| sstclairs |
For the audiophiles and otherwise technologically knowledgeable (which I am not, hence the questions):
What amplifier system(s) will work best?
The stock system appears to connect the subwoofer to the rear speakers - the system when first turned on plays from the fronts (woofer & tweeter); when the REAR POWER button is pressed more than 5 seconds the rear speakers and the subwoofer kick in.
Ideally, I would like to boost the power to the speakers & sub, but have the system controls work as they do now (or have the sub play with the fronts, not the rears (!?).
There appear to be lots of amp choices:
1) 4-channel amp with bridgeable channels, fronts amped with 2 channels rears and sub bridged with 2 channels (1 amp total)
2) 1 5 channel amp (fronts, rears, sub)
3) 4-channal amp + sub amp (3 amps total)
4) 2 2-channel amps + sub amp (3 amps total)
5) ? others
And a final question: benefits/issues of adding an equalizer (rather than using the headunit simple bass/treble)?
This assumes keeping the OEM headunit, DVD, etc. (that is another debate/thread).
Thanks for any and all advice and comments!
Steve |
|
|
| AikiMDX |
There are a couple of current threads with different approaches to how to add amplifiers (and more) to the X. Here is one:
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...=&threadid=9853
It really comes down to what YOU are looking to accomplish and are willing to give up to get there. |
|
|
| sstclairs |
Thanks AikiMDX. That's my thread (Subwoofers and beyond) that you linked me to. I debated just adding my question there, but this one is specific to amps (and my ignorance of them). Unfortunately, I haven't found a local shop that I trust to give me advice - the ones I have worked with so far all seem to orient their advice to the products they are pushing.
What I am trying to accomplish is reasonably loud but clean sound, stealth install, keeping OEM headunit and controls intact including use of OEM NAV/RES system controls. One definition of loud is that the maximum desirable listening volume - e.g., for Dire Straits Private Investigation, Bruce Human Touch, Live Lightning Crashes, etc. - is well below the maximum knob turn. The Touring Bose unit - at times - doesn't produce enough volume even with maximum knob turn.
With the amps, I am trying to find out if the specific configuration - 2, 4, or 5 channel +/- separate sub amp - necessarily affects the ability to use the OEM controls (specifically, the fade to the rears/sub). The sub has its own amp, but the fade includes both the rears and the sub (I have confirmed this with a listening test).
Ultimately, I probably have a single question related to this:
Can I bridge the rear 2 channels of a 4 channel amp to the rears AND the sub while retaining the OEM fader control capability? I believe the answer is yes, but simply looking for someone more knowledgeable than me (not hard!) to confirm.
Steve |
|
|
| AikiMDX |
I didn't even notice that I linked you to your own thread! Doh!
When talking with my installer, we touched on a very similar topic. I told him that I wanted to be able to drive the sub off of the front channel since, with my son frequently in the back, the rear channel is frequently left faded forward or completely off (even when he is not in the car, just lazy I guess). He simply said "no problem".
I look at as a function of where the original signal comes from. If you keep the outputs from the head unit matched up with the inputs of the amp (f/r) then fading should work as it does now. I haven't seen a 4 or more channel amp that wasn't designed to work with a head unit having at least two sets of pre-outs so you should be in good shape with just a bit of care on the installers part.
I think that's enough of my ramblings for now! :1: |
|
|
| sstclairs |
Thanks AikiMDX! I have wondered if it might be desirable to have the sub play with the fronts, rather than the rears, so I may consider that.
With my 3 and 5 year old boys, I can usually play the rears without problems because they have their headphones on watching or listening to the DVD player. They do, however, occasionally complain when I really crank it up...and that's before I get a decent amp!:2:
Steve |
|
|
| rx4diz |
with some amps, mine for example, the Xtants, you can get a remote level control (RLC) that is essentially a separate volume control for the sub. Thus, you can still fade back and forth from front to rear and keep the sub level where you want it from wherever you decide to mount the RLC itself.
For my setup I went with two 2 channel amps for front and rear, and a sub amp, three total. |
|
|
| sstclairs |
"For my setup I went with two 2 channel amps for front and rear, and a separate sub amp."
I was wondering about that - is there a particular reason you went with 2 2-channel amps (I assume A2002) rather than 1 4-channel (such as A4004)?
