Need advice concerning audio upgrades.

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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Ok I'm plotting out the wiring I will need... I have everything I need... except for one thing...

    I will be running 4 awg power wire from the battery. Can I just splice the power wires from both amps directly into the main 4awg power wire? Or do I HAVE to use a distribution block? Ofcourse each power wire will have its own inline fuse. What fuse ratings will I need?

    BTW.. I'm going with KnuKonceptz wiring.
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited July 2006
    you dont have to use a distribution block, but since you can pick up one at walmart for like 10 bucks, why not?
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    exalted512 wrote:
    you dont have to use a distribution block, but since you can pick up one at walmart for like 10 bucks, why not?

    Thanks I may get one.. just NOT from Wal-Mart. :)

    What about fuse ratings?
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited July 2006
    Go with what the amps have.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Got the Audiobahn amp today... not bad at all.. pretty impressed, build quality looks decent and the included instructions were very detailed.

    All I'm waiting on now is my db104 and MTX amp to arrive. I will be purchasing the enclosure and power wires locally. And hopefully will begin installing this on Sunday... at which point I'll probably be deaf from the Nickelback concert I am gonna see the day before... :D
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited July 2006
    dohcmark8 wrote:
    Got the Audiobahn amp today... not bad at all.. pretty impressed, build quality looks decent and the included instructions were very detailed.

    vomit-smiley-001.gif

    Ya couldve done better bro. Oh well, at least its got chrome flames. ;)
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited July 2006
    OK. I missed the $30 part. In that case, yeah, you cant really go wrong.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    MacLeod wrote:
    vomit-smiley-001.gif

    Ya couldve done better bro. Oh well, at least its got chrome flames. ;)

    Nope. Not on my budget. :D

    It was only $30 brand new too. It has no chrome flames. Just a nice silver finish. And it has a fan for cooling.. who knows how well it works, but at least its there.

    The quality of product is MUCH better than the Power Acoustik Gothic I used to have in my old car. No, I would never buy Power Acoustik.. it came with the car. I will never understand the thinking behind the moron who put together the system in it... the front and rear speakers were **** Lanzars, the subs were 12" Pyramids, the amp was Power Acoustik.. but get this.. the HU was a high end king of the hill Pioneer Premiere P930... :confused:
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited July 2006
    I remember when Lanzar was actually a pretty good name....
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Alright. I have everything I need. Just waiting on UPS for the Knukonceptz wiring and distribution block.

    I'll take pics along the way and I will be installing next week hopefully.

    This will be my first real system. One that doesnt have any ghetto setups or wiring or anything. :)

    With the amount I spent.. just a tad over $500 this will not be a bad system I hope. All the stuff was brand new.

    Dash speakers - Polk db525
    Rear speakers (faded wayyy down) - Lanzar VX693 [Had em laying around from my Probe]
    Amps - two A2002T Audiobahn amps [50x2 stereo RMS, and 200x1 bridged RMS] (the MTX turned out to be a bum item)
    Wiring - Knukonceptz.
    Sub - Polk db104
    Sub enclosure - RT sealed 10" @ .75 cu ft

    That should be it.
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited July 2006
    sounds like a great starter system to me
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    exalted512 wrote:
    sounds like a great starter system to me
    -Cody

    Thanks.

    I'm in it for the long haul AND SQ... boy this will get expensive...
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited July 2006
    dohcmark8 wrote:
    Thanks.

    I'm in it for the long haul AND SQ... boy this will get expensive...
    get a job at an audio shop, its a little less expensive, but then you start buying stuff youd never buy unless you got a big discount...
    -Cody
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited July 2006
    dohcmark8 wrote:
    Thanks.

    I'm in it for the long haul AND SQ... boy this will get expensive...

    Tell me about it.

    Just when you think youve got all you need you either (1) discover something you cannot live without like a $750 processor or (2) just get bored with the stuff youve already got and have an unbearable urge to upgrade.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited July 2006
    I downgraded with my last switch........
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • 1996blackmax
    1996blackmax Posts: 2,436
    edited July 2006
    The thing is to try to make smart choices with you money. You could spend a certain amount on a certain audio component, and then find that a lower priced one will actually outperform or match that component. Just something to keep in mind.
    Alpine: CDA-7949
    Alpine: PXA-H600
    Alpine: CHA-S624, KCA-420i, KCA-410C
    Rainbow: CS 265 Profi Phase Plug / SL 165
    ARC Audio: 4150-XXK / 1500v1-XXK
    JL Audio: 10W6v2 (x2)
    KnuKonceptz
    Second Skin
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    I do have a question though.

    For the turn-on lead... can I just splice it into both amps?
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  • exalted512
    exalted512 Posts: 10,735
    edited July 2006
    yes.
    Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Thanks.

    From what I understand, two amps is fine, but any more and you need a relay?
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  • MacLeod
    MacLeod Posts: 14,358
    edited July 2006
    Not really. Ive ran 4 amps before off a single turn on lead before.

    All you have to do really is hook em up to the one remote. If it doesnt work, get a relay.
    polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
    MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
    08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st

    polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Thanks for asking.

    I started the wiring tonight. It's a piece of cake so far. Had no trouble finding space in the factory grommet to run the power wire. Running the RCAs, turn on lead and speaker wire was very simple. It's all nice and hidden, you cant see anything.

    I got as far as running the power wire for the second amp in the back from my distribution block. But thats it for tonight. It's 4am and I gotta get some sleep.

    Working on this van is so damn easy.

    I'll post pics tomorrow.

    And really, thanks to all of you, I could not of done this without you.
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Pics here: http://zebsadiq.googlepages.com/vanamp

    All done. Sounds better than I expected. I'm very happy.

    All thats left is just mounting the amps to the floor.
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  • dohcmark8
    dohcmark8 Posts: 229
    edited July 2006
    Amp for fronts is under drivers seat. Sub amp will be re-located to the side of the sub enclosure tomorrow once I get my hands on a drill.

    And I'll also snap some pics in the daytime. The night pics look messy.
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