Educate me stereo for 1978 c3
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 127
From: Mequon WI
Educate me stereo for 1978 c3
I am just no longer up to speed with car stereo equipment. My 1978 Bas C3 has a JVC model KD-X330 BTS. Speaker impedance is rated at 4 - 8 Ohm. Power is rated at 22W * 4 at less than or = to 1% THD.
The fron dash board mounted speakers are Pioneer model TS-A460R 3 way 4" X 6". Rated at 200W max, nominal power 30 (?) and 4 Ohms. My disappointment is that I don't get a lot of volume, need to turn it up almost all the way and I get a lot of distortion. When I use the bass booster or turn the bass up I get a lot of distortion and finally the sound is very tinny.
I believe that I have decent equipment, not the most high end, but decent.
Any Ideas how to make this better?
Would adding an amplifier help? My thought is no as I would just be sending a stronger signal to the speakers and over poer them. On the other hand, would adding an amplifier send a stronger more clear signal to the speaker and cure my issues?
TIA for any help.
Jim
The fron dash board mounted speakers are Pioneer model TS-A460R 3 way 4" X 6". Rated at 200W max, nominal power 30 (?) and 4 Ohms. My disappointment is that I don't get a lot of volume, need to turn it up almost all the way and I get a lot of distortion. When I use the bass booster or turn the bass up I get a lot of distortion and finally the sound is very tinny.
I believe that I have decent equipment, not the most high end, but decent.
Any Ideas how to make this better?
Would adding an amplifier help? My thought is no as I would just be sending a stronger signal to the speakers and over poer them. On the other hand, would adding an amplifier send a stronger more clear signal to the speaker and cure my issues?
TIA for any help.
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 1,728
From: Summerville SC
I have a JVC unit ( different one but similar specs) and it is OK. I added an amp for the rear speakers and it made it fine, even with my side pipes. Without the amp it really wasn't as good as I had hoped for either. It sounded like a typical radio from the 70's. First, do you have back speakers? Is the fader control set properly? Silly question but sometimes the silly things get overlooked. DO you have good grounds? Are the speakers in phase, the + and - going to the same terminals on each speaker? I ended up putting a good set of speakers int he back and a smaller amp in the rear storage compartment where the jack goes and it rally came out good. I might suggest1) post this in the C3 general section. I think that gets more traffic than over here and 2) Give Crutchfield a call, tell them what you have and you are looking for a set of rear speakers and/or a smaller 2 channel amp. They might be able to help you out or at least design something that will sound good. And there is probably some good Black Friday sales or open box sales going on right now. Good luck. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 127
From: Mequon WI
Thanks Kman. All good sugestiobs. Speakers are phases in - meaning the positive out from each side of the radio are connected to the same respective terminal of speaker. I have rear speakers but faded very low. I dont like a lot of sound from behind
I'll try Cruthfield. They are good. Boight ztuff from Best Buy. Even my wife's advise about hearing aods was better!
I'll try Cruthfield. They are good. Boight ztuff from Best Buy. Even my wife's advise about hearing aods was better!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
A nice 2 channel amp and a better pair of front speakers should help with better sound. As for the tinny sound, adding a small amplified subside should help. Bass is non directional, so it won't seem like it's coming from the back.
front speakers:
front speakers:
