amplifier placement in a 1302

[oasis]

Not a happy ending ... but a happy middle

A fellow at SBO! has a Jensen in his '71. I looked up the dimensions of his particular unit and mine. The two units share the same height and width but the Jensen actually has 5/8" more depth to it than the Alpine I want.

I called up my mechanic of 18 years to get a recommendation for an installer. Lo and behold, they are going to do it. This is very out of the ordinary for them to do this kind of work. I am very happy because I trust these people implicitly and they know how, um, particular I am.

June 6th is the drop-off date. I will attach the suggestions from here, highlighted of course. Hope to have pics that next weekend. Where's the fingers crossed smiley?

[volkdent]

Keep us posted on the project. For some reason I was thinking you might be installing it yourself. If you have questions about doing anything yourself, just ask. Your parts list seemed pretty decent.

Regarding the head unit, I've very happy with mine being in the glove box. Keeps it safe, and you can make anything fit in there.

Jason

[oasis]

Most things beyond oil changes or tire rotations will be uncharted territory for me until I get a garage. I did have the opportunity to assist with the suspension/brake project at my longtime mechanic's place of business on a couple of weekends way back when. Someday I'll be more of a DIY'er ... maybe when I get a 1303.

Since I have to repurchase everything, I have two more questions.

(1) Do I really need the amp? The reason I ask is my 2002 Cabrio had a head unit swap with the exact same Alpine I want to get for my Super. If I have the volume up to just the half-way point, it is blasting me out of the car. I can only imagine going that high if I'm cranking The Who's Live at Leeds at 80 MPH with the top down.

(2) Should I consider switching from a generator to an alternator? I was going to ask this when it came time for the drivetrain upgrade but since this electrical, I thought maybe it was worth asking now. I guess the three choices in answers are (i) yes, now, (ii) yes but wait until you upgrade the engine and transmission, and (iii) no, as long as everything is okay, don't bother.

[volkdent]

Regarding question one: If you really don't have an ear for sound, you'll probably going to think the head unit power is fine. If you are a little particular (which it sounds like you are) you will definately want an external amp. As the volume increases with head unit power, the amplifier output generally gets dirtier and dirtier. Because of this you also increase the chance of blowing speakers, as they are trying to duplicate the dirty siganal but physically can't, overheat and blow. It is MUCH easier to blow a speaker with too little power than with too much.

I would leave things the way they are for now, unless problems develop, but definately replace it with and alternator when you do the motor work.

Jason

[oasis]

Originally Posted by volkdent

If you are a little particular (which it sounds like you are) ...

Boy, ask 5,000 simple questions and quickly get slapped with a label.

Seriously, I want to do the right thing but I was wondering if the Best Buy sales doodle was getting me to overpurchase.

Originally Posted by volkdent

It is MUCH easier to blow a speaker with too little power than with too much.

I had never heard that before. Very interesting.

Originally Posted by volkdent

I would leave things the way they are for now, unless problems develop, but definately replace it with and alternator when you do the motor work.

Thanks for all of your answers.

[samcat]

Originally Posted by oasis

I had never heard that before. Very interesting.

Tis true.

Distorted signal with have clipping, much like a square wave where the very tops and bottoms get chopped off... Causes lots of damage very quickly.

Too much power can be managed, too little is a receipe for disaster. Lots of power generally = lots of control = nice crisp sound.

Too much power cooks voice coils if over done, but would be LOUD... Set the gain somewhere sensible if you have 100 watt rms speakers and a 300 watt rms per channel amp... Around a third would be a good starting point...
Ideally you setup with an ossicilioscope so you can get max power without clipping.

Its well worth the effort, nice sounds is good but superb sounds are even better!

My kit:

Thats an IDMAX 12 D4


Those are CDT Eurosport 620's...

All in my car and it sounds wonderful! VERY crisp and controlled, with plenty of tight bass and it drops down low too...

If you need ANY advice/guidance with your install feel free to drop me a line, have been doing this stuff for years.

And remember, 80% of the sound comes from a GOOD install.. Cheap kit can sound like a million dollars if installed properly, and the reverse is true... Good kit can sound nasty if installed badly.

Keep the faith.

Cya,
SaM C

[volkdent]

Hey Samcat, I thought I had over kill in the bass department! That thing looks huge! I have a JL 12W7 and I regretted getting it when I opened the box, the mass is crazy. One is more than I need!