Car audio advice needed

[saturos01@aol.com]

Hi guys, I need some advice, I would like to install a sub in my car but not sure how to best go about it.

Part of what I'd like to know, is if the electronic HP filters are worth it for the mains, or if just a cap is adequate as my current headunit doesn't have a HP for the mains and I'm not sure if it's necessary or not.

Opinions? I'm sure the 4 channel + 1 sub Aura amp buyout would be the best option (then there would be electronic HP on the mains and a sub amp), but would it make sense to get a new headunit with HP filters on the mains, and just get a cheaper sub amp?

Or is that necessary at all, can I just get a decent sub amp and just put some caps on the mains to keep them from distorting? In terms of ease, the latter is preferable as I'd just have to install one new thing, rather than multiple, but I question the capabilities of the headunit to stay clean without cutting the bass before amplification. Currently using a Clarion unit, it's okay with stock speakers and no sub at normal listening levels, but after boosting the bass, it is definitely distorted at highway listening levels. Perhaps after I drop the bass boost from the mains after I get a sub, the distortion will go down appreciable? I think it's rated at 20w RMS or so, it seems about right.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks

[ROTECH]

You already got most of it figured out already. Sure, you can HP the mains externally (not) from the head unit, but I dont think you will have to go that route. Turn the bass setting down on the head unit, and turn to full volume (or the loud point before distortion sets in on the door speakers) and then turn up the boost or gain on the subwoofer amp to it's respective high level.
On another thought, does your clarion have a non-fading subwoofer output? from which you can independently control subwoofer volume? If so, my remarks above certainly hold true. If you only have a single "master" bass control, you sub amp may be getting a limited input voltage due to the "bass" setting being turned too low and this may cause clipping.

[MGrant1957]

I'm guessing you are going for quality sound, not a boombox/SPL competition. Given that most in-dash head units are only good for about 20w without distorting, you will want to use external amplification/equalization/filtering. Most head-units also have their 'built-in' bass/mid/treble controls centered at 100hz/1000hz/10,000hz ie. NOT optimal for multi-amp systems as turning up the 'bass' control boosts the signal at 100hz (above an optimal LP point for a subwoofer and pushing the mains closer to Xmax at a lower power level than would be the case otherwise.

example 1: head unit (speaker out) => 2 or 4 main speakers. (OEM setup)

example 2: head unit (speaker out) => (high level input) 2 or 4 ch amp (with HP filter) => 2 or 4 main speakers. (cheap, only need the amp and wires)

example 3: head unit (line level out) => (line level input) 2 or 4 ch amp (with HP filter) => 2 or 4 main speakers (better, cleaner sounding, still cheap, only needs patch cable to amp, and wires)

example 4: same as 3 plus (line level sub-woofer out) => 2 ch (mono bridged) amp => sub-woofer in custom built enclosure. (could be sealed/ported/4th or 6th order bandpass
enclosure). (even better, cleaner sounding, with tighter sounding bass, but costs now include a second amp for the sub-woofer.)


I can go on, but you get the idea.

the mains can also be bi-amped 2-ways, or tri-amped 3-ways, and subs can be as large/loud and you want to go.

hope this helps.

[craigk]

i think that you will be better off going with the 4=1 amp, even if it is cheap. it will give you a little more control and flexibilty with your system. good luck

[saturos01@aol.com]

Turn the bass setting down on the head unit, and turn to full volume (or the loud point before distortion sets in on the door speakers) and then turn up the boost or gain on the subwoofer amp to it's respective high level.
On another thought, does your clarion have a non-fading subwoofer output? from which you can independently control subwoofer volume? If so, my remarks above certainly hold true.

I did try this today, just turning the bass EQ back down to zero, and it is clean to adequate volume, so perhaps that would be sufficient. And the headunit does have a select-able sub-out that I can boost or cut the sub-out signal with.

It was suggested to me to just cut the bass on the headunit (my headunit does have 3 bands of parametric EQ, so I can cut pretty selectively) at about 60hz with a mid Q setting so it'll hit the upper bass somewhat too, but cut mainly the subass out of the mains. My only question is would that EQ cut on the headunit also cut the bass on the sub? I re-read my headunit's manual, but it didn't mention anything about it. It has an RCA out pair on the back that I would use to install the sub, and I don't know if it's common for headunit to apply the EQ the outs on a headunit. Would I assume that the output is the original signal?

Yeah, you are right that I am looking for quality over quantity, not that don't mind some 'quantity' every once in a while

I'm hoping to keep this install relatively simple. How hard is it to install an amp and wires for the mains and sub? Perhaps if it's not too much more work I might consider it, but it would seem all I really need to do is supplement the bass, as I'm relatively happy with the overall sound if I don't factor in the lack of bass so perhaps upgrading the main's amp is superfluous?

Thanks for all the advice you guys!

[MGrant1957]

That amp should be fine, just follow the installation instructions to put it in the car. Use 8 gage wire from the battery + to a 30 amp fuse then to the + power input on the amp. Ground the Amp to the car body with more 8 gage wire. The amp has built-in filters for High-pass and Low-pass, set your Cross-over freq, to something around 80 Hz or so. Higher (100-120 Hz if you mains are 5 1/4 inch or smaller. You will have to pull 2 8 gage wires through your firewall and run all your speaker wires to the amp. keep the line out lines from the Head Unit away from both your speaker wires and the power lines, or you will get cross-talk. (bad). locate the amp someplace out of the way but well ventilated. you should only have to set it once. mount the separate bass control somewhere unobtrusive but within reach.

good luck.

[John_Frum]

I agree with getting the Aura amp. It will drive your mains much cleaner and with higher wattage. The HP filter is a nice bonus too. The other thing you can do help improve your sound is dampen the doors. Go to Elemental Designs' website and grab one of their sound deadening products or get a roll of Peel and Seal and cover every inch of metal you possibly can inside your door panel. This of course helps reduce vibrations in the panel and get seal the door up a little better making it a better "enclosure". It is well worth the expense and time compared to the gain is sound quality you get from it.