Help on c6 speaker selection/setup
04-16-2018, 01:52 PM
#101
Le Mans Master
It CAN...but usually only at very long lengths. The heavier the gauge, the less it matters. Take 10 minutes and read the article I linked in post #97. It's really good stuff.
04-16-2018, 01:58 PM
#102
Pro
Thread Starter
Just read the article and that was helpful. I’ll order my speaker wire and should be good to go. The only other thing I don’t know where to get is the connectors for the speaker wire to speaker or do the focals happen to come with them?
Last edited by jmoney127; 04-16-2018 at 02:00 PM.
04-16-2018, 02:24 PM
#103
Le Mans Master
Yes, they should come with connectors already. The problem I ran into is that the connectors for my speakers are for 18-14 gauge wire. I have to modify them (or source new ones) to make them work. Another way is to run 10 gauge from the amp to the crossover and then 14 gauge to the speakers themselves. Since it's not a long distance at all, it shouldn't matter to run the smaller gauge wire just to the woofer/tweeter. Food for thought.
04-16-2018, 03:30 PM
#104
Drifting
Possibly and can have a dramatic effect on the amplifier itself. Think of it this way. The amplifier is a cannister of pressurized water. The speaker wire is the opening for the pressurized water to get out. The larger gauge wire is a bigger opening for the "water" to get out and your amplifier doesn't have to work as hard to push the water out. The resistance of your speakers, 4 ohm or 8 ohm for example is more like your amplifier as a bathtub full of water and the resistance of the speaker the size of the opening to get out. The lower the resistance the larger the opening. Too low of resistance and it can give your amplifier problems.
As an example wire up an amplifier rated stable into a 4 ohm load to speaker with 2 ohms of resistance using 50 ft of 18 gauge wire and if pushed, your amp will go into thermal shutdown. Take that same amp and wire it to an 8 ohm speaker with 10 ft of 10 gauge wire and she will run cool as a cucumber.
As far as sound quality, the biggest difference I have noticed in an A/B comparison between thin gauge and thick gauge wire using a pink noise generator is a drop off of low frequencies so yes I believe it has an effect on sound quality. It is definitely not a place to skimp anyway. Most of my systems have run 12 gauge or larger.
As an example wire up an amplifier rated stable into a 4 ohm load to speaker with 2 ohms of resistance using 50 ft of 18 gauge wire and if pushed, your amp will go into thermal shutdown. Take that same amp and wire it to an 8 ohm speaker with 10 ft of 10 gauge wire and she will run cool as a cucumber.
As far as sound quality, the biggest difference I have noticed in an A/B comparison between thin gauge and thick gauge wire using a pink noise generator is a drop off of low frequencies so yes I believe it has an effect on sound quality. It is definitely not a place to skimp anyway. Most of my systems have run 12 gauge or larger.
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06nine (04-20-2018)
04-16-2018, 04:40 PM
#105
Pro
Thread Starter
Possibly and can have a dramatic effect on the amplifier itself. Think of it this way. The amplifier is a cannister of pressurized water. The speaker wire is the opening for the pressurized water to get out. The larger gauge wire is a bigger opening for the "water" to get out and your amplifier doesn't have to work as hard to push the water out. The resistance of your speakers, 4 ohm or 8 ohm for example is more like your amplifier as a bathtub full of water and the resistance of the speaker the size of the opening to get out. The lower the resistance the larger the opening. Too low of resistance and it can give your amplifier problems.
As an example wire up an amplifier rated stable into a 4 ohm load to speaker with 2 ohms of resistance using 50 ft of 18 gauge wire and if pushed, your amp will go into thermal shutdown. Take that same amp and wire it to an 8 ohm speaker with 10 ft of 10 gauge wire and she will run cool as a cucumber.
As far as sound quality, the biggest difference I have noticed in an A/B comparison between thin gauge and thick gauge wire using a pink noise generator is a drop off of low frequencies so yes I believe it has an effect on sound quality. It is definitely not a place to skimp anyway. Most of my systems have run 12 gauge or larger.
As an example wire up an amplifier rated stable into a 4 ohm load to speaker with 2 ohms of resistance using 50 ft of 18 gauge wire and if pushed, your amp will go into thermal shutdown. Take that same amp and wire it to an 8 ohm speaker with 10 ft of 10 gauge wire and she will run cool as a cucumber.
