EFFENDI

The reason why this bugs me, and why I comment on this, is simply because of your ignorance. Now, there are plenty of opinions here why Apple is better than any other technology company, but, those are based on our opinions. Please allow me to present some facts, in hope that you form a more concise and fair opinion. Fact: XP when compared to OSX is PROVEN more insecure, more unstable, manages memory poorer, many UI design experts agree that XP has a more complicated and counter-intuitive UI. Fact: Apple computers has the highest market share in the science, medicine, educational, and graphic arts industries than any other computer company. Fact: The iPod (all models) has a higher market share than every other portable music device combined, its various models are lighter, smaller, and have more third party software and accessory suppport than any other player. If those FACTS don't do it for you, I have plenty more. Also, if you last encounter with a Mac was using the OS when it was still called "System #", then you have made a completely unfair and incorrect conclusion. Basing your opinion on an isolated incident is really quite foolish. Apple hardware (and software) has consistently been rated and praised higherby most every technology expert and journalists than most any other computer company. When was the last time you heard Walt Mossberg gush over an eMachine or a Dell PC?

Yeah the Koots is some of the best scenery in the world. I got the pics just fine. Thanks a bunch, I really do appreciate it.

I really miss BC (home) when I see stuff like that. Any way you could email some of the full resolution pics to me? isaacangeloIHATESPAM@gmail.com (remove the IHATESPAM)

Decent performing drivers, but for the money, they arent worth it... I do in fact have a better solution, buy my RL-Ps..

5.1 can be done....but should it be done?? From my experience installing, imaging, tuning, my (former) 4-way active (non-5.1) system, setting up time alignment for each of those channels, setting up crossover points, equalization settings..... its a headache alone with just a STEREO (2 channel) setup. Based on that alone, it should be enough to keep you away from doing a surround sound system (5.1/6.1) in-car. But you really opened up a can of worms here, and it brings up some interesting arguments... Id really strongly suggest that if you find your current setup not to be "enough" for you.....Tune the heck out of your existing STEREO system. This includes fiddling with equalization, crossover points, time alignment, etc.. Also deadening, vibration isolation, etc.. Get your imaging spot on. Get everything else as great (not good) as possible. You can still compromise. Get a DVD-Audio or HDCD/SACD compatible headunit and try a stereo downmix, it still sounds better than regular audio CDs, and honestly, it should be enough to satisfy you... if your stereo system is truly set up properly and is accurate enough to reproduce whatever program material you throw at it. You will still get all the range and dynamics, you will still have the fidelity and quality of DVD Audio, and your only compromise is going to be the loss of surround channels. Not convincing enough?? Ok consider this: Even in home 5.1 the surrounds are underutilized. This isnt so much a truth in movies (although, the surrounds basically only play ambient noise and ocassional effects), but it definitely a factor is in 5.1 music. I've personally listened to a good number of 5.1 audio (DVD Audio) and I can say, the quality is great, and even listening to a stereo downmix was enough for me. to be perfectly honest, there isnt that great a veriety of 5.1 material out there, and there are too few engineers and producers out there taking advantage of 5.1 and even more that try it and fail miserably by just placing instruments where they shouldnt be. Think about it though, in no (natural) music performance situation do you sit in the middle of the band/orchestra. To me its a wierd sound, and although it works for movies, it really doesnt for music. Again, along with that, actually putting together a capable 5.1 system in a car is a challenge that no man should ever take. It works (barely) in some cars, but as I said, your source material is really going to dictate what direction you should go in. If its movies, I'd say try, it might be fun for a while, but I doubt you are going to like all the work that is in store. Don't expect much happening in those rear channels except for noise and effects (IMHO, annoying while you are in a car, there is enough noise and effects OUTSIDE the vehicle), and dont even expect much happening even the fronts except for the occasional musical interlude, do expect your center channel to get a healthy workout with all that dialogue it will be playing. If you want to do 5.1 for Audio, as I said, consider a stereo downmix. Its really all you need to notice a big difference in quality, and you won't have to deal with all the extra work of installing , tuning, tweaking, etc. all those other channels. I still think in-car 5.1, is still in a stage of infancy, and we definitely need to wait for in-car 5.1 technology and products to (come down in price) catch up to in-home 5.1.

e-brake/parking brake.... same thing. looking pretty good. albeit, a bit thin, but you are getting there... looking forward to hearing this. hit me up via PM or email if you are gonna be in the area. definitely interested in the factory tour (free samples??? lol) as well.

