badjuju342
02-25-2006, 07:35 AM
Here's some basic principles to follow when upgrading your audio system.
1. Before installing that new CD player or amplifier, take a minute to read the instructions and manual! You might say to yourself" I know what I'm doing." but you might just find some things out you did not know.
2. Are your speakers the correct resistance ( ohms) for your amp or radio? Too low of a resistance (i.e. 2ohm speakers for an amp rated at 4 ohms output) will cause an amp to overheat or damage the speaker or output of said amp. Too high of a resistance (8ohm speaker for a 4 ohm output) will not damage anything but you don't get the full power (watts) of the amp. Try to keep them matched in every possible case if you can.
3. Are your speakers rated properly for your amp? Putting an amp rated at 1000 watts RMS on a speaker rated at 30 watts RMS means you're going to be buying a new set of speakers very soon. You can offset this a bit by keeping the amp gains turned down but why not keep it simple and matched? Also , the RMS spec is the true spec you're looking looking for , NOT peak power! If I had my way , there would be no peak power rating as it is just an advertising gimmick and pretty much useless in the real world. This can also be an good line of thought in reverse. Putting a speaker rated at 1000 watts on an amp rated at 50 watts can damage the speaker or amp output. It's like sticking a big block in a Chevette and leaving the transmission and rear axle stock. Bad idea.
4. Look at your efficiency ratings on the speaker. In most cases a higher efficiency means you're going to get more out of it. There are exceptions to this but that's another discussion entirely. The higher the db (decibel) rating is better. They measure this rating usually at the db level @ 1 watt @ 1 meter. Some manufacturer will deviate from this to get a better efficiency rating . RED FLAG! On average , 90 db @ 1 watt @ 1 meter is a fairly standard efficiency rating. Another common misconception is if a speaker has a HUGE magnet then it's gotta be killer. Right? WRONG! There are different types of magnets out there and a smaller strontium magnet is usually a sign of a quality speaker more than a large iron ferrite one. Ever see a big magnets on tweeters?
5. Frenquency response is a good measure of of a full range speaker. The broader the range , the more likely the better sound you will experience. This is also applies in subs , mid and tweeters, but for different reasons .
Frequency response is measured in hertz (hz). A subwoofer will need a good frequency response in the 20 hz to 200hz range (although 200 hz is pushing it a bit , I prefer keeping the sub down below 100 hz) , the mid range will handle a frequencies between this and the tweeter , and the tweeter will do well from about 3,000 hz to 20,000 hz. Most humans cannot hear up to 20,000 hz so it's just a basic measurement here. Keepinq low frequencies out of tweeters is very important as the they are not designed to handle them. NEVER attempt to make a twweter reproduce frequencies below what the manufacturer reccommends unless you are very , very sure of what you doing.
6.Wiring , as discussed in the electrical section , going bigger can be better in terms of power wiring . Keeping grounds equal to positive wires in guage size is very important . And before you install that 5,000 watt system, have you accounted for the power it will require? Audio systems can need more than 10 times the power (measured in amperes) a stock alternator can put out. Capacitors are a good idea but not a solution to this problem . Keep that is mind when purchasing a megawatt system .
7. Most of the time , you get what you pay for . Going to those big superduper sales at the fairgrounds and buying some no name amp is going to let you down. I've seen cases where weights were installed inside amplifiers to make them seem like they had more components in them. Save up more money and buy a quality name brand.
8.Look at the physical appearance of a speaker. You can see some features that are desirable . For instance, the surround on a speakers can tell you something. Butyl rubber will stand up better to sunlight and humidity than a foam surround will. A plastic cone will last longer in a door than a paper one will because of moisture. Do your best to protect speakers and amps fro moist conditions as it will kill them.
9. Properly secure everything ! Mount your speakers , amp and radios where they do not vibrate , you'll get a better performance from . ALWAYS check behind what you are about to drill into , there might be a wiring harness, fuel line , or brake line. A little bit of preplanning can save you some major headaches later.
10. Buy quality accessories! Those cheap 1.99 RCA cables might seem like a bargain now but they're not when you have to replace them for failure or screaming engine niose induced in the audio system.And don't route them near potiental sources of noise such ECUs or electrical motors.
This was just a short brief on audio and much more can be added to it.This will give you a basic idea of what you need to do to get the most out of your audio system.
