Advice Needed on Killer Setup
Thread Starter
2005 Beast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 8
From: Tarpon Springs FL
Advice Needed on Killer Setup
Guys,
I have a C6 Vert - Hertz Mille's in the doors - 2 8" JL Audio's in a ported box in the trunk - Avic X930BT Head Unit - HD/900 JL Amp. When top is down I was struggling with volume and bass hitting hard, made some adjustments to gain so it's loud enough but installer said to really round this out nice, have a dedicated amp to the subs and allow the HD/900 to power the speakers which should give more control over each to allow the bass to hit and loudness to be controlled better.
My question is - should I add more speakers behind the headrest - the current are disconnected so its just the Mille's in front and JL 8" ported in back, do you think it's worth plowing forward adding the addtional amp ($329 installed) and maybe some better speakers for behind the seats?
Thanks,
TB
I have a C6 Vert - Hertz Mille's in the doors - 2 8" JL Audio's in a ported box in the trunk - Avic X930BT Head Unit - HD/900 JL Amp. When top is down I was struggling with volume and bass hitting hard, made some adjustments to gain so it's loud enough but installer said to really round this out nice, have a dedicated amp to the subs and allow the HD/900 to power the speakers which should give more control over each to allow the bass to hit and loudness to be controlled better.
My question is - should I add more speakers behind the headrest - the current are disconnected so its just the Mille's in front and JL 8" ported in back, do you think it's worth plowing forward adding the addtional amp ($329 installed) and maybe some better speakers for behind the seats?
Thanks,
TB
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
What exactly isn't loud enough? The sub compared to the fronts, or everything?
If it's the sub compared to the fronts, first thing I'd try is bigger subs. 8" are OK, but in this case I believe bigger really is better.
From what I found on the amp, sub channel is stable down to 1.5ohms w/500wRMS, so make sure it's wired at a 2ohm load to be as loud as possible on the subs. Fronts can be 150wRMS if the amp is bridged. 150x2 + 2 subs at 500 should be plenty loud, even in a vert.
If it's the sub compared to the fronts, first thing I'd try is bigger subs. 8" are OK, but in this case I believe bigger really is better.
From what I found on the amp, sub channel is stable down to 1.5ohms w/500wRMS, so make sure it's wired at a 2ohm load to be as loud as possible on the subs. Fronts can be 150wRMS if the amp is bridged. 150x2 + 2 subs at 500 should be plenty loud, even in a vert.
Thread Starter
2005 Beast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 8
From: Tarpon Springs FL
Thanks but what about the rear speakers and whole idea of second amp dedicated to the subs, would there be a difference adding these?
the car is not loud enough with the tip down and moving with my medium exhaust note, we made some changes to the gain on the amp but they suggested doing a separate amp for the subs as the system is loud but when the bass hits it pulls from the speakers and the red light comes on. Gain adjustment seems to help but its not huge.
the car is not loud enough with the tip down and moving with my medium exhaust note, we made some changes to the gain on the amp but they suggested doing a separate amp for the subs as the system is loud but when the bass hits it pulls from the speakers and the red light comes on. Gain adjustment seems to help but its not huge.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
I'd agree with Mark - 100 watts should be plen to run the front speakers, especially if the amp is electronically crossed over and just running mid bass and higher.
If you're running smaller woofers, in order to get higher volumes you need to drive the cones further than you would with a larger speaker. To Increase excursion, you have to run more power through the amp. The best solution would be to increase the woofers size - you'll have lower and louder bass output, the amp won't have to work as hard, and you should have enough output out of the Hertz's.
I'm running less power, and never have to max the system - even at 75 with the top off my coupe (which is much louder than a vert). But I have a 10" sub in my system.
Adding rear speakers might help the high end seem louder, but it wouldn't be "good" louder, just louder.
If you're running smaller woofers, in order to get higher volumes you need to drive the cones further than you would with a larger speaker. To Increase excursion, you have to run more power through the amp. The best solution would be to increase the woofers size - you'll have lower and louder bass output, the amp won't have to work as hard, and you should have enough output out of the Hertz's.
I'm running less power, and never have to max the system - even at 75 with the top off my coupe (which is much louder than a vert). But I have a 10" sub in my system.
Adding rear speakers might help the high end seem louder, but it wouldn't be "good" louder, just louder.
Last edited by WAwatchnut; Jan 17, 2012 at 01:16 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
A single 10" or 12" sub will hit lower notes and louder on less power vs twin 8"ers. You might also consider running an active setup to your doors, using an electronic crossover to split the the frequencies on the input signal side, one channel for each speaker rather than the passive crossovers on the output side of the amp. There are several benefits to this, one of which is the amp will run more efficiently since it is amplifying a less complex waveform.
Are those the 2-way or 3-way Hertz?
Are those the 2-way or 3-way Hertz?
Thread Starter
2005 Beast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 8
From: Tarpon Springs FL
A single 10" or 12" sub will hit lower notes and louder on less power vs twin 8"ers. You might also consider running an active setup to your doors, using an electronic crossover to split the the frequencies on the input signal side, one channel for each speaker rather than the passive crossovers on the output side of the amp. There are several benefits to this, one of which is the amp will run more efficiently since it is amplifying a less complex waveform.
Are those the 2-way or 3-way Hertz?
Are those the 2-way or 3-way Hertz?
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 274
Likes: 2
From: 320 MPH Speedo Alberta
IMO I agree that amp is powerful enough but it sounds like you need to raise the soundstage - add some high end tweeters to the L&R pillars. Also, the advice to get a 12" sub is correct. A high end 12" in a good sealed enclosure will make a huge difference in how your entire system sounds - also look at installing a Phoenix Gold Bass Cube for rich powerful bass.
