This thread is Open to ALL discussions and Opinions pertaining to Car Audio Sound Systems. Feel Free to voice your opinions but let us keep this thread as a Discussion NOT an Argument about our individual likes and dislikes of various applications and equipment applied to "Enhance" our listening pleasure. :)

Through the years i have found that people go through different "Stages" when it comes to their car audio systems. I would like to hear about yours.

I started out with the SPL faze > ALL Bass No Highs, just a Big Booming Sound System >Cracking my windshield on many occasions and shaking a whole lot of things loose on the vehicle :bonkers: Including my eardrums > HUH has become an annoying part of my everyday vocabulary in most of my conversations with people And i have a tendency to talk louder than normal. It's a common trait of either old age or in my case partial deafness, mainly in my right eardrum.

I have learned so much about sound systems and continue the "Learning Process". Nobody knows it all and opinions are like A$$holes in this business, everybody has their own :farting: about a particular Brand, Size, Type, installation, Setting, adjustment, enclosure, speaker placement, Staging etc. Butt the Bottom line is "We Can Learn From Each Other"

These selections of ours make up a variety of different and very diverse Sound Systems that are and should be a Unique as the Individual who Created them. Yes this means YOU :bouncy:

I have learned that it's not alway's What you have but How you install it and tune it that makes the difference between a ok sound to a great one.

You can take 10 different people All with the same exact equipment And Vehicles and allow each one of them to do the complete install, start to finish, and tune everything, and the end result will be 10 very different Working And Sounding Systems.

On the other hand Take those same 10 people and put them on the same Team working on ONE vehicle and the end result could be a masterpiece of a Sound System.> This makes for a very successful Competition Project, be it SPL "Sound Pressure Level" or SQ "Sound Quality" that can be fun and rewarding.

What sounds good to one persons ears may sound completely Terrible to anothers. Why is this ??? I think it's like the clothes we wear and the shoes we buy and the cars we drive and the sound systems we choose.

I have learned to "Accept" ALL these diversities in people and "appreciate" their unique talents that set them apart from the rest, and realize that as long as they are Satisfied that is all that really matters. Not my opinions.

I started off being into SPL too, my last system was 4 15s. I had 2 seperate boxes stacked on top of eachother that were 6cu ft ported. I was doing 153.2 I got bored of it, my goal used to be to set off alarms when driving down a block. I always thought i'd be neat to be able to set off airbags? Oh well now the setup is factory components upfront for now gutting 6x9s in the rear left open for the bass to get into the cabin. Running a single 15" in a sealed box with 400 watts. More into enjoying my highs now a days.

i think a big reason many people get into car audio is to "make a statement" with bass. i know that's why most teenagers get systems, and it's the reason i got mine.

however, i was young and foolish, and turning heads with massive amounts of bass, and going to the movie theater on saturday nights to see how many alarms i could set off in 60 seconds got old really quick. a few months later i'd gotten all the attention i needed, and i decided that bass wasn't everything. since then i've always concentrated on clarity.

I have learned to "Accept" ALL these diversities in people and "appreciate" their unique talents that set them apart from the rest, and realize that as long as they are Satisfied that is all that really matters. Not my opinions.that's a very mature way of looking at it. very nice :)

So far I agree with everyone else. Loved that bass for about 2 years. Then I started seeing these 15-16yr old driving real POSs with monstrous bass coming from them. They often have their hats turned crooked, ganster leaning, and are seriously trying to pimp their ride! Now, i'm not knocking that, because I did that. I just realize now how silly I must have looked! I still keep a system in my trunk, but the sub level control stays in the 1/4 section. I still really like to roll with the windows down and the system up, but now I wonder how clear and full my whole range must sound to others. I like being able to feel and enjoy all the other frequencies above 85hz! Quite a bit different that the days of *clipped* tink tink tink, booooooommmmmm, *clipped* tink tink tink, boooooooooommmmm!

Thanks for the comments and confirmations Guy's :D I see im not alone!
My Remote bass level stay's on a 1 or 2 which is almost off, I love my highs though and do run 6x9s 3-way's in the back dash for "Rear Fill" I couldn't imagine not having them back their for my sound.