1. Before installing that new CD player or amplifier, take a minute to read the instructions and manual! You might say to yourself" I know what I'm doing." but you might just find some things out you did not know.
2. Are your speakers the correct resistance ( ohms) for your amp or radio? Too low of a resistance (i.e. 2ohm speakers for an amp rated at 4 ohms output) will cause an amp to overheat or damage the speaker or output of said amp. Too high of a resistance (8ohm speaker for a 4 ohm output) will not damage anything but you don't get the full power (watts) of the amp. Try to keep them matched in every possible case if you can.
3. Are your speakers rated properly for your amp? Putting an amp rated at 1000 watts RMS on a speaker rated at 30 watts RMS means you're going to be buying a new set of speakers very soon. You can offset this a bit by keeping the amp gains turned down but why not keep it simple and matched? Also , the RMS spec is the true spec you're looking looking for , NOT peak power! If I had my way , there would be no peak power rating as it is just an advertising gimmick and pretty much useless in the real world. This can also be an good line of thought in reverse. Putting a speaker rated at 1000 watts on an amp rated at 50 watts can damage the speaker or amp output. It's like sticking a big block in a Chevette and leaving the transmission and rear axle stock. Bad idea.
4. Look at your efficiency ratings on the speaker. In most cases a higher efficiency means you're going to get more out of it. There are exceptions to this but that's another discussion entirely. The higher the db (decibel) rating is better. They measure this rating usually at the db level @ 1 watt @ 1 meter. Some manufacturer will deviate from this to get a better efficiency rating . RED FLAG! On average , 90 db @ 1 watt @ 1 meter is a fairly standard efficiency rating. Another common misconception is if a speaker has a HUGE magnet then it's gotta be killer. Right? WRONG! There are different types of magnets out there and a smaller strontium magnet is usually a sign of a quality speaker more than a large iron ferrite one. Ever see a big magnets on tweeters?
5. Frenquency response is a good measure of of a full range speaker. The broader the range , the more likely the better sound you will experience. This is also applies in subs , mid and tweeters, but for different reasons .
Frequency response is measured in hertz (hz). A subwoofer will need a good frequency response in the 20 hz to 200hz range (although 200 hz is pushing it a bit , I prefer keeping the sub down below 100 hz) , the mid range will handle a frequencies between this and the tweeter , and the tweeter will do well from about 3,000 hz to 20,000 hz. Most humans cannot hear up to 20,000 hz so it's just a basic measurement here. Keepinq low frequencies out of tweeters is very important as the they are not designed to handle them. NEVER attempt to make a twweter reproduce frequencies below what the manufacturer reccommends unless you are very , very sure of what you doing.
6.Wiring , as discussed in the electrical section , going bigger can be better in terms of power wiring . Keeping grounds equal to positive wires in guage size is very important . And before you install that 5,000 watt system, have you accounted for the power it will require? Audio systems can need more than 10 times the power (measured in amperes) a stock alternator can put out. Capacitors are a good idea but not a solution to this problem . Keep that is mind when purchasing a megawatt system .
7. Most of the time , you get what you pay for . Going to those big superduper sales at the fairgrounds and buying some no name amp is going to let you down. I've seen cases where weights were installed inside amplifiers to make them seem like they had more components in them. Save up more money and buy a quality name brand.
8.Look at the physical appearance of a speaker. You can see some features that are desirable . For instance, the surround on a speakers can tell you something. Butyl rubber will stand up better to sunlight and humidity than a foam surround will. A plastic cone will last longer in a door than a paper one will because of moisture. Do your best to protect speakers and amps fro moist conditions as it will kill them.
9. Properly secure everything ! Mount your speakers , amp and radios where they do not vibrate , you'll get a better performance from . ALWAYS check behind what you are about to drill into , there might be a wiring harness, fuel line , or brake line. A little bit of preplanning can save you some major headaches later.
10. Buy quality accessories! Those cheap 1.99 RCA cables might seem like a bargain now but they're not when you have to replace them for failure or screaming engine niose induced in the audio system.And don't route them near potiental sources of noise such ECUs or electrical motors.
This was just a short brief on audio and much more can be added to it.This will give you a basic idea of what you need to do to get the most out of your audio system.