Hmmm.... now you need a big ol' wooden cabinet TV to match those puppies....

"peace" of mind. sorry im on a spelling tirade today

That works, or just re-word it alltogether... "Hi, I'm Matt. I cannot spell properly or follow correct grammatical structure; however, I hope to share and gain more knowledge by participating here." Seriously though, we are glad to have you here.

^^^ I was thinking the exact same thing. You are gonna have to come back up here so I can listen to it though. If you run out of supplies I have some left over fiberglass (about 3/4 of a pack, Bondo stuff) and about half a tube of MEKP. Its all yours, just come pick it up, if you want, I'll help you finish and then you can demo it for me. I'd really like to hear how its gonna sound with them mounted down there in the doorsill like that. That mounting position sucks IMHO, once of these days you will jump in the car and *CRUNCH* there goes the speaker grille. Work with what you have I suppose. Anyway, your fiberglass technique looks good. What do you think about it so far?? I thought it pretty easy once you just swallow the lump in your throat and do it. As suggested, use a release agent. I used a light "spritz" of Pam, and it wasn't a mess at all. If you need any more help, criticism, or suggestions feel free to ask away!

Hmmm.... I'm not so sure about that.

looking good.

hmmmm....... this looks familiar

Thanks for that link Steve, lots of great info there.

Glad I got my internet back... great discussion here, and I agree with a lot of the points made here... One thing I would like to bring up, is the lack of industry standards for quaity and procedures of installation/fabrication. Sure we have the MECP, but that is really not a true rating system for quality of someone's work, just knowledge, and that certification has no bearing on their applied skills. Most every other trade has codes and standards to which they must adhere to, before their work is done, it has to be approved by an inspector (Plumber/Electrician), yet the car audio industry has nothing like this. Car audio installation is just as much a trade, and combines a myriad of skills, so it is even more important to have a set of standards. I think that shops owe it to the consumer, and to themselves (to stay in business), by organizing and creating an industry standard for installation. I am not opposed to paying someone else to do the work, especially when they are "supposed" to be an expert, but since there are no standards, many of us are hesitant to even go into a shop, let alone give them the keys. Therefore, we are practically forced to install everything ourselves if we want to maintain any level of quality or standard for an install. On another note, I am glad to see that the industry has made what I consider a large stride to implement industry-standard amplifier ratings, with the CEA-2006 specification, but it seems that only the larger companies (JL/Kicker/MTX/Alpine/RF/etc.) are using this standard. I don't know if there are high costs associated with getting approval or what not, but it should be something that every manufacturer adhere to. However, there is yet to be established a truly comprehensive, industry-standard system for rating driver performance.

The ported enclosure system is characterised by lower distortion and higher power handling in the system's operating range, and lower cutoff frequency than a sealed enclosure system using the same driver. Distortion rapidly increases below the cutoff frequency however as the driver becomes unloaded, and the transient response of a ported enclosure system is usually inferior to that of a sealed enclosure system using the same driver. However, this is not the case for every application. Generally though, ported enclosures typically have more of a "boom" than "bump" sound.

Thank you sir. I should be getting these covered, and filling in the gap in the next week or two.

