System Questions....
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Former Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: New York
System Questions....
Whats up guys
....i picked up my 2003 S2000 two weeks ago and love the car.
However, i would like to add a system to it. I have a few initial questions....
1. What color carpet should i get in order to match the trunk and from where?
2. I am getting two amps...powerful amps....but they wont put much out because my speakers/sub arent that powerful....yet....
I have a pair of pioneer components and they are 60W RMS and 220 peak..so i figure ill feed them about 110W RMS a piece. Also, i am getting 1 10" Alpine Type R sub....which is 300 WATTS RMS. ( I know these are not the best speakers, but I will get rediculous speakers later down the road....the amps I got good, so i would not have to upgrade in the future.) So with this current setup, will the stock battery/alternator be able to take this???
The amps just so you guys know are the Audiobahn A8000T and A8002T.
I know a lot of people hate audiobahn, but the deal I got on them is rediculous and my friends and I never had a problem with them and the sound is fantastic. So dont bag to much on 'em
3. The sub (Alpine 10" Type R) is a relatively small sub in comparison to the likes of W7 and Eclipse Ti's, however, the mounting depth is 5.5 inches. So i cannot use the Lucid 10" box.
(as they specify that 5 inches is max. I want the sub mounted on the floor, right above the tool set. What should/could id do or buy to have it work. Thanks for all your help guys,
Dave
....i picked up my 2003 S2000 two weeks ago and love the car. However, i would like to add a system to it. I have a few initial questions....
1. What color carpet should i get in order to match the trunk and from where?
2. I am getting two amps...powerful amps....but they wont put much out because my speakers/sub arent that powerful....yet....
I have a pair of pioneer components and they are 60W RMS and 220 peak..so i figure ill feed them about 110W RMS a piece. Also, i am getting 1 10" Alpine Type R sub....which is 300 WATTS RMS. ( I know these are not the best speakers, but I will get rediculous speakers later down the road....the amps I got good, so i would not have to upgrade in the future.) So with this current setup, will the stock battery/alternator be able to take this???
The amps just so you guys know are the Audiobahn A8000T and A8002T.
I know a lot of people hate audiobahn, but the deal I got on them is rediculous and my friends and I never had a problem with them and the sound is fantastic. So dont bag to much on 'em
3. The sub (Alpine 10" Type R) is a relatively small sub in comparison to the likes of W7 and Eclipse Ti's, however, the mounting depth is 5.5 inches. So i cannot use the Lucid 10" box.
(as they specify that 5 inches is max. I want the sub mounted on the floor, right above the tool set. What should/could id do or buy to have it work. Thanks for all your help guys, Dave
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From: Orlando
1. I would say on the carpet go with a charcoal gray carpet
2. I personally think the Alpine Type-R subs are a good quailty sub, don't know what type of mids you're running you just stated power handling but with that type of power handling they should be a discent speaker. The only components I have a problem with is the Audiobahn stuff. They may put out power but have a terrible sound quality to them. I say stick with the sub and get different amps. Since you have them the A8000T is a mono amp 400w at 4ohms & 800w at 2ohms, I would run the sub at 4ohms because if you ran it at 2ohms you would bypass its peak power by 200w which is 600w peak. The A8002T is 200w x 2 at 4ohms, which if you put on your mids would run them up to their max and they wouldn't last long.
3. The Alpine sub is a good sub like I said but to compare it to W7 and Eclipse Ti, you are comparing a good mid-high end sub to a high end sub. If you want to use the Lucid enclosure all you would have to do is cut out a 3/4" spacer ring for the sub. The 3/4" would give you the 1/2" you need for the mounting depth and a 1/4" for the vent, but that's pushing it. The other option is to get a box built to allow for the mounting depth of the sub.
Keep
2. I personally think the Alpine Type-R subs are a good quailty sub, don't know what type of mids you're running you just stated power handling but with that type of power handling they should be a discent speaker. The only components I have a problem with is the Audiobahn stuff. They may put out power but have a terrible sound quality to them. I say stick with the sub and get different amps. Since you have them the A8000T is a mono amp 400w at 4ohms & 800w at 2ohms, I would run the sub at 4ohms because if you ran it at 2ohms you would bypass its peak power by 200w which is 600w peak. The A8002T is 200w x 2 at 4ohms, which if you put on your mids would run them up to their max and they wouldn't last long.
