audio set-up for beginners [continued]

[monty_GTV]

i saw it too sa KAC, i don't have any idea sir about the amp performance at kung magkano ang SRP.

btw, so many used high-end brands sold in KAC lately, bewith accurate (sold), genesis absolute series, focal utopia wrc and today micro-precision z series

[simonzaide]

Thanks sir well..

Need to do a lot of backreading muna so far based on my understanding i can run a set up like this

HU: stock
Sound Proc: will depend if i got 2 way or 3 way
FRONTS :3 way or 2 way
REAR: not really a pro so do you put in a midrange or coaxial what type do you put sa rear ?
SUB: still contemplating on 1 10/12 inch or 2 8 inchers
Amps: really set on those tube amps
If i go 2 way in front 1 amp to active 2 way
Is it possible to have another amp 4 channel to power my rear and 1 sub ?

[simonzaide]

Also regarding the sound deadening and wiring how much do i need to budget for the set up above ? And given i go for a stealth look how much do i spend for woodworks and enclosure

[jhnkvn]

Okay, this is what you do.

1. Know your budget
Truthfully, this is ironic of me since I technically work on an open-budget basis. But then again, not everybody is as passionate as me when it comes to car audio (my modifications alone is in the realm of 6-digits after all). I will advice people who are beginning their project to have a budget. Because the budget will dictate everything. From your choice of gears, installation, and even installer choice. You'll eventually have to compromise one way or the other so that the components will all fit "within" the budget.

I'll give a sound warning: 90% of people I know who has a budget of 50,000php upwards will overspend their initial budget.

2. Find an installer and state your budget.
Most installers are two things combined: artists and entrepreneurs. Artists is because the ideal setup is one that's a blank slate. In that point, a lot of them disdain continuing the work of other artists. So choose wisely on who you want as an installer. Talk to them and judge them on their customer service, their knowledge, and experience. Entrepreneur - because this is a business. Some installers will push you products which have a higher profit margin for them regardless of their performance. Now, each of these artists are experienced and will have differing philosophies on how to construct your project so don't expect Installer A to push for the same products as Installer B.

3. Research and Listen
This is where most of your time will be spent. Think of this as constructing a blueprint for your house. First thing you do is research - there's a wealth of knowledge in backreading KAC's threads. Tsikot's very own "audio setup for beginners" thread also has a huge backlog of posts (mostly by me) which may come in handy for your questions.

After researching, start listening. Now, how to listen. First is contacting your installer - usually meron yan on-going project or an already finished project. Ask permission if you may "audition" the setup and just listen. Listen to a lot of car and you'll get a rough idea on what you'll like - which will probably make you change your initial equipment to suit your wants.

And before you finish reading my post, I'll remind you to pick your route: SQ, Loud and Clear, or SPL. These are three distinct routes and it's one-route-per-system. I will advice you not to try an jack-of-all-trades system as most I've seen who attempt only ends up disappointed.

---

As for replies...

Rear Speakers
You won't need them. Your front speakers is loud enough so that you won't ever need your rears.
Case to point: I've never heard anybody complaining inside my car why it doesn't have rear speakers.

Dynaquest amplifiers
SRP of Dynaquest amplifiers are around Php16,000 if memory serves right. Will I recommend it? I won't because there's usually better ones out there. The Dynaquest amplifier is a hybrid tube amplifier. The tube is at the pre-amp stage while a solid-state MOSFET is at the power stage. Truthfully, you won't really hear any "tube-ness" in the sound with hybrids. This is because most of their bias is set too low to affect the music. So it's either you go for pure tube (not recommended in a car) or you go solid-state (what 99% of us use).

Also, I haven't seen one being purchased first-hand for a long time na. They were popular back in 2008-2010 but since have waned in popularity.

[simonzaide]

Thanks for the reply sir

[threadstone]

nanghihinayang ako sa AVT HU ko. Me GPS na sana kaya lang pangit ng sound output.


Sent from my iPod

If I will retain my AVT HU, considering na napalitan na rin po yung stock speakers (front and rear), meron na rin syang outside wall deadening (4 doors), 10" sub and 4-ch ampli, mas gaganda po ba yung sounds nya kung lalagyan ko sya ng processor or equalizer na lang? Budgeted yung set-up ko. Cost around 30K lang.
Btw, I'm into SQ and minsan me konting bass kapag nakikinig ng mga pop music like Maroon 5 or One Direction.
Mahina lang din naman ako mag sounds and usually nasa 10 lang ang volume ko.

