Audio System Upgrade Thread 04 Tahoe

[04whitetahoe]

Thanks for chiming in - Been researching this quite a bit

As far as the ported for rap, sealed for rock debate. It really comes down the the subwoofer, that sundown should be a great sub.

The sealed for rock, ported for rap myth is just that.

Thanks you two for chiming in.

I've been reading MUCH conflicting information on sub boxes/ sealed, ported, band pass, 4th order band pass on many sites and threads like Steve Mead Designs, Crutchfield, Diymobile Audio - anything that will come up in many different iterations of Google searches I've done.

It's fairly easy to say "in the right enclosure it will be great", but no one is willing to say what pre-fab enclosure is "best" or even "here's some options. I'm not having a custom box made and not building my own, so looking for a pre fab that will meet the specs of the speaker according to the manufacturer.

I appears that "Ground Shaker" has the pre fab enclosure, whether it be sealed, ported, vented or band pass that will work with my Sub.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_62693_Ground-Shaker-SQPXL-1-12.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_62500_Ground-Shaker-GSP-1-12.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_62683_Ground-Shaker-SQP-1-12.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_62630_Ground-Shaker-PBP-1-12.html

Anyone have any prefab enclosure recommendations for my 12" Sundown audio pushed by a RF 750?

For a sealed application, my speaker wants 1 cu ft, for a ported, it wants 2.0 cu ft. If I can't find a box to meet that spec, should I go bigger or smaller. When I look at prefab boxes, they don't match my speaker spec.

My speaker spec says it works favorably with 4th order bandpass enclosures, thinking about the Ground Shaker bandpass enclosure from above. (Ground Shaker PBP 1 12 )

What is 4th order? Are all band pass 4th order?

Comments?


I really appreciate the conversation because I'll never profess to know it all about any subject!! In this case Sub woofer boxes.

 

[HortonHiresAHoe]

It's fairly easy to say "in the right enclosure it will be great", but no one is willing to say what pre-fab enclosure is "best" or even "here's some options.

I don't know that it's that no one is willing, its that there's not necessarily an "optimal" pre-fab enclosure. Prefabs are designed to be generic in order to be mass produced and not tailored or tuned for any one specific sub.

I am far from an expert myself as I have never used a prefab box. Out of the choices above, I would give the 1st one a shot. After you factor in the displacement of the sub, it's right at the recommended volume. Heck, for $75 & free shipping you can't lose. If you get it in and don't like it, you can probably get $50 for it on CL. To me, it's worth a $25 gamble.

edit - It appears I was wrong... check this out:

http://www.zenclosures.com/Sundown-SA-12-v-2-SA-1-12-p/sdsa1-12.htm

 

[04whitetahoe]

Great!!

http://www.zenclosures.com/Sundown-SA-12-v-2-SA-1-12-p/sdsa1-12.htm

THE PERFECT SOLUTION - THANKS HORTON!!

 

[HortonHiresAHoe]

No problem man, glad I could help! We're gonna need pics & video!!

 

[04whitetahoe]

Getting close

Getting close to having all the parts! Some photos of what I've received so far..

KnuKonceptz cables: 1/0, 4 ga, 12 ga, Etc....

Sundown Audio SA series 12" Dual 2 ohm:

750 Sub Amp (879 birth sheet):

600 4 D (729 birth sheet):

HU:

Sub box on the way. Thinking about when I might start installing - getting close to having some serious tunes, looks like I have about 1600 Watts!

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

that knuconceptz wire is garbage if your like me and like to solder the ring terminals to you the wire use welding wire the knuconceptz wiresheath melts when your trying to solder a ring terminal to it also welding wire is 100 percent copper knucuntcepts is not

---------- Post added at 05:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 AM ----------

i always recomend sealed sub enclosures you can push more wattage to your speaker
the bass is a little more sharper i think also if you do a sealed enlosure when you install the speakers make sure you use some sore of weather stripping or something so the openings were the speakers go are air tight i noticed a big difference when i sealed my speakers in my sealed enlclosure
alot of determining an enclosure is music preference if you listening to rap with the booming bass get a band pass me personally im a electronic music fan wich works better in a sealed rock i heard is optimal in a ported if you listen to dubstep dont buy anyenclosure go see a therapist your losing your mind
the ability to listen to random loud annoying brief sounds scrambled together for long perioiuds of time has a mental issue

---------- Post added at 05:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 AM ----------

those alpines are a good set of speakers i replaced the rear door wimpy pioneers i had witth those and very soon ordering a set for the front doors

Hi All!

I bought a 04 Tahoe last month and it has a blown driver’s side front door speaker. Knowing I also want to upgrade the head unit to one with USB & Bluetooth (and also looking at XM or HD radio) I started reading the audio system threads and getting reflective on how much money I want to put in to my new system - I’ve concluded about $1,000, but there will be more to it than that because of Big 3 upgrade with new dual post battery.

Since I have a blown front speaker with a stock sound system (it’s the OnStar without Bose), I decided to start at the speakers so I could at least hear sound from the front. I’m blown away at the prices of the components (Big $$$) and yet still wanting a pretty cranking system, I decided to go with these speakers that will handle 100 watts RMS each, a 4 channel amplifier that puts out 100 watts RMS X 4 and a powered sub:

Already purchased:

Front Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60C

Rear Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60

_____________________________________________________________

Not yet purchased - pretty convinced these are my components:

New dual post battery to facilitate Big 3 upgrade: Optima Yellow top dual post – also looking at Die Hard Platinum dual post. About $200

Big 3 upgrade using KNU Konceptz wiring and battery terminals and maybe fuse. Around $150?