3. The Alpine sub is a good sub like I said but to compare it to W7 and Eclipse Ti, you are comparing a good mid-high end sub to a high end sub. If you want to use the Lucid enclosure all you would have to do is cut out a 3/4" spacer ring for the sub. The 3/4" would give you the 1/2" you need for the mounting depth and a 1/4" for the vent, but that's pushing it. The other option is to get a box built to allow for the mounting depth of the sub.
Keep
Thread Starter
Former Moderator
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From: New York
Darkside...thanks for the help.
HOwever....just a followup question.......
The mids/highs im running are Pioneer Premier 6.5 components. The max is 220 and the RMS is 60. Cant i just turn the gain on the amp a little bit....like almost all the way down and not run at the wattage to them. I dont know much about amplifiers....like if I have a 200W x 2 amp...cant i just use like 100W by turning down the gain not, and not abuse the speaker. Thanks a again for the help.
Also....let me know what u think about these amps....dont just say they suck...why...also....the prices...
A8000T - $ 249.99
A8002T - $ 179.99
If you really think that these amps are bad for a GOOD reason...recommend some good amps for this amount of money. My friend just got a 125x4 Flame Amp along with JL audio XR components and the sound is simply amazing....all on a stock ACURA headunit. Thanks again,
Dave
HOwever....just a followup question.......
The mids/highs im running are Pioneer Premier 6.5 components. The max is 220 and the RMS is 60. Cant i just turn the gain on the amp a little bit....like almost all the way down and not run at the wattage to them. I dont know much about amplifiers....like if I have a 200W x 2 amp...cant i just use like 100W by turning down the gain not, and not abuse the speaker. Thanks a again for the help.
Also....let me know what u think about these amps....dont just say they suck...why...also....the prices...
A8000T - $ 249.99
A8002T - $ 179.99
If you really think that these amps are bad for a GOOD reason...recommend some good amps for this amount of money. My friend just got a 125x4 Flame Amp along with JL audio XR components and the sound is simply amazing....all on a stock ACURA headunit. Thanks again,
Dave
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From: Orlando
The Pioneer Premier line is a nice to go with, you could turn the gains done on the amp which would give alot of head room which isn't a bad thing. The amps for the money are a good choice, because not to many companies have the power to dollar ratio they do. Audiobahn pretty much built their amps for a price point with quality coming in after it. Things you'll run into are background hiss, turn on and turn off pop, distortion and coloration. One thing I tell you though is you can't have low price and quality. What I would do is just combine the price of both amps $430.00 and go with a nice 4 channel.
Rockford Fosgate-Punch 501X 65w x 4, 65w for the mids each, 250w bridged for the sub $350.00
-Power 551X 70w x 4, 70w for the mids each, 275w bridged for the sub $400.00
Alpine-MRV-F450 50w x 4 + 200w x 1, 50w for the mids each, 50w for some rear panel mids, 200w for the sub $500.00
Kicker-KX600.4 75w x 4, 75w for the mids each, 300w for the sub $400.00
These amps would run at or close to the RMS of your speakers but what you're getting is a better quality amp. You don't need to run a speaker to it's RMS or peak power, they're just guide lines for power handling. Running modest power with high a quality signal is better than high power and low quality signal.
Rockford Fosgate-Punch 501X 65w x 4, 65w for the mids each, 250w bridged for the sub $350.00
-Power 551X 70w x 4, 70w for the mids each, 275w bridged for the sub $400.00
Alpine-MRV-F450 50w x 4 + 200w x 1, 50w for the mids each, 50w for some rear panel mids, 200w for the sub $500.00
Kicker-KX600.4 75w x 4, 75w for the mids each, 300w for the sub $400.00
These amps would run at or close to the RMS of your speakers but what you're getting is a better quality amp. You don't need to run a speaker to it's RMS or peak power, they're just guide lines for power handling. Running modest power with high a quality signal is better than high power and low quality signal.