I was hoping to hear from D148LO ;) to listen to his comments and Opinions.

P E A C E

What can I say?
I am the first one to say I'm an audiophile, not an expert.
I keep mentioning the importance of reading and learning.
The reason to post here is because I enjoy sharing all the things I have picked in all this years.
Your idea of making a team is excellent. To have different opinions is good, since they make you think and learn. To make constructive critics is also good to correct failures.
However, all the members of a team need to have at least certain level of knowledge for it to work. Otherwise instead of intelligent dialog and idea exchanges, you'll get useless discussions.
I would like to propose to start every week an educative thread about car audio basics.
I think that way we all can learn and make a better forum.
-

Where would one start from? Certainly not "stiffening capacitors"!! There's so many areas and so much to get in to. how about an FAQ compilation? Maybe there's not enough interest either...

Where would one start from? Certainly not "stiffening capacitors"!!Hahahahahahaaa! I agree with that! (and also with the FAQ idea)

yeah. perhaps should start from the basics, like, music's not supposed to come at you from behind, or perhaps capacitors (according to tests) really don't help the car's voltage level.... something in that area.

j/k diablo :p
yeah sounds like a plan. be sure to cover ohm loads

yeah. perhaps should start from the basics, like, music's not supposed to come at you from behind, or perhaps capacitors (according to tests) really don't help the car's voltage level.... something in that area.

j/k diablo :p
yeah sounds like a plan. be sure to cover ohm loads
Joke taken, man. :)
If we manage to keep this disposition, we can do great things.


Again, and with the best of intentions, I would recommend to everybody to read this site from A to Z (some people here are familiar with it):
http://www.bcae1.com/
I mean it. It is a great way to get into basic stuff. If we understand that, we can take more complicated things later.

Let's keep Mystical's suggestion and make ohm loads the first thread.

LOL well i don't know. ohm loads are pretty out there... i meant we should cover ohm loads at some time, but i think save ohm loads for the advanced discussion, and cover the basics first.

your call though :)

How bout something basic like "Pink Noise" you know something simple! LOL

;)

for something simple i was thinking more like "how to install an amp" or something :p

;)

for something simple i was thinking more like "how to install an amp" or something :pYou sure? I was thinking balanced vs twisted! or pros and cons of vacuum tubes. Maybe explain cabin gain. You know, "simple" things.:D

lol @ sts310! yeh, like "cabin gains" :2thumbs: :dance:

i'm not that sure there is a big enough demand on this board for all this... maybe we should just field questions as they come?

not saying there would be a demand for it, but it sure as hell would

1) be a great effort in terms of the community. people would be glad to give some of their time giving their experience and comments on a subject matter.

2) it may not be of much use now, but in the future it would be easy, good reference for someone.

3) if we do it right, it may even become a reference for people outside of this board ;)

You sure? I was thinking balanced vs twisted! or pros and cons of vacuum tubes. Maybe explain cabin gain. You know, "simple" things.:D
Hmmm Well now, Tell us more about "Cabin Gains" and their various effects STS 310 :rolleyes:

;)

for something simple i was thinking more like "how to install an amp" or something :p
Your suggestion = your assignment :) Please explain the Amp Kit Install "In Basic Terms" to help a beginner understand what is involved in the installation of a car audio amplifier.

Thanks P.S. If you need any help just ask D148LO :lildevil:

What can I say?
I am the first one to say I'm an audiophile, not an expert.
I keep mentioning the importance of reading and learning.
The reason to post here is because I enjoy sharing all the things I have picked in all this years.
Your idea of making a team is excellent. To have different opinions is good, since they make you think and learn. To make constructive critics is also good to correct failures.
However, all the members of a team need to have at least certain level of knowledge for it to work. Otherwise instead of intelligent dialog and idea exchanges, you'll get useless discussions.
I would like to propose to start every week an educative thread about car audio basics.
I think that way we all can learn and make a better forum.
-
Spoken like a True Audiophile ;) CONGRATULATIONS D148LO You have just been Selected as the "Official Weekly Basic Car Audio Educative Thread Starter" :bouncy: on The Cadillac Forums.

