I'm lookin for a car sound system but have no idea where to start. What are some suggestions for the set-up

Question

This is my first time buying a car audio system. So basically i do not want to get tricked and looking for a slammimg system. I just need suggestions on everything from battery caps to equalizer to subs to wiring. Plz someone help

Answer 1

well, people have written books on the "basics". But i will attempt to give you some help, and yet not bore you too badly. First you mention you want a slamming system, so i will assume that SPL (volume) is your priority. First let me stress more wattage does not = more volume, in fact wattage is only one aspect of volume. other things that contribute to overall volume performance are speaker efficiency and enclosure design. here are some facts about SPL:

3 db requires 2X the power (wattage)

1db is the smallest amount of volume change the ear can detect.

10 db is "twice as loud"

so you need over 4x the power to make a system sound twice as loud with all other things equal. a speakers effeciency rating is another measure. it is a measure of DB with 1 watt at 1 meter. often times somewhere around 80-100. so here is a example a sub rated @ 90db in a proper enclosure with 100 watts will be louder than a a sub rated at 86db with 200 watts. a enclosure can really criple your system, i recomend getting a sub box made custom to the sub you pick, because a enclosure can easily make a 3-6db difference, thats like doubling or even quadrupling your power.

so far these are all facts based on science.

now for some general rule of thumb items.

first off most stock systems will support upto a 800-1000 watt RMS system. and based on what i mentioned above i personally would stay below that. because to get a 3db gain which is really pretty minimal would require hundres more on amps, speakers and upgrading your cars electrical system. buy smart and at 1000 watts you can outpreform others spending thousands more.

If you decide to go with more power than 1000 watts i recomend you upgrade in this order.

1 - Big three wires (primary car wiring alternator to chasis ect.)

2 - HO alternator

3 - Better Battery

4 - More batteries with complicated wireing (only extreme and competition level )

Capacitors are a fraud, sold to the unknowing. they have now effect on suppling power. thier only true use is they "may" clean up the power supply resulting in better sound quality. but thats it.

I would go on and on, but like i said a book could be written on this stuff.... if you have more questions, hit me up i'll answer anyway i can.

Answer 2

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