Need advice concerning audio upgrades.

dohcmark8

I am considering getting an amp for my db525's... I have them powered off my HU right now... an Alpine with 18w RMS. It sounds OK but I think these speakers have more potential. Would a 65w RMS amp be too much for these? I dont want to risk blowing them. The amp I am looking at is the Profile AP400.

I will contiue to allow my rear speakers (Crappy Lanzar 3-ways just for fill) to be powered by my HU.

Also I was considering getting a enclosed powered sub like the Kenwood KSC-SW1... I considered a normal sub, but I'm putting this into a '99 Voyager minivan so the only place I can stick a sub is if I could fit one under the drivers or passengers seat... which the Kenwood will do. I am just looking for some bottom end fill.. not serious thump. I often load things in the back and have the rear seats out so this would be my only option.

I understand the implications and downsides of a powered sub and I'm willing to accept them.

I was thinking... the pre outs (My HU only has one pre-out which can be switched between 'sub' and 'front' mode) on my HU set to 'front speakers' to the AP400 which will power the fronts, then use the unfiltered line out on the AP400 for the Kenwood powered sub... the Kenwood has a remote so adjusting it wont be a problem. Alternatively I could use the pre out in sub mode directly to the Kenwood and then use speaker level inputs for the AP400 for the fronts, but i'm thinking this (using speaker level inputs) will degrade sound quality?

Anything else I should be concerned about?

I only listen to rock and maybe some pop. No rap or hip-hop.

Thanks in advance.

dohcmark8

Thanks. I bought one.

Anyway, how much of a difference did you notice with the amp as compared to just the HU SQ-wise?

dohcmark8

Thanks.

I have weighed my options and now am looking at a Polk db104 mounted in the rear area as opposed to a crappy slim powered sub...

PS... If anyone has an enclosure for a 10" sub on the cheap... feel free to PM me.

MacLeod

As for getting a sub, you should definitely go for it. Your music aint complete without one cause a normal 5.25 or even 6.5 wont be able to play the stuff below about 50 Hz and thats the area that gives music its ****.

You can use a second amp with that single pre-out. Just get your a Y-splitter and split the RCA's to both amps.

dohcmark8

MacLeod wrote:

You can use a second amp with that single pre-out. Just get your a Y-splitter and split the RCA's to both amps.

I was considering doing it that way.. but then wont I lose the ability to control my sub at all?

MacLeod

Yes, at least from the HU. You said your sub amp has a remote, you can use that.

Im not a fan of using speaker level inputs. Way to easy to pick up noise.

You could look into upgrading your HU. A good source with a lot of REAL and USABLE features will make a world of difference.

dohcmark8

Problem with that is... I did just upgrade my HU.. its less than a month old.. I bought it with no intention of ever adding amps or subs... It's a good HU the Alpine CDE-9843 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2Gjekto27hA/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDE9843).

So switching HUs is not an option.

And no, if you read again, the Kenwood powered sub I was considering had a remote, but now I'm going with a db104 and the amp ill be using it with probably wont have a remote. Will I really need to adjust the sub that much?

Although.. if I wanted to.. I have a insane HU sitting around... a Pioneer Premiere P930 (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069882_37649,00.html).. but it doesnt play MP3s so putting it in the van isnt an option really.

Speaking of which... if anyone wants to make an offer on the P930 send me a PM. I'll probably put up a FS thread for it soon. So will discuss more details then.

dohcmark8

Well I got lucky.. turns out the amp I bought has a remote available for it. So I'll just grab that and all is well. Thanks guys. I'll be back to ask questions about wiring both amps without running too many wires everywhere.

dohcmark8

DSkip wrote:

mark where are you located?

My name isnt Mark... my SN is in reference to the Lincoln Mark VIII.

I'm in Ann Arbor, MI.

1996blackmax

That is a nice Pioneer HU you have there. I would probably run that instead of the Alpine, that's me though.

You will need to adjust the sub if you listen to a variety of music. I listen to alot of different music, except metal , and the sub control comes in very handy. Make sure that the control is for a remote gain feature and not to boost a certain frequency.

1996blackmax

I saw that movie, My Dog Skip....... sad movie.......

dohcmark8

DSkip wrote:

Well my name isnt skip...actually it is, but not the point.

Whats the point?

:cool:

1996blackmax

dohcmark8 wrote:

Whats the point?

:cool:

Pre-out's bro.....

dohcmark8

1996blackmax wrote:

Pre-out's bro.....

Gotcha. I will have to do with what I have.

Remember, I'm pimping a seven year old minivan here...

1996blackmax

I have a 10 year old grocery hauler .

dohcmark8

Anyway this is the remote here: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-f0YYrCpdMyo/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=237550&I=037ABR100T

If you guys tell me thats no good... I will just grab a remote volume gain dealy off David Navone...

dohcmark8

1996blackmax wrote:

I have a 10 year old grocery hauler .

I over-estimated you guys... I thought I would get at least one 'mommy mobile' comment...

1996blackmax

Kind of tired I guess

1996blackmax

One very long Monday at work, plus the regular week of hours, then throw a couple of night shifts too.... gotta go to bed...

1996blackmax

anyways... I would call Crutchfield to check if it's an actual gain remote or not.

dohcmark8

Who wants to see pics of my van?

http://zebsadiq.googlepages.com/voyagerpimpedout

I'm considering putting the stock hubs back on once I finish the system to be more discreet.

1996blackmax

Some serious potential with that thing


BOOOOOM

j/k


One sub will be plenty of boom, but if you wanted more you could fit alot more sub in there.

dohcmark8

DSkip wrote:

Give me two years I'll be in one too.

It's not all bad. I havent 'lost' anything driving one...

Plus.. lotsa room for upgraded audio gear.. you'd have the best sounding mini at the soccer meets... *ducks*

Although, I'm 19, and single (no kids) and I ended up with it... so I'm doing with what I got which is a minivan.

1996blackmax

DSkip wrote:

blackmax.... i see you had the pioneer 8600; i have the 860 and thats whats giving me all the problems. Did you ever have any noise problems with that unit?

No, my Pioneer unit did not have any noise issues.

dohcmark8

Anyone know of a good enclosure for the db104? or will a generic 10" Q-logic work fine?

1996blackmax

If I were you I would look around town as even the prefab boxes that are sold at the mom and pop shops are better than the Q-logic ones. I picked mine up from a local shop for $40 dollars. I have my 12" sub in it and it's made of 3/4" MDF, carpeted, and has the wiring terminal. No air leaks whatsoever, that is not something I could say about all of the different Q-Logic boxes I have purchased over the years. Even if you have to use some silicone on the local box, it is still cheaper than the Q-Logic ones. I had to use silicone on all my Q-logic boxes.

dohcmark8

Thanks. Nice Maxima BTW.

1996blackmax

Thank you Sir .

dohcmark8

Alright picked up a MTX 2 channel to power the fronts and the Audiobahn will be powering the db104 @ 200w rms x 1 bridged. Looking like a decent system so far.

I'm gonna pick up a remote volume control dealy from David Navone and controlling the sub shouldnt be a problem.

1996blackmax

Which MTX amp did you get? I had a couple their amps a little whilie back, good amplifiers.

dohcmark8

MTX Thunder 202. Weakest 2 channel I could find at 37.5w rms x 2. Should do the db525's upfront justice. Plus it will fit snugly under the drivers seat.