audio set-up for beginners [continued]

**mikomac** · May 24th, 2012 08:05 PM

Here's my set-up.

Subs: JBL GT5-S12
Amps: X12 MRV-F805
Coax: Pioneer 3 way 6x9 Speakers
Seps: OEM
Tweets: MB Quart
Box: 40 hertz Ported Box

I'm planning to change the seps to a Firland seps and add an another Amplifier for the voice and also changing the box for a Side Ported one to increase the pressure level of the bass and if the budget allows, will change the subs to a Ryan Audio or Firland, or Cerwin Vega, or DD and many more

**boogielloyd** · May 24th, 2012 08:57 PM

[QUOTE=jhnkvn;1934493]I wouldn't also suggest a full-setup but rather to upgrade bit-by-bit so that you can fully realize the difference each upgrade takes. Also, sound is subjective.. so your "decent" quality is different from my perspective of decent. Thing with sound quality is that people's standard is that on what they have heard... it's like buying a TV, a 32-inch might seem big now.. but once you've tasted an 80-incher Plasma, naliliitan ka na sa 32".

1) First I would do is to to swap the stock speakers immediately. Alot of MS owners do this straight out of the CASA due to the abysmal stock speakers I'm told

start with the front speakers (where you're usually the driver) and leave the back.. stock. At the same time, deaden the doors so that you maximize your midbass potential. As a side advantage, you'll feel a solid "thunk" everytime you close the door (kinda like those premium cars like Mercs) at the expense of additional weight (hence gas)

2) Throw in an amplifier

3) Throw in a subwoofer

This is a standard procedure in car audio upgrading for most people. If you plan on upgrading everything all in one go, feel free. But if you're griped with financials, follow these steps. Personally if I were serious with car audio, I would invest in a good head unit. But 95% of Monty owners wouldn't want replacing their stock head unit so I didn't mention it here anymore.

You need not compromise on space really but you'd have to use some creative placing on the subwoofer. "Iba ba kung may sub?", for most people yes. But given a good speaker set, you don't really need to. I've heard systems that sound like there's a subwoofer but in fact there isn't. Then again, these are a hundred grand speakers we're talking about. Personally, yes. Get a subwoofer since it adds that "oomph" in the low-end.. and as with 80% of the population, we all love bass.[/QUOTE

thank you sir...nauna ko nabasa ung PM mo

really appreciate it. ( i will now look for a good brand and model of front speakers na swak sa budget. )

**jhnkvn** · May 24th, 2012 11:45 PM

How far are you willing to stretch the budget? Will that only be the price of the components or lahat-lahat na? Based on these two questions, I think I could suggest a few things.

As for your PM:
My rule of thumb is that anything more than 6,000php should be accompanied by an amplifier. This is because you're not utilizing even HALF of the capability of your speaker. Stock head units typically output around 14W RMS power.. compare that of the nominal 80W RMS most speakers need. Of course, watts is dependent on the amount of decibels (which sensitivity is also part of but let's leave that out).. so if you're listening to the radio as background music, you won't need an amplifier really.. but if you're the type to crank the music to at least 90 decibels while driving alone, please do get one.

As a suggestion, get the most sensitive speakers you can find at a budget. A higher sensitivity rating means that to needs less power to output X decibels compared to a lower sensitivity speaker.

**boogielloyd** · May 25th, 2012 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by jhnkvn

How far are you willing to stretch the budget? Will that only be the price of the components or lahat-lahat na? Based on these two questions, I think I could suggest a few things.

As for your PM:
My rule of thumb is that anything more than 6,000php should be accompanied by an amplifier. This is because you're not utilizing even HALF of the capability of your speaker. Stock head units typically output around 14W RMS power.. compare that of the nominal 80W RMS most speakers need. Of course, watts is dependent on the amount of decibels (which sensitivity is also part of but let's leave that out).. so if you're listening to the radio as background music, you won't need an amplifier really.. but if you're the type to crank the music to at least 90 decibels while driving alone, please do get one.

As a suggestion, get the most sensitive speakers you can find at a budget. A higher sensitivity rating means that to needs less power to output X decibels compared to a lower sensitivity speaker.

as of the moment i could only throw out a budget of 15k.(including installation and wirings). Now im thinking of just getting a descent set of separates(front) + amp. If this is the case, what specific model of separates and amp would you suggest? I usually use my old ipod/CDs as the source . sensya na sir dami questions. hehe. Thanks

**jhnkvn** · May 25th, 2012 10:53 AM

At 15k, you can fit a subwoofer na nga sa budget na yan. Where's your general location? I can point you to nearby shops that I know. More or less, you can't be fickle at that price point. I think getting an amplifier + speakers at 15k would be good but I would go for a subwoofer nalang. This is because not all separates components can go dig really down to merit non-subwoofer use. In most cases, you'll be having a 80/120hz cutoff (in other words, your fronts will only play 80/120hz and above) so I would suggest a sub to fill in the 50hz-80hz.

