Bring me up to speed on the new technology out there today, please! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Psycho71 · 07-10-2011, 09:48 PM

It's been a long time since I set up a sound system. Back in the day we were using multiple amps with stand alone crossovers, and bridgeable amps were just coming onto the market. So I am ignorant to the new technology and need an education.

Here's what I have. It's an 85 Suburban. It has, to my knowledge, 2 speaker locations in the cargo area, two in the dash area, and I think that's it.

Here's what I want. I want a nice sounding stereo system, but don't need to win any competitions. This thing is a trail and hunting vehicle, but on longer road trips I want to be able to enjoy some tunes along the way, or crank up some tunes around camp in the evenings.
I have a drawer system built into the cargo area, just got started on it today in fact. In that I have provisioned some room for some subwoofers and a place to mount an amp or two. The box area for the woofer(s) has approximately 2.5 cubic feet of space. This could be sealed or ported, whatever is required, and the woofers would be mounted at a 45* downward angle.
The factory location for the rear speakers is, i think, 5x7, and I would like to use those locations without modifying them. I am not sure of the speaker size in the dash. I can add two more speakers, either in the front doors or the kickpanels. I am not looking to start making major modifications to accommodate huge amounts of audio equipment. But am willing to go a little ways to make the best of what I have.

The head unit will need to be a single din, and have auxillary input for ipod/iphone, a USB port, mp3 capabilities, and built in HD radio. This past christmas I bought my wife a Kenwood unit with all of these features (this one http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...DC-HD545U.aspx , and I like it, just not sure how good it is for a system like I am wanting to put together.

Budget. I am not looking to sink thousands into this system. In fact, I'd like to keep the budget on this around $700-800, including signal cabling. I do not want to have to run capacitors or anything like that. I have a good factory charging system now, and will be upgrading to a 100amp alternator with dual battery set-up in the not so distant future (when I add the winch).

Again, the last time I was into any of this stuff, Fosgate and Orion amps were king, along with Kicker or MTX subs. Cerwin Vega was just getting hot on the market with their dual voice coil woofers. And Alpine was the shiznit for head units. heck, CD's were just becoming popular.

I can do the installation myself. i understand wiring better than the avg person, and understand that power wiring will need to be dedicated, and sufficient to supply the amps all the juice they need.

I just need some advice on the new stuff out there today, and how best to utilize it for my project to get the most bang for my buck. I know the budget will not allow me to run the highest end stuff. But I am not in need of that. I just want a nice system to rock some tunes now and then.

Much thanks for any advice y'all can offer an old school stereo guy with getting out of the stone age.

Jay

Psycho71 · 07-10-2011, 11:18 PM

Here's a list of components I've compiled on my own.

This list totals right at $800.

Would this stuff jive well together?

The woofers being dual voice coil, I am almost sure I can wire them in series, drop the ohm load to 2ohms (in stereo), and get more out of the Zues amp. They spec a 1.25 cu ft box(sealed), so that jives with the box I have built now.

I am figuring on mounting the 6.5" speakers in the doors, and wiring them of the amp. Mount the 4" speakers in the dash, wired off the head unit itself. And the 4x10's, which I know think is what I have in the rear of the burb, would also be wired off the amp for the mids/highs.

With cabling, my budget will be over what I quoted above, but not by much.

Any thoughts?

*stich626* · 07-11-2011, 08:43 AM

fosgate is still the shizzle..
the dash is 3.5" the doors 5by 7 check the door panel to see if 6.5" will not hit the panel.. if so run 5.25"
the rear that you have 4by 10" (iirc) and you are running subs, why not 2 pair of 4" two ways. (2 per hole/side) they'll sound tons better than the 4by10 or 8.
I like kenwood head units, buy get what you like..
for a sub amp
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R500...tp=35834&avf=N

and 4 channel
http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p_575R...cc=02&tp=35783

