Instead of asking whether something that you've already installed is good or not, I'd suggest you ask whether something that you haven't installed is good or not.

So what else is coming that you've already paid for etc etc?

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Added on August 3, 2011, 11:02 pmIf you're talking about the HU pre-out, some headunits have pretty high pre-outs like the Eclipse 8051 with true 5v pre-out (supposedly). That means it's already loud to begin with so you get that volume thing you're talking about. Some at just 2.5v and some claim to be 4v when they are actually 1.25v etc.. So if you got the time, do your research on those HUs with high pre-out and you won't have to jack up the volume as much.

But realistically speaking, I don't think this matters much. As long as the output of the HU is clear and detailed, you're amplifying the signal with a good amp, and outputting with a matching component set, it'll be music to your ears anyway regardless of the pre-out.

This post has been edited by izso: Aug 3 2011, 11:02 PM

Howie : Interesting.. then I stand corrected. I've always had the impression pre-out affected the overall volume!


McRyan : One mans meat is another mans poison. Why don't you try to test those brands and see which one you are happiest with, then just buy that one? If you want to ask people what is good and so on, their opinions and taste might differ from yours. If you ask me, I'd suggest you try to get an Alpine Type R. That's a pretty good bang-for-buck sub

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Added on August 4, 2011, 8:17 pmBtw, stock speaker position will be too shallow to install those aftermarket speakers. So in most cases you'll need to customize your door panel to fit those speakers because of the magnet size as you've pointed out. There are shallow speakers you can choose from also though.. those probably will fit in the stock position easily.

This post has been edited by izso: Aug 4 2011, 08:17 PM

No no.. you don't understand my reply.. I agree with you la. Sensitive nia!


As the name suggests, monoblock amps are single channel. Usually used to power subs since subs are 'single' speakers. But there are creative folks out there who use monoblocks for each channel to power every single speaker individually but that's only recommended if you have loads of $$$.

Amps generally work the same way la. Only difference is their power rating, impedance and how many channels they've got. There's more like SNR, sensitivity, input voltage, etc but that's another discussion for another day. There's a few classes of amps, Class A, Class AB, Class D, hybrids, etc. Each class have different efficiency levels. A class D amp generally runs super efficient so it rarely ever gets hot. Class A on the other hand is super inefficient and generates a lot of heat like tube amps for example. Some claim that class A sounds better but inefficient amps need a lot of clean power to run so class A amps are not for the feint hearted.

If you're worried about your undercarriage, you don't have to worry so much. You car is one giant piece of metal. If you introduce a small little amp that generates heat, it's not going to anything more than heat up the carpet it probably will sit on. I doubt you'll screw the amp directly to the chassis. And even the hottest amp is not going to burn the carpet much less spoil the undercarriage.

If you compare a Class D amp running at 1ohm vs a Class AB running at 1ohm, the class AB will be hotter. Some get hot enough to be untouchable like the old legendary Orion HCCA G4/G5 amps. As long as you provide your amp proper ventilation and position the amp properly (heat sync facing up and not wrapped up in superlon or something funny) it'll be hot but nothing will spoil.

If the amp was designed for that sort of connection, then it'll work fine la. Why you worried about heating up?

Be very careful not to bridge or hook up the amp to a unsupported impedance (eg - hooking up a 1ohm sub to a amp that only supports 4ohm bridge). This will heat up the amp super fast and probably cut very often. Eventually too much of cutting and you can say byebye to the amp.

If you hook it up 400W @ 4ohm bridged to a sub that's running 4ohm, then you're meeting the amp requirements to run properly. If that amp burns out and spoils easily just because you bridge it and it gets hot, then I suggest you change the amp to something else better. Amps if specified to do something should do exactly that thing without problems. Assuming you bought a reputable brand, it will be fine la

speaker wires are subjective la. You need good power cables though. Good ones ensure your amps are getting all the power it needs to run properly. Thicker ones just allow more amperes and volts to get through. 4ga and 2ga is more than enough from battery to amp. 0ga is overkill unless you're running a super power crazy setup or you have a lotta money

Hifonics is a reputable brand la. Soundstream also ok. Between the two I dunno which is better because I never used either one before.

I'm glad you asked this question. It really depends on the build quality of the amp, the power input from your battery through your power cable to the amp and the alternator charging the battery. So the answer is : Maybe! Depends on a lotta things dude. But if properly powered, reputable brands usually advertise what the amp is capable of so shouldn't be an issue.

