Car Audio 101

MonsterTrosity · 07-22-2001, 03:49 PM

Rule #1, check the basics. Sounds like one of your speakers is out of phase. Make sure all of the speakers have the + to the +, and the - to the - on all terminals and amps. Even when you've double checked them, and you think everything is right, try inversing the phase. If the bass all of a sudden sounds twice as loud, than that was your problem. Now, of course, you want to make sure that all of your speakers are in the same phase, so check everything, otherwise it will still sound weird.

Next, check your power. Always make sure you have heavy enough guage wire going to your power leads on all amps, and head unit. Check your grounds as well. You always want to make sure that you sand the surface of where you connect your gorund wires to the chassis.

I ALWAYS run my mids and highs in the doors off of the deck. If you are not, and you are running an amp, you will iether burst an ear drum, or your speakers. There is never a need for that kind of power up front unless you are trying to have a block party. Simply save the amps for your rear fill, and bass units. Don't expect to get much base out of the rear fill. That is what subwoofers are for. I always like to run crossovers on the fronts and rears to filter out the bass, and save that for the subs. 1, it will run cleaner power, and keep your head unit from needing to pump bass, and 2, it will help deliver cleaner louder sound to all speakers because you are saving your power for the sub amp.

And last, but definately not least, get a cap. I ALWAYS run caps in all my cars, nice stereo or not. I like to run one directly connected to the amp, and one directly connected to the battery. I love the extra cranking amps it gives to your starter (starts that car up fast!) and it also helps filter out any surges that your car delivers fro either heavy bass, or simply turning on your headlights. I'm not talking about a 1uf or even a .5uf, I only use two .15uf, and that is all you need. Anything more, and were talking about another block party. Believe me when I say your starter, and alternator will love you for it! They will last twice as long.

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MonsterTrosity

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07-22-2001, 03:49 PM	#6
MonsterTrosity Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fremont, Ca. Posts: 48	Rule #1, check the basics. Sounds like one of your speakers is out of phase. Make sure all of the speakers have the + to the +, and the - to the - on all terminals and amps. Even when you've double checked them, and you think everything is right, try inversing the phase. If the bass all of a sudden sounds twice as loud, than that was your problem. Now, of course, you want to make sure that all of your speakers are in the same phase, so check everything, otherwise it will still sound weird. Next, check your power. Always make sure you have heavy enough guage wire going to your power leads on all amps, and head unit. Check your grounds as well. You always want to make sure that you sand the surface of where you connect your gorund wires to the chassis. I ALWAYS run my mids and highs in the doors off of the deck. If you are not, and you are running an amp, you will iether burst an ear drum, or your speakers. There is never a need for that kind of power up front unless you are trying to have a block party. Simply save the amps for your rear fill, and bass units. Don't expect to get much base out of the rear fill. That is what subwoofers are for. I always like to run crossovers on the fronts and rears to filter out the bass, and save that for the subs. 1, it will run cleaner power, and keep your head unit from needing to pump bass, and 2, it will help deliver cleaner louder sound to all speakers because you are saving your power for the sub amp. And last, but definately not least, get a cap. I ALWAYS run caps in all my cars, nice stereo or not. I like to run one directly connected to the amp, and one directly connected to the battery. I love the extra cranking amps it gives to your starter (starts that car up fast!) and it also helps filter out any surges that your car delivers fro either heavy bass, or simply turning on your headlights. I'm not talking about a 1uf or even a .5uf, I only use two .15uf, and that is all you need. Anything more, and were talking about another block party. Believe me when I say your starter, and alternator will love you for it! They will last twice as long. ------------------ MonsterTrosity