They Say It Can't Be Done

wingnut4772

I took my new Hummer H3T to the shop to see about putting a system in it and they told me that there is absolutely no room for a subwoofer. Not under the seat, behind the seat. Nada. Without a sub, what's the point? I guess I'll just leave the crappy system it came with in.:(

MacLeod

That doesnt make sense. There is no room in the back of the truck for a small box? You could get a solid 8" sub and put it in a box thats not that much bigger than a shoe box and have very solid bass.

Besides, if you invest in some good quality speakers up front, use plenty of Dynamat on the doors and give them ample power, your front stage will be able to handle the majority of the low end responsibilities. For example, my beloved SR6500s are playing all the way down to 31.5 Hz! They will go lower but 31.5 is the lowest theyll go cleanly. You get a set of these or something comparable, matched up with 100 watts per driver and a quality 8" and youd be set.

There are other, simpler options like the JL Audio Stealthbox. This is a 10" sub in a custom made enclosure that will integrate with the interior of your truck. Theyre pricey tho - $500'ish but if you can afford it, there is nothing simpler.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_stealthbox_detail.php?fit_id=1554

wingnut4772

That's what they said. They said that they usually have room but that this truck was an exception.

THe H3T is a Hummer Pick Up truck

MacLeod

Where the hell have I been? I didnt even know these were out. Man these things look mean as hell! Ive got to get one!

And Id just like to add that the fact you drive one of these just made you that much hotter!

They may be right that there is no room for a sub but that doesnt mean you cant have quality audio. The good news is that since the interior is so small, you wont need as much power to have decent sub bass response do to cabin gain. Same principle of how you dont need a 1000 watt 12" home sub in a bedroom as opposed to a big theater room.

If you invest in some quality speakers they should easily be able to play well below 40 Hz provided theyre given ample power and installed in a WELL DAMPENED door. My beloved SR6500's are playing down to 31.5 with no problem at all. Theyre getting 100 watts per driver and Ive got 4 layers of Dynamat on my doors along with 15 pounds of modelling clay. Not saying youll have to add that much but spending $80 for a Dynamat door kit would be a very wise investment - buying 2 kits would be even better.

Now if youre not wanting to spend $900 on speakers you can still have much better low end punch than your stock system but the better speakers you buy, the better punch theyll have. The key will be in getting a big enough amp (100 watts per driver) and plenty of damping in the doors so the low end energy isnt wasted vibrating your door panels.

wingnut4772

Thanks.:D
What speakers and amp would you recommend - keeping in mind I like a neutral ( not bright) sound? The Stealth boxes are pretty cool. I wish they made one for the H3T. I have OnStar now with the Blutooth for my phone so I would need a new head unit or no? I want to keep the OnStar and I get nervous when audio shops mess with it. I have had bad experiences.

zarrdoss

There is ALWAYS a way, It will probably take some nifty custom work, a custom consol, some cutting and fiberglass work but it can be done. Just depends on how bad you want to do it and how much you want to spend.

MacLeod

You dont need a new head unit. Most amps these days accept speaker level inputs. Youd simply hook your factory speaker leads into the amp instead of RCA's and then go out to the speakers from there.

The downside to this is a much higher noise floor (hiiiiissssss).

The best option is either the JL Audio Cleansweep for $300 or the Rockford Fosgate 360.1 for $350.

What these do is they take the speakers wires from your factory head unit and they flatten the signal (factory HU's have default EQ'ing in them designed to make the cheap paper speakers sound better) then bumps the signal up to 8 volts and sends it out thru RCA's to your amp. This makes for a much cleaner signal and lower noise floor.

As for speakers, the Polk SR6500s are what Im using now and theyre very neutral. They have a very flat response and have great low end extension.

The MB Quart Premium line would be another good choice. MB Quart has been bought out a billion times and people tend to trash talk em since theyve" gone all corporate" but they still make a damn good speaker. These should be around $650 and also have a nice natural sound.

The Focal K2p line is also very solid. They go for around $650 as well. They can tend to be a little bright tho and may require some tweaking but they have superb low end response.

Any of these sets will be a fine choice.

As for amps, since you wont need a sub amp youll need to spend a little more to get good power. I recommend a 4 channel amp and bi-amp your speakers. This will give you the ability to better tune the output of your tweeters by turning the gain down or up on the amp to where you like it. Any of these 4 channel amps would fit the bill. Hard to go wrong with Alpine. The V Power line is their entry level amp and while it doesnt have a lot of bells and whistles, its a VERY good amp. The Polk 500.4 is also very nice and what Im using in my system. If you can afford it, the Alpine PDX is the one Id pick simply because its so small. Theyre about half the size of a normal 4 channel amp and just as powerful.

wingnut4772

Thanks. I don't know if I want to spend teh money if I can't put a sub in. I had the Polks in my last Hummer and they sounded pretty good. They have the Vifa tweets? The budget isn't quite there right now. The shop told me I couldn't use the stock head unit. Hmmmmm. I'm definitely gonna ask around. I don't think they were too knowledgeable.

zarrdoss

where did you go?

wingnut4772

zarrdoss wrote: »

where did you go?

