Boom chaka laka yah.

[coderjedi]

What do you think?

[Jstas]

What's that in an Astro van?

I think that having a battery inside the passenger compartment is a ad idea. As they discharge, they will vent toxic gases that you defiantly do not want to be breathing.

I also hope that you have those subs isolated from the rest of the speakers in your setup there otherwise you'd just going to pummel those other drivers with the backwaves from the subs.

[eloplayspolo]

What do you think?



LOL, Giggle Giggle

[audiobliss]

Well, since you asked....I don't like it at all. Looks ghetto, which, interestingly enough, seems to match the interior of the vehicle.

I don't get the point of having all those drivers back there. Or the battery in the car. Or that unfinished amp rack. Or all the different brands of amps strewn out there. And I wouldn't think rear visibility would be too good.

But I guess it all depends on what it is you're going for.

[danger boy]

soccer mom has some tunes in her car now. ;)

[RuSsMaN]

That's the back of Jesse's bang bus.

[greg2350]

how embarassing the sad part is hes proud of it. whats the dc to ac converter for?

[michael_w]

You guys are ruthless! ;)

It looks to me like the two cabinets are separated since they're strapped together with metal plates but yes, otherwise those drivers would get mauled by the subs.

I didn't know about the battery problem. That's a good tip. Does that go for all car batteries? How do the SPL competition cars handle the fumes when they have banks of batteries?

[coderjedi]

Well, since you asked....I don't like it at all. Looks ghetto, which, interestingly enough, seems to match the interior of the vehicle.

I don't think it looks that ghetto. Short of hundreds of dollars into fiberglassing and a few weeks of work, it isn't going to get much better than that..



I don't get the point of having all those drivers back there.

Because I like the sound of the polk speakers. I was lucky enough to have some given to me in trade for some work, and I built a nice box for them and now I have sound far superior to any car audio system I've heard yet.


Or the battery in the car.

I need the second battery because I do not like to drain my starter battery when I choose to listen to my music for extended periods of time with the engine off. Why is it in the vehicle? So I don't have a 18' run of wire between my power source and my equipment, resulting in an unstable power source. Oh and there's no room under the hood. As for these "toxic gases" I have yet to experience them. Admittedly I currently have a standard starter battery, but I would like to buy a nice 12v 100AH or so SLA when I get the money, like this guy here http://www.batterywholesale.com/battery-store/proddetail.html?prodID=243


Or that unfinished amp rack.

The amp rack is not unfinished. It's quite finished. What do you see missing?


Or all the different brands of amps strewn out there.

In my opinion, JBL does not make good full range amplifiers. They do however build very clean subwoofer amplifiers. I chose the BP1200.1, with a frequency response of 10-320Hz, THD of 0.10% and SNR of >90dB. And it does all this at 1200 watts continuous power.

I chose Alpine amplifiers for my "mids and highs" because I got them for a good deal at a pawn shop, and couldn't afford to buy what I would like to buy, but they sounded the best out of the other 40 or so brands they had.

Even if I did have the money to buy exactly what I wanted, I still wouldn't have all my amplifiers and other equipment from the same manufacturer. I think audio manufacturers are just like restaurants. Some restaurants have great burgers, but their barbecue tastes like garbage. Go across the street and they have good barbecue, but crappy burgers. I think everyone can agree with me on that.


And I wouldn't think rear visibility would be too good.

Visibility is fine actually. I can clearly see out of my entire back window with the installation as is.


But I guess it all depends on what it is you're going for.

The best sound possible for my minimal budget. I've acheived that.

[coderjedi]

Oh, and about the rear drivers being "mauled" by the subs. Not at all. I actually keep the subwoofers at minimal gain, just enough to get a nice kick when the drums hit. I usually listen to nothing but Metallica, but lately I've included Nine Inch Nails and Rammstein into my listening.

Aside from that, the only time I ever turn my subs beyond maybe 10% gain is when the hordes of teenagers with Sony Xplod 12s purchased from walmart pull up next to me at redlights and try to drown out my lovely musical bliss with their rubber band rattles. But then they get hammered by Bass Mekanik's techno babble bass.

I must admit though.. the 15's were a bad choice. I wanted them because I've never done an install with 15's before, and I wanted to see what they would sound like. However after having built a 12^3ft. vented enclosure tuned to approx. 35Hz, followed by a 3^3ft. sealed enclosure, with uber bracing and sufficient poly-fill, I am still not happy with the sound. It's slow and sloppy. I am trading my 2 15" for 4 10" subs tomorrow, and building a 4^3ft. sealed enclosure for them, which will bring my entire setup down about 6 more inches. Ideally I would like to have the top no higher than the bottom of the side windows, but I'm not sure if i'll get that.

