In Need of "Car Audio 101" Education
Thread Starter
gone fishin
Joined: May 2004
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In Need of "Car Audio 101" Education
Can you guys help me better understand some of the basics of car audio?
1 - What does the "Channel" mean and what does it imply (1, 2, 4, etc.).
2 - How does the "ohms" come into play?
3 - What does RMS mean and how does this tie into the Amp (is there a rule of thumb for amperage)?
4 - Ported boxes vs. sealed.... pros & cons?
5 - What are the basic "do's" and "dont's"?
Thanks all!
1 - What does the "Channel" mean and what does it imply (1, 2, 4, etc.).
2 - How does the "ohms" come into play?
3 - What does RMS mean and how does this tie into the Amp (is there a rule of thumb for amperage)?
4 - Ported boxes vs. sealed.... pros & cons?
5 - What are the basic "do's" and "dont's"?
Thanks all!
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One of the consequences of such notions as "entitlements" is that people who have contributed nothing to society feel that society owes them something, apparently just for being nice enough to grace us with their presence.”
Thomas Sowell (American Writer and Economist, b.1930)
Thomas Sowell (American Writer and Economist, b.1930)
Last edited by Cecil; Jul 17, 2007 at 04:39 PM.
Thread Starter
gone fishin
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,239
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I found a few sites..... still would like to hear what you have learned in the real world. 
Car Stereo
Car Audio - The Basics
Car Audio Basics 101
Car Stereo
Car Audio - The Basics
Car Audio Basics 101
__________________
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
One of the consequences of such notions as "entitlements" is that people who have contributed nothing to society feel that society owes them something, apparently just for being nice enough to grace us with their presence.”
Thomas Sowell (American Writer and Economist, b.1930)
Thomas Sowell (American Writer and Economist, b.1930)
isuck
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
Can you guys help me better understand some of the basics of car audio?
1 - What does the "Channel" mean and what does it imply (1, 2, 4, etc.).
2 - How does the "ohms" come into play?
3 - What does RMS mean and how does this tie into the Amp (is there a rule of thumb for amperage)?
4 - Ported boxes vs. sealed.... pros & cons?
5 - What are the basic "do's" and "dont's"?
thanks all!
1 - What does the "Channel" mean and what does it imply (1, 2, 4, etc.).
2 - How does the "ohms" come into play?
3 - What does RMS mean and how does this tie into the Amp (is there a rule of thumb for amperage)?
4 - Ported boxes vs. sealed.... pros & cons?
5 - What are the basic "do's" and "dont's"?
thanks all!
1 channel: mono (monoblock)
2 channels: stereo sound, left and right
4 channels: stereo sound still, but better wiring for 4 speakers. (allows fading)
There are other types but these are the basic
2. Ohms just means impedence, the lower the Ohms, the less resistance, the stronger the power. If an amp is stable to X ohms, thats the lowest it can go before you run into problems like the amplifier going into protect mode. if you don't need too much power, try and keep the amp in a higher ohm load, 4 ohms sounds much cleaner than .5 or 1.
3. RMS just basically means the continuous power output. This is the main number you always want to look at when buying anything for car stereo, this applies to amps, speakers, and subwoofers alike.
As far as amperage, all electrical components are relative, watts, amps, volts, ohms. Google up how electricity works and for the equations to relate them all.
4.Ported = louder bass at the cost of a more linear output slope.
sealed = not as loud but much more accurate and flatter output.
Bandpass = focuses on a frequency range
Some people really don't notice the difference and some people prefer one over the other and swear there are other differences. To me, ported just sounds a little warmer, I prefer it as long as it's made right. Bandpass to me sounds terrible, its really only good for a very narrow (in comparative terms) in the output sound spectrum and doesn't sound too great. But when its used for a specific music type (rap) it sounds great and will produce a lot of sound.
5. Ehhh, too many to list. and it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
One major Do: upgrade wiring (google: big three (in car stereo)) whenever adding a stereo.
One major don't: If you're into SQ do not buy eminence
You'll have others that will give you better answers, but i'm quicker
.
