Beginner Again...
10-22-2009, 02:04 PM
#1
Beginner Again...
Hello all! I'm about to pick up a 99 Blazer and the audio is one of the first things that will be done. I have a few questions, but first I'll give you a bit of background:
My 'first install' was an under-dash cassette deck hooked to Jensen 6x9's back in the day when that was really something... I would guess a good number of you were probably not around in those good ole' days...
My latest install was basically a factory update in an 88 Camaro - Alpine HU (model escapes me at the moment), Alpine 4x6 dash and 6x9 pillar off the deck, with an MRP-T130 bridged to a 10" sub in a box I built in the back. I still have the amp and sub/box.
I have experience in live and studio sound, fabrication, bodywork, wiring, etc., but car audio is a much different animal now than what it was when I was last really paying attention...
My primary goals for the Blazer are good sound quality, stock appearance as far as I can manage it, and a reasonable budget. I have no intention of competing or anything, just listening pleasure. I would like to keep the rears for passenger enjoyment, but the focus will be on the front.
I've picked up a little bit having lurked around here for a while, and have a couple of ideas and would appreciate some comments/suggestions:
HU - looking at Alpine 9886/9887 kind of deal - Alpine holds a spot in my heart, MP3 is necessary and USB would be very nice.
Speakers - 4x6 plates in the dash - I've been looking at Infinity Reference or Kappa 2 ways. Components or some sort of 6.5 woofers in the doors, good replacements for the rears, and my sub.
Amp(s) - I have my alpine 90x2/240 bridged - this part has hung me up a bit trying to figure out a configuration where I can set it and forget it keeping control at the deck remembering that budget is an important but not necessarily deciding factor.
Comments or suggestions anyone? Thanks.
My 'first install' was an under-dash cassette deck hooked to Jensen 6x9's back in the day when that was really something... I would guess a good number of you were probably not around in those good ole' days...
My latest install was basically a factory update in an 88 Camaro - Alpine HU (model escapes me at the moment), Alpine 4x6 dash and 6x9 pillar off the deck, with an MRP-T130 bridged to a 10" sub in a box I built in the back. I still have the amp and sub/box.
I have experience in live and studio sound, fabrication, bodywork, wiring, etc., but car audio is a much different animal now than what it was when I was last really paying attention...
My primary goals for the Blazer are good sound quality, stock appearance as far as I can manage it, and a reasonable budget. I have no intention of competing or anything, just listening pleasure. I would like to keep the rears for passenger enjoyment, but the focus will be on the front.
I've picked up a little bit having lurked around here for a while, and have a couple of ideas and would appreciate some comments/suggestions:
HU - looking at Alpine 9886/9887 kind of deal - Alpine holds a spot in my heart, MP3 is necessary and USB would be very nice.
Speakers - 4x6 plates in the dash - I've been looking at Infinity Reference or Kappa 2 ways. Components or some sort of 6.5 woofers in the doors, good replacements for the rears, and my sub.
Amp(s) - I have my alpine 90x2/240 bridged - this part has hung me up a bit trying to figure out a configuration where I can set it and forget it keeping control at the deck remembering that budget is an important but not necessarily deciding factor.
Comments or suggestions anyone? Thanks.
10-22-2009, 11:30 PM
#3
skip the 4x6's and get better components for the front doors. Use the Alpine amp for the fronts, get a decent sub/amp combo for the bass...a good 12 in a ported box with 500 watts rms will sound good and get plenty loud, and run the rear speakers off the deck...enough to keep the rear seats happy and add a little rear fill for ambiance.
10-23-2009, 12:02 AM
#4
I agree. Classifieds are here.
10-23-2009, 02:07 AM
#5
That makes some sense, but I was wondering about placement of the tweeters - putting them down near the woofers would give them a great view of the side of my calf. Not a lot of room around me when I'm sitting in a little blazer - my thought was that the higher mids and highs might have a better chance coming from up top? I know that my bias in the Camaro was definitely towards the dash but there was nothing in the doors.
Running the rears from the deck is a great idea I hadn't considered. My sub is a 10" in a sealed box - crazy loud isn't really a concern although I do realize more headroom is a good thing. The box is packed away at the moment so I don't have the specs handy - don't even remember who made it actually, but I don't recall spending lotsa money. Is there a rule of thumb for speaker rating vs amp power for a sub?
