dont know much about audio....

[BigTex]

but i know i want a good sound! id like to get just a good quality sound, maybe the stereo surround sound effect if possible (not just WAY loud and shittysounding like everyone else) although i wanna be able to crank it ocasionally as well! i went to the good guys (or so they call themselves) and the salesman looked my blazer over and set up a package: 4x6 eclipse in the dash, 6x9 sony crossovers (nameright?)in front of the rear bench arm rests, 10\" jl audio to go in boxes im gonna make behind the wheel wells, and a pioneer 50x4 deck.

now, will i benefit from also having speakers installed in the doors? and shouldnt i have tweeters somewhere? or is that what the 4x6 is? i already have a 2channel 600w BOSS rev645, will this and the deck be enough to power the subs and 4 speakers (or 6 if i should get some door speakers)? or do i need a 4 channel? again, i know close to NOTHING when it comes to car audio, and i dont want a salesman taking advantage of that and selling me expensive garbage... thanks for any help!

[BigTex]

oh, and whats the best material for building sub boxes? i always see people use particle board, would plywood work?

[FastBikesRule]

Use MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) for the boxes. They should have it at Home Depot or Lowe\'s. That\'s the best thing for the price.

[mzoomora]

The 4x6 and 6x9\'s are probably 2 and 3 way speakers, so they will have tweeters. Also, the MDF is the best for building boxes, usually 5/8\" thick. The sub\'s should have a sheet that tells you what size enclosure to build, and what size for what type (veted/sealed/bandpass). With subs, you get what you pay for, the $49 Best buy sale sub is not going to put out as much sound as the $150+ quality sub with the same power. Common thinking is that 100 watts is the same, but the more efficient the sub, the better/louder it will sound.

[Jeffyboy]

I\'d say 5/8 is a minimum for box building. 3/4 is better, and some of the really high powered subs need 1\" or two layers of 3/4. JL makes nice subs. One thing to remember is that a great amplifier can make a poor speaker sound good, but that a cheap amp will make a high-end speaker sound like crap. I personally always liked to keep my all my speakers the same brand, except for subs - they don\'t matter as much. The Eclipse speakers sound pretty nice. I\'ve done the autosound thing for about 10 years and have put in some pretty impressive systems (if I say so myself), so feel free to ask any questions you have.



Jeff

[ben442]

For what your going to spend on 4x6\'s and 6x9\'s you can get a set of cdt components [6.5\'s in the door and 1\" tweeters seperate].You sound like you want sound quality.These will give you excellent sq.As for the subs adire audio shiva\'s are about $120 a piece and these sound so clear and, they can go in 1ft cu sealed boxes. There perfect for small spaces.As for the amp boss is poor quality and has a high failure rate. Go with a amp that you can run everthing on [components and subs]. You can go with a 3 channel amp. Two channels on the componets and one channel for the subs,Jl ,zapco,and autotek etc. for the amp.Thezeb.com has the cdt\'s for $149.00 there usually $400.00. I would get the amp used off of e-bay.So total $240 for subs $149.00 for speakers and about 100-250 for the amp.This is a small price to pay to have a concert hall in your truck.OOOHHHH will it be clean!I\'ve been into car audio for 10+ yrs. now.Take it from me I\'ve had at least 10 systems and must have installed 30 not including my own. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[ben442]

By the way I have a blazer too. It took me a long time to get perfect sound and, a few costly mistakes along the way.You get what you pay for is usually true.I.ve had several speaker arrangements in this truck. almost makes me wish I could have got it right the first time. This is what i\'ve got now. 1 zapco 1000w amp, 1 zapco 2ch for the components, a alpine 9815 head unit. and two adire 12\" brahma\'s. it\'s sounds great but it can also make you feel sick at high levels. It\'s extremely clear at any level.All powered by a 250A alternator.

[pussyflux]

OK i have some good creds to i am mecp (mobile electronics certified professional)certified installer and have set 4 different state records for spl with my sound quality system. My 99 tahoe was ranked 2nd in the nation and 8th in the world for sound quality in USACI(United States Autosound Competition International). I would say 3/4 in mdf is the perfect medium to use it offers great reflex and sound structure so it should be plenty for any sub with proper construction (ie. internal resonators and side wall supports) as for the subs i would use the Kove XK series 2 because they can be placed in small inclosures and do not need much power. they also have a AX-1 Aphex Processor which provides awsome sound. i have used kove in all my cars and never been let down. there componets kc 60.2 are the best bang for your buck and they do not need amp if you are running a pioneer 6500 or better as you head unit. As for the multi channel amp for multipurposes it is a no-no the box may say it will be good but that is marketing not a tech, always use seperate amps for seperate tasks. www.koveaudio.com if you have any questions dont hesatate to e mail me dkipp@comcast.net i could send you some pics of the systems i have done.

[ben442]

I agree with pussyflux two amps would be ideal,but are you planning on spending that much?Your budget would help when it comes to car audio.

[BigTex]

thanks for all your helpful info, some other things to consider: dont want to spend anymore than about 1200 bucks in the end, and i want it to be discrete (not too flashy as if to say \"steal me!\") ill go ahead and go w/ a two-amp setup, what would be a good sized amp ideal for the speakers? how much power for the amp to run the subs? im not sure what subs ill get, probably the jl audio 10s (or something else thats not a space hog and power hungry). for speakers, sony is out because everyone tells me theyre garbage, so maybe eclipse speakers? i know i want 4x6s in the dash, 5.5s or 6.5s in the door, and 6x9s where the factory spkrs went.

as for boxes, i guess ill use that 3/4 mdf. i measured how much space ill have behind the wheel well, it looks at least 1-1.5 cu ft of space (depending how i build it) should i go as much as possible or is volume critical to an exact amount for any particular sub? i have decent carpentry skills, but ive never built boxes. is there anything else i need to consider when building them? i was going to use liquid nails along w/ finish nails for assembly. sound ok? what again are internal resonators? are sidewall supports just gussets? thanks for any more help guys!