Joined: May 2003
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From: Cary
Darksyde,
I know I will be regretting this
but what do you think of the Phoenix Gold amps, specifically the Tantrum 600.4? Its specs are 75w x 4/300w x 2 (into 4 ohm). I was thinking of this for my application, 75w for front speakers (Focal 165v2), and 300W for sub.
My local dealer sells both Alpine and PG, but likes the PG better. BTW, I think the local price of the PG was about $50 less than the Alpine, at around $450.
I know I will be regretting this
but what do you think of the Phoenix Gold amps, specifically the Tantrum 600.4? Its specs are 75w x 4/300w x 2 (into 4 ohm). I was thinking of this for my application, 75w for front speakers (Focal 165v2), and 300W for sub.My local dealer sells both Alpine and PG, but likes the PG better. BTW, I think the local price of the PG was about $50 less than the Alpine, at around $450.
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From: Arlington
you didn't ask me, but the PG amps are very nice. even the Tantrum one is nice, PG is still one of the few amp makers that makes amps in the US and their build quality is very high.
NFRs2000NYC
those prices are actually normal for audiobahn, so it's not that great a deal. if you compare the build quality of the audiobahn amps--i mean actually open them up you'll see the quality is not that good. in addition to the build quality issues the rating on them is also very optimistic, i'd be really surprised if that audiobahn puts out 200watts RMS.
for $430, i would agree with Darksyde and do a really nice 4 channel. if you have to get 2 amps (one for MONO) then I'd suggest taking a look at the Avionixx amps. The build quality for the money on these are insane, just a month ago they were selling for double the price they are now selling for direct. You can find them at www.edesignaudio.com. in particular the AXA 600.4 would work well, 110X4 channels, you can use the channels 1+2 for the front speakers and then use the rear channels bridged (= 300watts@4ohms) for the subwoofer.
if those don't do it for you, keep shopping around $430 is a decent amount of money for amps, don't waste it on the audiobahns. for that money i can easily get a Kicker 800.4 or a nice Hifonics, tons of choices.
NFRs2000NYC
those prices are actually normal for audiobahn, so it's not that great a deal. if you compare the build quality of the audiobahn amps--i mean actually open them up you'll see the quality is not that good. in addition to the build quality issues the rating on them is also very optimistic, i'd be really surprised if that audiobahn puts out 200watts RMS.
for $430, i would agree with Darksyde and do a really nice 4 channel. if you have to get 2 amps (one for MONO) then I'd suggest taking a look at the Avionixx amps. The build quality for the money on these are insane, just a month ago they were selling for double the price they are now selling for direct. You can find them at www.edesignaudio.com. in particular the AXA 600.4 would work well, 110X4 channels, you can use the channels 1+2 for the front speakers and then use the rear channels bridged (= 300watts@4ohms) for the subwoofer.
if those don't do it for you, keep shopping around $430 is a decent amount of money for amps, don't waste it on the audiobahns. for that money i can easily get a Kicker 800.4 or a nice Hifonics, tons of choices.
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Thread Starter
Former Moderator
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From: New York
Thanks for all your help guys...
But no one seemed to answer 1 of my questions....with your recommended setup or my desired setup, can the stock battery take it??? Or will it drain instantly? (well i mean like in 2 hours...)
I was just considering Audiobahn because my friend just got one for his mid/highs...granted he got the flame amp...which is their top of the line so to speak....and guys....their highs sound beautiful.. He has no speaker hiss or distortion and all on stock head unit with SPLICED WIRES. However, i do agree that im sure they are not the best amps...if they were...everyone like Brax and Alpine would be out of business. And to answer the other question, I have heard them, and I truly believe that the Phoenix Gold amps are some of the best on the market. However, if you can scrounge up a few more bucks, get the titanium line. Simply amazing amplifiers.
Again, thanks a lot guys.
ALso, just one more thing....i noticed that the lucid rear panels....the hole is directly behind the seat. I might get infinity perfects for my fronts and stick the pioneers in the rear....but wont it sound like a club bathroom due to the fact that all the sound is bouncing off the seat???