Thank you, I appreciate your comments.
I don't think I'm gonna be in charge of anything. I don't have the patience.
Installing an amp is not the basic stuff. Is the easy stuff.
Basic includes current, power, flow, frecuencies, etc. The other day I found myself trying to explain some of the most basic stuff about subwoofers to another member, with no use. Nobody else expressed an opinion, It was like I'm the only one who understood what I wrote.
I don't want to waste my time like that anymore.
However, If anybody wants an opinion/advice, please PM me.

Hello....Hello....Hello... Is there Anybody Out There.... just nod if you can hear me.... is there anyone at home?

Camon guy's lets hear it.

::nods::

been driving almost 3 years. first install was into my 90 continental. very tedious work on that lincoln for a rookie.
bought the caddy, put the lincolns system into it. killed it in 2 years. bought all 2 sets of kappas. added a 10" reference to the two 12" adire audio shivas.
its sad i actually lay in bed at night thinking of new ways to set up the stereo in my trunk, and ideas for adding a pair of 6" midbass in the doors. i just wish i had the money.
but as far as bass vs highs go...i rarely listen to rap, only when i feel like FEELING the bass do i listen to it. mostly hardcore and emo, lots of kick bass. not excessively loud, enough to feel it in the seat, love the highs though.

so yeah, thats my story.

by the way...was that a pink floyd reference? correct me if im wrong, they were before my time.

Im still cutting my teeth on this stuff , my last car (the G20) each speaker was replaced and the reciver was also replaced , added a infinity basslink .....enjoyed it for a few months before i lost the car ...

All i have in my deville is the kenwood MP3 deck , ive tweeked the settings ont he deck to help things out , lets say the treble is 1 position away from maxed , the mids have been turned down to a negitive position and the bass is 3 positions away from being maxed , its beatter but not great ..but im dealing with the stock speakers too...

Im not so much into bass as i am with the ability to be able to hear each instrament and nuance of the music(anything less than 190kps Mp3 files irritate me , 320kps rules) ....In a variety of music types , from 80s depechmode to jazz , old blues ,country alternative and anyting acoustical

Stereo shops all want to sell me 2k in subwoofers and dont talk about much else ...Id like a wee bit more base than what i can get without distortion but clarity is paramount ...

Ideas ?

it seems like you like the highs as well. i would recommend a quality set of component speakers. the trouble is finding a place to mount the tweeter. i took the easy way out and bought a component plate speaker. its a 4x6 plate, with an infinity kappa 3.5" speaker and tweeter, came with crossovers.

on a range of -5 to 5 i put my bass on 0 and treble on 4
"external bass" range 0-4 i usually use 2.

my stereo isnt really boomy, even with two 12s and a 10. i enjoy listening to acoustic songs much better, the high notes SCREAM!!

Chuck,

I saw those Infinitys...two questions:

1) Did you have to cut holes for those 4x6 plates to work? Just wondering...I thought I had heard that the openings weren't big enough...

2) How long have you had them? I heard that the rubber surrounds on the woofer go out really fast if they're in the direct sunlight on the dash...

Lemme know what you think...also, do the Infinitys need a lot of power? I would still be running the stock headunit.

Chuck,

I saw those Infinitys...two questions:

1) Did you have to cut holes for those 4x6 plates to work? Just wondering...I thought I had heard that the openings weren't big enough...

2) How long have you had them? I heard that the rubber surrounds on the woofer go out really fast if they're in the direct sunlight on the dash...

Lemme know what you think...also, do the Infinitys need a lot of power? I would still be running the stock headunit.

1) oh my these 4x6 plates were IMPOSSIBLE on my 90 deville. since its a plated speaker, the speaker isnt centered, and the magnet is a pretty decent size. it took some demolition to get em in. i had to snap away much of the plastic around the stock mounts. on the passenger side i actually broke off one of the mounting holes by accident. its very tedious work, but it can be done.

