Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

Hey guys. I just spent an hour at Best Buy to learn nothing and so I am hoping that someone can help break some things down for me.

I am trying to build a stereo system, but I cannot afford to just buy everything all at once, so I am trying to strategize here.

Today I purchased two sets of Kicker KS68 6X8 2-Way Speakers to replace the old SCOSCHE Speakers my dad had in there.

These speakers are 150W Max with 75W Max RMS (I have four speakers total). The head unit I currently have is a JVC KD-S38 which is a 50Wx4 Max and 20Wx4 RMS.

Where I start to get confused is when they say hooking those speakers directly up to that head unit will be fine. It would seem to me that four speakers (1 per channel?) would be getting less than HALF POWER from that head unit. The whole reason I am replacing the Scosche speakers is because around 40 Vol on the headunit, the music starts to turn into garbled garbage.

So, is it really not necessary to try to bridge that gap between the two Max RMS's? If so, do I need a new headunit? Should it be closer to 60W RMS per channel? That makes the most sense to me. Or, is a 60Wx4 RMS Headunit not a thing? Do I need a small AMP?

All I want, is to understand how these things relate to one another, so I can ensure that I am getting the absolute best sound out of my speakers possible. Something about putting 20W into something that takes 60W max, doesn't seem "fine" to me...

Any help here would be greatly appreciated. I may be over complicating this A LOT! I don't know though... I just want to understand.

Thank you.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I have one of these Boss Audio 200 watt amps that works good, and is pretty cheap. It's 4 channel. I moved my cupholder back toward the seat and mounted it on the hump.
Hope this helps!

http://amzn.to/2mO51Pr

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I think that is moving in the right direction, the only thing I am not sure of there is that, that amp is 75W RMS @ 2 Ohms, and I have 4 Ohm Speakers. So I would need 75W RMS @ 4 Ohms.

I was able to find this Amplifier: http://a.co/fy2oh4b
It's and MTX Thunder 75.4, its $199.99... I feel like I may be trying to overkill this, buying a $200 Amp for my $100 Speaker set... but, if that is what is going to give me the absolute best sound, then that is what I am looking for.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

For the absolute best sound, you're going to need component speakers set up in kick panel boxes with separate amplifiers and equalizers. Midrange woofers in the doors and sub woofer in the back.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

More power is always better. And while head units generally claim 20 per channel you'll only ever see 10-15 in normal use. A small amplifier is a great idea, but for speakers rated for 75 it would be a good idea to get something capable of 100ish per channel at 4ohm. This gives you some head room, let's you keep the gain lower which in turn reduces the noise floor.

For a good budget option these are tough to beat. I now own three versions of the Picasso nano series and couldn't be happier.

This one is rated 100x4 but real world is more like 85. They are tiny and dead silent. This exact amp runs the front stage in my truck.

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...-PN4.520D.html

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Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

the head unit will drive the new speakers okay but you can still hurt your new speakers with the smaller wattage of the head unit so be careful you don't let the head unit "clip" the sounds. I'd imagine the sensitivity of the higher wattage speakers aren't as good so an amp is a good idea but you don't absolutely need it right away. If you hear any sound distortion, turn it down.

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Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

Thank you for your help. I think I am going to order this one when I get paid, as it is in the price range I was after and seems to have good reviews.

Do you know any good Videos (Youtube) or Forums (FRF) for learning how to hook up an amp? I want to be prepared so I may try to go ahead and get whatever wiring stuff I need.

Thank you!

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I started doing stereo installs before the internet but I imagine theres a few hundred good videos on it. Installing an amplifier is dead simple.

Power goes to positive of battery.
Ground to a decent ground.
Remote goes the the remote out from your deck (it'll be a blue wire)
Rca cables from deck to amp.
Speaker wire from amp to speakers.

It really is that simple.

A decent quality 8ga wiring kit will be plenty for that amp. So get one of those. You'll need a second set of rca cables as most kits only come with one. I use 10' rca's in my extended cab and even they are way long. I need to try a 6.5' set one day here.



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Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

Everything you are wanting to do is easy. If your stereo has RCA outputs, you need RCA cables, a ground wire, and a fused power wire, and a little remote wire to add an amplifier.Take a look at the nvx 800.4 amp. As much damage is done to speakers from under powering them, than over powering. You can gain an amp down a little with the turn of a single screw.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

Most people should stay away from EQ's, 11 out of 10 people set them up incorrectly anyway, (Yes you read that right). An Equalization piece is MEANT to be used by taking too much of a frequency and bringing it down in order to achieve a flat curve. However, most if not nearly everyone will ride up the controls on what they don't [think they] have enough of.., i.g. - the typical smiley face setting*

And first, despite I like where you were going with it.. without trying to sell the OP on something he may not need or want, lets try to sort through his true needs here and find out the direction he headed in or should head in. before committing him to either a $10k system with no real understanding or a $400 system of junk components.

Where I have to disagree on the simplicity outside of common sense instructions, you and I both know that experiences plays a major roll in car Audio installation.

And I either I lost my way through the thread or I didn't see what amplifier he planned on using specifically and not that your suggestion of a good grade of oxygen free FULL copper wire isn't a good one. I would gauge wire based upon the draw of the amperage and distance. Just because the amplifier could be the size of a 10" tablet, lets not ignore the rule when you look o the side and see @4 - 25 amp fuses.. Now we have a current issue and an amperage issue.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I agree on your Eq post as well as wiring post. My Eq is like a squiggle, starts down then goes up then dips a touch then up then rolls off on the top end.

I said that gauge as I know the amp he intended to run and it will do fine on a proper 8ga run. Now if it's a budget amp kit then go 4ga.





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Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

True that... And I forget where you're at but does everyone in your area try to pass off that "tin" shit wiring? Even 18ga primary wire everyone wants top dollar for, I used to buy the full copper shit in 250-500ft mini spools cheaper than these clowns are trying to get for the cheap stuff in 100ft rolls.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I use both depending on application. I only run ofc front to rear, but I do have some cca from the distribution blocks to the amps, the runs are about a foot each so it didn't make sense to shell out the extra for the ofc ha.

I usually go to home depot for speaker wire, hit the bulk spools. Also trailer wire is amazing for when you need to run 4 wires per side up front. Its probably the toughest wire out there and it's dirt cheap as well. Power wire seems to be expensive no matter what. Even new welding cable has gone way up in price. I mainly order from knuconcepts now because their shipping to Canada is pretty reasonable.


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Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I cant do it.. lol.. I cringe every time I go through an install by someone else.. I was spoiled in the industry working at upper end shops.. [sigh]

Trailer wire is new thought.. I used to have a company that made a 18ga flat 4 conductor wire that laid really good under carpet and tucked in panels really, really, good... They are no longer around either.. Seems like all of the old school distributors but a select few have gone to the wayside or been absorbed by bigger distributors...

I think Altron is still around in Pontiac, Michigan but they're a slight pain if you're not in a brick and mortar. They dont care for the mobile mechanic/installer too much.

Re: Need help understanding Stereo System...
 

I cringe when I think of my old installs! So now I do it all pretty and proper. I build with the thought of a future owner pulling it apart in mind, that keeps me from getting greasy. My next step is to make my own rca's. Just for length reasons, I need a 7'ish rca cable and nobody makes them.

The trailer wire would be like your 4 wire. It lays flat and tucks great.

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