8 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

 

Need some quick advice in the following.

 

I am looking for an amplifier and speakers and have narrowed it down to this Sony XPLOD 4 Channel Amplifier and need to know:

 

(a) Will these speakers be suitable for it or can anyone suggest a better match.

 

(b) What other equipment should I get e.g Wiring Kit / Cables / Fuses etc.

 

I have a Pioneer DEH 1600R Head Unit but have just picked up a replacement Head Unit from eBay (Sony XPLOD GT26 with Aux In)

I have obtained / selected the above items based on my budget and sound requirements.

 

Thanks in advance 

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 13 December 2016 - 08:28 PM.

[minifreek1]

The amp is more than capable of powering those speakers....

 

Cabling, you would need a minimum of 4 AWG with 60 Amp fuse.....

 

Speakers cable is all including in a kit from Halfords, along with the wiring for the power too...

 

Where are you thinking of mounting the amp and speakers...

 

My amp is mounted in the boot, bridged to run 2 channel and only powers my VIBE Audio 6x9's under the rear seats... only there for a bit of thump....

 

 

 

All depends on your budget really, and how deep your pockets are when it comes to car Hi-Fi.....

[JonnyAlpha]

The amp is more than capable of powering those speakers....

 

Cabling, you would need a minimum of 4 AWG with 60 Amp fuse.....

 

Speakers cable is all including in a kit from Halfords, along with the wiring for the power too...

 

Where are you thinking of mounting the amp and speakers...

 

My amp is mounted in the boot, bridged to run 2 channel and only powers my VIBE Audio 6x9's under the rear seats... only there for a bit of thump....

 

 

All depends on your budget really, and how deep your pockets are when it comes to car Hi-Fi.....

 

Not decided where I am fitting the amp or speakers. My existing speakers are on the parcel shelf but I don't think the holes that have been cut will be large enough for the 6 x 9's? I thought about having them under the rear seat or in the rear companion bins? Might fit the amp under the rear seat?

 

Why such a big fuse? The amp is advertised at 1000Watt but only delivers 70Watt RMS x 4.

I was hoping to keep the amp out of the boot.

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 13 December 2016 - 08:31 PM.

[minifreek1]

You might get away with a 30A fuse instead of a 60A... Mine has a 60A fuse on it, I can't remember the wattage of it though... Been a while since I installed it...

[JonnyAlpha]

I am a little confused (not hard) ref the wiring requirements.

 

POWER WIRE GAUGE

I have just spoken to a guy at Car Audio Centre who recommended the JW101 wiring kit which comes with an 4g wire and an 80A fuse.

According to this guide on Crutchfield I have calculated that I need 10g wire not 4g wire. (70Watt RMS x 4 = 280Watt x 2 = 560Watt / 13.8 = 41Amps) base on 7 - 10ft of power wire? Would there be an issue using 4g instead of 10g in case I fit another amp later on and run it off off the same wiring in series with the amp I am about to fit? Although I'd probably be better off with 8g which would allow for a slightly longer cable run and less chance of clipping?

 

FUSE

According to the amplifiers manual here it should have a 50A inline fuse. 

 

WIRING KITS

So I have been looking at wiring kits online (there is just too much choice) some are expensive and some are cheap although I have no doubt that the cheaper variants are inferior.

I have looked at a couple of 'recommended wiring kit reviews' but most list USA supplied items. One such items reviewed is this Legacy Lamp 4  which come with a 60Amp AGU Fuse (10Amp more than I need?). 

Also considering this KnuConceptz 8g kit, reviews seem reasonable. Doesn't come with a separate remote lead as it seems to be built into the RCA?

 

I have looked at 100% Oxygen Free Copper kits but they are out of my budget! 

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 14 December 2016 - 08:50 PM.

[JonnyAlpha]

Just to add:

 

Can some expert car audio electronics expert check my findings before I order an amplifier wiring kit.

OK so I have been doing some research into wiring up an amp.
I have just ordered a Sony XPLOD N1004 4 Channel Amp. It is advertised as 1000Watt but does 70Watt RMS per Channel (280Watt RMS).
I have also ordered 2 x Pioneer 16x9 Coaxial Speakers and will initially be using these 2 x speakers,so only 2 channels will be in use (140Watt) However I have in the car 2 x 25Watt Pioneer Speakers that I will (if the fit) put under the dash or in the doors, so another 140Watt).  

I may at some stage in the future fit a Sub Woofer (although once I test the above I may have enough sound!!

When choosing a wiring kit I have read several guides like this and used several calculators like this one  and think I need 8g wiring and a 50 Amp inline fuse (as recommended by the Pioneer Amp manual).

So based on my research I think I need a wiring kit with 8g wiring and a 50Amp in line fuse.

I have singled out this KnuKonceptz Amazon £15.99

I would like the Stinger Series 8g which oddly is selling in Halfords for £39.99 also on eBay for £33.90.

 

[Juniors mini]

Me myself would buy the biggest I could afford so I didn't have to change again if upgrading. Have you looked at buying it in separates as can be cheaper or better quality cable....eg 100% OFC cable. I would get a minimum of 4awg if your maybe adding a second amp.

[JonnyAlpha]

Still pondering on the wiring front 

I have been looking at three kits, Vibe Slick £19.99, Knuconceptz £15.99 and Stinger £39.99 (prices based on 8 Gauge).

 

The power cables in the KnuKonceptz kit are Copper Clad Aluminum, not sure what's in the Vibe but its not 100% OFC. The Stinger kit does contain 100% OFC Copper Cables (all of them I think, but this is reflected in the price difference.

 

I have also found out that the Stinger kit does NOT include speaker cable!! So I have found this 100% OFC speaker cable by KnuConceptz @ £22,49 for 15m compared to 5m of power flex from Halfords for £8.99. I think the KnuConcpetz Speaker Cable is 14g (its 4.5mm high).

 

For my Sony XPLOD N1004 I need a 50Amp Fuse not the 60AMP that comes with all of the above kits. These are few and far between but I found some on eBay for £6.67.

 

Ref the choice between 8 Gauge and 4 Gauge: My soon to be installed setup is 70Watt RMS per channel so that's 280Watt RMS total x 2 / 13.8 = 41Amps. If I did fit another Amp I would probably only get something like the Pioneer GMA 3602 with both channels bridged for 180Watt and a 15Watt 8 Inch Sub (150Watt Nominal) would still equate to 63Amps? 

 

So looking at this page as a reference at 63Amps 8 Gauge would still be ample? Besides a classic Mini is so small that the cable run is only going to be about 6ft if I put the Amp under the dash (which I am not).

 

So my choices so far are:

KnuConceptz from Amazon @15.99 + Fuses @ £6.67 = £22.66

Vibe Slick from Halfords @ 19.99 + Fuses @ 6.67 = £26.66

or 

Stinger 4000 from Halfords @ £39.99 + KnuConceptz Speaker Cable @ £22.49 + Fuses @ £6.67 = £69.15 (Which is more than my bloomin Amp!!)

 

Any thoughts?

[JonnyAlpha]

Whilst looking for speaker cable to go with the Stinger Kit that does not come with it I found this set. It's a Rockford Fosgate which I had read in a review as being a good brand.

 

I ordered it and it should be here before Christmas