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Added on August 8, 2011, 8:52 pmWhy worried? If the sub is DVC 4ohm, then you can only wire it in parallel to get the 2ohm impedance. Then with the 380w RMS 2ohm amp you will be able to power it. The only thing is your sub can take more thumping since you're not powering it to its full potential. But nothing is going to spoil or fail if you underpower the sub.

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Added on August 8, 2011, 8:54 pmPersonally I find Soundstream (the new ones) quite harsh, very sharp and not very musical. But that's my opinion, you might like it. Best is to try it then only buy it.

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Added on August 8, 2011, 8:56 pmIt's ok to under power the sub by 20w la. You're just underutilizing it, nothing much. The only way you can kill a sub is wire it up wrongly and grossly overpower it or play really really loud low frequencies for long periods of time

This post has been edited by izso: Aug 8 2011, 08:56 PM

Supposedly yes. But our car voltage is never that consitant unless you've added some power conditioner like the Helix Power conditioner or some fancy device that regulates the power. So since there's fluctuations in our normal cars, it'll either produce slightly more or slightly less than the RMS power it claims (car voltage range from 11.5v to 14.4v or more when the car is on).

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Added on August 9, 2011, 7:21 amHonestly, I've never heard a soundstream that wasn't harsh. So I never really bothered to check out the models. But like I said, sound is very subjective. Better you go test it out yourself and decide if you like it or not. You can't be asking people whats good cuz if you asked me, I'd say Dynaudios are good, Krayden might say Scanspeaks are good, Carcrazy will say Revelatio is good and all of these speakers are way above the Soundstream price bracket and all 3 have their unique characteristics. I have heard the top range Rainbow speakers too and those are bloody good too but can you afford the price? Seriously since you're asking - I'd recommend the lowest range Rainbow over Soundstream anyday. But that's my personal opinion. You're welcome to object.




Cheesycake : Like what Howie said - worry when you're overloading your amp, not the sub.

This post has been edited by izso: Aug 9 2011, 07:21 AM

Quoting what you're so fond of saying : Whats your justification for saying this?

Or are you just being ignorant and like what Howie said - if you don't have it means it's useless? Pfft.

Please keep your useless comments to yourself if you have nothing else better to say.

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Added on August 10, 2011, 7:21 amI don't know what car you drive and instead of experimenting with different free air woofers, why not just straight get one in proper sealed box since you're already determined to have the best sound?

This post has been edited by izso: Aug 10 2011, 07:21 AM

Sigh.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_conditioner

Read up on what a power conditioner is and tell me if that equates to capacitors. Please understand the topic before you start spewing your irrelevant comments.

You're really incompetant you know that? You think you know everything in the world of in-car-entertainment and you always think you are right.

Why don't you go use your favorite Google and look up Helix Power Station and tell me what that product does instead of spewing more ridiculous comments and wasting bandwidth.

Right. So not only are you incompetent, you can't read or write proper english? I have no idea what you wrote or is trying to say. Please do yourself a favour and go for some proper english classes before you try to pick fights on a public forum.

And I'm done with you. Good bye.

Forum skulker versus physically handling, installing, testing, using, selling, trying multiple brands accessory shop business owner.

Hmm.. Tough choice... Not.

Pfft.

Uh.. I don care chicken wrap or paper wrap. As long as the food is good and the price is right I'm happy.

LOL!

Crazie - uh.. you ter-salah quote me issit

Since you're trolling I'mma gonna entertain you with a equally trollified answer.

1. Park your Estima inside your living room
2. Use your home hifi inside your Estima
3. Never drive the Estima anywhere.

The entry level Rainbows can do this quite well. My Myvi using the Rainbows with stock HU.

Uh... can you be more specific? Equalizer? If equalizer then it really depends on preference. Some people don't believe in it some people do. But I haven't seen a 3 or 5 band equalizer for about 15 years already. Whatever it is you're using it's old.

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Added on August 20, 2011, 8:57 pmWell, easier to define what is "Cheap" for you. Better state your budget then people can recommend. But Ipod + MP3 player is a dime a dozen nowadays. Alpines, Pioneers, JVCs, Kenwoods all have these. Even cheapass China-mari players have these. Question is how good you want it to be? Alpines are the most easily compatible with Ipods. Their Ipod menu control system is (IMHO) the most user friendly compared to other brands.

This post has been edited by izso: Aug 20 2011, 08:57 PM

For that kinda price you're probably looking at China brands or 2nd hand units of Pioneers or Kenwoods. USB yes, iphone I really doubt it.