As far as sound quality, the biggest difference I have noticed in an A/B comparison between thin gauge and thick gauge wire using a pink noise generator is a drop off of low frequencies so yes I believe it has an effect on sound quality. It is definitely not a place to skimp anyway. Most of my systems have run 12 gauge or larger.
Last edited by jmoney127; 04-16-2018 at 04:45 PM.
04-16-2018, 10:18 PM
#106
Pro
Thread Starter
Ordered a 50’ roll of 12ga Knuconcept wire and some 10/12guage terminal connectors, hopefully they’re the right size for the speakers. If everything gets here by Friday I am planning on doing everything this weekend. I will try to take pictures throughout and do a small write up on my thoughts of the system, how I wired everything, as well as the dynamat/ensolite combo for reducing road noise as vibrations.
04-17-2018, 01:59 AM
#107
Safety Car
Good options, good info, keep it coming... I've a '08 Vert.
It seems there are quite a few of us in the same boat. I too am looking to change the HU, and ALL the speakers.
PLAN:
- Pioneer HU paired with 4 chnl amp, the amp supports the front component speakers, and 6.5" set of rear 2-way speakers (for fill sound).
- A 2nd amp would be used to install slim Sub behind the waterfall...OR a self-powered sub directly hooked with the HU.
Concerns are ~ How to install the 6.5" front component speakers in a 10" OEM Bose cavity? How to fill the cavity and installation?
How to install a 6.5" 2-way as a fill speaker in the rear?
What self-powered sub/tube to use that would fit flush behind the waterfall / or seats?
It seems there are quite a few of us in the same boat. I too am looking to change the HU, and ALL the speakers.
PLAN:
- Pioneer HU paired with 4 chnl amp, the amp supports the front component speakers, and 6.5" set of rear 2-way speakers (for fill sound).
- A 2nd amp would be used to install slim Sub behind the waterfall...OR a self-powered sub directly hooked with the HU.
Concerns are ~ How to install the 6.5" front component speakers in a 10" OEM Bose cavity? How to fill the cavity and installation?
How to install a 6.5" 2-way as a fill speaker in the rear?
What self-powered sub/tube to use that would fit flush behind the waterfall / or seats?
04-17-2018, 08:25 AM
#108
Le Mans Master
These: https://www.corvettemods.com/C6-Corv...n_p_18008.html
Or these:https://www.nakidparts.com/corvette-speaker-mounts
I went with the 2nd set.
You wont need 6.5s in the rear as the 5.25 will be plenty "bright" when amplified. Subs really come down to preference. How big and bad do you want...or how neat and organized. Stealth boxes are pretty popular and should be more than enough for the average enthusiast.
Or these:https://www.nakidparts.com/corvette-speaker-mounts
I went with the 2nd set.
You wont need 6.5s in the rear as the 5.25 will be plenty "bright" when amplified. Subs really come down to preference. How big and bad do you want...or how neat and organized. Stealth boxes are pretty popular and should be more than enough for the average enthusiast.
Last edited by Pb82 Ronin; 04-17-2018 at 08:27 AM.
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Vette_Fan (04-18-2018)
04-17-2018, 09:00 AM
#109
Drifting
I think I will order a roll of high quality 12 gauge wire. Have you had any issues with the connectors and the larger diameter wire? Just trying to get absolutely everything I need so the install goes smoothly and I don’t need to run around locally to try and get random stuff
04-17-2018, 09:02 AM
#110
Drifting
Here is an example if you are looking for the connectors to attach speaker wires to speakers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-YELLOW-...-/352211234727
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-YELLOW-...-/352211234727
04-17-2018, 10:54 AM
#111
Pro
Thread Starter
Here is an example if you are looking for the connectors to attach speaker wires to speakers:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-YELLOW-...-/352211234727
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-YELLOW-...-/352211234727
04-18-2018, 02:01 AM
#112
Safety Car
These: https://www.corvettemods.com/C6-Corv...n_p_18008.html
Or these:https://www.nakidparts.com/corvette-speaker-mounts
I went with the 2nd set.