2) ive had both the 4x6 and 6x9 kappas since february this year. right now theyre all powered by an almost 4 year old headunit that ill be replacing shortly. the 4x6 speakers definitely need crossovers, or something to cut out low frequencies. i installed bass blockers in front of them but i dont think it worked well.

i was able to get a really good deal on ebay for these speakers brand new. if i had the money to spend again, i would have bought the polk db series. the infinitys are a good speaker, but not worth the full price at all.

I've been fooling around with systems for a bit. I can't help it I just love my music loud, but not all the time. I see people pumpin these big systems and I always gotta look to see where its coming from. I am in the process of doing the system in my 95 FWB. I've always gone with a sealed enclosure. Usually 2 12's kicker comps 8 ohm. For this new setup I didn't want to sacrifice my trunk space so since I have such a huge reaer deck I went with 3 rockford fosgates 12" he2's for rear fill I have a set of pioneer 5 1/4 component speakers with the tweeters mounted in the rear deck also. I told ya I had a huge rear deck. I have four rocford fosgate 8" he2's So i figured to put one in each door. So far I did the front ones, but i'm using them for midrange for highs in front I'm using rockford's fanatic q's tweeters. Everything is coming along rather well but its a slow process when you only have a couple of hours to work on it here and there. Now I'm thinking of putting my other 2 8's in the front doors as well these will be for midbass. :bonkers: Unless I come up with something else... The front stage has to be right. But I do believe in rear fill also. For the subs I'm running a RF punch 800a2 bridged with a 2.6 ohm load for the mids I'm running a RF punch 200a4 at 2 ohms and for the highs i'm using a newer model RF amp I believe its the 200.4 but I don't like that amp Im gonna look for another punch 200a4 for the highs. Its a work in prgress but so far so good...

Hello everyone i just bought a 1995 cadillac seville sts with the bose audio system and im new to this whole pre amped deal. I have 2 alpine type r 12's and 2 600 watt amps, circut city and sound advice told me i have to rewire my whole car, and get all new door speakers and a new head unit just to make the subs work. i was just wondering if there is any way to get around buying all of that stuff? and i hear its possible to buy a rca splitter and do it some weird way. if any one has any suggestions or knows how to do it please help me out or hook me up with info. If you have Aol instant messenger my sn is St3v066 or just post

i would start a new thread for this. im pretty sure theres been a few people experiencing similar problems, but its been solved since.
about the rca splitter...its simple. its just a set of cables that plug into the back of the headunit (left and right). and each cable then splits into 2 cables so you get 2 lefts an 2 rights. also called Y-cables. i wouldnt recommend it though, unless your using line drivers. idk what the voltage is for preouts on your car, but by using the RCA Y-cable you cut the voltage in half that is sent to each amplifier. amps get half the voltage, work twice as hard, heat up twice as fast :bonkers:

::nods::

Bought the caddy, bought all 2 sets of kappas. added a 10" reference to the two 12" adire audio shivas.
its sad i actually lay in bed at night thinking of new ways to set up the stereo in my trunk.

so yeah, thats my story.

by the way...was that a pink floyd reference? correct me if im wrong, they were before my time.

Ha HA Yea that was a Floyd Boyz reference> good observation on your part Chuck and by the way you gotta love those Shivas. Thanx

http://www.adireaudio.com

Mmmm.... shivas... :thumbsup:

yes diablo, the shivas have served me quite well over the years. cant complain for the price. i didnt think adire audio was very well known until right about now. im considering buying a pair of koda midbass speakers from them.
then again i found an old fisher 15" subwoofer in my basement the other day. its in a friggen HUGE box with 2 midrange speakers, it used to be the other half of the stereo system thats in my living room, but my mom thought it was an eyesore so we hid it in the basement. im really glad i found it. ive already tested it and it works, i just need to get my hands on a jigsaw so i can modify the box to fit nicely in my trunk and serve as the amp rack.

I was digging around in the back of this Fleetwood and found this thread!