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General Audio

An Open Forum Dedicated To all audio questions that do not fall under the other specific categories.

  1. Started by mrben,

    I have a couple questions about setting the gain, and the settings I should be using on my head unit. My setup is a IDA-x100 headunit from alpine. (Pre-Amp is 2volts) My subwoofer is an 15" Q, and amp is a SAE-1200 Sundown. On my headunit, I heard that the subwoofer level should be set to full, 15. But I didn't know what to set the base level at, so I just set it to full, 8. Then I tuned it to 36volts using a dmm, (Thats what the tuning instruction sheet that came with the amp said to tune it too) It sounded good, but I feel with that much power, I should be getting it a little louder. So I put the bass to 0 on the headunit, but then I could turn the amps gain up to maxim…

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    • 22 replies
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  2. I have an iPhone 11 and using Apple Music and Spotify free Trial and in streaming over Bluetooth HU is an older pioneer probably 4 years old . Non CarPlay . The music doesn’t sound as full to me , am I crazy or is there an actual difference? I hate the thought of having to plug my phone in every time so I haven’t even tried the phone wired.. but when I swap back to music on my usb stick omg sounds so much cleaner.

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    • 2 replies
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    • 1 follower
  3. Started by Maddenkid2011,

    Whats the easiest way to hook up your car audio amplifier to a home stereo? I imagine it involves a $200 converter or something but just fill me in a little.

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    • 15 replies
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  4. Started by saywhat?,

    alrite, ive built two boxes so far. both times i have had to recut things. he reason being is im not sure how i will piece everything together as far as screwing them together....always seems that one edge will be to wide or too long.......is there a certain way that makes a stronger box or what??? or can someone make a diagram on what way is best??? (talking about how all the edges should meet)

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    • 8 replies
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  5. Started by davey242,

    Hey guys... I'm a newbie hahah my car was broken into couple week ago. I had an Alpine 7894, Sony explode xs-V1633 6-1/2" 3 way speakers all around, PG 300W amp powering 2 JL 12W0's with a 1 farad cap (my old car needed the cap) and a PG PLD1. All the bastard got was the faceplate & remot plus damaged the HU.. So now, I've got a Eclipse 8053 on order. Going to run it 8V for now. and a pair of Clarion SRS1684 6-1/2" components for the front doors. going to power the speakers with a flex4 MRPF306 amp (only 4ch amp I have that works) and get rid of the PLD1. In the summer when it's warm, I'm going to put my PG ZX450 amp to power the speakers (it'll be fixed by then)…

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    • 2 replies
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  6. Started by HHawk,

    Well it seems I am facing a "small" problem. I am looking to replace my current stock alternator with a bigger one. Anyways after searching here and on Google, I managed to find several companies who build and / or sell high output alternators, for example: HO alts, Ohio Generator, Iraggi Alts, etc. But none of those companies have a high output alternator for my car: Lexus IS 220D (Diesel) make of year is 2007. (yeah I am European). The stock alternator is already pretty high (130A), but it's not enough to power: 2x SAZ-1500D strapped & 1x SAX-100.4 (bridged) & 2x Kinetik HC1800 batteries. Anyone know a different brand or who do custom build alternators? ...or h…

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    • 7 replies
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  7. Started by Aaron Clinton,

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  8. In my town, we have absolutely nobody to consult for car audio...so I am in dire need of some advice. I have about $1000 budget (as posted above). I just put in a pioneer head unit, so that part is taken care of. With the budget, Ide like to replace the 4 stock speakers (all 5 1/4", 2 in the rear roof, 2 in the front door panels). And then I am sacrificing some space in the trunk for a sub box. My dimensions are 20" height, 35" width, 15" bottom depth", 8" top depth. I have no idea on what direction I want to go other than Im thinking 2 12's with the space I have and an amp to match them, but I really want to avoid extra batteries and alternators and so forth (if I can).…

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    • 10 replies
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  9. Started by BASS OUTLAW,

    Ok this might sound retarded.. but seriously... i dont want to waste my time in a Car that isnt my friends car or so.. and yet get a low charge... i used to do installs for free.. but nowdays.. its somehow impossible.. any ways... i will be Installing a JVC HU , JVC CD changer , JVC 6x9's Rear, and a single 10" kenwood Sub..And a For Channel Amp.. in a VW Polo 2002 .. and he said he want to run it free air... am not sure thats possible.. when there is no trunk to seal it off...his excuse was that he doesnt want to loose any more of his tiny space left behind the rear seat.. am gonna convince him about a tiny Sealed box... any ways... Average... how much should i charge hi…

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    • 12 replies
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  10. Started by The enD,

    I have a friend in America that keeps saying Fiat Panda gets very loud and I should buy one for my project. It has something to do with the vehicle's acoustics and the shape of the car... like Honda CRX's. Sean and Jacob are at SBN right now, and Sean said there is a Panda ... Something like 158db - 2 x 15's In Bulgaria I can find some Pandas for cheap... the cheapest one is 350$ ! And some better ones for about 500-700$. What do you guys heard about Pandas? Is it true about them and SPL? I am thinking about two Nightshades 18's or 15's if there is not enough space. Wall or no wall? If I go with a wall does the vehicle really matter that much? With a box somewhere in …

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    • 16 replies
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  11. Started by DaVibe,

    I'm considering getting a box built for 2 10" subs (or at least a box will be made for the subs). I'm wondering if there are any problems with putting in 2 terminal cups / 2 leads. Reason being is I'm running 1k right now. I might want to run 2 amps at 1k a piece. OR, I might just change my mind and run one big amp. If the box is made with 2 leads, then I will never have any issues but if it's made with just the one, I can never use 2 amps. So, are there any issues down the road? In particular, one big amp across two terminal cups? Without the issue of it changing final ohm loads of course (non issue).