What are you all suggesting, though? Do you think I should have my subs facing the rear? The problem with that is it just rattles stuff when I have them facing to the rear, and sound quality goes out the window (literally). I really do not notice any difference in the sound with the subs on or off, except for the super low bass or lack thereof, of course. The 4 6.5" drivers actually get down to 30Hz just fine on their own.

[Dakota_chevy]

Well, since you asked....I don't like it at all. Looks ghetto, which, interestingly enough, seems to match the interior of the vehicle.

I don't get the point of having all those drivers back there. Or the battery in the car. Or that unfinished amp rack. Or all the different brands of amps strewn out there. And I wouldn't think rear visibility would be too good.

But I guess it all depends on what it is you're going for.

definitely ghetto looking. I can understand where some would want good sound over looks, but the amp rack looks like its on a sheet of plywood, the boxes look like they were thrown together quickly, and all the wires look like a mess. sorta like a cleanup after a concert.

[michael_w]

Oh, and about the rear drivers being "mauled" by the subs. Not at all. I actually keep the subwoofers at minimal gain, just enough to get a nice kick when the drums hit.

Do the subs share the same cabinet space as the other drivers do? It's just a matter of the subs pushing around a lot of air in comparison to the mids. They create a lot of extra pressure in the cabinet that can affect the mids.

Good luck with the four 10's and feel free to post pics of the build here!

If you like how it sounds and you're generally happy with it, more power to you. I'm a little surprised to see it get bashed this badly. Did I mention welcome to the forum? Stick around, there's a lot of very helpful people and information here (after you wade through the negative comments).

[ben62670]

I am Mike's friend, and helped him with this ghetto build, and highly recommend a ghetto build where we live. The boxes are actually very well constructed. screws, adhesives, and braced. The top speakers are actually Polk MW6510's with seas speakers. There are 4 chambers. 2 in each box. Battery in the vehicle is a good idea. He has a battery isolator. The inverter is for porn :-). Just kidding. It is used for charging anything from phone, laptop, shop light, his FN disco ball. What ever you wish you could plug in when ever you are far from an outlet, or are going down the road.

[MacLeod]

I don't think it looks that ghetto. Short of hundreds of dollars into fiberglassing and a few weeks of work, it isn't going to get much better than that..


....and now I have sound far superior to any car audio system I've heard yet.


I need the second battery because I do not like to drain my starter battery when I choose to listen to my music for extended periods of time with the engine off. Why is it in the vehicle? So I don't have a 18' run of wire between my power source and my equipment, resulting in an unstable power source.


In my opinion, JBL does not make good full range amplifiers. They do however build very clean subwoofer amplifiers.


I chose Alpine amplifiers for my "mids and highs" because I got them for a good deal at a pawn shop, and couldn't afford to buy what I would like to buy, but they sounded the best out of the other 40 or so brands they had.


Even if I did have the money to buy exactly what I wanted, I still wouldn't have all my amplifiers and other equipment from the same manufacturer. I think audio manufacturers are just like restaurants. Some restaurants have great burgers, but their barbecue tastes like garbage. Go across the street and they have good barbecue, but crappy burgers. I think everyone can agree with me on that.


The best sound possible for my minimal budget. I've acheived that.

Um....wow. Just........wow. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/traurig/sad-smiley-028.gif

As SPL setups go, Ive seen worse. But the best car audio system youve ever heard?!?!?!?!

If youre happy with it then F what anybody else thinks - but you need to realize that is an extremely ghetto system and that you couldve gotten a much better sounding system for less money and with the proper install you couldve salvaged most of the space inside the van and also that pretty much all your reasoning above is just wrong. But again, if youre happy, then thats all that matters.

[exalted512]

You guys are ruthless! ;)

It looks to me like the two cabinets are separated since they're strapped together with metal plates but yes, otherwise those drivers would get mauled by the subs.

I didn't know about the battery problem. That's a good tip. Does that go for all car batteries? How do the SPL competition cars handle the fumes when they have banks of batteries?

Theyre probably sealed batteries, besides the fact that most SPL cars are not daily driven so youre not exposed to the fumes for extended amounts of time.
-Cody

[eloplayspolo]

Ahahhahahahahahahaahahah

[Jstas]

Theyre probably sealed batteries, besides the fact that most SPL cars are not daily driven so youre not exposed to the fumes for extended amounts of time.
-Cody

Dude, even "sealed" batteries will vent fumes. I can guarantee it. Especially if the battery has corroded terminals.

