fade them to taste if one is slightly louder than the other at the same power level

I'm going to get started reading the thing posted a few pages back, the bcae1.com link..

Don't give up yet, most of this stuff isn't terribly tough. Sadly this is a bad time of year up north, if it were springtime I'd say to to a car show or sound competition and ask around and look at what ppl are doing, probably plenty of guys would give you a hand for a pizza and a 12 pack.