11 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

Wondering if someone could shine a little more light on what I need to install the ideal system I'm after fitting to the mini

At the moment I've got a Jvc head unit, two 6x9's under the back seat and the two standard rover speakers in the parcel shelf.

I'm perfectly happy with that set up speaker wise, but the vibrations of having a rock solid suspension set up means the head unit doesn't play cd's perfectly, and when I turn it up to hear it over my very loud exhaust it just cuts out now as the front panel is vibrating a bit I think. (Basically the head unit is getting a bit worn out after 4 or 5 years use)

I'm not too fussed about having a ridiculous sound system, just something that sounds alright on the motorway and can listen to some music at a nice volume, not blowing my head off.

Here's what I was planning, I just need some advice if it's a good idea or if there's something I'm missing as I'm not clued up on sound systems

I'm wanting to do away with a head unit completely, and just mount an amp under the dash rail where the head unit fits as standard, wore my speakers into that, and just have the input to it on a 3.5mm jack socket mounted probably on the dash to let me use my phone or iPod for music.

This is the amp I found on eBay, seems to be a good price (not wanting to spend loads of money)
http://bit.ly/NwPGNo not sure if the link works, item number 201040031264

This will give me the option of fitting a small sub in the boot if ever I decide it needs a bit more punch, I think?

All I'm asking is if this is possible, if I just chop the input wire and solder it to the back of a jack socket would it work as an input to get some music through the speakers?

Any other things I need to consider?

[jackmason]

Im no expert when it comes to amps or car stereos but your idea should work. Its what my friend is going to do.

 

The amp you have linked to is a 2 Channel Amp so you could only power 2 speakers (Rear Left + Rear Right) with it.

 

You can buy RCA Audio cables with a 3.5 jack on the end if you wanted that option. In fact, that ebay shop sell them

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item519a70d228

 

Or, you could buy a chassis mount 3.5mm Socket and fix it nicely in the dash somewhere.

http://www.ebay.co.u...cat=0&_from=R40

 

Personally i would keep the amp as close to the battery and speakers as possible, that way you use less wiring and only need to run a single wire (Remote) to turn the amp on and off, and the audio cable for the ipod.

[DomCr250]

I've gone down the 2nd hand Alpine route ...you can pick up an apple compatible head unit for about £30 and a lead from about £7 - it even charges the phone or iPod.

[adam_93rio]

I've gone down the 2nd hand Alpine route ...you can pick up an apple compatible head unit for about £30 and a lead from about £7 - it even charges the phone or iPod.

I don't want a head u it though, they're pretty pointless to be honest

[Ruckus]

I've gone down the 2nd hand Alpine route ...you can pick up an apple compatible head unit for about £30 and a lead from about £7 - it even charges the phone or iPod.

I don't want a head u it though, they're pretty pointless to be honest

Lol if you don't know what your talking about you should not dive in with such comments.

In your desired application you might not feel a head unit is relavent, but to say they are pointless full stop is a bit silly.

[adam_93rio]

I've gone down the 2nd hand Alpine route ...you can pick up an apple compatible head unit for about £30 and a lead from about £7 - it even charges the phone or iPod.

I don't want a head u it though, they're pretty pointless to be honest

Lol if you don't know what your talking about you should not dive in with such comments.

In your desired application you might not feel a head unit is relavent, but to say they are pointless full stop is a bit silly.

Head units are pointless for what I want, I will never listen to the radio, never listen to cd's and would only ever use the aux port. So what would be the point in having a box under my dash that is in plain view, when I can hide an amp under there and the only things in plain sight would be a small socket on the dash and my standard rear speakers.
I'm not talking about head units being pointless full stop am I, I'm not talking about every car in the world, I'm talking about MY CAR and MY SETUP. So if you don't have anything helpful to say then don't comment

[Ruckus]

 if you don't have anything helpful to say then don't comment

 

 

 

Oh the irony...

[adam_93rio]

Im no expert when it comes to amps or car stereos but your idea should work. Its what my friend is going to do.
 
The amp you have linked to is a 2 Channel Amp so you could only power 2 speakers (Rear Left + Rear Right) with it.
 