I seriously would have put it under the hood or at least sealed that battery box up and put a vent tube leading outside the vehicle.

[ben62670]

I have seen more than one car in my life that has the battery inside the vehicle. Like my dads Vette, some older jeeps, and my buddy says they are in some European cars. I'm not too concerned.

[eloplayspolo]

vette = convertable? jeep as in wrangler ? with no top? most of the cars u see with batteries are in the trunk....

[ben62670]

Ummm both vehicles you listed have hard tops too. Most cars have the batteries under a nice hot hood. I had a battery in the rear, and front of my Bronco for the winch, and stereo system. No problems. Sealed maintenance free. Tin foil hats work great if you are concerned about it:D

[brettw22]

Even if I did have the money to buy exactly what I wanted, I still wouldn't have all my amplifiers and other equipment from the same manufacturer. I think audio manufacturers are just like restaurants. Some restaurants have great burgers, but their barbecue tastes like garbage. Go across the street and they have good barbecue, but crappy burgers. I think everyone can agree with me on that.Your example is wrong......a polk amp 300.2, 500.1, 400.4, etc will all 'sound' the same.......as they should since they're all 'burgers'......

Your comparison makes sense if you're talking about trying to mesh a Polk amp, a JBL amp, etc together.........THEN you will have problems matching your sound from your various speakers.....

And if you need that explained any further, you're screwed.........sorry......

[eloplayspolo]

Your example is wrong......a polk amp 300.2, 500.1, 400.4, etc will all 'sound' the same.......as they should since they're all 'burgers'......

Your comparison makes sense if you're talking about trying to mesh a Polk amp, a JBL amp, etc together.........THEN you will have problems matching your sound from your various speakers.....

And if you need that explained any further, you're screwed.........sorry......


:p lol <3 this place sometimes.

[Joe08867]

Yes there are cars that have the battery inside but it would either be in the trunk and vented or under the backseat and vented. See the similarity.

As far as what I think. If you like it cool. Not my cup of tea. I prefer for the system to be either more integrated or at the very least very neat. The metal straps don't work for me. The amp board that looks like MDF or plywood uncovered doeasn't work for me. And the fact you lost all the rear seating to do this doesn't work for me.

I can guess that it should sound good. You have some nice stuff in there. I just don't like the execution.

[Grimster74]

The top set of speakers, which I'm guessing are subs, mids and highs look like a set of house speakers.

[Joe08867]

They are from polk house speakers. From what Ben posted they are Polk MW6510's with seas speakers.

[ben62670]

The rear seat actually fits in there. The tweets are kinda centered to be clear of the seats. Ghetto look/good sound is what he was going for. The mixing amp thing is a dumb a thing I have heard. The top box is basically a monitor 10 with Sea's tweets. These were a bad run from sea's, and the voice coil wire breaks in these. He will be getting Morel's. The amp board makes no sense to me. The ghetto look is to keep people from breaking into the van. I would have built an amp box with exhaust fans. I really hate all that gay led crap:confused: He didn't put that on there, but manufacturers seam to like to give the kiddies something shinny, and glowing to look at:rolleyes:

[ben62670]

Yes there are cars that have the battery inside but it would either be in the trunk and vented or under the backseat and vented. See the similarity.

As far as what I think. If you like it cool. Not my cup of tea. I prefer for the system to be either more integrated or at the very least very neat. The metal straps don't work for me. The amp board that looks like MDF or plywood uncovered doeasn't work for me. And the fact you lost all the rear seating to do this doesn't work for me.

I can guess that it should sound good. You have some nice stuff in there. I just don't like the execution.

Yeah I am with you on this one. He is 21, and I have been there(almost), but I like my A/D/S 320's, and 325i's hidden. Alpine head unit, Nachamichi XO, A/D/S PQ10. I don't have, but want one, or 2, or 4:D sealed 10's in the trunk. I'm not into an SPL competition with anyone, and I like to be able to hear horns, and sirens. Loud is for home, and not driving. Shoot I'm getting old:o

[michael_w]

Thanks for the battery information. I never really gave it thought since mine is under my back seat (stock location).

[coderjedi]

Um....wow. Just........wow. http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/traurig/sad-smiley-028.gif

As SPL setups go, Ive seen worse. But the best car audio system youve ever heard?!?!?!?!

If youre happy with it then F what anybody else thinks - but you need to realize that is an extremely ghetto system and that you couldve gotten a much better sounding system for less money and with the proper install you couldve salvaged most of the space inside the van and also that pretty much all your reasoning above is just wrong. But again, if youre happy, then thats all that matters.

