I was thinking of installing an amp under the driver seat for 6.5

 

I am also thinking that under the driver's seat might be a good place for a small amp for my 6 1/2 inch replacement speakers (Kenwood xr600). Anybody done it?

Barry

 

pc and Barry,

It's been done several times before, and I'm surprised no one has come forward before now with pics. I almost put an amp under the driver's side until I tried my head unit first. I found the internal amp to be more than powerful enough for my 6 1/2's and bass shakers, even at speed with the top down, so I'll probably stay away from externals.

 

Thanks for your reply on this thread and another. Utah_S2K also said that after he installed the Pioneer DEH-P730 ("50 watts per channel" probably about 20 watts rms per channel) he didn't think he needed an amp either.

I wish I "liked" Pinky's mod better. Perhaps I'm being picky, but I'd rather an electrical than an IR link. I do like the fact that Pinky does the wiring harness too and does a pro job. I still might just go that route. I've never heard a complaint on this board about Pinky's product.

The head replacement route certainly is a cleaner, more reversible thing than any amp.

Well, maybe the Alpine Europe/Japan only KCE-865B adapter will work in the U.S.A.

Also, I wish I could find a "modern" head unit with a display I liked. All the one's I've seen (Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, Panasonic, JVC) are just so full of clutter and over-information.

I want a H U G E - C L O C K and the other info just callable when needed, kind of like the Sony black out displays with a clock visible.

Sorry to wander off topic.

Barry

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry WY Silver/Black '01
[B]I wish I "liked" Pinky's mod better.

 

Barry,

I am installing the Blaupunkt San Francisco myself (no Pinky) and it has a couple of features that you requested:

1) It uses soft keys, so the interface is uncluttered. When you call up a menu, the keys each have an assigned meaning for that menu, with notation of its purpose. You can choose to keep the clock displayed at all times.

2) It uses an IR connection, BUT the IR eye is on its own cord so you can tape/wire/tie the PAC output LED to the unit's eye and hide it under the dash somewhere out of site. No more annoying LED poking up front the radio panel.

It also has cabin noise cancellation and automatic EQ adjustment based on cabin noise levels (i.e., changes the EQ levels based on top up, top down, high speed driving, or whatever you choose). It even has its own pink noise generator so you can automatically program the EQ for best sound quality, customized for the car.

The only minus that I have found is that the face sticks out .5" farther than the stock head unit, making it necessary to mount it differently on the triangular braces.

My PAC unit was damaged in shipment and I am going on vacation for the next week. When I get back, I will wire in the PAC and then write up a description of the install.

Check out: http://www.blaupunkt.de/simulations/sfdef_en.html for an online simulation of the San Francisco, complete with working buttons and interface.

Tanq

 

Tang, very cool simulation of the Blaupnunkt San Francisco.

Could you "dremel" the mount bracket to accomodate the extra 1/2" of face?

Thanks for calling that head to my attention.

MacGyver, thanks for the comments on the PAC vs Pinky's PAC vs electrical wiring.

I kind of think that the simplest, best will be either a small amp, perhaps mounted somewhere in the cabin and still use the stock radio, or get an electrical adapter if one is available: the Sony you mentioned, the only-in-Europe/Japan
Alpine, or perhaps the Sound Gate later this year. I've talked a couple times with Sound Gate and they are a possibility.

I think a small amp can go under the driver's seat or against the fire wall in the passenger footwell as well as in the spare.

Barry

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pcloadletter
[B]I was thinking of installing an amp under the driver seat for 6.5

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MacGyver
I want the outer display to stay in one mode instead of flipping between a bunch of them every few seconds (the instructions SAY you can keep one mode, but I've failed to get that to work).

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Barry WY Silver/Black '01
[B]I am also thinking that under the driver's seat might be a good place for a small amp for my 6 1/2 inch replacement speakers (Kenwood xr600).