New Audio System

from WinCustomize Forums
I'm in bad need of a new system in my '94 Grand Cherokee. My current stock (Infinity Gold) system is dated; 2 speakers are blown, another is weak, and only one actually works. When I bought it, it already had a new head unit, so now I'm down to just speakers and an amp. I currently have a:

- PIONEER DEH-1400 Head Unit
- PIONEER TS-W303C Subwoofer

Someone gave me the Subwoofer a while back, but still don't have a box. Anyway, I am looking into getting the following:

- PIONEER TS-A1680R 6-1/2 x4
- PIONEER GM-X374 400 Watt 4-Channel Power Amplifier with Built-In Crossover

Now keep in mind I have absoulty no clue what I'm doing, and need help. But here is the main points I need cleared. Do I need another amp for the subwoofer, or can I plug it into the GM-X374? Do I even need an amp at all? And finaly, Will this system work? Everytime I talk to someone about this they want me to buy the most expensive crap or stuff "they" would put in "their" car. I don't want people ten blocks down to hear me, I just want a real clear, smooth sounding system.
7,303 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In a basic system setup (like yours) your head unit will power your front speakers and the amplifier should take care of the rears (sub, 6x9's) etc. So to answer your questions...YES, you need an amp and YES, that should work considering it's installed correctly. Your best bet is to head down to your local car stereo shop and have them hook it up for you...probably only cost you labor charges and it shouldn't take a long time. Another thing is you will need to get a box for your sub, otherwise it won't make noise at all.

Also, I would look into Kenwood's cheaper line of amps, rather than Pioneer. They make some very nice stuff that wont break your wallet, more for the money.

But forget that cheap stuff, check out Focal's 6.5 3-way speakers, they run about $1400 a set. Then get Cerwin Vega Strokers at about $800 a sub, followed by a Phoenix Gold Tarantula amp at about $2500. YEA!!!! Just kidding ofcourse...
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://www.gopcplus.com/pcplus/product.asp?lMainCategoryID=145&lCategoryID=82&lProductID=90728 -Speakers
http://www.gopcplus.com/pcplus/product.asp?lMainCategoryID=145&lCategoryID=151&lProductID=90754 -AMP

The speakers and amp together only cost $220 + $20s/h, and 6x9's won't fit (without forcing it of corse ). But yeah, all of the local shops charge $50 per pair, so I'll let Best-Buy do it all for $59. Ive been looking for a good box, but don't know what to get; one with holes, one without, etc..
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Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
For that sub, you will probably need a bandpass box (the one's with holes). BestBuy should have one, so you might as well take your sub to them, ask them to fit it in a box, they should figure out the right size box for that sub. So I figure the entire thing will cost you about $500, installed. I miss the car stereo stuff...been so long since my ears were rattled by one...
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384084418&skuId=2870101&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03082 or http://www.buy.com/retail/Product_jump.asp?sku=90051696&dcaid=15890
These any good?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I checked your sub's stats...it's actually better in a sealed box. Most cases it's a bandpass box, especially since it's only one sub. You also need about 1.5 cubic feet, so I checked crutchfield.com, and this is probably the best match for your truck. If you do buy one at best buy, it should be this type and size.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S-DFCQ2w4M49f/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=842&I=044H1212SE&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N
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Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I forgot I had a MTX Thunder 2160 lying around. I don't know if it is any good, or if it even works. Can't seem to find any specs on it.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I also couldn't find any info on that amp, but I think it's a 400w 2-channel, while the Pioneer is a 400w 4-channel amp. Being that you only have a set of front speakers and a sub, you will end up bridging your Pioneer into a 2-channel anyways. So if the MTX works, I would rather use that, it will save you from buying a new one, and I prefer MTX amps over Pioneer, but that's a matter of opinion. But two amps is not necessary, you don't have enough speakers to need a second amp.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
There are actually 2 ways to go about getting rich sound and low distortion. But 1st you must figure out what kind of a system you want.
1- You can go with a high power amp and use a 3/4 way crossover (depending in your sound taste)
--or--
2- Go with a full set up. Rack 3 amps (the power of the amps should go according to the handling power of each componet) with a digital crossover.

Per example. My system runs from an Alpine CDA-9811 to a Pioneer sound processor (equalizer)
The EQ has 2 outputs (sub and high) The sub signal goes straight to a mono Rockford amp that drives 2 12" Rockford puch.
The High signal patches into a crossover and splits into 2 other amps. 1 amp drives 4 Rockford low-mids and the other drives 4 Infinity tweeters.

By the way, Its always better to build the sub box to the measurements of your trunk and the capability of your subs. Sealed box give a deeper bass.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was in a similar position not too long ago.. Here's what I ended up with (the whole shebang)..

Head-unit:
www.cartoys.com/cartoys/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=20858

Front speakers:
www.cartoys.com/cartoys/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=20071

Rear speakers:
www.cartoys.com/cartoys/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=20073

Amp for front and rear speakers:
www.cartoys.com/cartoys/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=3408

and here's what I want to add, should I keep my current car long enough to warrant it

Sub:
www.cartoys.com/cartoys/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=20086

and the amp:
www.cartoys.com/cartoys/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Product_ID=3364

hope this helps! I put this together with help from some friends of mine and a few installers at a local car audio shop here.
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Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
/me thanks all who have posted here.

I have a station wagon and now I know what I need to go get (and about 4 car battiers) to run a nice system.
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Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Car audio has alwased confused me. And I have no clue what crossover, bridge or anything means. I can't find any good site that has info along with pictures to school me on this.
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
www.villagephotos.com/viewpubimage.asp?id_=7740500&selected=748768

Ok, look at that image. From that, can someone draw how to hook it all up in red or something? I don't plan on hooking the subwoofer up right away (saving up for the box).

Oh yeah, I opened the grill and those speakers on the dash (2) are like, the size of a qurtor. Do I really need those?
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Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Crossover is a devise that separates the high, medium and low notes. This way you won’t get bass out of your tweeters or mids out of your bass.
Bridging is a term used when you combine 2 amps to get more power.



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Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In the image, #2 will be your highs (tweeters)
from the components in the image I can say it's a 3 way system driven by 1 amp
you’ll need to look at the amp's specification to see how much power it has and how many channels.
BTW, if you are using a sub, I'll recommend you get another amp for the sub alone.



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Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4075_35267,00.html
The speakers are 4-way.

www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4055_35288,00.html
The amp is 400W 4 channel

My sub can take 500W so can I use the MTX (2chan) amp for the sub alone?


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Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, that will work fine.
Use the Pioneer amp to drive the speakers and the MTX to drive your sub.
Make sure that the MTX stereo/mono switch is set to 'Mono' in order to get pure bass.
If you are using only one sub speaker you can bridge it by conecting the positive (+) line of the speaker to the (+) terminal of channel (1) on the amp and the negative line of the speaker to the (-) terminal of channel (2) on the amp. Then use a short speaker wire to bridge the (-) of channel (1) to the (+) of channel (2) on the amp
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What type of vehicle do you have and what exactly do you want it to do. I am an MECP (Mobile Electronics Certification Program) Certified installer and can explain most of it to you. I need to know what the final assembly of parts is going to be.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a '94 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, and I want a great clear sounding system. Nothing like compition grade or extreamly loud. Manly something to replace the system I have in it now.