Help with new system

[nath_120]

ATM I have a Pioneer DEH-P6750MP H/U, with the stock speakers in my VS, and i'm lookin 2 upgrade the speakers.

I'm pretty much set on the front & rear speakers, coz I've heard theyre great value for money
Front speakers: Jaycar 6.5" kevlar splits
Rear speakers: Jaycar 6" kevlar coaxials

I don't really have an idea about a sub and amp/s to power them all. I would prefer one sealed 12" sub, in a DIY box. Any ideas for good quality cheap 12" (about $200)? Ive heard good things about the Rockford P112S4.

As far as amps go, i've heard to either go:
- 4 channel amp (2 channels for splits, 2 channels bridged to sub)
- 2 channel amp for splits, 2 channel amp bridged for sub
- 2 channel amp for splits, mono block amp for sub

Which is the way to go? Again, I'm pretty much set on jaycar amps, coz of value for money.

As far as placement of the sub box, I was thinking of next to the fuel tank (i have a vs sedan) on the right side. Would it fit in without compromising on space too much? Is it ok to have the sub there, as its next to the fuel tank?

For the box, i've heard that mdf is the way to go. What thickness would be right for the box? Would i have to add sound deadening as well?

Any advice on this would be great.

Nath

[StoneX]

Have you listened to the Jaycar speakers? Make sure you listen to them before buying.

Again, subs are personal preference... Go to a few stores and see what brands/models they have in your price range. You can listen to them in the demo board but they're not going to sound anything like they would in a car. A car physical properties(called cabin gain) boost the lower frequencies, so it will sound far different.

The only sub i've heard in that price range is the Pioneer TS-W306C, it sounded fine to me, my mate loves them though.

Generally, when powering fronts and sub a 2 channel and mono would be ideal, but since you're just going to have one low powered sub a mono amp isn't necessary. I'd go for the 4x100 Jaycar amp as it'll have enough power when bridged to run any sub in that price range.

For most DIY standard sub boxes 18mm MDF is used. Some premade boxes come as 16mm and some DIY use 25mm or 32mm for higher output subs.

The box doesn't need deadening but if you want to make sure it is sealed 100%, you can paint the inside walls with fibreglass resin.

Your boot is going to rattle a fair bit, so you might need some foam, urethane, and patience to fix those. You can use sheets of deadener but that won't stop major rattles, just minor resonances.

Deadening and sealing your fronts doors will make your speakers sound a hell of alot better... You generally use the sheet deadener on your outer door skin, then seal up the access holes and deaden the inner skin. This makes the door like a properly sealed enclosure for the speaker and gives alot better sound in the midbass/midrange region. Some pics of my deadening.

[garfa]

i can vouch for the front door sealing. i went to a bit more ffort than some with the front door deadening and it can be heard. if you want to see a pic of my door then it can be arranged.

[nath_120]

Thanks for the advice guys. What is the rough cost to deaden the front doors? And where do you get it from?

[StoneX]

Most specialist car audio stores sell it. Not sure on install costs though.

Dynamat Extreme is regarded as the best available in Australia, but it cost $329 RRP for 36sq ft. I'm not sure how much that will cover, I got 108sq ft of another brand for a little bit more $$$ and that did all 4 doors, some floor, and the entire boot with some to spare.

You can get smaller packs like "Door kit", "trunk kit", etc so you don't need to spend so much.

[nath_120]

thanks StoneX

[garfa]

OR:
use a couple of packs of the stuff jaycar sell. the sticky backed stuff. its bitumen based so if you like in alice springs it might melt a tiny bit but its heaps cheaper. depends on how much you want to spend.

[StoneX]

It's pretty shit compared to the name brand stuff though, just like their other stuff. But if you're on a tight budget, "it'll do".

Or go in a group buy and import some stuff from the US. It works out pretty cheap.

[nath_120]

I am on a pretty tight budget......and i'm not exactly an audiophile.......so i may look into the jaycar one. Ur saying its shit compared to the brand name stuff.....so does it make much of a difference compared to no deadening at all?

[StoneX]

It still does the job... But as I said, if you go in with other people you can buy the better stuff for a good price. Look up sound deadener on the Car Audio Australia forums... There is alot of different brands and opinions. Not many people actually choose to use the Jaycar stuff.

[VQXTC]

As far as placement of the sub box, I was thinking of next to the fuel tank (i have a vs sedan) on the right side. Would it fit in without compromising on space too much? Is it ok to have the sub there, as its next to the fuel tank?
Nath

I think you will find your fuel tank in the vs is underneath the floor of the boot....if you mean by fuel tank the filler then its ok to put a sub box in that corner.....


I fibreglassed a box into that corner and doesnt take up much room at all....I then covered the box in a similar colour carpet so you hardly notice its there, but you sure feel and hear it....!

Oh and the sub only cost $60, however the materials to build the box cost around $150...

Lets work as a TEAM and do it MY WAY!!

[nath_120]

hey VQXTC, do u hav any pics of ur install? it'd be good 2 see how it turned out. im a bit tight 4 cash, so my box will be mdf, not fibreglass.