07-10-2011, 09:48 PM	#1
Psycho71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kaufman, Tx Posts: 827	Bring me up to speed on the new technology out there today, please! It's been a long time since I set up a sound system. Back in the day we were using multiple amps with stand alone crossovers, and bridgeable amps were just coming onto the market. So I am ignorant to the new technology and need an education. Here's what I have. It's an 85 Suburban. It has, to my knowledge, 2 speaker locations in the cargo area, two in the dash area, and I think that's it. Here's what I want. I want a nice sounding stereo system, but don't need to win any competitions. This thing is a trail and hunting vehicle, but on longer road trips I want to be able to enjoy some tunes along the way, or crank up some tunes around camp in the evenings. I have a drawer system built into the cargo area, just got started on it today in fact. In that I have provisioned some room for some subwoofers and a place to mount an amp or two. The box area for the woofer(s) has approximately 2.5 cubic feet of space. This could be sealed or ported, whatever is required, and the woofers would be mounted at a 45* downward angle. The factory location for the rear speakers is, i think, 5x7, and I would like to use those locations without modifying them. I am not sure of the speaker size in the dash. I can add two more speakers, either in the front doors or the kickpanels. I am not looking to start making major modifications to accommodate huge amounts of audio equipment. But am willing to go a little ways to make the best of what I have. The head unit will need to be a single din, and have auxillary input for ipod/iphone, a USB port, mp3 capabilities, and built in HD radio. This past christmas I bought my wife a Kenwood unit with all of these features (this one http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...DC-HD545U.aspx , and I like it, just not sure how good it is for a system like I am wanting to put together. Budget. I am not looking to sink thousands into this system. In fact, I'd like to keep the budget on this around $700-800, including signal cabling. I do not want to have to run capacitors or anything like that. I have a good factory charging system now, and will be upgrading to a 100amp alternator with dual battery set-up in the not so distant future (when I add the winch). Again, the last time I was into any of this stuff, Fosgate and Orion amps were king, along with Kicker or MTX subs. Cerwin Vega was just getting hot on the market with their dual voice coil woofers. And Alpine was the shiznit for head units. heck, CD's were just becoming popular. I can do the installation myself. i understand wiring better than the avg person, and understand that power wiring will need to be dedicated, and sufficient to supply the amps all the juice they need. I just need some advice on the new stuff out there today, and how best to utilize it for my project to get the most bang for my buck. I know the budget will not allow me to run the highest end stuff. But I am not in need of that. I just want a nice system to rock some tunes now and then. Much thanks for any advice y'all can offer an old school stereo guy with getting out of the stone age. Jay __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. If a hammer doesn't fix it, you have an electrical problem! Slot Cars, 1:24 Scale, 100MPH@100,000RPM, fastest things on wheels!

07-10-2011, 11:18 PM	#2
Psycho71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kaufman, Tx Posts: 827	Re: Bring me up to speed on the new technology out there today, please! Here's a list of components I've compiled on my own. This list totals right at $800. Would this stuff jive well together? The woofers being dual voice coil, I am almost sure I can wire them in series, drop the ohm load to 2ohms (in stereo), and get more out of the Zues amp. They spec a 1.25 cu ft box(sealed), so that jives with the box I have built now. I am figuring on mounting the 6.5" speakers in the doors, and wiring them of the amp. Mount the 4" speakers in the dash, wired off the head unit itself. And the 4x10's, which I know think is what I have in the rear of the burb, would also be wired off the amp for the mids/highs. With cabling, my budget will be over what I quoted above, but not by much. Any thoughts? __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. If a hammer doesn't fix it, you have an electrical problem! Slot Cars, 1:24 Scale, 100MPH@100,000RPM, fastest things on wheels!

07-11-2011, 08:43 AM	#3
stich626 Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: hingham ma Posts: 1,721	Re: Bring me up to speed on the new technology out there today, please! fosgate is still the shizzle.. the dash is 3.5" the doors 5by 7 check the door panel to see if 6.5" will not hit the panel.. if so run 5.25" the rear that you have 4by 10" (iirc) and you are running subs, why not 2 pair of 4" two ways. (2 per hole/side) they'll sound tons better than the 4by10 or 8. I like kenwood head units, buy get what you like.. for a sub amp http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R500...tp=35834&avf=N and 4 channel http://outlet.crutchfield.com/p_575R...cc=02&tp=35783



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