1. It's not an SPL setup in the least. I have no SPL what so ever anymore. I did when I had a 12^3ft vented enclosure for the subs, facing the rear.. but I didn't like it, and it wasn't what I wanted, which is why I built the new 3^3ft sealed enclosure as seen in the picture.

2. It's not extremely ghetto, and to whomever said they look like they were cheaply/quickly thrown together... uhm, no. I spent almost 8 hours on EACH box. It would be hard to build a better box in my opinion. I used to go through all the trouble of covering boxes with felt or other materials, but I just don't see the point anymore. It's just hours of work for nothing, nobody cares, and besides..the nicer it looks, the more chance someone will try to break in and steal it. As for the metal straps, I have no other choice, really. How else are you going to keep that much weight with the combined height and little depth from flying forward? Also, my seats fit just fine, thanks. Sorry I left them out to install it, I definitely should try to install with seats in the way next time. :-\

3. For less money? I have invested a total of $388 into the entire system as seen. Please tell me how I could have spent less, considering people spend more buying crap systems at WalMart.

4. More space. I don't see how you think this is so large.. From front to rear the entire amp rack and speaker boxes is no more than 3'. I still have the whole second row seating and about a 1-1/2' behind the boxes.

5.Happy? yes. very much.

6. Thanks for the 'nice' comments, as for the rest of you, you suck. Haha.

[eloplayspolo]

For a brief second im going to pretend im a thief who actualy wants to rip someone off and yoink some car audio gear.... im sorry im not walking up to a 1994 astro van with blue carpet and expecting to find "the best ive ever heard type of gear" i really doubt that if someone planned on taking your stuff... they are gonna say "o shit, what an ugly install, lets go check and see if the sl500 has anything more worth taking".... if they want to take your stuff they are going to, no matter how ugly the install is. if u have seats and crap it in... u could easily make a stealth amp setup and hide your speakers away pretty damn well.


when i first looked at this i thought it was a joke, especially because of the title... but if it makes u happy. congrats... but honestly what response were u looking to get?

[avguytx]

Looks like 1984 all over again! :D

[ben62670]

For a brief second im going to pretend im a thief who actualy wants to rip someone off and yoink some car audio gear.... im sorry im not walking up to a 1994 astro van with blue carpet and expecting to find "the best ive ever heard type of gear" i really doubt that if someone planned on taking your stuff... they are gonna say "o shit, what an ugly install, lets go check and see if the sl500 has anything more worth taking".... if they want to take your stuff they are going to, no matter how ugly the install is. if u have seats and crap it in... u could easily make a stealth amp setup and hide your speakers away pretty damn well.


when i first looked at this i thought it was a joke, especially because of the title... but if it makes u happy. congrats... but honestly what response were u looking to get?

Dude this is Ft Lauderdale. Ask wingnut about down here. You wouldn't expect broke looking people to be robbed either, but this is the crappiest place (in places) that I have ever seen. You will get your window smashed out if someone can see some change in the cup holder. People get shot over $20 at the ATM all the time. It is a stinken crap hole down here, and I am leaving;):)

[MacLeod]

$388?! OK, you got me on that one. I didnt realize you bought everything used or whatever. So no, you couldnt have done it cheaper but just for arguments sake, for well under $1000 you could have a system 10 times better.

As for the space that couldve been saved, pretty much most of it. A single 12" sub in a sealed box wouldve had plenty of output unless youre going for max SPL and fit in the corner nice and out of the way. Amp rack couldve been mounted under the rear seats (assuming you have them) and the front stage speakers couldve gone in the stock locations. Done right, it wouldve sounded 10 times better than what you have now and you wouldnt be able to see anything but the CD player so what better for theft deterrent.

I prefer the stealth looking systems to where you get in and see pretty much nothing.

[ben62670]

Mac I am in the same state of mind being a little older now. What do you recommend for a pair of 10's on the cheap. I like hard hitting tigh fast bass. BTW I was with CoderJedi (Mike)today trying to sell his subs to get 4 10" kicker comps. He is not toally oblivious to the fact he has super loud rap bass. It does hit real hard, but is not what he is looking for.
Thanks
Ben

[MacLeod]

If he's looking for more SQ, tight controlled bass, how about a single 12 with a lot of power. Wont shake the windows out but itll sound better musically.

As for a set of 10's cheap, well it depends on how cheap you want them. Most quality 10's will run you around $80 retail. I really like MTX subs. Nearly indestructible, has plenty of output and sounds good too. I also really like the new Polk DB line of subs.

