Noob to aftermarket audio
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Noob to aftermarket audio
I own a 2006 TL with Navi system and am looking to upgrade some audio, specifically a direct line for iPod, a new amp, and a single 12 subwoofer (rockford, 600 rms, comp.)
I've been browsing the forums but haven't quite found a thread that really answers all my questions. They are:
1) will I need to buy a mono block amp and run parallel with the factory amp?
2) or, will I need to buy a full 5.1 amp and completely rewire the whole setup?
3) what would you recommend in terms of iPod integration into the stock HU? I would love to keep my tl as is...I'm shooting for the stock look.
4) my budget for the amp, sub, and direct box is about 500.
Any and all comments in plain english would be greatly appreciated!
I've been browsing the forums but haven't quite found a thread that really answers all my questions. They are:
1) will I need to buy a mono block amp and run parallel with the factory amp?
2) or, will I need to buy a full 5.1 amp and completely rewire the whole setup?
3) what would you recommend in terms of iPod integration into the stock HU? I would love to keep my tl as is...I'm shooting for the stock look.
4) my budget for the amp, sub, and direct box is about 500.
Any and all comments in plain english would be greatly appreciated!
#2
Dogmatic Dinosaur
Hard to find a 5 channel amp that will put out 600w RMS. They exist, but are usually expensive. Mono blocks are cheap and available. The cheap RF subs really suck. The middle grade are OK and the Power line are pretty good... a lot like most brands. The way that you choose to install them will matter more than the sub - make sure that the box is right if you box them.
I have iSimple in each of my TLs. There are other solutions. It is CD quality and does have a slight noise floor, but overall, I am pleased. Don't expect some kind of awesome interface like your iPod or iPhone has on it. Most of these units either just use a knob and some buttons (steering wheel included), or you can switch them and control the music on the iPod. They won't have a bad-ass gui on the Navi Screen like a new Double Din Touch Screen Head Unit might have.
I have iSimple in each of my TLs. There are other solutions. It is CD quality and does have a slight noise floor, but overall, I am pleased. Don't expect some kind of awesome interface like your iPod or iPhone has on it. Most of these units either just use a knob and some buttons (steering wheel included), or you can switch them and control the music on the iPod. They won't have a bad-ass gui on the Navi Screen like a new Double Din Touch Screen Head Unit might have.
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply!
I'm debating on the rockforp p3 1x12 for the immediate future, I just want something entry level that will be nice and loud, but I have no need to shake windows or piss anyone off with the bass...my music by itself handles that.
What would you suggest in the 3-4-500 price range for vented/ported sub? I'm brand new to this and I unfortunately don't have the money to supplement the audiophile needs I really want (rainbow, IDQ, etc.)
as it stands right now, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a $400 woofer and the iSimple, whatever it costs. My buddy does installs professionally and has already told me he will hook me up.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated
I'm debating on the rockforp p3 1x12 for the immediate future, I just want something entry level that will be nice and loud, but I have no need to shake windows or piss anyone off with the bass...my music by itself handles that.
What would you suggest in the 3-4-500 price range for vented/ported sub? I'm brand new to this and I unfortunately don't have the money to supplement the audiophile needs I really want (rainbow, IDQ, etc.)
as it stands right now, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a $400 woofer and the iSimple, whatever it costs. My buddy does installs professionally and has already told me he will hook me up.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated
#4
Coolest A-zine Member
iTrader: (1)
Well the Isimple is like $175 or so isn't it?? So you have about $325 for amp/sub/box. That's pretty low, but it can be done. Where are you located?? I'd check out your local Craigslist, along with DIYMA classifieds.
Are you going to do some front components or whatever later on? If that's the case and you want this on a budget, I'm sure a 5-channel would suffice for you.
Are you wanting a ported box, IB or sealed? If you build your box (ported at least) it will save you quite a bit. They aren't hard at all if you've got a an extra pair of hands. Maybe cost ya $40-50 max.
Are you going to do some front components or whatever later on? If that's the case and you want this on a budget, I'm sure a 5-channel would suffice for you.
Are you wanting a ported box, IB or sealed? If you build your box (ported at least) it will save you quite a bit. They aren't hard at all if you've got a an extra pair of hands. Maybe cost ya $40-50 max.
Last edited by Trunk Monkey; 04-18-2012 at 10:19 AM.