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
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ok lol here we go the channel is how many subs can be hooked up to it(but u can hook up 4 speakers to a 2 channle amp)and the ohms law is very very very important becuz the lower the ohm the more power u can get BUT the lower the ohm setting the more stress u put on ur woofers rms is the recomended setting witch means what the power seting that is safest to use( i run my subs 100w over the rms)the rms is most of the time half of the max ok now a ported box will be louder better for spl and move more air(witch means more bass)ok and a sealed box would be better for ur sound quality meaning a set of 10in woofers in a sealed box would be a awsome setup for a rocker lol ok the dos and donts lol dont let ur power wire touch anything at all and make sure ur ground is NICE and CLEAN and TIGHT cuz the ground is one of the most important things ok now always make sure none of ur wires a crimped(or shut in a door) ALWAYS duble check ur wire and ALWAYS make sure nuthing is going to hit ur woofers and be sure there n the box good and thats about all i can say without writing a book lol
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1. Channels go like this
1 channel: mono (monoblock)
2 channels: stereo sound, left and right
4 channels: stereo sound still, but better wiring for 4 speakers. (allows fading)
There are other types but these are the basic
2. Ohms just means impedence, the lower the Ohms, the less resistance, the stronger the power. If an amp is stable to X ohms, thats the lowest it can go before you run into problems like the amplifier going into protect mode. if you don't need too much power, try and keep the amp in a higher ohm load, 4 ohms sounds much cleaner than .5 or 1.
3. RMS just basically means the continuous power output. This is the main number you always want to look at when buying anything for car stereo, this applies to amps, speakers, and subwoofers alike.
As far as amperage, all electrical components are relative, watts, amps, volts, ohms. Google up how electricity works and for the equations to relate them all.
4.Ported = louder bass at the cost of a more linear output slope.
sealed = not as loud but much more accurate and flatter output.
Bandpass = focuses on a frequency range
Some people really don't notice the difference and some people prefer one over the other and swear there are other differences. To me, ported just sounds a little warmer, I prefer it as long as it's made right. Bandpass to me sounds terrible, its really only good for a very narrow (in comparative terms) in the output sound spectrum and doesn't sound too great. But when its used for a specific music type (rap) it sounds great and will produce a lot of sound.
5. Ehhh, too many to list. and it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
One major Do: upgrade wiring (google: big three (in car stereo)) whenever adding a stereo.
One major don't: If you're into SQ do not buy eminence
You'll have others that will give you better answers, but i'm quicker.
1 channel: mono (monoblock)
2 channels: stereo sound, left and right
4 channels: stereo sound still, but better wiring for 4 speakers. (allows fading)
There are other types but these are the basic
2. Ohms just means impedence, the lower the Ohms, the less resistance, the stronger the power. If an amp is stable to X ohms, thats the lowest it can go before you run into problems like the amplifier going into protect mode. if you don't need too much power, try and keep the amp in a higher ohm load, 4 ohms sounds much cleaner than .5 or 1.
3. RMS just basically means the continuous power output. This is the main number you always want to look at when buying anything for car stereo, this applies to amps, speakers, and subwoofers alike.
As far as amperage, all electrical components are relative, watts, amps, volts, ohms. Google up how electricity works and for the equations to relate them all.
4.Ported = louder bass at the cost of a more linear output slope.
sealed = not as loud but much more accurate and flatter output.
Bandpass = focuses on a frequency range
Some people really don't notice the difference and some people prefer one over the other and swear there are other differences. To me, ported just sounds a little warmer, I prefer it as long as it's made right. Bandpass to me sounds terrible, its really only good for a very narrow (in comparative terms) in the output sound spectrum and doesn't sound too great. But when its used for a specific music type (rap) it sounds great and will produce a lot of sound.
5. Ehhh, too many to list. and it really depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
One major Do: upgrade wiring (google: big three (in car stereo)) whenever adding a stereo.
One major don't: If you're into SQ do not buy eminence
You'll have others that will give you better answers, but i'm quicker
.
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Need anything installed or built? PM me.
MECP Certified.
Alarm: Viper 5200
HU: Stock
Active Set-Up
Tweets: Image Dyamics CD1pro mini horns
Mids: Sundown Neo Pro 8s
Amp: Kicker IX500.4 (2)
Sub Stage
Subs: (2) Dayton Audio 15" HF
Amp: Kicker IX1000.1
isuck
Joined: May 2010
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Poor application is the product's downfall.
and that'd amount to 95% of its userbase.
The sig nazi's bitch...
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isuck
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Thread Starter
gone fishin
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 10,239
Likes: 0
I learned a long time ago, that being cheap, is expensive.
I do not mind spending the money required to do things correctly.
Not that I have funds to spare, but I prefer to do things "right".
.... thus, no old furniture boxes ...
I do not mind spending the money required to do things correctly.
Not that I have funds to spare, but I prefer to do things "right".
.... thus, no old furniture boxes ...
__________________
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
One of the consequences of such notions as "entitlements" is that people who have contributed nothing to society feel that society owes them something, apparently just for being nice enough to grace us with their presence.”
Thomas Sowell (American Writer and Economist, b.1930)
Thomas Sowell (American Writer and Economist, b.1930)
