Leisure
My Car Audio Setup
In March 2004, I was lucky to get my hands on a well-maintained pre-owned 1998 Toyota Corolla. Everything was as it was when it came out of the factory. Alpine stereo, four full range speakers - two in the front door, two in the back. The head unit was a TDA-7548 - a casette and AM/FM tuner, front and rear RCA line outs, and luckily, Ai-Net ready.
It was working fine, I just needed to be able to listen to my CDs. And the cheapest Ai-Net CD changer I could find was the CHA-S624, somewhere in Malugay st., for nine thousand pesos. I know I could just replace the head unit with a CD-ready Pioneer head unit for less money, but why throw away a perfectly working one?
In September 2004, I decided I needed some bass. I started scouting around for a sub and an amp. Back in the 90's it was Rockford Fosgate amps that made it to IASCA finals, as well as Kicker subwoofers. So I checked out www.rockfordfosgate.com for their current models, and the Kicker Web Site for subs. The local Kotse Audio Club was also very helpful, as they discuss more current trends. I only dabbled a bit in car audio in the '90s and my knowledge was very basic.
As in all car audio set up, you have to choose your goal - SQ or SPL. I'm more for SQ, especially with the wide range of music that I listen to. Then I set a budget. Which is not too much, as long as I get the quality I want. And with that in mind I was eyeing a JL Audio sub and a Rockford Fosgate amp.
But then I've had previous experience with Winterpine along Araneta Ave., and they only carry Kicker. They're the official distributor of Rockford Fosgate products, and so I think I got a good deal when I got a P3002, powering a Kicker Comp VR 10 inch sub. The P3002 can be bridged into 300W x 1 into 4 ohms, and so the sub was a dual voice coil with 2 ohms each, and when in series, makes four ohms.
The TDA-7548 had two RCA outputs, so I tapped the rear plugs for the sub out. Lightning Audio wires and fuse box completed the package. The bass boost control was installed under the driver side panel. I leave it at the lowest setting.
I was still debating whether to replace my stock speakers, which were working fine. But then I'd like to finish the audio system project sooner rather than later. And so back to some research for good SQ speakers.
The guys at www.kotseaudioclub.com have recommended DLS as decent SQ speakers. But I had some restrictions on the depth of the speaker, because otherwise, the windows will hit the magnet when I install them on the door panels. I wouldn't want to spend for custom door panels, as the current ones are still good. So back at Winterpine, I was looking at the DLS PS6A, which was rated at 50W RMS, had separate passive crossover boxes, and would fit my existing speaker holes with minor modification. There is always a compromise to be made when installing audio in a car, because of the space and unique acoustics. The important thing was to stick with at least 6.5" midrange speakers for good SQ. Click here for a pic of the spacer.
Now, to power the speakers. Rockford Fosgate Punch 2002 was rated at 50W x 2 into 4 ohms. Perfect.
I had to think about where to put the amps. I wouldn't want to lose too much trunk space, as this is a daily driver, and we travel to the province from time to time with lots of luggage. Again, compromise. I had to lose cabin access to the trunk as we sealed it with an MDF board holding both amps.
Where do we place the tweeters then? Ideally the midrange and the tweeter should be close to each other so that the sound travels the same distance to your ear. But again, compromise. There was no hole for a tweeter on the door panel. I would've put it in the dash but the direct sunlight and heat might damage it. So we made holes in the sail panel for screws, and put it in there. In hindsight, it would've been better on the dash, as it was farther away, and the distance to my ears would've been almost the same as the midrange. Plus I wouldn't worry about it getting wet when opening the doors in the rain.
I tuned it by ear using "My Disc" from Sheffield Labs. I would've wanted an RTA test to get a flat response, so I would hear music the way the musician meant it, but I don't have an EQ anyway so how would I correct any dips or highs?
Oh well, that's just about it. I'm happy with it. The next and probably last in the audio system setup is a better MP3 capable head unit. But the current one is still working so I don't have to worry about that yet. So now I burn CDs for the car, as I'm afraid my CDs would get scratched in the changer. Ella Fitzgerald sounds great, and so does John Coltrane. Sometimes Freddy Mercury sings, and then the guitars from Aerosmith, Guns and Roses and Poison can be heard crisp and clear. And everything in between sounds pretty decent to me. Money well spent.
I would like to thank the people from Winterpine Marketing, Chelle - the sales person, the carpenter, and the installer. The people from Kotse Audio Club have been very helpful, as well as those from www.tsikot.com from whom I seek advice regarding all car stuff.