But no one seemed to answer 1 of my questions....with your recommended setup or my desired setup, can the stock battery take it??? Or will it drain instantly? (well i mean like in 2 hours...)
I was just considering Audiobahn because my friend just got one for his mid/highs...granted he got the flame amp...which is their top of the line so to speak....and guys....their highs sound beautiful.. He has no speaker hiss or distortion and all on stock head unit with SPLICED WIRES. However, i do agree that im sure they are not the best amps...if they were...everyone like Brax and Alpine would be out of business. And to answer the other question, I have heard them, and I truly believe that the Phoenix Gold amps are some of the best on the market. However, if you can scrounge up a few more bucks, get the titanium line. Simply amazing amplifiers.
Again, thanks a lot guys.
ALso, just one more thing....i noticed that the lucid rear panels....the hole is directly behind the seat. I might get infinity perfects for my fronts and stick the pioneers in the rear....but wont it sound like a club bathroom due to the fact that all the sound is bouncing off the seat???
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From: Orlando
For sound quality Phoenix Gold makes some of the best amps you'll listen to, I used to run a Phoenix Gold M44 55w x 4 back in the day and I high recommend them to anyone.
Going by IASCA power ratings the Kicker amp would be required to have a power wire for 71amps which this would ruffly be 4gauge for the length you would run in this car. With a total of 450w out of the amp I wouldn't for see a problem with your charging system but of course if you sit without the engine on you would eventually kill the battery with the system at full bore but at a moderate listening level 2 hours would be pushing it. One thing to remember when you drain a battery dead you shorten it's life span by half, for the money I would upgrade to an Optima Deep Cycle battery, it doesn't suffer this problem. Another thing I would recommend is 1 farad capaciter, it willl help with bass response and clean up some of the power signal.
Going by IASCA power ratings the Kicker amp would be required to have a power wire for 71amps which this would ruffly be 4gauge for the length you would run in this car. With a total of 450w out of the amp I wouldn't for see a problem with your charging system but of course if you sit without the engine on you would eventually kill the battery with the system at full bore but at a moderate listening level 2 hours would be pushing it. One thing to remember when you drain a battery dead you shorten it's life span by half, for the money I would upgrade to an Optima Deep Cycle battery, it doesn't suffer this problem. Another thing I would recommend is 1 farad capaciter, it willl help with bass response and clean up some of the power signal.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Originally posted by NFRs2000NYC
Thanks for all your help guys...
But no one seemed to answer 1 of my questions....with your recommended setup or my desired setup, can the stock battery take it??? Or will it drain instantly? (well i mean like in 2 hours...)
Thanks for all your help guys...
But no one seemed to answer 1 of my questions....with your recommended setup or my desired setup, can the stock battery take it??? Or will it drain instantly? (well i mean like in 2 hours...)
i also agree that the Avionixx amps are incredible amps for the money. i've not personally heard one, but the build quality if amazing and the manufacturer is quite reputable. i also like Kicker amps myself, so that's not a bad path to go either.
regarding your battery? i'm running a Kicker ZR-240 and an Adcom GFA-4304. together they are rated to output 520 Wrms and more realistically output around 750 Wrms. i'm running a 4 gauge pipe to a distribution block and then feeding over a short 8 gauge run, both amps.
i have no problems (so far) w/ my charging system. it functions fully and is able to keep all my accessories running even w/ the amps going full out... however, if i run my system full open for about 10-15 minutes w/ the engine off, i cannot start my car. a little more than that (close to 20 minutes) and the amps start cutting out on low voltage and the top only barely moves...
does that answer your question? when i was running just my Adcom and outputting 220Wrms rated and closer to 300Wrms actual -- i had about a 1 hour run before the battery started showing signs of being drained. (slow to crank, etc.) so, you'll have to decide what you need for yourself... hopefully, my numbers help. the car has no problems recharging the battery however, even w/ the system going full open, lights, and A/C on...
i don't think a capacitor is necessarily needed, but that's a hot topic and something you'll have to decide for yourself. frankly, for all they do, i'm not sure they aren't just a gimmick. still - i probably should try one out for myself at some point... *shrug* you got one you'll give/loan me?
