Stereo Upgrade A Go-Go

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 19 2006, 08:56 AM) [snapback]305811[/snapback]</div>

A few amp install pics that migh be of some help.
Enjoy,
Matt

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 21 2006, 10:41 AM) [snapback]306682[/snapback]</div>

You're welcome to knock yourself out. Although I've tried a wide variety of music,
not too many marches......although some DCI recordings might be nice.
Let me know if you decide on some speakers.
You've got me reconsidering some kind of signal conditioning (ala cleansweep or equivalent).
Always room for improvement.
Saw an Alpine 3331 EQ on ebay I might like......used to have one years ago...loved it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 23 2006, 01:52 PM) [snapback]308322[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 23 2006, 04:49 PM) [snapback]308456[/snapback]</div>

The rear speakers (in my Prius) are really just there to placate the occasional rear passenger.
They really don't contribute to the overall soundstage (much). Well positioned, well crossed-over,
cleanly & adequately amplified front components with the right accoustics will give you what you're seeking.
Perhaps not as well as a reference home audio system, but close enough for an environment where there
are always competing sound souyrces. I hear what you're saying.....audio Panacea and all.
Unless you plan on investing in some kind of sound source (i.e. DVD with 5.1 channel processing) and
outboard processers and six or seven channels of dedicated amplification, I don't think fully digital
surround is achievable....however, really good stereo reproduction will give you a really enjoyable
listen. Your amp can do the 125db, no problem with the right speakers. If you've gotten used to the factory sound, the amp & speakers alone will make a night & day difference. Try the amp & speakers (maybe some sound deadening) first and you can always escalate from there.

Just out of curiosity, what home audio equipment do you have? Sounds like you've developed an ear for the difference between $200 and $2000 home speakers.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 24 2006, 04:23 PM) [snapback]308986[/snapback]</div>

The store I used to install at (in Gainesville, FL) actually sold B&W, Rotel, and McIntosh.....as well as the car audio....so I'm familar with the kind of sound you're talking about. At home, I haven't gone off the deep end
with A/V......Klipsch surrounds, SonyES 5.1 receiver, 32" non-HD CRT. Like you, I don't use them enough to justify going more extravagent.
I have indeed considered doing the storage compartment sub enclosure. My current enclosure eats up cargo space...albeit very little at 1 cubic foot. I don't want to lose access to the spare & tools. I think, with my 12, I'd have to give some of that up to use that location. That's why I'm entertaining doing a new 10" in a fiberglassed enclosure in the right rear cubby (over the battery like others have done). We'll see what develops.
Cheers

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 29 2006, 05:30 PM) [snapback]311300[/snapback]</div>

In a given subwoofer, various voicecoil configurations are simply a way to change the impedance
"seen" by the output of your amplifier. Some amplifiers are capable of operating at "higher current"
than others....the lower the impedance of the load seen, the more power can flow into the speaker.
Think of it like trying to fill a pool with a garden hose...two hoses (at the same PSI) will dump more
water in the same period of time than just one can. The impedance of the speaker is the bottleneck
between your amp and your woofer cone....cut the impedance in half and you've just thrown a second garden hose in the pool.
Folks tinker with different voice coil configurations in order to maxmize what they can get out of the amp.
There are trade-offs though. Running an amp in high current mode (if it's capable of it) allows more electricity to flow through the circuitry, and thus heats things up more quickly. If you're putting your amp in
an air tight compartment (even if it is internally fan cooled) might run hot & even shut down (via it's own internal protection) if the loads get too heavy and it can't cool properly. The mono channel of your amp can comfortably drive a 2-ohm mono load, although it might run a little warm.

"How would you get a 2 ohm load?", you ask; if you wire a woofer with dual 4-ohm voice coils in parallel, or you wire two single 4-ohm voice coil woofers in parallel.......there are countless ways to get there.

Bottom line, single is no different than dual voice coil from a sound quality standpoint......the point of the choice is just to get the best match up for (and allow you to get the most out of) your amp.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 30 2006, 09:54 AM) [snapback]311548[/snapback]</div>

I would discourage you from trying the 1 ohm mono configuration....could cook your amp, would almost certainly get too hot & shut down, even if it did make your sub dance like crazy while it worked.
Go with either a 2 or 4 ohm mono load for the mono sub channel. Either a dual or single 4 ohm coiled sub, or a single 2 ohm coiled sub. Your amp will thank you.
Cheers

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 30 2006, 11:34 AM) [snapback]311597[/snapback]</div>

That's probably the best way to go cost wise.
Get all your parts bargain basement off ebay then pay a qualified installer
whatever their hourly shop rate is to put it all in.
They will probably also charge you for some various odds & ends wiring wise (power, ground, fuse, RCA cables, etc.) FYI...shops hate to do this because some of their profit is built into the markup on the parts, also they'll claim they can't warranty the parts if you're bringing them to them....but the install should be warrantied. Make sure you deal with someone either familiar with the Prius electrical system or at least willing to do their homework (e.g. study the printed manuals you'll probably be bringing with you).
Good Luck!
Matt

 

I purchased a Sirius Sporster for my office. In order to use it in my '05 Prius I also bought a wired FM modulator Relay.It is suppose top connect the FM modulated outpu from my Sirius unit directly to my Prius radio via the antenna jack. I need to plug this into an auxiliary jack in my Prius radio. We have the nav system - does anyone know how to do this or how hard it is to get to an auxiliary jack? Can it be done without taking the radio/nav unit apart? Thanks for any help

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Actual Mileage @ Aug 31 2006, 08:41 AM) [snapback]312085[/snapback]</div>

I don't know that you'll be able to find component sets in 2 ohm....4 ohm is standard in car audio.
The multiple choices for voice coil impedance is usually limited to subwoofers.
Cheers,
Matt