You wont need 6.5s in the rear as the 5.25 will be plenty "bright" when amplified. Subs really come down to preference. How big and bad do you want...or how neat and organized. Stealth boxes are pretty popular and should be more than enough for the average enthusiast.
Or these:https://www.nakidparts.com/corvette-speaker-mounts
I went with the 2nd set.
You wont need 6.5s in the rear as the 5.25 will be plenty "bright" when amplified. Subs really come down to preference. How big and bad do you want...or how neat and organized. Stealth boxes are pretty popular and should be more than enough for the average enthusiast.
So, I already have these NEW (I like them) - https://www.crutchfield.com/S-LZ5Cxi...nce-6002i.html
What do I do with them? I'm looking for component speakers (2 way with separate tweeters), so can't use these in the fronts - I thought I'd use them in the rear then...
Last edited by Vette_Fan; 04-18-2018 at 02:09 AM.
04-18-2018, 07:25 AM
#113
Le Mans Master
You may be able to make them fit in the rear...but it will take some work. I myself have never tried and I'm unfamiliar if there are adapters out there. So it may take some research on your part...or being the first guy to do it.
04-18-2018, 08:44 AM
#114
Drifting
These: https://www.corvettemods.com/C6-Corv...n_p_18008.html
Or these:https://www.nakidparts.com/corvette-speaker-mounts
I went with the 2nd set.
You wont need 6.5s in the rear as the 5.25 will be plenty "bright" when amplified. Subs really come down to preference. How big and bad do you want...or how neat and organized. Stealth boxes are pretty popular and should be more than enough for the average enthusiast.
Or these:https://www.nakidparts.com/corvette-speaker-mounts
I went with the 2nd set.
You wont need 6.5s in the rear as the 5.25 will be plenty "bright" when amplified. Subs really come down to preference. How big and bad do you want...or how neat and organized. Stealth boxes are pretty popular and should be more than enough for the average enthusiast.
04-18-2018, 06:03 PM
#115
Pro
Thread Starter
Got my Knuconcepts 12ga speaker wire today and the quality looks excellent. More flexible than I thought it would be so I shouldn’t have any issues getting everything wired. Other question is what gauge wire should be run from amp to sub? I figure I should check that while I have everything out. That 10w3v3 I dropped in there sounds night and day better than that kicker, just need to get the dynamat and ensolite down to reduce some of the rattles
04-18-2018, 07:30 PM
#116
Le Mans Master
8/10 gauge is ideal/overkill for the sub...but as long as it's not smaller than a high quality 16 gauge, you should be fine. Sky high audio 16 gauge is actually misleading...it's built like a 10 gauge.
04-18-2018, 07:33 PM
#117
Pro
Thread Starter
Any tips of tricks when running the speaker wire to the doors? Should I follow the console on both sides, up over the footwells and then to the doors or run it traditionally under the door kick plate/trim on each side and right into the doors?
04-18-2018, 07:48 PM
#118
Le Mans Master
Your call really man. Run it to the most convenient places for you. A straightened out wire coat hanger through the door "accordion" or "conduit" helps run the wire through the doors. The only "foul" would to be running it on top of (or in extreme close proximity to)your power wires. At the same time...you'd be hard pressed to "hear" that feed back. One things for sure...keep your RCAs WELL AWAY from the power and ground wires. You'll get interference from hell.
04-18-2018, 07:54 PM
#119
Pro
Thread Starter
Your call really man. Run it to the most convenient places for you. A straightened out wire coat hanger through the door "accordion" or "conduit" helps run the wire through the doors. The only "foul" would to be running it on top of (or in extreme close proximity to)your power wires. At the same time...you'd be hard pressed to "hear" that feed back. One things for sure...keep your RCAs WELL AWAY from the power and ground wires. You'll get interference from hell.
04-20-2018, 06:39 PM
#120
Pro
Thread Starter
Got the focals in the mail today, pretty impressive to get here in four days all the way from Italy. First impression of them is very good, you can tell they are extremely well built and attention to detail is top notch. Definitely look higher quality than the JL speakers I have experience with. Can’t wait to get everything put in and wired up. I’ll be stripping the interior tomorrow and installing all the new audio stuff as well as putting dynamat xtreme and ensolite down. I will report back with a brief review and may try and do a write up on the install if I think it would help others