Sound Deadener & Cabling Question

[frosty2k]

Hi again,

I'm getting set to order my sound deadener and cables so I can get that in before I buy my amps and speakers. I was hoping to get some of the Polkie input on my choices.

Cables:
Going with KnuKoncept throughout. 0/1 AWG Kolossus Flex from the battery then going through distribution blocks and using 4AWG at the amps themselves. The distance from the amp to the crossovers will be super short, and then run from the crossovers in the trunk to the front speakers with 8g Karma SS for all connections.
Just wondering if these gauges of cable are sufficient and whether there are other better/cheaper places to get all my wiring.

Deadener:
This is a tough one for me. All these options are looking like they are in the $300-400 range for me with shipping and I'm not sure which to go with. Oh, and the car being dampened is an Acura RSX.
Dynamax Xtreme Mega Pack: I get 72sqft of the stuff but I have to buy it off eBay which is always questionable. I'm also unsure as to their hype vs actual quality ratio. (usually too much hype = crap, i.e. rockford fosgate)
Second Skin Damplifier Pro: I get 80sqft of this stuff. Only problem is I'm not sure if they ship to Canada or not yet.
RAAMaudio RAAMmat BXT: I can get 125sqft of this one. In addion, I can include some Ensolite foam and the adhesive for it, and the price is still comparable to the other two. From what I've heard however, this stuff might need the several extra sqft for multiple layering to get the same effect as Damplifier, or Dynamat. I would also have to drive to the US and bring it back to get it all affordably.:(

How much material did you all use when you did you car?
Recommendations welcomed :)

[exalted512]

amount of material really just depends on the car. my trucks doors require about 8 sq ft per layer.

My personal choice is second skin, but raamat is not a bad choice either. especially with the ensolite, thats a great deal unless you really need everything sound deadened really well. (heavy duty midbass drivers or high output subwoofers)
-Cody

[Kinetic]

on cables i went with Knukonceptz, kristal actually, the quality is superior to other pricier competitors, just the service is not so good (at least for international buyers)

but on sound deadners i hesitate a lot, at the end I buy RAAM Audio for a lot of reasons:

*I had Dynamat Xtreme and the RAAM Audio is as good as the dynamat.
*The Ensolite also is an exelent product, and it is a plus.
*The service is awesome, Rick (the owner) is going to answer all your questions
*The price, its reasonable and the best material for the cost.

For me a roll of RAAM Audio and 3 yards of ensolite where enough.

my ride in general is so much quieter, and i did 2 doors, the floor and the trunk.
the ensolite is in the doors, the trunk and all the rear panels..

For me thats enough, but if you want to do it better, buy 2 rolls, but in my personal opinion its too much for SQ, maybe for SPL you need 2 rolls

[frosty2k]

but on sound deadners i hesitate a lot, at the end I buy RAAM Audio for a lot of reasons:

*I had Dynamat Xtreme and the RAAM Audio is as good as the dynamat.
*The Ensolite also is an exelent product, and it is a plus.
*The service is awesome, Rick (the owner) is going to answer all your questions
*The price, its reasonable and the best material for the cost.

It looks like I'm going to use the RAAMmat for these reasons also. I just have to figure if I should get it from a not so local guy in Canada, or get it shipped to some family in Buffalo and go pick it up there. Its about $90 cheaper in the states but I would have to deal with claiming it going over the border.

Thanks for the tips guys.

[MacLeod]

Pulling out the seats and carpet and completely deadening the interior is one of my long term goals. I dont know if Ill ever do it tho. Its a whopper of a chore and I hate doing stuff like this but it makes a huge difference! Ive sat in cars that are completely deadened and its so cool how the sound is "isolated" from the interior.

[Greg Peters]

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/ ...great site on the deadener topic.


I used to use Dynamat Xtreme, but have since switched to Second Skin's Damplifier Pro. :said like Borat: Itsa verra niiice.



http://www.ikesound.com/category-category_id/125

^^This online retailer sometimes has some great deals, but if you research them a bit they have a negative reputation- hit or miss...make sure any product you want is actually in stock by calling their number and confirming before ordering (unless you like eternal backorder) ;).

[frosty2k]

Pulling out the seats and carpet and completely deadening the interior is one of my long term goals. I dont know if Ill ever do it tho. Its a whopper of a chore and I hate doing stuff like this but it makes a huge difference!

I figure if I'm going to have to run new speaker and power line all the way from the front to the back, I'll have to take up the carpets and interior trim. (my current power lines are just tucked under the trim/floor mats) I may as well drop sound deadener while they're up so I dont have to do it twice.:D

I'm sure that I am WAY over extending my DIY abilities and my car will be interiorless for a month or so.:o

[headknocker]

I bought the original RAAMmat from Rick around five years ago. You won't find a nicer guy to deal with...excellent service.