Newbie In Need Of Some Much Needed Help

[Jaymus]

Hello there. I am a new member to this website, and this will be my first post. I am relatively new to the car audio scene. I am very good when it comes to dealing with anything electronic. I have received some electronic audio experience when putting together and installing my home theater system. I am not a total “newbie”, as I mentioned above; I do have electrical knowledge but on the other hand I have limited car audio experience. I own a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado, a true ‘pimp mobile’ of it’s time. I have a few questions, (well more than a few), and I would greatly appreciate any help, comments, opinions, thoughts and or direction.
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I recently purchased a receiver, or as you guys call it a “head unit.” My ‘head unit’ of choice is the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X889. I have already ordered it, and it is on its way as I am typing this. Was this a wise choice? I have heard good reviews regarding this receiver; will it live up to its name? I know all of you probably know the specifications of this head unit, but I am going to list them anyway for reference at the end of this post.
As for speakers, my father just bought me front and rear speakers for one of my high school graduation gifts. He bought me two pairs of Audiobahn full range / with component optional compatibility speakers. They are the ACS-2041P and ACS-2046P models, which are the 4x10 and 4x6 versions to fit my Eldorado. Are these speakers of good quality? Has anyone ever had experience with them? I will also list the specifications of these speakers at the bottom of my post as well.
In the near future I plan on purchasing either two 12 or 15 inch Kicker Solo Baric L7’s. I am leaning toward the 12 inch ones for the reason being; where I live there is a sound ordinance law with a fine of $500… There is no point in getting two 15 inch L7’s just to play them softly… Even though the two 12 inch L7’s will still bump. But anyway this is in the future; I need to work with what I have now.
So I have front and rear speakers, as they have component optional compatibility I plan on wiring the tweeters to a different location rather than stick with the plain coaxial style. Any help or redirection to a different post regarding this rewiring/relocating would be appreciated.
On to the next question… The KDC-x889 receiver delivers 22 watts RMS and 50 watts at peak output. My ACS-2041P (4x10) is RMS rated at 100 watts, and the ACS-2046P (4x6) is rated at 80 watts RMS. Should I get a four channel amp to help deliver additional power to these speakers? Will it make a noticeable difference if I do?
If I do purchase an amp to feed extra power to the speakers what size amp should I look for? Could you maybe recommend a specific brand/model?
Included with these speakers are external cross-overs, what exactly are these for and what do they do? How would I go about wiring these to my speakers? (I do not have the speakers in my possession yet; they were shipped out last week and should arrive shortly.)
Regarding the stock speaker wiring in my car, should I completely rewire it entirely? If so what type of wire and gauge should I buy…Any recommendations?
I have a GM Electronics 12 disk CD changer from a past car I owned. I do not know the model number but if needed, ask, and I will find it for you… How hard will this be to hook up to my receiver and wire into the trunk? Is GM a lower quality brand, because if so I will buy another CD changer?
I think I am finished with my questions…for now lol. Thank you all for helping me. As I said before I would greatly appreciate any help, comments, opinions, thoughts and or any direction.
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Specifications -

 

 

Receiver -

• RMS Power Output - 22 watts
  
• Peak Output - 50 watts
  
• RMS Power Bandwidth - 30-20kHz
  
• Preamp Voltage - 5 volts
  
• Video Control - No
  
• Preamp Outputs - 3 pairs
  
• Sub Preamp Outputs - Yes
  
• AUX Input - Rear
  
• Display Color - 64 colors
  
• Key Button Color - Red or Green
  
• EQ Bands - 4
  
• Sound Shaping Type - System Q, SFC, SMS, WOW
  
• Wireless Remote - Yes
  
• Wired Remote - No
  
• Changer Control - Yes
  
• Security - Detachable face
  
• Tuner Type - CR-2
  
• FM Sensitivity - 9.3 dBf
  
• FM Presets - 18
  
• AM Presets - 6
  
• European Tuning - Yes
  
• Seek/Scan - Seek
  
• Radio Data System - Yes
  
• Satellite Radio Ready - Both
  
• CD Frequency Response - 10-20kHz
  
• CD Signal-to-Noise - 110 dB
  
• Anti-shock Memory - None
  
• CD Text - Yes
  
• CD-R Playback - Yes
  
• CD-RW Playback - Yes
  
• MP3 Playback - Yes
  
• WMA Playback - Yes
  
• DVD Playback – No
  

 

 

Speaker Specifications –

 

ACS-2041P –

• Indigo Ultra Stiff Blue Poly Carbon Cone for Best Bass
  
• "EPDM" Rubber Surround for Great Peak Power Handling
  
• Aluminum Swivel Tweeter (Removable & Directional)
  
• Full Range or Component Optional Capability w/ Crossover
  
• 2 Layer High Temperature ASV Voice Coil for Reliability
  
• 4 Ohm Impedance for Wiring Compatibility with Amps/Radio/OEM
  
• Included Pair of Outboard 12dB Matched Component Crossover
  
• 4x10" Driver with 20 Oz Magnet.
  