You can buy RCA Audio cables with a 3.5 jack on the end if you wanted that option. In fact, that ebay shop sell them
http://www.ebay.co.u...=item519a70d228
 
Or, you could buy a chassis mount 3.5mm Socket and fix it nicely in the dash somewhere.
http://www.ebay.co.u...cat=0&_from=R40
 
Personally i would keep the amp as close to the battery and speakers as possible, that way you use less wiring and only need to run a single wire (Remote) to turn the amp on and off, and the audio cable for the ipod.

Only just reopened this thread after leaving it when it got some daft replies and realised you had commented with quite a helpful reply.
I've found that they do a 4 channel version of the amp I originally posted, and I was planning on using a jack mounted in the dash.

Thanks for your reply, it's a shame I hadn't noticed it with the unrelated comments being posted

[adam_93rio]

Also, the 4 channel version of that says the size fuze is only 7.5 amp, I'm not clued up on stereos really but would've thought it would draw more current than that.
I'd be ok using the original wires if that is correct, they just seem to be a bit thin if I remember correctly, could anyone shine a bit of light on that too? Really thought it's use more

Edited by adam_93rio, 28 April 2014 - 09:30 PM.

[jackmason]

 

Im no expert when it comes to amps or car stereos but your idea should work. Its what my friend is going to do.
 
The amp you have linked to is a 2 Channel Amp so you could only power 2 speakers (Rear Left + Rear Right) with it.
 
You can buy RCA Audio cables with a 3.5 jack on the end if you wanted that option. In fact, that ebay shop sell them
http://www.ebay.co.u...=item519a70d228
 
Or, you could buy a chassis mount 3.5mm Socket and fix it nicely in the dash somewhere.
http://www.ebay.co.u...cat=0&_from=R40
 
Personally i would keep the amp as close to the battery and speakers as possible, that way you use less wiring and only need to run a single wire (Remote) to turn the amp on and off, and the audio cable for the ipod.

Only just reopened this thread after leaving it when it got some daft replies and realised you had commented with quite a helpful reply.
I've found that they do a 4 channel version of the amp I originally posted, and I was planning on using a jack mounted in the dash.

Thanks for your reply, it's a shame I hadn't noticed it with the unrelated comments being posted

 

Thats ok, i did wonder if you had seen it.

 

My friends also purchased a 3.5mm socket with a volume adjuster so that he can limit the input to the amp. That way, if the ipod/phone is on max volume when you start playing music, theres less risk of it blowing speakers etc.

 

I suppose if the Amp comes supplied with a 7.5A fuse it should be ok. I would have thought they had tested it. 

[adam_93rio]

Thats ok, i did wonder if you had seen it.
 
My friends also purchased a 3.5mm socket with a volume adjuster so that he can limit the input to the amp. That way, if the ipod/phone is on max volume when you start playing music, theres less risk of it blowing speakers etc.
 
I suppose if the Amp comes supplied with a 7.5A fuse it should be ok. I would have thought they had tested it. 

Yeah I didn't want you to think I'd just taken your advice with no thanks haha

When I measure under the dash to make sure I can mount it there I think I will get the 4 channel version and mount a 3.5mm jack on the dash, it'll be easier that way as I seem to go through those cables like crazy, I'll have a look for one with a volume control too, or just put a volume control in my side of the dash

[freshairmini]

Also, the 4 channel version of that says the size fuze is only 7.5 amp, I'm not clued up on stereos really but would've thought it would draw more current than that.
I'd be ok using the original wires if that is correct, they just seem to be a bit thin if I remember correctly, could anyone shine a bit of light on that too? Really thought it's use more

 

The reason it is only 7.5 amps is because it is highly unlikely that you will get anything near 2000 watts from it. What you'll find that that is possibly (probably not) 2000 watts maximum. The important watts figure is the RMS value, this is the nominal or I suppose average watts that in normal situations it will produce.

 

For example my amp in my car produces a total of 220 watts RMS. This has a single 25amp fuse, now imagine that amp on ebay could produce 2000watts, it should really have a much larger fuse or multiple larger fuses.

 

Really what you have mentioned is a great way to see what kind of actual power could be produced vs what the manufacturer claims.

 

Have a look at second hand alpine amps, there not the greatest but they should sell for around that amount depending on power and be much better quality.