Car Audio Installation

[ACOperson]

Hi all.

Thinking of putting in a car stereo system, comprising of head unit, probably 4 x speakers, amplifier and sub. Just wondered if anyone here has any experience of doing something like this, and if theres anything I should look out for or be aware of.

I'm especially wondering how best to:

run speaker cables to the sub / amp / rear speakers (where to route cables?)

what capacity cables to use

How to integrate the speakers into the doors etc? Is this best done professionally?

Cheers

 

[RF Lighting]

This is a forum for DOMESTIC ELECTRICS. Not for car audio.

Rob

 

[ACOperson]

Is there another place on here I should have posted?

If you can't help me yourself then it's better to leave no reply than leave a smartarse comment.

 

[RF Lighting]

I'm no expert but I would try the cars section. The clue is in the name.

 

[ACOperson]

Looked on there, seems to be nothing about car audio in any threads, only info on engines, bodywork etc etc.

Thought I might seek the professional opinion of electricians seeing as car audio is all about electrics.

If you don't know then never mind.

 

[b21playa]

run power and remote cables down one side and phono's/rca down the other.

this will stop interferance.

depemding on size of amplier will depnd on cable size but 10AWG will normally be fine, making sure the GNS lead is the same thickness.

more info needed to tell you where to run cables

 

[ratm]

One thing to watch out for is that if you're head unit and amps are a car length apart as is common you must use good quality phono cabling because you'll get a loss on the cheap stuff. Consider using subs and tweeters with crossovers (A component system) rather than a separate sub unit and you can get away with one amp without loosing any sound quality. You can also get good quality custom fit speakers for most models from specialist suppliers. Connect power leads direct to the battery but remember to use fuses this cuts down on interference caused by bad earths in the car earth return. Run cables under side trim on top of the sills. Parcel shelf conversions are readily available and are good for hiding away expensive equipment. Some amps will draw a lot of power and a second battery is sometimes required. I've often seen boy racers sitting in car parks and their headlights keeping time to the music. Remember the music is for you not the rest of the street. If you want everyone else to hear it put the speakers on the outside.

 

[b21playa]

another thing :

dont put a sub in the boot and then 6x9s on the shelf, a total waste. Either one or the other

 

[Steve]

apparently 6x9's sound awful too.

 

[b21playa]

apparently 6x9's sound awful too.

agreed

best bet is to buy a component set and an amp to run them

 

[eatmypitbull]

It never ceases to amaze me how bleeding ignorant and unhelpful some people can be online. Take this post quite reasonably started by ACOperson only to get an arsey response by RF Lighting. Now, I don't know whether he's unable to reasonably communicate with the rest of society or an inbred yorkshire t0sser. Either way, learn to speak to people with some respect or keep your fat mouth shut

 

[Belle427]

what car is it?