Calling all Audiophiles
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From: NJ USA
Calling all Audiophiles
Here I go again, time to blow my xmas bonus!
I am installing a Kenwood Excelon Deck in the X (KDSX869) along with 2 pair of MB Quart speakers in the doors, and a JLAudio Stealth Box sub in the rear cargo hold.
it is quite apparant that I am going to need 3 amps (I like the rockford fosgates) 1 for the Sub, and 1 for each pair of speakers (ok, so I can probably consolidate the 4 door speakers into a single 4 channel amp)
anyhow, before I outlay cash for amps, where oh where to mount these amps. my goal is to keep their visability to a minimum as well as out of he way of everyday use. if anyone has pics of custom audio installs I would appreciate some ideas.
so far I have ruled out:
under the back seat (cant fold em down)
under the front seats (no room)
behind the rear trim panels, or in the rear heater area.
I am installing a Kenwood Excelon Deck in the X (KDSX869) along with 2 pair of MB Quart speakers in the doors, and a JLAudio Stealth Box sub in the rear cargo hold.
it is quite apparant that I am going to need 3 amps (I like the rockford fosgates) 1 for the Sub, and 1 for each pair of speakers (ok, so I can probably consolidate the 4 door speakers into a single 4 channel amp)
anyhow, before I outlay cash for amps, where oh where to mount these amps. my goal is to keep their visability to a minimum as well as out of he way of everyday use. if anyone has pics of custom audio installs I would appreciate some ideas.
so far I have ruled out:
under the back seat (cant fold em down)
under the front seats (no room)
behind the rear trim panels, or in the rear heater area.
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From: Florida
You might get a better response over on the audio/video forum. As far as space, I have a DVD player mounted under my front passenger seat so a decent size amp would fit. However, since you probably want the amps installed vertically for better heat dissipation, I would recommend behind one of the rear interior panels. Another suggestion would be to mount the amps vertically on the back of the rear seats and then cover them with a panel so they aren't as visible and won't get damaged easily. The whole deal won't stick up much farther than the thickness of the amp with the seats folded down.
I have a JL audio 10W6 sub in my car (not the Expy) with a Fosgate amp. Excellent choice. Keep in mind that with the dual voice coil on the upper end JL subs the resistance is decreased, essentially doubling the power of the amp. It takes very little amp to drive these subs. My RF amp is an older model 2 channel, a 55i (or something like that). It bench tested at almost 300 watts bridged. And that was into a 4 Ohm load, not a JL dual voice coil sub with the coils wired in parallel.
Sounds like a great system...Good luck.
I have a JL audio 10W6 sub in my car (not the Expy) with a Fosgate amp. Excellent choice. Keep in mind that with the dual voice coil on the upper end JL subs the resistance is decreased, essentially doubling the power of the amp. It takes very little amp to drive these subs. My RF amp is an older model 2 channel, a 55i (or something like that). It bench tested at almost 300 watts bridged. And that was into a 4 Ohm load, not a JL dual voice coil sub with the coils wired in parallel.
Sounds like a great system...Good luck.
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This question depends on how hard you want to work your amps.. Under a small load I would mount them under the back seat upside down. It also depends on how you use your expy - if you fold the seats down and expect to be able to push those amps then I wouldn't put them there. You wont be able to be very discrete with 3 amps.. I would definately consolidate to 2, the rockford 801x and 501x are a good choice.. (or two 801x's depending on how much power those subs require).
As far as mounting them under interior panels, I doubt it's possible.. I've had just about the entire truck apart and there's not a large enough surface anywhere, plus those amps get pretty hot, perhaps hot enough to melt some expensive plastic. Under the rear seats may be the best, just don't let papers get cluttered back there!!!
As far as mounting them under interior panels, I doubt it's possible.. I've had just about the entire truck apart and there's not a large enough surface anywhere, plus those amps get pretty hot, perhaps hot enough to melt some expensive plastic. Under the rear seats may be the best, just don't let papers get cluttered back there!!!
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From: NJ USA
Thanks for the replies!
definately some good thoughts to kick around.
Pounder -
Thanks for the advice, I had no idea that there is an A/V forum, I'll copy this post up there too.
The JL Stealth box is a 400W single 10" sub (4 Ohms) from what I have heard, it's a thumper. But I am mostly interested in high sound quality (rather than the ability to knock bolts & glass out of the truck) so driven by a single channel 200-350 watt Fosgate punch amp this will prolly be "plenty O sub" for me.