Steve |
|
|
| rx4diz |
quote:
Originally posted by sstclairs
I was wondering about that - is there a particular reason you went with 2 2-channel amps (I assume A2002) rather than 1 4-channel (such as A4004)?
Steve
I wanted the titanium colored amps and it so happened that they were available in the A2002 but only in black on the A4004. Price was nearly identical for the 2 2002 or 1 4004. Will get exactly the same setup amplification wise. |
|
|
| sstclairs |
They are gorgeous! Good choice!
Steve |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by rx4diz
I wanted the titanium colored amps and it so happened that they were available in the A2002 but only in black on the A4004. Price was nearly identical for the 2 2002 or 1 4004. Will get exactly the same setup amplification wise.
I am currently looking for amps to complete my system upgrade and schedule install. Where did you purchase your XTants? I prefer to buy online but couldn't find any sites.
Thanks. |
|
|
| sstclairs |
I got mine on eBay - looks to provide the best prices, even on new amps, if you are willing to put up with the uncertainties regarding warranty coverage, etc.
The best prices I could find on the net are at this link:
http://www.nexxon.com/xtant/aseriesamps.htm
Those prices include shipping, and they appear to have a full selection of current Xtant amps. Keep in mind that if you want the amp(s) to fit in the headrest storage area, you will be limited to the A series (X series are too wide).
I don't think you can do much better than Xtant. Good luck! Have fun!
Steve |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
| Thanks Steve. Checking now. |
|
|
| lightglass |
Having installed the Infinity speakers and using them for a week or so, I would have to say that they are an improvement, but they are not perfect. At lower volume levels, the treble is harsh. Drum cymbals, both hit and played with a brush, have no definition and sound flat. Bass and Cellos still produce a sound closer to a rude body noise.......
So, my instinct- and with the feedback of you sound guys- I guess I need more power and a better subwoofer. I don't really want to use the headrest storage are for an amp, since I am carrying tools, fire extinguisher and emergency equipment in there. Has anyone seriously looked at the space under the second-row passenger seat-the one right behind the drivers seat? It doesn't move and there seems to be some room there.......
As fpr subs----do you guys recommend an enclosure for the A/D/C unit? Thanks---Jeff:1: |
|
|
| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by lightglass
Having installed the Infinity speakers and using them for a week or so, I would have to say that they are an improvement, but they are not perfect. At lower volume levels, the treble is harsh. Drum cymbals, both hit and played with a brush, have no definition and sound flat. Bass and Cellos still produce a sound closer to a rude body noise.......
I purchased (but not yet installed) the Infinity 605CS for the front and the Infinity 652I for the rear. Yes, the Infinitys are bright but with proper crossover and sub amplification, you should be able to achieve the sound balance you are "listening" for. Consider the component Infinitys for the fronts and see if that helps. |
|
|
| rx4diz |
quote:
Originally posted by crmsnidol
I am currently looking for amps to complete my system upgrade and schedule install. Where did you purchase your XTants? I prefer to buy online but couldn't find any sites.
Thanks.
Mine were purchased at a dealer in the Seattle area. Looked online and found some great prices and mentioned them to my sales rep. He was able to come down a bit from MSRP, but not all the way as online. Paid a liitle more but have max warranties on everything. Xtant is already more expensive than most so I knew I'd be spending some cash for everything. The final result is fantastic though and well worth the purchase!
Ebay is a good site for Xtant stuff, new even. You just have to be patient with what is available, but there is always a good seletion of amps. |
|
|
| sstclairs |
Not sure what the A/D/C unit is. If you mean the A/D/S subwoofer (310rs or r10s), I believe (but am not sure) that it does require an enclosure. I am having an enclosure made for the r10s that I am getting.
By the way, I purchased the r10s online. Here's the link...(takes you to the website - then click appropriately to get to Xtant subwoofers)
http://www.carmedia1.com/index.html...html&lang=en-us
This subwoofer was literally just released from the factory as of February 1, so it is still in transit. $149 was way lowest of prices I could find; it was hard to find A/D/S products online. I believe list is somewhere above $250.
Hope that helps. Good luck! Have fun!
Steve |
|
|
|
