New Member with an emphasis on SQ
 

I have just recently gotten into builds. One thing I have always known about myself when it comes to music is that louder doesn't mean better. I like to get as loud a possible without sacrificing quality. I'll happily turn my speakers or subs down in order to achieve maximum quality.

I have recently finished, although still tweaking, my first build in my 2014 Kia Optima. I have changed out my factory HU with a real nice Pioneer. I have changed out all 4 door speakers and 2 tweeters with Alpine type R 6.5" components. I have also added 2 Alpine Type R 10". I have my highs powered with a Sound Ordnance M4075. Only knock I have on that amps so far is it gets warm pretty quickly, but that has been solved, keep reading. I have my Subs powered by a Alpine-M110. Alpine says this amp is 1 ohm stable. No rating on it at 1 ohm. Its been holding up fine for about a month, doesn't cut off, no loss of quality to my ears, I'll keep it going.

I have created an amp rack out of a nifty little foam piece that came with the car in place of a spare tire. The problem here was it was a completely closed area with no air flow. So I beefed that up with 7 computer fans. The SO and the Alpine now stay cool to the touch.

Any feedback on my system is appreciated. I don't mind criticism, just don't tell me I have crap and leave it at that.

Which model pioneer head unit?
Have you thought about using a processor for sound?
Any flaws in the sound or anything you feel is missing?


Personally I wouldn't run it in 1 ohm. very unstable and dirty no matter what it says.

Yeah. I 'fed up on the amp. I don't have the cash to change out. It doesn't play poorly. Doesn't sound to distorted or dirty compared to the one at 2 ohms. The problem is that I got dual 4 ohms, so my option is 1 or 4. And at 4 I don't have enough power to keep up with the doors cleanly.

This was my first build, had some misguided information, and didn't dampen anything.

I've been told about a processor recently and will have to look into one.

Some problems I'm getting is likely because I haven't dampened anything. I get a "boomy" sound out of the sub. It doesn't sound like its the box. The only way I can explain it is that it sounds robotic. Like I'm getting a lot of reverb from the sound bouncing off the metal in the trunk.

Another thing I think I've been misguided on is speaker positioning. I've been told to face the speaker away from the cab, and close to the end of the trunk. This did make everything sound SOO much louder, but it was more like the "louder" was more a feeling because the whole car shook. It sounds better with the speakers facing into the cab IMO.

If I did go with a 1 ohm stable amp, what should I go with to get 2000W RMS but still be able to fit it in a somewhat compact space? I'll post a pic of what I'm working with.

Oh, and it is the AVH-X3600BHS

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Camer...odOi8R6W8XRuCg

I can cut the gusset out to make a little more space. Here is the other side with the SO for the highs.
https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Camer...kRAs-JYIh1q0gA

The head unit is fine. It won't have any good tuning capability that can really provide a new sounding result.
If you get a processor then it just becomes a controller which means it still retains it's value as a player.


That 1ohm is probably why you need 7 computer fans to keep 1 amp cool to the touch.
Which exact model of the type R subs do you have?
they offer them in single and dual voice coil either 2 or 4 ohms.
I imagine you built the box to spec for the subs?


Subs can go 2 ways in my opinion. Firing into the vehicle for more of a sensational style bass or with nothing blocking it to drive the bass note further for something more musical.


With proper time alignment, you can move the bass forward and inline with the front stage for timing.


As for an amp suggestion that can truly do a good sounding 2000watts @1ohm?
Gladen SPL1800c1
which produces 1760watts at 1ohm.


http://www.gladen.com/GladenAmpPDFs/SPL_1800c1.pdf


I'm in Canada, they go for $1249.00.
I got decent experience with their line and Mosconi. You want true power? Mosconi!

I don't really need the 7 computer fans. It was just a dead air space with no air flow, no new air. So I put the fans in. I had 7 so I used 7.

As far as the Amp goes, it gets warm. The SO has a much harder time keeping cool. (I had a 9 hour drive with minimal stopping, no problems) I do have my bass faced into the cab now, sounds a lot better. I've been getting some good advise across the web. I've played with my HU a little bit. I still have a long way to go.

I sort of have a stage. I can clearly tell that my music sound like it is coming from the center. But the stage seems low, like its coming from my flashing light for the security. Its somewhat flat too. I can tell that the Drummer is center, right and left guitar/instruments. But they all sound like they are standing right next to each other, so I guess thats depth. Bass sounds good and in front when I turn the knob down a bit with certain music. I can tell that its all there, but I think I'll have to deaden my doors up and get a processor to really get what I'm looking for. But its getting there.

I'm a complete novice, and didn't know it until I tried talking to some more educated folks and realize I know/knew next to nothing.

My car really isn't a great environment for HQ music. So I'm going to work on filtering out some of the outside noise to really make my speakers shine. Probably not going to go all out and do the roof and floor, just the doors and trunk and see where that takes me. I've also been referred to the MS-8 for a processor. IDK how I'll like that, I haven't had a processor before. A lot of folks seem to like it because it does a lot of the work for you, I think I'm going to end up getting something I can fiddle with a little more, IDK yet because I'm not too good with EQing because of lack of experience.

As far as my subs, they are dual 4 ohm.

So as dual 4's, wired for 1,4 or 8ohm.
Glad to hear you put it through 9Hrs!
That's sick!


Are you in Canada? I got an MS8 in an open box never installed that the team and I would like to rid ourselves of.
DM me if you want a price on it.


I don't know much about it. More experience with other ones.


They can do a lot. The best value out of them is that they add better tuning then head units and can be tied into stock systems.
Which is how we use a lot of them, guys bringing in their brand new fully loaded trucks with audio systems lol.

I was thinking since you noticed a difference in the subs SQ when you aimed them into the cab, try wiring them for 4ohm for a cleaner signal.
The difference in wattage between the 2 set ups would be a few DB and nominal compared to the articulation you would gain in their performance.
Another way to gain quality without buying more components.