#5
Dogmatic Dinosaur
Ask your buddy what he has laying around... or what he has that was traded in. You should be able to find a good used setup in the RF P3 range with a 500w monoblock for way less than $400... and it might have a good box already.
Then, there is Craigslist. Listen before you buy.
iSimple is about $100-125, or so.
If you want new, then try a Sundown SA-12 $195 shipped and a Soundstream Rubicon RUB1.1000D for $150-175 shipped. The sub is good, the amp is OK. That will leave you some coin for a box.
Then, there is Craigslist. Listen before you buy.
iSimple is about $100-125, or so.
If you want new, then try a Sundown SA-12 $195 shipped and a Soundstream Rubicon RUB1.1000D for $150-175 shipped. The sub is good, the amp is OK. That will leave you some coin for a box.
The following users liked this post:
truemetalfan84 (04-18-2012)
#6
Intermediate
Thread Starter
From the looks of it, the Sundown is a much better choice than the RF P3. Getting ready to pull the trigger, my fingers are itchy!
One question though, will I need to buy an unbalanced to balanced converter? I've seen on other threads that this is recommended, and the Soundstream amp you've suggested is unbalanced (i think).
Also, am I going to be disconnecting and removing the factory amp? If so, how will this affect the factory speakers since the Soundstream is a monoblock?
One question though, will I need to buy an unbalanced to balanced converter? I've seen on other threads that this is recommended, and the Soundstream amp you've suggested is unbalanced (i think).
Also, am I going to be disconnecting and removing the factory amp? If so, how will this affect the factory speakers since the Soundstream is a monoblock?
#7
Coolest A-zine Member
iTrader: (1)
From the looks of it, the Sundown is a much better choice than the RF P3. Getting ready to pull the trigger, my fingers are itchy!
One question though, will I need to buy an unbalanced to balanced converter? I've seen on other threads that this is recommended, and the Soundstream amp you've suggested is unbalanced (i think).
Also, am I going to be disconnecting and removing the factory amp?
No. You'll just be splicing into the wires that you need that either go INTO the factory amp or OUT from the factory amp. I would do the pre-amp (aka...wires going INTO the factory amp). If you're just doing a sub amp, I wouldn't worry about a convertor as most, if not all the noise will be LP'd out. Can't say for sure on this...but I don't see why this wouldn't be the case.
If so, how will this affect the factory speakers since the Soundstream is a monoblock?
It wont...see above.
One question though, will I need to buy an unbalanced to balanced converter? I've seen on other threads that this is recommended, and the Soundstream amp you've suggested is unbalanced (i think).
Also, am I going to be disconnecting and removing the factory amp?
No. You'll just be splicing into the wires that you need that either go INTO the factory amp or OUT from the factory amp. I would do the pre-amp (aka...wires going INTO the factory amp). If you're just doing a sub amp, I wouldn't worry about a convertor as most, if not all the noise will be LP'd out. Can't say for sure on this...but I don't see why this wouldn't be the case.
If so, how will this affect the factory speakers since the Soundstream is a monoblock?
It wont...see above.
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#8
Dogmatic Dinosaur
The noise will be filtered out of the sub. No worries.
If you get something like this, tell your friend to grab the signal in the trunk from the stuck amp (gold/black is positive).
If you get something like this, tell your friend to grab the signal in the trunk from the stuck amp (gold/black is positive).
#9
Intermediate
Thread Starter
thank you sir!
Looks like I'll be building a long rear ported box for the single 12, should only take me and my buddy a solid night this weekend.
As for the iSimple or other solutions for direct line, I think i'll hold off on that for a week or so, just to do some more research and to give the sub some time to break in.
Thanks for your help guys! This forum is tops !!
Looks like I'll be building a long rear ported box for the single 12, should only take me and my buddy a solid night this weekend.
As for the iSimple or other solutions for direct line, I think i'll hold off on that for a week or so, just to do some more research and to give the sub some time to break in.
Thanks for your help guys! This forum is tops !!
#13
Intermediate
Thread Starter
One last quick question guys...2g or 4g wires?
Progress as of now:
Sundown 12 within a week ($194.99 free shipping)
Soundstream within a week ($168.99 free shipping)
$60 set aside for raw materials for ported enclosure
other than the wiring kit, what else do i need?