Plan to use Dynamat in the doors ($100+) and use new speaker wire (Another $100?) throughout.

Amplifier: Rockford Fosgate R600 4D Prime series 4 channel amp 600 Watt RMS Class D Full Range 4 Channel. Rated RMS 100Watt X 4 @ 4ohm. Priced at about $220.

Amp install kit: $50ish?

Sub: Infinity Basslink 200-Watt, Dual 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer System. I plan to mount in the rear cargo area. About $180

Head Unit, looking at: Kenwood DPX 500bt (I am definitely not committed to this unit at this time). $200ish

Steering wheel control interface: About $50
_____________________________________________________________

My plan is to upgrade a piece at a time to ease the strain on my pocketbook as well as to allow time for install of each of the components – so each month, I’ll do around $200.00+ worth of purchases for the next step of my upgrades.

This month I’ll be mounting my speakers and moving on to the next piece. I’m thinking I will go for the battery next, followed by the Big 3, then amplifier – and so on, but then again, I might do my whole sound system first, then the battery and Big 3 – that way I’ll have my music sooner than later!

I have a 145 Amp alternator and my sound system is about 600 watts total with powered sub, so I’m thinking I should be fine in the juice department not needing to upgrade my alternator or use a capacitor in the system.

I am not an expert on sound systems and am open to learning, so any suggestions or constructive comments appreciated. If there are different components at around the same price that could be substituted that are “better” in some way, feel free to chime in and make suggestions.

Thanks, Joe

---------- Post added at 05:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:04 AM ----------

seriously though for big 3 wire scratch knuconceptz and get welding wire 1/0 guage
its also cheaper and 100 percent copper and the shealth has a much higher heat tolerance
knucrapceptz is like 10 percent copper

 

[04whitetahoe]

that knuconceptz wire is garbage...seriously though for big 3 wire scratch knuconceptz and get welding wire 1/0 guage its also cheaper and 100 percent copper and the shealth has a much higher heat tolerance knucrapceptz is like 10 percent copper

Sure man, I'll get right on it.

 

[YukonXL04]

Awesome, looks like you have just about everything.

Make sure to take your time on the installation and make sure to keep it clean and neat.

Also did you figure out what you were planning for the amp rack?

 

[04whitetahoe]

PROGRESS!(tm)

planning for the amp rack?

Hey Shawn, I'm still planning to cut some thin plywood and paint it - not to worry, whatever I end up with, it will be a clean install!! I'll post photos when I make them, it will be soon!!

Started doing some exploring as to how I will make my power run for my audio project and ended up getting my back seats and carpet out.

I found that my drivers’ side channel already has cables run in it so I’ll need to run beside and under carpet:

Got the back seats out:

Then all of the carpet and sound mat in the back:

Getting time to do a bit of sound deadening and run some wires!!

 

[HortonHiresAHoe]

 

[YukonXL04]

Sweet. Looks like your getting the ball rolling. I have to find time to get my 4ch installed and doors deadened. Also the Console build needs to get started too lol.

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[Leedogg]

very nice. you are definately on the right track!

 

[coolchuck]

Thasts some good looking equipment. I'm in for the build.

 

[04whitetahoe]

Making more headway

More Progress:

Used the rest of my package of Damplifier Pro:

My MLV is supposed to show up Monday.

Getting ready to run some wires!!

 

[Tahoewhat]

looking pretty cool w/ the damping on there. lol.

Keep up the progress, need to redo mine.

 

[YukonXL04]

Thats right Mike! Get on it!! lol

Cool Joe! Looking good. Guess you have a prime opportunity to give everything a thorough cleaning.

 

[04whitetahoe]

very nice. you are definately on the right track!

Thanks!

Thasts some good looking equipment. I'm in for the build.

Cool - I started out with a modest budget, that got blown to HELL!

looking pretty cool w/ the damping on there. lol.

Keep up the progress, need to redo mine.

Get on it Mike! Thx - Getting there - MLV to follow.

Thats right Mike! Get on it!! lol

Cool Joe! Looking good. Guess you have a prime opportunity to give everything a thorough cleaning.

I used my carpet cleaner on all of it, but I think since it's out, I'm going to run carpet shampoo and a hose on it to try to get more of the dirt out. 10 plus years of dirt doesn't come out easy!!


EDIT:

Joe

 

[Tahoewhat]

Thats right Mike! Get on it!! lol

Get on it Mike! Thx - Getting there - MLV to follow.
Joe

LOL ganging up on me huh. ha ha..

But that is one thing you did i was thinking of doing, Cleaning the mess out of the carpet. Mine is pretty dirty from prev. owner.


But looking good Joe.

 

[04whitetahoe]

More Progress

More progress -- got some MLV in:

Got my positive wire run to power my amps, ran under the driver side along an existing wire run and into the cabin with grommet:

Got speaker wire roughed in, RCAs,

Cut some wire to rough length, mock up for amps:

Cut my plywood amp base:

GETTING THERE!!

 

[YukonXL04]

Awesome! Your getting there. Almost done. Bet you ready to hear it haha.