[ben442]

Honestly bigtex the 4x6\'s where the worst mistake I made they didn\'t do shiat. The 1\" tweets will serve there purpose very well. As far as amps go match them up with the rms rating on the subs and speakers you plan to buy. Just to let you know adire shiva\'s are often compared to jl w6v2\'s by true audiophiles and, I think those are $300 to $400 a piece. The shiva\'s are $120.Watch out for peak ratings on anything car audio If it doesn\'t have rms it is most likely junk.Also rms is only a thermal rating. The brahma\'s I got are 1800w rms but, I\'m only pushing 700w a piece [my amps are highly under rated] to both of them and there coming out of the box .The shiva\'s and brahma\'s are not power hungry especially in sealed boxes doesn\'t take much to get them to fully exert they only get louder with more wattage. Check out adireaudio.com. Sorry I don\'t know how to put a link up. Read consumer reviews not, editorial reviews on the products you plan to buy.Most likely the consumer is not getting paid to review a product. And don\'t think I\'m pushing adire, you choose what your ears like.Do your homework before you buy. A sales man is still a sales man and they will tell you that the stuff that [makes them the most money] is the best! I\'m shure pussyflux has built some bad azz boxes he could probably help you more with this.The days of 8 speakers and two subs are over, you would be suprised at what some 6.5\'s and 1\" tweets can do.It only makes sense that the oval speaker is more likely to be muddy compared to a circle.Little crossovers will come with the seperate component package you chose. This allows only certain frequencies to go to each speaker. And, seperating the tweeter from the mid bass speaker only makes sense also. Don\'t worry $1200 or less will get you a concert hall.Sorry the post is so long just don\'t want to see you get ripped. Feel free to e-mail with any questions.

[pussyflux]

Resinators are baffels inside a box that also add support. as for your subs Xtant Z104 • 2 for 1 Promo Subwoofer $75.95 for the pair at sounddomain.com they are cheap but they hit hard i have used them in four different systems I have built and if you give them about 1.25-1.5ft of space they will really thump. Ohh and the good part is if you get crazy with your box they are free air compatible so they wont blow too easy. In one system i have a 1000W Kove Aphex amp on 4 of them and it hits hard as hell. In another system i have a Xtant 2.2 100 W amp hooked up to two of them @ 2 ohm mono and it hits hard too. If budget is your game these subs with a Rockford Fosgate Power 351M Subwoofer Mono Amp wired at 2 ohms will rock the house with just under $250. But dont forget if you have a low current altenator you will need a Stiffening Capacitor to keep from killin your altenator at high volume if you have more the one am i would suggest 2ga wire to the rear of the truck to a Fused Distribution Block and come out of the dist. block with 4ga to the amps and be sure to use a 4ga ground on each amp no longer then 18in grounded at the same point on the car (if possible) to help avoid ground loop. As for the interiors I would keep it simple with a nice set of Infinity Kappa 50.5cs Component Speakers ($223.95 at sounddomain.com)

5-1/4\" I-Mount tweeters. Put the drivers and crossovers in the door and the tweets in you a pillers(the pillars that support your front windshield and roof). and a set of Infinity Reference 6002si 2-Way Speakers ($79.95 at sounddomain.com) 6 1/2\" Coaxial with Soft Dome Tweeter (*Shallow Mount* to clear everything in the doors) in the rear doors if applicable. if not and you have a standard cab use Infinity Reference 3002cf 2-Way Speaker

($47.95 at sounddomai.com) 3 1/2\" Coaxial with Soft Dome Tweeters in the B pillars(the door jam and roof supports behind your head)

about 6-8in down from your ear. Poewer the two sets of interior speakers you choose with a Xtant 4.4 Multi-Channel Amp ($549.95 at sounddomain.com) 200W Xtant Series 4-Channel. Get your wire install kit; Lightning Audio Strike SXPK2 Amplifier Wiring Kit ($89.95 at sounddomain.com) 2 Gauge / 1000W Power Kit • ANL Fuseholder and a Lightning Audio Bolt BFD2 Fuse Distribution Block ($12.95 at sounddomain.com) Bolt Series 2 Position AGU.

Add some terminals and you are good to go at Just under $1200. and it will knock you socks off with the sound quality

[pussyflux]

oh and i am not a salesman i am a mortician now i did car audio to get through 6 years of school and i am not a paid rep for sounddomain.com they just have better prices then most supply houses so they are the place to get all your car audio. i can draw a scheme for your truck if you want. just incase you could not follow my long winded post

GOOD LUCK !!!

[BigTex]

ive already had WAY more help than i was expecting with this, but if you dont mind doing it a drawing would help a lot! i could pretty much follow what speakers go where, but the wiring seems a little hairy... in my case i have a 2-door blazer, when mounting speakers in the pillars, are there some kind of mouldings i can buy or do i simply cut a hole and mount them? what exactly is the right way to do this? my friends like to think they can show me the right way, but they think just because they put in their walmart systems in all by themselves theyre now some kinduv audio professional (i dont think so) now that i know what to get, i NEED to know how to install. and also, could you be more specific on where i should baffle my boxes? how many chambers- should they be completely isolated from each other? ive never seen/ heard of resonators in a sub box. pictures maybe? again, thanks VERY much! everyones already helped a bunch, because of you guys i should have one helluva first sound system!

[ben442]

Big tex did you get the message I sent you? Your going to have a great system for the first time!

[pussyflux]

do you have a fax number?

[pussyflux]

oh ok