Progress as of now:
Sundown 12 within a week ($194.99 free shipping)
Soundstream within a week ($168.99 free shipping)
$60 set aside for raw materials for ported enclosure
other than the wiring kit, what else do i need?
#21
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The box is going to be an 18 1/4 13 1/4 16 1/4, boards are ready to be cut when I get the time, tuning-wise I'm not so sure yet..gonna make a final decision with my buddy since he seems to know what's going to be best.
Just wanted to thank you guys again for all your help! As I was driving to school today, the car stalled 3 times! I took it to my guy just a while ago for tests and he said my EGR valve needed replacing, cleaning, and the fuel system needed to be cleaned as well (FML!!!) All in all, it looks like I was meant to have a budget audio system in the car for the time being!
Just wanted to thank you guys again for all your help! As I was driving to school today, the car stalled 3 times! I took it to my guy just a while ago for tests and he said my EGR valve needed replacing, cleaning, and the fuel system needed to be cleaned as well (FML!!!) All in all, it looks like I was meant to have a budget audio system in the car for the time being!
#22
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Just an afterthought, would it be advisable to invest in a high-performance battery with multiple nodes for now? Or would that be something more for down the road?
#25
Team Owner
#26
Intermediate
Thread Starter
So my buddy that's doing the install and build tuned the box to 30hz (i still wanted some volume, but more SQ). I decided to go with a simple but good LOC with Line Driver to cut down down on any noise, plus the amp doesn't accept the balanced wire coming from the HU. He did have one question though before we start pulling panels and splicing wires, should we install the LOC closer to the head unit or back by the sub/amp? I searched for hours last night and the only relevant post I found was in DeathMetal's writeup for the DIY overhaul he did on his 06 TL a few years back. The pictures indicate that he installed the LOC by the sub/amp in the trunk. What're your recommendations?
#27
Team Owner
Line driver boosts the signal, LOC cuts the signal. If you're tapping in after the factory amp such as the factory sub wiring you need a LOC, not a line driver. If your amp accepts high level input you might try no LOC and take it straight from the stock sub wiring. Balanced or unbalanced doesn't matter if you're taking the signal after the stock amp.
#28
Racer
So my buddy that's doing the install and build tuned the box to 30hz (i still wanted some volume, but more SQ). I decided to go with a simple but good LOC with Line Driver to cut down down on any noise, plus the amp doesn't accept the balanced wire coming from the HU. He did have one question though before we start pulling panels and splicing wires, should we install the LOC closer to the head unit or back by the sub/amp? I searched for hours last night and the only relevant post I found was in DeathMetal's writeup for the DIY overhaul he did on his 06 TL a few years back. The pictures indicate that he installed the LOC by the sub/amp in the trunk. What're your recommendations?
#29
Dogmatic Dinosaur
What kind of amp did you get - brand & model?
Look at the specs. If it says it can take a 200, 400, etc. milivolt signal, then just wire the pre-amp signal into some RCAs. It will tell you what kind of input signal it can take, or post the model and we can look it up.
Look at the specs. If it says it can take a 200, 400, etc. milivolt signal, then just wire the pre-amp signal into some RCAs. It will tell you what kind of input signal it can take, or post the model and we can look it up.
#35
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Sweet! Here's the million dollar question now.....can I use the LOC as a cheap answer for a direct in from the iPod? The model I bought accepts both stereo wire and l/r inputs?
#37
Dogmatic Dinosaur
I was only about to get about 220 songs on a DVD-A - 100 per group, but the disc fills up before you can get 100 in every group. Not bad, though. I totally get the iPod thing - or in my case the iPhone. Try and take your DVD-A on a run, into the house, on vacation, on a business trip, etc... or make phone calls on it.
#38
Racer
160gb storage capacity, easy indexing, playlists, while maintaing steering wheel controls and Apple Lossless is just as good as .WAV
#39
Team Owner
#40
Racer
It's definitely not the file. Lossless is lossless. It could be the DAC, although I believe that the older model iPods have a Wolfson DAC, which is supposed to be pretty good. It does seem like CDs sound slightly clearer/louder than tracks I play from the iPod, but that could be due to the fact that many of the files on the ipod are mp3s encoded at lower bitrates. I'm not confident I could pass a blind A/B test between a CD and the same song in lossless format from my iPod and I have a newer iPod with the shittier DAC. Either way I'm not going back to CDs