New to Subs and Amps

SgtImaPepper · Jun 16, 2012

Morning ya'll. SO I am getting ready to dive into installing some speakers and amps in Dusty myself. I have already installed a Pioneer 3200 DVD and I would like to invest in some new tweets, two front/two rear, amp, and two subs. I am VERY new to this kind of stuff so any pointers or suggestions would be appreciative. A buddy of mine suggested a Stealthbox but I err on the side of caution before making such a large purchase. I typically would prefer to do this myself because I am not fond of people touching my truck and I want to make sure it is a clean install. I am not looking for crazy bass because I really don't listen to music all that often that requires a hard hit. I did a clean install on my stereo and it works great. For starters, I have listed a few questions if you care to answer for me because I am not a big fan of navigating through multiple websites to get to answers. Thanks in advance:

1) Does it matter what brand or type of amp I purchase depending on my
stereo?

2) And if so to previous question, please explain.

3) What really is the difference in sound in 8" and 10" subs?

4) What kind of material is best suited for the speaker box in Double Cab
Tacos?

5) I am not in the market to blow OVER $1500 total if I can help it. Is this
feasable for a decent system?

6) Amp. What's your recommendation based on what I am looking for and
why?

***HAPPY EARLY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU FATHER'S OUT THERE. MAY YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, FAMILY MEMBER, OR BUDDY DETAIL YOUR TRUCK FOR YOU THIS WEEKEND (for free)!

Chiao!

BackwoodsTaco · Jun 27, 2012

Do you still need some help with this?

Hillingdoner · Jun 29, 2012

SgtImaPepper[OP] initial post: ↑

Morning ya'll. SO I am getting ready to dive into installing some speakers and amps in Dusty myself. I have already installed a Pioneer 3200 DVD and I would like to invest in some new tweets, two front/two rear, amp, and two subs. I am VERY new to this kind of stuff so any pointers or suggestions would be appreciative. A buddy of mine suggested a Stealthbox but I err on the side of caution before making such a large purchase. I typically would prefer to do this myself because I am not fond of people touching my truck and I want to make sure it is a clean install. I am not looking for crazy bass because I really don't listen to music all that often that requires a hard hit. I did a clean install on my stereo and it works great. For starters, I have listed a few questions if you care to answer for me because I am not a big fan of navigating through multiple websites to get to answers. Thanks in advance:

1) Does it matter what brand or type of amp I purchase depending on my
stereo? No, amp brand does not have to match the head unit. Just be sure to buy quality. Actual ratings not peak. Look at RMS power and at what ohm to match your sub you buy.

2) And if so to previous question, please explain.

3) What really is the difference in sound in 8" and 10" subs? Going to be air movement. Cone of a sub is basically an air piston. Really depends what output you want, type of music you listen to etc. Here again, don't skimp on quality. MY opinion is get a brand line sub and not a bargain basement one. Here comes a really general statement. In a number of brand lines you will notice that tuning range the 8 will tune at a higher hz than a 10. So, depending on music this could have a bearing on choice.

4) What kind of material is best suited for the speaker box in Double Cab
Tacos? Depends on your experience. Noted to myself that you said you were fairly new to audio (no problem in this or knock) so that will change a few things. Easiest is to get the stealth box and research a good sub to work within the box specs. That is clean, finished and fits. Next would be to use mdf. Dense, fairly easy to work with using basic wood working tools (use a mask as the dust is not good) and inexpensive. This option will require you to have have some fab skills and be able to match available air space after displacement to sub. Also calculations on port and displacement if going that route. My next thought would be fiberglass. This I would say is fairly advanced and not for everyone. This would require laying out protection and then glassing a custom box into the space you have. A lot more calculation needed for correct airspace and porting if that is what you want. With my perception of experience I'd suggest going for one of the first two options for you.

5) I am not in the market to blow OVER $1500 total if I can help it. Is this
feasable for a decent system? Sure, depending on how much of the work you can do for yourself and don't go too wild in selection of amps that suck up too much power. Then you get into needing to do electrical component upgrades on the truck potentially.

6) Amp. What's your recommendation based on what I am looking for and
why? Going to be lots of input here as everyone has their own favourite and can get into bashing of that amp is xxxx and my amp blows it away type thing. What I would do is give you some general stuff. Look at online suppliers like crutchfield, sonicelectronix and even Amazon. Look at the specs and read reviews. Always look at RMS power output. Looks at size of the amp so you can ensure you have space. Match the amp rms power and ohm rating to the subwoofer you are looking at. Then go to the manufacturer websites and take a look at those you have narrowed down. Look at efficiency to ensure your electrical system is up to the current load it will be placed under, wire size they require, fusing etc. These all effect your choice and costs of amp kits etc. needed to install the amp.

Do yourself a favour and order enough wire and fusing to do the big three upgrade (loads of how tos online about this).

***HAPPY EARLY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU FATHER'S OUT THERE. MAY YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, FAMILY MEMBER, OR BUDDY DETAIL YOUR TRUCK FOR YOU THIS WEEKEND (for free)!

Chiao!
Click to expand...

Hope that helps a bit at least

06yfz450ridr · Jul 1, 2012

If you want 2 decent cheap subs id get mtx terminators or Jackhammers for cheap with the box. I just got 2 12" with the box for 156. But any amp other than pyramid or pyle is good/ decent. Also love my alpine speakers sound good. Just as said before search around for your budget and look at the rms power and the ohms and not the total power so much . Some are over rated.

SgtImaPepper · Jul 1, 2012

fallen4her02 said: ↑

Do you still need some help with this?
Click to expand...

Hi. You know I am always open for ideas and opinions. I can see that people have posted some great information for me in this thread. I am going to sit down and really go through the information and get an idea on what I want. I can guarentee that I will have more questions in the future, so lease feel free to put your two cents in as I post them. Thanks for the response.

SgtImaPepper · Jul 1, 2012

06yfz450ridr said: ↑

If you want 2 decent cheap subs id get mtx terminators or Jackhammers for cheap with the box. I just got 2 12" with the box for 156. But any amp other than pyramid or pyle is good/ decent. Also love my alpine speakers sound good. Just as said before search around for your budget and look at the rms power and the ohms and not the total power so much . Some are over rated.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the response. The more the better. I am not too fond of running out and buying until I learn from the professionals. Appreciate your input.

SgtImaPepper · Jul 1, 2012

Hillingdoner said: ↑

Hope that helps a bit at least
Click to expand...

WOW........thank you for your input. This has helped me tremendously! I will go through this in detail and hopefully be able to pick out atleast a good amp by the end of this coming up week. I will probabley be posting for questions in the future in here.

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