System design question
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
System design question
Okay, here's the scenario: I have a 1997 F250HD PSD Crew Cab. I have an Alpine CDA-7839 HU, 2 Clarion 5 1/4" in the doors and 2 Sony 6x8's (newer ones) behind rear seat. My goal is to build a custom center console by removing center seat. In it I want to house a single subwoofer and an amplifier to power it (i.e., down firing subwoofer). I am not getting enough power and quality sound from HU and current speakers. I have to turn bass way down or it will cut out when I play it a little loud.
I am confused on the system design part. I've asked similar questions on this board but I am missing the picture I think.
Question 1: If I install a subwoofer and amp, how will I control output from the HU? How does setting bass or treble affect what's going to the sub or current speakers?
Question 2: Would it be better to buy an amp to run all the speakers, rather than just the sub?
Question 3: What size sub should I consider?
No bumping! Just quality bass sound at louder levels for hard rock/metal.
Thanks for the help and sorry if these questions are noob!
I am confused on the system design part. I've asked similar questions on this board but I am missing the picture I think.
Question 1: If I install a subwoofer and amp, how will I control output from the HU? How does setting bass or treble affect what's going to the sub or current speakers?
Question 2: Would it be better to buy an amp to run all the speakers, rather than just the sub?
Question 3: What size sub should I consider?
No bumping! Just quality bass sound at louder levels for hard rock/metal.
Thanks for the help and sorry if these questions are noob!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
Question 1: If I install a subwoofer and amp, how will I control output from the HU? How does setting bass or treble affect what's going to the sub or current speakers?
Question 2: Would it be better to buy an amp to run all the speakers, rather than just the sub?
Question 3: What size sub should I consider?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
Triton, thanks for the reply.
Let's say I buy the 4 channel amp. What wattage amp should I consider and how would I split the amp output to the subwoofer and the 4 speakers?
I'm not sure it matters, but the Clarion 5 1/4" in the doors are 2-way speakers and the new Sony's are 3-way.
Thanks again!
Let's say I buy the 4 channel amp. What wattage amp should I consider and how would I split the amp output to the subwoofer and the 4 speakers?
I'm not sure it matters, but the Clarion 5 1/4" in the doors are 2-way speakers and the new Sony's are 3-way.
Thanks again!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 1
From: South Texas
There's lots of different ways to go. Take a look here so you can see what way you want to go:http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/amp_pdfs.html
You probably what the "killer, on a budget, system" plan.
You probably what the "killer, on a budget, system" plan.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Would have to agree with Triton's logic here. You would be amazed at what difference a nice 4 channel amp would make even with your Clarion's and Sony's alone. The signal from an amp will be orders of magnitude cleaner sounding and will drive your speakers much more efficiently. Adding a sub and amp somewhere will be adding more gravy. Once you have a sub and listen for a while, turn it off and you will be amazed at the difference.
I am in the process of installing a budget system in my '04 F150 Screw and will be adding 4ch amp for components in the front (Infinity Kappas) and 6x8's in the rear (Kenwood), coupled with a 2 channel amp driving 2 10" Kenwood subs. Thus, I will not use the power from the head unit whatsoever but instead just leverage the 3 sets of preamp outputs to manage the signals and frequencies.
Good luck!
T
I am in the process of installing a budget system in my '04 F150 Screw and will be adding 4ch amp for components in the front (Infinity Kappas) and 6x8's in the rear (Kenwood), coupled with a 2 channel amp driving 2 10" Kenwood subs. Thus, I will not use the power from the head unit whatsoever but instead just leverage the 3 sets of preamp outputs to manage the signals and frequencies.
Good luck!
T
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
Triton,
Thanks for the link to JL Audio! It's nice to actually physically see the layout and connections so I can figure out what I want to do!
I'm going to go with the 4 Channel amp setup. I'm going to build my center console with a 10" down firing sub in the bottom and install the amp in a compartment above. I think this will be just what I'm looking for.
This is trivial to you guys, but here's what I'm doing in the center console as well:
1. Running RCA cables from AUX Input on my Alpine to center console, terminating into a Y-connector 1/8" minijack for my 30GB MP3 player (no more damn cd's!).
2. I'll also have a power connection (phone or mp3 charger hookup).
3. In the front of the console and on top I'll have a 3 bank guage pod for my diesel guages (pyrometer, trans. temp, etc.)
4. Cup holders and storage area to finish it off.
P.S. Now let's see if I get the time to actually get this done!!!! If I do I'll post pics!
Thanks for the link to JL Audio! It's nice to actually physically see the layout and connections so I can figure out what I want to do!
I'm going to go with the 4 Channel amp setup. I'm going to build my center console with a 10" down firing sub in the bottom and install the amp in a compartment above. I think this will be just what I'm looking for.
This is trivial to you guys, but here's what I'm doing in the center console as well:
1. Running RCA cables from AUX Input on my Alpine to center console, terminating into a Y-connector 1/8" minijack for my 30GB MP3 player (no more damn cd's!).
2. I'll also have a power connection (phone or mp3 charger hookup).
3. In the front of the console and on top I'll have a 3 bank guage pod for my diesel guages (pyrometer, trans. temp, etc.)
4. Cup holders and storage area to finish it off.
P.S. Now let's see if I get the time to actually get this done!!!! If I do I'll post pics!
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Zimmerman, MN
Just one more thing I'd think about adding to your center console, a fan.
If you enlose that amp somewhere without air movement, it will fry up. They need to distribute the heat off the fins.
Just an FYI.
If you enlose that amp somewhere without air movement, it will fry up. They need to distribute the heat off the fins.
Just an FYI.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
Originally Posted by rangerxlt02
Just one more thing I'd think about adding to your center console, a fan.
If you enlose that amp somewhere without air movement, it will fry up. They need to distribute the heat off the fins.
Just an FYI.
If you enlose that amp somewhere without air movement, it will fry up. They need to distribute the heat off the fins.
Just an FYI.
Have you thought about a 5-channel amp? If you're kind of on a budget here, that might cut down in the price a little all-together. You will have power to your sub and all speakers. Just my .02
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
Thanks for the heads up on the fan for the amp! This is definitely where my knowledge of audio systems is lacking.
In the next week or so, I'm going to hit a couple of audio stores just to "fish" for ideas and see what the installers would do. Maybe they have a better idea, like amp location, etc.
I think I'm going to take this a lot slower. I've done some measuring in the truck so I'm going to sketch out the design for the console.
BTW, where do you get the fans? Are you using something like the fans in computers?
Thanks.
In the next week or so, I'm going to hit a couple of audio stores just to "fish" for ideas and see what the installers would do. Maybe they have a better idea, like amp location, etc.
I think I'm going to take this a lot slower. I've done some measuring in the truck so I'm going to sketch out the design for the console.
BTW, where do you get the fans? Are you using something like the fans in computers?
Thanks.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
Max1775!
Love it! That looks great! Have you "spilt" anything on the amp? Coffee, soda? Okay, would it be possible to either get more pictures or your design notes? It really looks good and I'd like to build something close to what you built.
Thanks!
Voodoo
Love it! That looks great! Have you "spilt" anything on the amp? Coffee, soda? Okay, would it be possible to either get more pictures or your design notes? It really looks good and I'd like to build something close to what you built.
Thanks!
Voodoo