• 100 Watts RMS 200 Watts Peak Power Handling
  
• 40 Hz - 22.5 kHz Frequency Response
  
• 93dB Sensitivity @ 4 Ohm Impedance
  

 

ACS-2046P –

• Indigo Ultra Stiff Blue Poly Carbon Cone for Best Bass
  
• "EPDM" Rubber Surround for Great Peak Power Handling
  
• Aluminum Swivel Tweeter (Removable & Directional)
  
• Full Range or Component Optional Capability w/ Crossover
  
• 2 Layer High Temperature ASV Voice Coil for Reliability
  
• 4 Ohm Impedance for Wiring Compatibility with Amps/Radio/OEM
  
• Included Pair of Outboard 12dB Matched Component Crossover
  
• 4x6" Driver with 17 Oz Magnet.
  
• 80 Watts RMS 160 Watts Peak Power Handling
  
• 50 Hz - 22.5 kHz Frequency Response
  
• 93dB Sensitivity @ 4 Ohm Impedance
  

Click to read more...

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

I cant remember all of what you said. But as far as amping the speakers. Well i say run them off the head unit for now, until you decide on what the end product of your overall system will be. And again with the wiring, thats up to you, I changed mine in the beggining just because I changed the speakers out anyway, you dont have to, but you might as well. Do the front then see if you feel like doing the back. for the tweeters, "they" say to mount them as close to the driver itself, I put mine in the factory location in the A-pillars. Ill read it all over again and answer more questions if i can, hope i didnt confuse you.

Peace

C

I want your avatar and your car

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

Time for you to start reading and searching this site and others for your answers. Try to keep your questions smaller in the future, reading and responding to such a large post is almost impossible and will result in a far less favorable response to the question. Short and simple.

read up on these sites, they should help you immensely.

http://www.bcae1.com

http://www.the12volt.com

 

[Decipha 10+ year member]

i can't believe i actually read all that

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

I recently purchased a receiver, or as you guys call it a “head unit.” My ‘head unit’ of choice is the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X889. I have already ordered it, and it is on its way as I am typing this. Was this a wise choice? I have heard good reviews regarding this receiver; will it live up to its name?

Personally I am a pretty loyal fan of Kenwood's eXcelon gear (my head unit is one of 2004's models and not near so feature-packed as the one you ordered) I think once you get used to all the goodies in it you'll be very pleased with your purchase.

On to the next question… The KDC-x889 receiver delivers 22 watts RMS and 50 watts at peak output. My ACS-2041P (4x10) is RMS rated at 100 watts, and the ACS-2046P (4x6) is rated at 80 watts RMS. Should I get a four channel amp to help deliver additional power to these speakers? Will it make a noticeable difference if I do?

You do not have to buy an external amp to drive your speakers but I really believe you'll be much happier with the end-result if you do. Head unit power is never going to be the cleanest available and generally won't even be comparable to an outboard amplifier of the same output. Ergo - in most cases (assuming the amp in question is a quality unit) an external amplifier rated as little as 20w/channel X 4 channels RMS (continuous) output will make your speakers sound better than using the deck to power them.

If I do purchase an amp to feed extra power to the speakers what size amp should I look for? Could you maybe recommend a specific brand/model?

With the input capabilities of the speakers you have I'd recommend something in the neighborhood of 60w/channel give or take. It's pretty difficult to make brand/model recommendations without knowing a ballpark figure for a proposed budget so I'll leave it to you to have a look around and see what you find that strikes your fancy.

Included with these speakers are external cross-overs, what exactly are these for and what do they do? How would I go about wiring these to my speakers? (I do not have the speakers in my possession yet; they were shipped out last week and should arrive shortly.)

They are used to separate the highest frequencies from the signal path and send them to the tweeter which is designed to reproduce only those frequencies and then sends the rest to the midrange portion of the setup. Something like all frequencies 3.5kHz and above will be sent to the tweeter and the rest will go to the mid (generic numbers - the specifics of those Audiobahns may differ somewhat). On the crossover units there will be one set of inputs. This is where you'll connect your power source be it the stereo or an outboard amplifier. There will also be two sets of outputs - one for the tweeter and one for the midrange and both should be clearly marked as to which is which. Hook up the appropriate driver to its corresponding output and you're done.

Regarding the stock speaker wiring in my car, should I completely rewire it entirely? If so what type of wire and gauge should I buy…Any recommendations?

If you're going to drive your speakers off of the head unit then using the car's stock wiring should prove sufficient. If you're going to amp them later with an outboard unit then I'd say upgrade the wiring. There is heaps of info regarding specific brands and sizes all over this site. The "Search" function should prove unendingly useful to you. Use it. It's there for a reason. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

I have a GM Electronics 12 disk CD changer from a past car I owned. I do not know the model number but if needed, ask, and I will find it for you… How hard will this be to hook up to my receiver and wire into the trunk? Is GM a lower quality brand, because if so I will buy another CD changer?

You're going to have a deck that is capable of decoding .mp3, .wma, and AAC files. If you have a CD burner on your computer or have access to one consider this ~ you can fit 10-12 ENTIRE ALBUMS worth of music on a single disc....is a changer really a necessity?

