Car Audio for my Garage - what do I need?
#1
Car Audio for my Garage - what do I need?
Hey guys,
I'm going to attempt to piece together an audio system for my garage using car audio equipment.
I have an old Kenwood 5 channel amp, model KAC-959. PDF Owner's Manual
I'm not sure I want to assume that the amp is 2 ohm stable. The output rating only show for 4 ohms. I'd love to get the most out of the amp, but don't want to fry it by not having enough of a load on it.
I need to find some bookshelf speakers with an RMS of 80W or so. Then place on in each corner. The issue is going to be that these speakers are likely going to be 6 or 8 ohm drivers, which means I won't get that 80W of output. I could place 4 speakers on either side of my garage, split the left 4 into the "front" and "rear", and do the same for the other side. Then I could wire the pairs in parallel to bring the load down to 3 or 4 ohm per channel. Then the speakers would split that 80W between them.
What I really need to know more about is the power source. I've heard a few people mention converters in various threads. Is this something I'd plug into an outlet in my garage then hook the amp up to it, or would I still need a battery and a charging system?
What am I looking at for powering this up? How much should I be willing to spend for quality equipment?
I'm finding it really easy to find DC to AC Converters, but no the other way around.
Hold up. What about this?
http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/rsp-1000-12.shtml
This probably isn't such a feasible idea if I have to spend this much money on something just for power. I might as well just buy another home stereo receiver and go that way. And get a cheap little DVD player to play audio...
Nevermind. Nice waste of a post, eh?
I'm going to attempt to piece together an audio system for my garage using car audio equipment.
I have an old Kenwood 5 channel amp, model KAC-959. PDF Owner's Manual
Speaker Selection
• The rated input power of the speakers that are
going to be connected should be greater than
the maximum output power (in Watts) of the
amplifier. Use of speakers having input power
ratings that are less than the output power of
the amplifier will cause smoke to be emitted as
well as damage.
• The impedance of the speakers that are going to
be connected should be 2 ohm or greater (for
stereo connections), or 4 ohm or greater (for
bridged connections). When more than one set
of speakers are going to be used, calculate the
combined impedance of the speakers and then
connect suitable speakers to the amplifier.
• The rated input power of the speakers that are
going to be connected should be greater than
the maximum output power (in Watts) of the
amplifier. Use of speakers having input power
ratings that are less than the output power of
the amplifier will cause smoke to be emitted as
well as damage.
• The impedance of the speakers that are going to
be connected should be 2 ohm or greater (for
stereo connections), or 4 ohm or greater (for
bridged connections). When more than one set
of speakers are going to be used, calculate the
combined impedance of the speakers and then
connect suitable speakers to the amplifier.
I need to find some bookshelf speakers with an RMS of 80W or so. Then place on in each corner. The issue is going to be that these speakers are likely going to be 6 or 8 ohm drivers, which means I won't get that 80W of output. I could place 4 speakers on either side of my garage, split the left 4 into the "front" and "rear", and do the same for the other side. Then I could wire the pairs in parallel to bring the load down to 3 or 4 ohm per channel. Then the speakers would split that 80W between them.
What I really need to know more about is the power source. I've heard a few people mention converters in various threads. Is this something I'd plug into an outlet in my garage then hook the amp up to it, or would I still need a battery and a charging system?
What am I looking at for powering this up? How much should I be willing to spend for quality equipment?
I'm finding it really easy to find DC to AC Converters, but no the other way around.
Hold up. What about this?
http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/rsp-1000-12.shtml
This probably isn't such a feasible idea if I have to spend this much money on something just for power. I might as well just buy another home stereo receiver and go that way. And get a cheap little DVD player to play audio...
Nevermind. Nice waste of a post, eh?
#3
The power converter you listed would do the trick, However this should be suffice PSP-600-12, Mean Well PSP-600-12
I have often thought about doing this in my garage, since I have a bunch of left over random gear.
I have often thought about doing this in my garage, since I have a bunch of left over random gear.
#4
I imagine that these power converters are what the audio shops use to power the amps on their sound boards. Never gave it much thought, since that part of it is always out of view.
For arguments sake, if I decided to go ahead with this, how would I go about grounding the amp? I thought I'd pick up a used or inexpensive new Head Unit, how would that be wired for power to the converter. Any ideas?
For arguments sake, if I decided to go ahead with this, how would I go about grounding the amp? I thought I'd pick up a used or inexpensive new Head Unit, how would that be wired for power to the converter. Any ideas?
#7
The type of inverter that a shop generally uses is rather huge.
If your somewhat handy though...
DIY Personal Bench Power Supply | YourITronics
Or..
http://www.audioauthority.com/produc...ccessEZ_Mobile
If your somewhat handy though...
DIY Personal Bench Power Supply | YourITronics
Or..
http://www.audioauthority.com/produc...ccessEZ_Mobile
#9
The type of inverter that a shop generally uses is rather huge.
If your somewhat handy though...
DIY Personal Bench Power Supply | YourITronics
Or..
Audio Authority® - Product Listing: AccessEZ*Mobile (15)
If your somewhat handy though...
DIY Personal Bench Power Supply | YourITronics
Or..
Audio Authority® - Product Listing: AccessEZ*Mobile (15)
btw, if you want to power an HU an old PC ATX PSU will do the trick (+12v @ 14A)
Last edited by lpchouinard; 01-07-2009 at 07:22 PM.