Basic Sound in Miami

Whats the diff between the 6500s and the 5250s? (Polk speakers)

zarrdoss

it sure sounds like they dont know what they are talking about, The 6500,s seem to be the top of the line and more expensive where the 5250's are more budget component but still seem to be great speakers. It would come down to personal preference IMO.

wingnut4772

At this point I'll just keep an eye open and see if they ever make a Stealth Box for it. I doubt it though since GM just cancelled Hummer and I never see the H3Ts on the road.

MacLeod

zarrdoss wrote: »

it sure sounds like they dont know what they are talking about, The 6500,s seem to be the top of the line and more expensive where the 5250's are more budget component but still seem to be great speakers. It would come down to personal preference IMO.

Umm...no.

The 6500 is a 6.5" midrange while the 5250 is a 5.25" midrange.

wingnut4772 wrote: »

At this point I'll just keep an eye open and see if they ever make a Stealth Box for it. I doubt it though since GM just cancelled Hummer and I never see the H3Ts on the road.

They probably wont because, like you said theyre not making them anymore and theres not that many out there. Ive never seen on on the road and I drive a truck for a living!

Toxis

6500's are 6.5" midrange drivers where the 5250's are 5.25" mids... that's it. Same component, just different application depending on what size speakers your car has in the doors...

wingnut4772

MacLeod wrote: »

Umm...no.

The 6500 is a 6.5" midrange while the 5250 is a 5.25" midrange.



They probably wont because, like you said theyre not making them anymore and theres not that many out there. Ive never seen on on the road and I drive a truck for a living!

I have an instant collector's item!:D I drive 40 hours a week for a living as well and I NEVER see them. I kinda like that actually.

zarrdoss

the 5250
http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Polk-Audio-MM-Carbon-MMC5250-Component-Speaker-System

the 6500s
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GGLF_enUS289US289&q=polk+6500s&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16305760120031882769&ei=geT9SeGeOdrHtgf2jYCjDQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4#ps-sellers

these are what were talking about right? I have seen one of your kind of Hummers around here, but thats it.

MacLeod

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/products/speakers-systems/sr6500/

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/products/speakers-systems/sr5250/

Jstas

Feel like driving up to Jersey? I can fit a sub in anything. I have 3 Jeep CJ's to my credit! I ain't skeered of no H3T!

zarrdoss

MacLeod wrote: »

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/products/speakers-systems/sr6500/

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/products/products/speakers-systems/sr5250/

so the only difference is size?

zarrdoss

Jstas wrote: »

Feel like driving up to Jersey? I can fit a sub in anything. I have 3 Jeep CJ's to my credit! I ain't skeered of no H3T!

Would not scare me either, what kind of a weak **** shop was this? must not be too desperate for business.

wingnut4772

Jstas wrote: »

Feel like driving up to Jersey? I can fit a sub in anything. I have 3 Jeep CJ's to my credit! I ain't skeered of no H3T!

That's a bit far

Jstas

wingnut4772 wrote: »

That's a bit far

I'll make it worth your while.

Well, maybe not since i don't have the right parts to interest you.

But I know a good place to get some chicken wings!

Plus you get to watch me work my evil genius magic!

wingnut4772

Jstas wrote: »

I'll make it worth your while.

Well, maybe not since i don't have the right parts to interest you.

But I know a good place to get some chicken wings!

Plus you get to watch me work my evil genius magic!

LOL! i'll keep that in mind.

MacLeod

Quit leg humping John.

ESavinon

Jstas wrote: »

Feel like driving up to Jersey? I can fit a sub in anything. I have 3 Jeep CJ's to my credit! I ain't skeered of no H3T!

I have a new pair of sr124dvc that need to be properly mounted on my Nissan Xterra.

Jstas

ESAVINON wrote: »

I have a new pair of sr124dvc that need to be properly mounted on my Nissan Xterra.

Cool, I'll get my tek screws and power drill! You'll have SR's on your roof in no time!

madmax

There has to be a place to put at least a cubic foot enclosure somewhere.

exalted512

Most GM doors can fit really large drivers. I have 8s in my front doors with little modification. We did a H3T a while ago. I cant remember where we put the amp...probably on the back wall, but it was a single 10" in a vinyled enclosure that basically extended the center console to the cup holders at the back seat. Looked pretty stock.

I wouldn't go back to the same shop if they said they cant use your factory radio...you can.
-Cody