[ben62670]

I had a pair of Polk 10's about 20 years ago in a sealed box, and they had the best SQ I have heard. It was teamed with an Apline headunit 7980?, a Nacamichi XO, a Nacamichi mono amp(220), Alpine amp, A/D/S PQ10, and the A/D/S 320i's. So well matched, and balenced.

[MacLeod]

Ive got a single Momo 10 in a sealed box with a mere 300 watts and it sounds great. Not super loud but blends very well with the mids and images up front nicely.

[ben62670]

Wattage numbers do not appeal to me. Especial with the amps I have seen in the last 5-10 years. I have Alpine 6x9s in the rear now, and was going to put the ADS in the front. Run them at a whopping 35wpc(ADS PQ10), and be extremely happy with them. I might even disable the 6x9's tweeter. I like my sound stage in front of me;)

[MacLeod]

I dunno dude. Power makes a system.

When youre listening to some rock with plenty of screeching guitars, you dont need a lot of power to reach ear splitting levels but stick in some nice smooth jazz and youll see that you can quickly run out of power long before it gets to a reference level. Im in that boat right now. I need at least double the current power Im at now.

[ben62670]

I haven't had my system running in years. I used to listen to hard rock mostly. Know that I have been introduced to HiFi I have changed my taste dramatically. I think my PQ-10 will be fine. My Nac was very tight. I do also have an LA sound amp. Don't laugh. It was their top of the line amp they had to try to get your attention away from all the other crap they put out. It is 1200 at 2ohms, and .5ohm stable. 4 30amp fuses. If I feel the need its there, but I really don't think I will. My vision went blurry during hard bass notes with it.

[Poee7R]

Ok, take this as constructive.

First, you need better grounds. A battery is not a ground. Those amps AND the battery all need to be grounded to the chassis or closest point of chassis. Again, do not use the ground on the battery for the amps.

Second, thats not an amp rack, thats a sheet of wood with components screwed into it. Build a box with 2-3" of space inbetween, sort of just a rise from what you have now, space the amps out, drill holes for your wiring and run them through there. It will look so much better, and a clean install is the point.

Third, get rid of the cap, as it is now your poor, poor alternator is having to charge 3 batteries 3 amps and an inverter, way too much stuff on a stock alt which i presume you are using. Also get some tubing and rig a way to vent that battery, its not made for inside your cab, there are other's that are but if thats a straight starter battery, it will vent.

Fourth, take that awful looking box for your mids and highs off of the sub box, you probably have a shitload of standing waves back there, which is why im guessing they dont sound good..

Fifth, if you want to do this right, wire the big three. It will help with your charging system and that will trickle down to your audio, since more than anything we are talking about power.

Im not going to rag on your setup, i dont see the need as ive seen plently worse, but there is no excuse not to atleast install it properly, no matter how small the budget.

Also if youre not looking for major spl, one of those 15's will give you more than you need, as long as it's setup properly. Going with 4 10's is not a guarantee that you will get good sound quality either, as I've said and many, many, many others have also, its all in the box.

Not to mention if you are looking for sound quality you will have to find a proper place for your mids/highs, firing behind you into glass, carpet, plastic etc is not the way to do it. Go to a lexus dealership and take a look at one with a Mark Levinson system in it and look for backwards firing components, you wont find em.

Thats about all I can say with seeing the pic, if I saw it in person I think I would be able to offer more. And again this isnt to rag, but as you asked in your original post, this is what i think.


Dave

[Poee7R]

Let me add after looking again I believe the point of view is from the sliding side door, and not from the back as I originally thought.

Because of that my 4th point should be a bit null, and let me advise on removing all of the polyfill and turn the box backwards into the rear of the van, or try them firing up if the rattles bother you too much, but they shouldnt be firing forward. And the polyfill will make your subs think they are in larger boxes, removing it should tighten your bass up a bit.

Again I would remove the mid/high enclosure's and work on some kick panels and play with tweeter placement UP FRONT to get a good soundstage. Mids and highs firing from behind you will not sound good vs. proper placement.


Dave

[eloplayspolo]

u know, 1 thing u could try is to make a box for all those components under the first row of seats, and angle it up at about a 45 degree angle, this way they will be positioned much better, not attached to the sub box, and hidden. amp rack can be under the next row of seats, yet again hidden, and the sub box in the last row.

[Sherardp]

Give Alpine Type Rs a try, Im in the middle of installing 2 15s in the Escalade, I will follow up with pics, after its done tomorrow.