It's a big deal since, like I said previously, people love bass. I tried a 80hz cutoff before and it was horrible. Separates that don't really need a subwoofer anymore can go as low as 50hz and still play (my midbass can go down to 45hz but I cut it off at 63hz) rendering a subwoofer really useless unless playing subsonic sounds (20hz).

Your typical setup at this prices would more or less look like:
1. Firland
2. Lightning Lab amp
3. Sub

I'm a fan of Firland but I'm not really a fan of Lightning Lab. But for the price, I guess you'd either be choosing either the Lightning Lab amp or a bootleg V12 so I'd go for the LL instead. Incidentally, my favorite subwoofer at these prices is a JBL GT5. Pretty cheap too at around 2,000php.

**boogielloyd** · May 25th, 2012 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by jhnkvn

At 15k, you can fit a subwoofer na nga sa budget na yan. Where's your general location? I can point you to nearby shops that I know. More or less, you can't be fickle at that price point. I think getting an amplifier + speakers at 15k would be good but I would go for a subwoofer nalang. This is because not all separates components can go dig really down to merit non-subwoofer use. In most cases, you'll be having a 80/120hz cutoff (in other words, your fronts will only play 80/120hz and above) so I would suggest a sub to fill in the 50hz-80hz.

It's a big deal since, like I said previously, people love bass. I tried a 80hz cutoff before and it was horrible. Separates that don't really need a subwoofer anymore can go as low as 50hz and still play (my midbass can go down to 45hz but I cut it off at 63hz) rendering a subwoofer really useless unless playing subsonic sounds (20hz).

Your typical setup at this prices would more or less look like:
1. Firland
2. Lightning Lab amp
3. Sub

I'm a fan of Firland but I'm not really a fan of Lightning Lab. But for the price, I guess you'd either be choosing either the Lightning Lab amp or a bootleg V12 so I'd go for the LL instead. Incidentally, my favorite subwoofer at these prices is a JBL GT5. Pretty cheap too at around 2,000php.

Im from Mandaluyong sir near shaw blvd. I will definitely consider all your inputs. Thanks a lot for taking time and effort to answer all my queries. More power to you!

**jhnkvn** · May 25th, 2012 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by boogielloyd

Im from Mandaluyong sir near shaw blvd. I will definitely consider all your inputs. Thanks a lot for taking time and effort to answer all my queries. More power to you!

Nearest big car audio auto shop there is JC Car Audio in San Juan. Give Banawe a try (you'd possibly have to canvass 3-5 shops) or maybe our very own Tsikotshop. Going to Banawe would give you a bit more flexibility on the choices but the outcome would inevitably be more or less similar. I actually like Tsikotshop's free butyl deadeners if you avail of their packages.. most auto shops wouldn't give you a similar deal and you'd have to avail of it separately.

Go in the morning and it should be done na sa afternoon.

As a practical tidbit if you're still wondering how huge the difference of a subwoofer is: Go to Shangri-La Plaza Mall (you should be near since near Shaw ka). Go to Listening in Style (dealer of Dynaudios) and bring your favorite CD with you. Go and ask JR if you may audition a bookshelf speaker in their listening room. Hear and be surprised how good a tweeter and 6.5-inch woofer can play ;) that's 60hz roll-off for you.

**boogielloyd** · May 25th, 2012 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by jhnkvn

Nearest big car audio auto shop there is JC Car Audio in San Juan. Give Banawe a try (you'd possibly have to canvass 3-5 shops) or maybe our very own Tsikotshop. Going to Banawe would give you a bit more flexibility on the choices but the outcome would inevitably be more or less similar. I actually like Tsikotshop's free butyl deadeners if you avail of their packages.. most auto shops wouldn't give you a similar deal and you'd have to avail of it separately.

Go in the morning and it should be done na sa afternoon.

As a practical tidbit if you're still wondering how huge the difference of a subwoofer is: Go to Shangri-La Plaza Mall (you should be near since near Shaw ka). Go to Listening in Style (dealer of Dynaudios) and bring your favorite CD with you. Go and ask JR if you may audition a bookshelf speaker in their listening room. Hear and be surprised how good a tweeter and 6.5-inch woofer can play ;) that's 60hz roll-off for you.

ok sir. I might probably be able to visit (and audition) the shop in Shangri-la this weekeend, to at least hear the difference . Im actually also considering the Tsikotshop, although may kalayuan sa min. regarding JC Car Audio, i think i know the place, i might probably give them a visit as well before finally deciding. Anyway, once again, thanks a lot for the inputs