Hope this helps somewhat and good luck with your new tunes!

 

[BeanII 10+ year member]

Time for you to start reading and searching this site and others for your answers. Try to keep your questions smaller in the future, reading and responding to such a large post is almost impossible and will result in a far less favorable response to the question. Short and simple.
read up on these sites, they should help you immensely.

http://www.bcae1.com

http://www.the12volt.com

HOW DARE YOU ASK QUESTIONS ON AN INTERNET FORUM! Shame on you! Google still works, newb!

 

[Jaymus]

Well first off I have to give thanks for all you’re replies and significantly needed help. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/bowdown.gif.b85b23b82970bd22fb6b549c3392f016.gif

Devillain00 – I absolutely love your car. My mother owns a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado, and my dad owns a 2001 Deville. Therefore I have to keep the Cadillac tradition in the family, you know what I mean? I will in time buy an amp to power the speakers but first things first. I have went out today and bought $350 worth of parts for my car ranging from power steering fluid to a wiring harness and everything else in-between. I am going to totally rewire the speakers… I didn’t know which gauge wire to buy for the speakers, I know the smaller the gauge the better but I don’t want to get too big of a wire and it not fit… I ended up buying some 16 gauge wire, is this good, too big? Can I, or should I go bigger? I don’t know where I will mount the tweets yet but when I receive the speakers I will figure it out. The head unit is coming in on Monday and the Speakers are coming in on Tuesday. Thank you for your help, and once again I absolutely love your Cadillac. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/thumbsup.gif.3287b36ca96645a13a43aff531f37f02.gif

johnecon2001 – //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/hide.gif.2d479cfd917eedfe201353b91522ceab.gif Yes, I know, I was prepared to get flamed for my ‘noobish’ thread. I am reading all I can right now and for the past week or two. I am really not capable of posting short and simple posts because my mind runs a mile a minute and I am constantly thinking about something new… Sorry if my long posts aggravates you. Thank you for those links, there is some really good information on those sites for noobs such as me.

Decipha – Thank you for your pointless post. You have truly helped me… You actually killed me a little bit inside.

Prowler573 – Wow, thank you for all your help. In the near future I plan on getting an amp for my speakers… In the neighborhood of 75 watts x 4 at 4 ohms… maybe more such as a 100 watt x 4 amp or maybe bigger who knows, I will have to look into this once I actually get my head unit and speakers and then install it all. I am going to totally rewire everything maybe tomorrow if someone replies with an answer to the question of; will 16 guage wire be sufficient or should I go bigger or smaller? I primarily want to rewire everything because keep in mind it is a 1985 Eldorado… It is 20 years old, time for some upgrades. I mainly want the CD changer installed for the reason of convenience. I can have 12 CD’s in the changer while having my book of cd’s in the front for the head unit… Best of both worlds right? I have been searching throughout this website and others and gaining as much knowledge as humanly possible. Everyone was a noob at one point right? You have to start somewhere, no one is born a car audio expert, we learn through experience and studying. The best way for me to learn how something works is take it all apart, get to know the internals, and then reassembling it while reading as much as I can about it.

BeanII – As I mentioned above, I have been reading and searching all throughout the internet and have been trying to learn as much as possible… we all have to start somewhere. But yes, it is a sin to ask questions on a car audio forum and I am surely going to hell for all eternity for it.

So yea besides stuff for the engine, I went out and bought some things I will need to install my speakers and head unit. I purchased 150 feet of 16 gauge wire, which I need to know if it is good or not, a wiring harness, a mounting bracket for the head unit, a crimper/wire stripper, a package of assorted insulated crimp terminals, a door panel removal tool, and a digital multimeter voltage thing I need to read up on how to use it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif but I have a feeling it will come in handy in the future. Oh I also bought a couple packs of sound deadening material...

My camera (Gateway 5mp) is currently not working, I am going to send it to the gateway store and hopefully when and if it is fixed, (it is warranted), I will be able to post some pictures.

SORRY FOR YET ANOTHER LONG POST BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

 

[Jaymus]

:bump:

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

I had a wholwe post written out, and dont know what happened to it, here goes again.

Dont rewire the speakers yet until you get the amp that you are going to run them with, i didnt think about that the first time i posted, but youll be reworking for nothing. If you are getting the amp in the near future jsut wait. as far as the tweets and everything go, wait til you get what you got installed and see how you like the sound. My 85 fleetwood sounded fine with just 4x6s and 6x9s amped. Just took some tuning, but the sound is fine, but its all up to your taste, youll have to decide once you get your stuff installed. As for the cd changer, look into one that plays mp3 discks, or maybe even DVDs for further expansion later on. Ive seen a few I would get. The DMM crimper and all that will coem in handy later for sure. Oh the 16 gauge will be fine. Rewiring everything jsut cuz of the age isnt necessary, but if you want you can. The only problem I had with my 85 was there was so many loose wires handing around back there, blew a few fuses from those, so thats something to watch out for, but that was just me not being careful and not paying attention. ill keep watching this thread, good luck on getting everything installed.

PEace

C

My other car is a 99 deville and when i get back i plan on buyign a 79 coupe deville.