Well, this Monday I started my first ever fiberglass project. I am making doorpods for my DLS 6.3 3-way component set. I started the back half fiberglass enclosures. These will be part of the the sealed enclosure for the midbass. I utilized the factory 5.25" mounting cup, and filled it to create half of a sealed enclosure. This mount/enclosure used to bolt to the sheetmetal of the door, and the plastic doorpanel is mounted in front of it. Since this mount is being replaced with the rear fiberglass enclosure, I am guaranteed a perfect fit, dont have to cut any sheetmetal, eliminate depth concerns, and will seriously increase the imaging, depth, etc.. I removed the OEM speaker grilles from the doorpanels, the rear half of the fiberglass enclosure will be portruding through these holes, thtough to the surface of the doorpanel, where the baffle will be glassed/molded into both the rear half fiberglass enclosure and the surface of te doorpanel itself. In the end the midbasses will be completely sealed, and the finished product will look as OEM as possible. The actual MDF speaker mounting baffle, which will hold the midbass and the 3" midrange will actually be in front of the plastic doorpanel, and the surface of it will be glassed, and molded. Basically, this is the least intrusive, but most tedious and hardest way to attack this. More pics located here. *note Those OEM grilles in the doorpanels probably throw off the mental picture you will get. The baffles will actually be mounted parallel to the bottom ledge in the doorpanel, the midbass closer to the firewall. They will also be pointed up at an agle vs. firing at my ankles. I will take another pic and update tomorrow with the cardboard templates I made showing what the mounting will look like. Keep in mind that this is my FIRST EVER fiberglass project. I read a lot of tutorials, so I think I got most everything down pat. The mat I have is pretty thick, and I had a hard time getting it to lie flat around some of the edges. I will probably lay down another layer tomorrow...then cut my baffles out (you can see the preliminary design lined ou on that sheet of MDF in the background in some of the pics) and then blend this enclosure to the baffle with more glass.

I'm also in the market for some material. Let me know if you come across any good deals.

Nice..... looking forward to getting my hands on one of these puppies (for testing purposes)

Only in theory. Man times I have actually had drivers overlap for best results. That's where the ear comes in with the slopes. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Crossover points in my system (Premier P9 and DLS 6.3) are all overlapping, and my slopes are all very steep (18dB or greater). I still have to spend some more time tuning, (I need an RTA) and finally got around to sealing off those doorpods, they sound pretty tasty now.

still have to seal them up.midbass will be much more pronounced after that. (they leak now) been busy working and have no money so progress has been delayed a bit.

OK folks. It is with my great pleasure that I announce the OFFICIAL date of the TeamSSAudio.com/CarAudio.com West Coast "Meet". The meet will be held on Saturday, June 25th at Central Park in Santa Clarita, CA. Hosted by yours truly, this will be one of the more laid-back, and carefree events you may attend this summer. This is really just a chance for all of use forum nerds to hang out and share our interest in car audio. This is an open invitation to all TeamSSAudio.com members. This location (Central Park) is well suited for an event like this because of its ample parking, facilities, and its proximity to local restaurants, businesses, etc. Central Park is also near the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park. Should you so choose to go there after the meet ends. We will be breaking for lunch after everyone has finally shown up, intoroduced themselves to eachother, etc. We will then regroup, and pretty much just hang out indefinitely. This event is strictly non-competition, and is a great chance for all of us forum geeks to hang out, shoot the breeze, talk some car audio, and give some system tours in a positive environment. We will probably be blowing up quite a few components. There will also be digital video and still cameras available so that if you so choose, we can shoot your excursion videos. To RSVP, simply leave a post here if you will be attending. Coming from the South, Central Park in Santa Clarita, CA is just North of the San Fernando Valley. If you are travelling the I-5 North, get off on the Valencia Boulevard exit, make a left onto Bouquet Canyon, follow Bouquet Cyn North for about 2 miles, and make a right turn into Cantral Park. Click here to view a map (zoom out to find you way there, or enter your address to get directions)

LOL

More things we did besides have fun at Dennis' expense.... - bug him about his emo eyes - listen to his horns - almost break his truck wait, those were all things we did at his expense...hmm we did plenty of other stuff too - yell at mexican kids and dare eachother to go and smack one of them in the face and take an "0WN3D" pic - yell at white power kids who were towing a trailer to use to haul their severely obese mom - made fun of Dennis - laugh at people on america's funniest videos hurting themselves and getting sacked by thier kids - ordered 9 medium pizzas (Tom and his "cheese", I swear) - said "i'm a computa....stop all the downloadin'" a million times at least - overused quoted parts from "Anchorman" and various Dave Chappelle show skits - made fun of Dennis some more - stood around throwing up the "Stalin Stash" to passersby - Demo'd the latest RE "proto" (more on this later) - listened to Ricky and Buck's cop story at least 14 times - Watched Rick nearly destroy his Kia rental car (Lets all hope he and Buck made it back with the car in one piece, I'm not worried about them) - Cried with Dennis, well, actually he just cried by himself.....