Southpark -
I plan to run the amps at about 50-70% for longevity, and heat control. that's a good idea about a low profile cover, I'll fab something up (with fans, vents etc) and post some pics when its done.
definately some good thoughts to kick around.
Pounder -
Thanks for the advice, I had no idea that there is an A/V forum, I'll copy this post up there too.
The JL Stealth box is a 400W single 10" sub (4 Ohms) from what I have heard, it's a thumper. But I am mostly interested in high sound quality (rather than the ability to knock bolts & glass out of the truck) so driven by a single channel 200-350 watt Fosgate punch amp this will prolly be "plenty O sub" for me.
Southpark -
I plan to run the amps at about 50-70% for longevity, and heat control. that's a good idea about a low profile cover, I'll fab something up (with fans, vents etc) and post some pics when its done.
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yeah 50% - 70% shouldn't create too much heat. I buy the best buy extended warranty and push it closer to max and blow it up before my warranty is up, get a new one, and run it around there ... you pay more but I think it's worth it!!
Definately post some pics, could be interesting! If you don't have rear air, there's a spot on the left panel (opposite factory sub) near the back that could have some room - im not really sure because mine does have rear air and there's a lot of hardware there now.
Definately post some pics, could be interesting! If you don't have rear air, there's a spot on the left panel (opposite factory sub) near the back that could have some room - im not really sure because mine does have rear air and there's a lot of hardware there now.
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If you are more into sound quality than just booming sub bass, I suggest looking into something like the Alumapro sub speakers. I too have the JL Stealthbox, and while their subs are not by any means bad, the Alumapro is very noticeably better - strong, clean, accurate, but still punchy and deep bass when you want it. Do a Google Groups search on the brand, and you will see nothing but positive comments. I put in an Alumapro Alusonic 10", and am very pleased indeed.
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From: NJ USA
does the Alumapro have an enclosure similar to the JL Stealth?
I really like the "built in" look
I really like the "built in" look
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I just pulled the 10" JL sub speaker out of the Stealthbox, and replaced it with the 10" Alumapro. They do make an enclosure, but it is a bandpass box, and not vehicle specific. I am right there with you with wanting the "built in" look - the Stealthbox (the enclosure) itself is great, as it is contstructed primarily of fiberglass. By the way, I put a Rockford Fosgate 500.2 amp underneath the passenger seat to power the sub.
If you are at all curious about Alumapro, their website url is
http://www.alumapro.com/main_frmst.html
Good luck with your system
If you are at all curious about Alumapro, their website url is
http://www.alumapro.com/main_frmst.html
Good luck with your system
Last edited by Trans Ram Am; Dec 6, 2003 at 04:28 PM.
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From: NJ USA
I wonder if the JL stealthbox could be purchased as unloaded?
That would save some bucks!
Thanks for the amp placement suggestion. I will also do some digging around while installing the stealthbox and see if I can squeeze a single channel amp (remote control, a must) in behind the same panel.
someone threw out a suggestion that I explore inside of the rear liftgate to install the amps and a possible capacitor (necessary?) Before I dive into there, has anyone been inside of the gate? I can assume that it is empty space, considering the lack of mechanicals, or electric.
That would save some bucks!
Thanks for the amp placement suggestion. I will also do some digging around while installing the stealthbox and see if I can squeeze a single channel amp (remote control, a must) in behind the same panel.
someone threw out a suggestion that I explore inside of the rear liftgate to install the amps and a possible capacitor (necessary?) Before I dive into there, has anyone been inside of the gate? I can assume that it is empty space, considering the lack of mechanicals, or electric.
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JL does make an unloaded version of their Stealthbox, called the Vantage.
http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/va_expedition.html
But I don't think it is made of fiberglass like the loaded Stealthbox, and so I can't speak to the sound quality - I am also not sure of the price difference, though of course it must be less.
As to the CAP, some people say that unless you are running an overly massive sound system, they are not really needed. With an Optima battery (that's what I am using) and the fairly high output alternator that the Expeditions already have, I haven't seen the need for one yet.
http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/va_expedition.html
But I don't think it is made of fiberglass like the loaded Stealthbox, and so I can't speak to the sound quality - I am also not sure of the price difference, though of course it must be less.
As to the CAP, some people say that unless you are running an overly massive sound system, they are not really needed. With an Optima battery (that's what I am using) and the fairly high output alternator that the Expeditions already have, I haven't seen the need for one yet.