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    • 13 replies
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    • 1 follower
  12. Like high hits are fekt around mid back mainly Then lower is felt around lower back/butt Deep hits felt around thighs and legs Odd and i was wondering why

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    • 12 replies
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    • 1 follower
  13. Started by Ndnkobra,

    Hey guys, just a simple question and looking for some opinions on how the quality of a music file on a USB flash drive compares to, lets say an Ipod via USB connection. What are your thoughts? And are there any noticeable differences?

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    • 14 replies
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    • 1 follower
  14. Started by flakko,

    1. To run 1/0 gauge through my car ( i got quoted 30 bucks) 2. Install an amp and a sub with box and wiring for a friend 3. Install a HU 4. A full install (2 sets of speakers, 1 sub, and amp with wiring and box) just wondering, cuz pple are askin me to do these things for them (except the 1/0 gauge wire).

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    • 18 replies
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  15. Started by dennisp,

    i have 3 seats in the front bench of my truck. when i sit in the middle, the imaging is pretty good. the singer's voice is in the center, guitars/drums/etc in their proper places. however, when i sit in the driver's seat, the horizontal bias is horrible. sometimes i hear the left tweeter a lot since its pretty close to my head (a-pillar), other times i hear my right mid over everything else (maybe cuz its more on axis?). the tweeters arent mounted for perfect imaging rite now cuz i dont have time to glass the flush mount cups to the a-pillars. theyre mounted above ear level and kinding pointing to the stomach of the middle seat so maybe thats the cause? lemme know whatcha…

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    • 16 replies
    • 1.4k views
    • 1 follower
  16. ive got a 300 amp alt that is made for a 08 ram. its a 6 groove pulley though, my old one is 7, can i put the 7 groove belt on the 6 groove pulley without changing the pulley?

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    • 10 replies
    • 1.4k views
    • 1 follower
  17. Started by KU40,

    I'm looking for low weight, basically. Rigidity isn't a huge concern because my box will only be 1 cube and in an L-shape, so all the corners and small panel sizes should make it pretty stiff regardless. I may also add a second baffle on front to countersink the sub. Birch is getting up over 60 dollars a sheet, though (5' x 5'). MDF weighs twice as much and half the price. Is there anything else readily available at most lumber yards that would do the job for less?

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    • 9 replies
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  18. Started by danracer,

    okayyy soo this weekend i finally installed part of the system on the new blazer and where i ran my power wire through the firewall gets reaaaally close to the right manifold and it emits a looot of heat. i put some split wire loom but its melting slowly hahaha i need something stronger. what do u guys suggest?

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    • 15 replies
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  19. Started by orlando144,

    Whats up SSA! In the near future I would like to open up some type of small car audio shop. Start off small and build it up, but what I was wondering is.. Is it illegal to resell brand new audio equipment without being authorized as a dealer? Lets say I buy alot of American Bass subs and resell them for a $30 profit per sub (in example), would it be illegal? Thanks for any input.

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    • 20 replies
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    • 2 followers
  20. Started by Hanapi,

    I rebuilt my box and actually made an advance in performance. The amps can be driven more before they want to clip. My question is, when I measured the voltage (at Idle) while driving the system higher, the voltage on my two Kinetik 3800's dropped to 12.4 volts. I do have another Iraggi 260 Amp Alternator. Do you think I should install it? I wouldn't play it at this level normally but only to either brag or at a competition. Advise please. Thanks, JR

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    • 14 replies
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  21. Hello guys i have recently pulled all the factory crap out of my truck and ordered some things but i have a few problems. I bought a set of Cadence CVLT-35B tweeters along with a pair of Selenium St-200s i also purchased two pair of Alpine SPS-500(i know i could have gotten components just didnt want to) . The amp i have is a Hifonics HFi100.4 and the headunit is a Pioneer AVH-P5200BT. At the time of purchase i didnt know the seleniums needed a bass blocker of some sort so i searched and came across using an active crossover. My question is would i be able to use what i have listed with the addition of a crossover or should i buy a separate amp for the tweeters? The cros…

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    • 4 replies
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  22. Started by Aaron Clinton,

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    • 14 replies
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  23. Started by spare69,

    I just put in a new box in my 1999 jeep grand cherokee and I reattached the back battery, In doing so I noticed my voltage is at an average of 12.6 with little bass. My voltage is going crazy and im not sure what is going on. Normally at full tilt on rock, the voltage plays at 12.8, But now its at 12.2...... My Interior lights are now feeling the power drops and dimming everytime a bass note hits.....as before it wasnt doing that......any ideas?? My alternator is working i had it checked today..... Also might i add that with the bass off my voltage goes from 13.6- to 12.8....with no bass...only mids and highs......wtf?!

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    • 19 replies
    • 1.4k views
  24. Started by Aurelios,

    If my crossover has a low pass filter that ranges from 40-400 hz, does that mean whatever I set it too is the highest frequency it will play? Also, does that mean that 40 hz is the lowest it will play?

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    • 11 replies
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  25. I am looking to spend around 3-4K on a full system every tiny from a head unit to audio treatment, 2 12” sub and everything but I have no idea what I am doing haha I want to go with a full rockford Fosgate setup, any help is much appreciated the shops by me refuse to sell me Rockford lol ps I drive a 2018 Toyota Camry SE

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    • 3 replies
    • 1.4k views

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