Running the rears from the deck is a great idea I hadn't considered. My sub is a 10" in a sealed box - crazy loud isn't really a concern although I do realize more headroom is a good thing. The box is packed away at the moment so I don't have the specs handy - don't even remember who made it actually, but I don't recall spending lotsa money. Is there a rule of thumb for speaker rating vs amp power for a sub?
10-23-2009, 06:19 AM
#6
That makes some sense, but I was wondering about placement of the tweeters - putting them down near the woofers would give them a great view of the side of my calf. Not a lot of room around me when I'm sitting in a little blazer - my thought was that the higher mids and highs might have a better chance coming from up top? I know that my bias in the Camaro was definitely towards the dash but there was nothing in the doors.
Running the rears from the deck is a great idea I hadn't considered. My sub is a 10" in a sealed box - crazy loud isn't really a concern although I do realize more headroom is a good thing. The box is packed away at the moment so I don't have the specs handy - don't even remember who made it actually, but I don't recall spending lotsa money. Is there a rule of thumb for speaker rating vs amp power for a sub?
Running the rears from the deck is a great idea I hadn't considered. My sub is a 10" in a sealed box - crazy loud isn't really a concern although I do realize more headroom is a good thing. The box is packed away at the moment so I don't have the specs handy - don't even remember who made it actually, but I don't recall spending lotsa money. Is there a rule of thumb for speaker rating vs amp power for a sub?
The rule of thumb would be anything up to around 50% over the subs power rating should be OK, you don't want to kill the sub and more clean power is always better.....
HTH
10-23-2009, 10:51 AM
#8
Maybe get a comp set and place the tweeters were the 4x6's go? might be a nice place to put the crossovers as well.
As far as your amp/sub combo, I would use it! If it sounds good enuf for you then why go spend money when you dont need to right.
I would try adding fronts with amp, and sub/ amp first off, your choice of deck is a good one too btw, leave the stock rears for now as they just might sound good enough to do the job, and if your not happy change em out.
P.S lol
I happen to have a soundstream "lil wonder" amp for sale in the classifieds if your interested, would be great for front comps.I would meet half way? sound quality doesent get any better than soundstream IMO, at least not the older equiptment.
LINK http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...oldschool.html
As far as your amp/sub combo, I would use it! If it sounds good enuf for you then why go spend money when you dont need to right.
I would try adding fronts with amp, and sub/ amp first off, your choice of deck is a good one too btw, leave the stock rears for now as they just might sound good enough to do the job, and if your not happy change em out.
P.S lol
I happen to have a soundstream "lil wonder" amp for sale in the classifieds if your interested, would be great for front comps.I would meet half way? sound quality doesent get any better than soundstream IMO, at least not the older equiptment.
LINK http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...oldschool.html
10-23-2009, 11:29 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
u could always take out the 4x6 speakers in the dash to find out there just holding a tweeter in each and u could put your tweeter from your component set your gonna get there.
i have a 99 blazer, i had the tweets on my a-pillar and then just recently in the factory spot, they actually sound pretty good from there
i wont give any advice on the subs and speaker selection as i dont really know much about not going overboard.
but i will say that the 9886 is a piece of crap, i regret buying it every day i use it. so many issues (although i'm sure if the customer support or local dealer support was there it would be ok, but there useless)
i have a 99 blazer, i had the tweets on my a-pillar and then just recently in the factory spot, they actually sound pretty good from there
i wont give any advice on the subs and speaker selection as i dont really know much about not going overboard.
but i will say that the 9886 is a piece of crap, i regret buying it every day i use it. so many issues (although i'm sure if the customer support or local dealer support was there it would be ok, but there useless)
10-23-2009, 12:44 PM
#10
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 158
u could always take out the 4x6 speakers in the dash to find out there just holding a tweeter in each and u could put your tweeter from your component set your gonna get there.
i have a 99 blazer, i had the tweets on my a-pillar and then just recently in the factory spot, they actually sound pretty good from there
i wont give any advice on the subs and speaker selection as i dont really know much about not going overboard.
but i will say that the 9886 is a piece of crap, i regret buying it every day i use it. so many issues (although i'm sure if the customer support or local dealer support was there it would be ok, but there useless)
i have a 99 blazer, i had the tweets on my a-pillar and then just recently in the factory spot, they actually sound pretty good from there
i wont give any advice on the subs and speaker selection as i dont really know much about not going overboard.
but i will say that the 9886 is a piece of crap, i regret buying it every day i use it. so many issues (although i'm sure if the customer support or local dealer support was there it would be ok, but there useless)
What were your problems with it?