Nasabi sa akin nung installer yung limitation ng AVT HU and nakita ko naman na napaka-konti ng sound adjustments nya.
Ang ayaw ko lang sa set-up ko ngayon is nanginginig yung car kapag pumapalo yung bass, kahit -1 na yung setting nya sa HU.
Saka parang me kulang na hindi ko malaman. Ang gusto ko sana is parang nakikinig kalang ng mga opera or theater music. Meron akong Boss Noise cancelling Headset and yun yung gusto ko sana maging output sa kotse ko. Meron bass pero hindi nanginginig and buong-buo ang tunog nya.
Nag aabang nga po ako ng car show para makapag audition ng mga me sound set up na para magka idea kung ano pa ang kailangan gawin sa set up ko.

For the meantime, please advise kung papalitan ko yung HU ko ng Pioneer or I will just retain it and attach a processor or equalizer.

[jhnkvn]

If I will retain my AVT HU, considering na napalitan na rin po yung stock speakers (front and rear), meron na rin syang outside wall deadening (4 doors), 10" sub and 4-ch ampli, mas gaganda po ba yung sounds nya kung lalagyan ko sya ng processor or equalizer na lang? Budgeted yung set-up ko. Cost around 30K lang.
Btw, I'm into SQ and minsan me konting bass kapag nakikinig ng mga pop music like Maroon 5 or One Direction.
Mahina lang din naman ako mag sounds and usually nasa 10 lang ang volume ko.

Nasabi sa akin nung installer yung limitation ng AVT HU and nakita ko naman na napaka-konti ng sound adjustments nya.
Ang ayaw ko lang sa set-up ko ngayon is nanginginig yung car kapag pumapalo yung bass, kahit -1 na yung setting nya sa HU.
Saka parang me kulang na hindi ko malaman. Ang gusto ko sana is parang nakikinig kalang ng mga opera or theater music. Meron akong Boss Noise cancelling Headset and yun yung gusto ko sana maging output sa kotse ko. Meron bass pero hindi nanginginig and buong-buo ang tunog nya.
Nag aabang nga po ako ng car show para makapag audition ng mga me sound set up na para magka idea kung ano pa ang kailangan gawin sa set up ko.

For the meantime, please advise kung papalitan ko yung HU ko ng Pioneer or I will just retain it and attach a processor or equalizer.

A processor is not cheap. A 2-way processor will set you back 16,000php and in order to take advantage of its capabilities, you'll need more channels so that means another amplifier (you need one more channel for the subwoofer) and this will cost you anywhere from 5,000php upwards depending on budget. Once you have the gears, yun mahirap dyan is the tuning.

I wouldn't bet on car shows for auditions really. Most car shows are LnC (Loud and Clear) by nature - you want flashy speakers, amplifiers, televisions, woodworks, etc. being displayed. If you want to wait, your best bet will be EMMA Philippines' final leg which should be in Metro Manila sometime near the end of the year. If not, your second best bet is to ask somebody who actually has a SQ setup and ask for an audition. If you can drop by Banawe, QC feel free to message me.

For your advice, that's... a hard question. If you disregard the effort needed to tune, the processor route is better. The Pioneer route is good as an insta-fix tho.. you see, a lot of people with stock HUs like that Monty's AVT will eventually upgrade to Pioneer's 2DINs once they have a processor (nalalaman mo rin kasi yun limits).

[MonteroGLSV]

sir jhnkvn. if palitan ko po ng HU ung monti ko into Pioneer' 2DINsmag improve po ba sound quality nyan considering stock po lahat except sa HU? TIA

[jhnkvn]

sir jhnkvn. if palitan ko po ng HU ung monti ko into Pioneer' 2DINsmag improve po ba sound quality nyan considering stock po lahat except sa HU? TIA

Improvement? Certainly. But at the price of a brand new 2DIN head unit? I'll pass. I'd rather have a AVT head unit but with upgraded speakers.

[MonteroGLSV]

thanks sir jhnkvn.

Improvement? Certainly. But at the price of a brand new 2DIN head unit? I'll pass. I'd rather have a AVT head unit but with upgraded speakers.