Hello,

I'm a n00b to the S2Ki forums, but not quite as much of a newbie to the audio world. I've browsed the FAQs and have a question to pose to all you gurus. Since the S2000 is a lightweight auto, keeping weight to a minimum is going to be a priority for me. What would a good setup for sound quality, not SPL, be that is also extremely lightweight?

Like who makes the lightest HU? Subs, etc... Now I'm aware that you'll have to construct an enclosure for the subs, and I have used Image Dynamics for several years and enjoy the brand, and also the minimum amount of airspace the box needs to have. So I guess I'm also looking for suggestions on box material along with the actual component as well.

Thanks guys, I look forward to the input.

 

hrm... not sure about this one, as i just sucked up the weight gain and tried to loose a little personal weight to compensate...

i seriously doubt head unit or component weight differences are going to matter much here, as you'll probably gain or loose more weight depending on when you last ate, drank, or excreted.

i would suspect the real gains are to be found in lightweight enclosures, sub, amps, and mounting. and even then, differences between a heavy or light amp or sub might just be a couple pounds or so, and we're back to eating, drinking, and excreting...

imo, if this is really a serious concern -- try to find a single amp that will drive components and a sub, pull the spare (and tools) and mount your amp where the spare resided, then shoot for a single WLaurent enclosure (mostly fiberglass) w/ a strong 8" sub. i would bet the weight you'd save from loosing the tire and tools would compensate for the additional system weight gained.

 

What is your budget? What are you looking to listen to?

I can't imagine there is a drastic differance in weight between HUs. Subs and Amps are where you are going to spend some currency in lbs. If you get high quailty door speakers and power them with a very good two channel amp, you will have better volume and clarity with a minimum of weight.

If you feel you must have a sub, then I would look at the WLaurent enclosures. They are the smallest I have seen. They house an 8" sub, which is a little small, but keep in mind the size of the car.

I replaced my spare tire with my amp, so I believe I netted out about equal. This is a way to save some weight too, if you are willing to risk driving w/o a spare tire.

 

I hate it when Phil types faster than me!

 

funny stuff, since we just about said the same thing... still, you pointed out the budget issue, which i missed...


i guess those typing classes back in HS have been paying off for years now... i'm roughly 80wpm @ 100% when i really get going.

 

I think I have one of the heavier trunks in terms of audio equipment. I've got two 4-channel amps, an electronic crossover, and a 39-lb sub in a big, MDF box back there. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to notice any handling or acceleration difference between my car and another stock one...

An 8" in a WLaurent box would probably be no more than 20 pounds...Add a lightweight 4-ch amp and you're probably under 30 lbs in the trunk

If that's still too much, there are ways to keep all the weight up front.

Stick a wide-range 3" or 4" mid with a small tweeter in kick panels...then, use a pair of pure, low-going midbass woofers in any or all of these three places:

• Stock door location (make sure to seal off the wave)
  
• Between the legs
  
• Behind the seats

 

Thanks guys for the input. I'm going to go on a diet

If I add weight up front to compensate for any in the back, it shouldn't throw off the handling characteristics at all, would it?

(sorta n00b question there)

You guys definitly made some good points.

 

The car weights about 2700lbs with no driver or gas in it. An amp weighs about 3lbs or so. That's 1/10th of 1%. (0.1%) That's not going to make a different in handling that anyone would notice.

The only real concern about weight should be while racing. You can setup a sub in such a way that it would be pretty easy to remove if you were going to race the car.