Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Trying to go for a complete system, need help

Ok I got a few questions on subs, amps, and components. I currently have 2 pioneer 3ways in the front and a mtx thunder 6000 10" in a bandpass box being pushed by a a mtx 2180(I think) amp.

The sound is decent but its time to upgrade. Heres what I'm thinking of doing: 2 Jl 12w0s 8-ohm, a Jbl 600.1, sealed box 1.5 cubic feet each sub, 2 1" soft dome vifa tweets, 2 5.25 or 6.5 peerless(sp?) mids (thanks cthomp), and an amp undecided to power that. I'm still on a budget but I'm trying to get the best possible system I can.

Now comes the questions:

1.My current amp puts out about 280watts rms and it cuts out after about 40 mins of listening, I think is overheating becuase it comes back on in a few minutes but its really annoying and embarrassing. I'd like to use this amp to power the component system, but I cant have my highs and mids cut out. what can I do to fix this? Or should I just get a new amp?

2. My headlights dim from the single 10 do you think I need a cap, or maybe a better ground? Also if I turn my hu(kenwood kdc-x569) all the way up with the car off it shuts down the radio! I dont listen to it that high but it shouldn't be cutting off. Whats up with that?

3. Will I be getting a lot more bass from the 2 JL 12's. I'm kinda concerned on how low the rms is (150each). My single 10 took 250 watts so they are pretty close. Plus the bandpass made the bass pretty loud, but boomy. I'm hoping to get better sq and spl from the 2 12s.

4. How should I go about mounting the components? I've never really worked with drills and wood before so I'm a little hesistant. I was think of going with a 5.25 woofer and making a 6x8 plate with the tweet and woofer in it, so that I could just drop it in. where my pioneers are and throw them in the back. I dont really want to have to drill any holes in my car for the tweet or otherwise. I also need help on wiring the components up, like getting the speaker wire from the amp to the door.

5.How should I do the wiring? I plan on 4ga from the battery to the trunk, then getting a distribution block that can give 4ga to the jbl then 8ga to the amp I use for the components.

6. Are the Jl 12W0s a good choice for subs? I tried to set this up so I could update to two dual 4ohm subs that get 300rms each if need be. I already bought them, but I got em cheap so I should be able to resale them and get all my money back if you think theres something better out there.

Thats all for now any help would be appreciated

Hey whats up with this Lanzer amp? I've seen a few people suggesting it to others, I thought lanzar amps were bad. It would be good if maybe I got this to power the jls and then moved them to the component system once I got the jbl, or I could just get two of these

Maybe it's time for a new battery? How old is your current battery?

could that be the root to most of my problems now? My tour is used and when I got it, I needed a jump just to get it going.

also could someone answer my other questions...

If your lights go dim at idle or when the sub hits hard you need a cap, dont get a cheap thing either get something nice that will prevent it from happening.


As for your amp, it is not cooling, is yours fan cooled, if not then when you get your new system get one that is.

Also stuff could be blocking its way, where is your amp under the front seat, or in the trunk?

With wiring Best Buy said they have to remove the panels along the bottom on the door, but attached to the car not door I mean, the ones held on by phillips hedas screws and wire it underneath it most likely.

1. Yup.. seems like your amp is overheating. Perhaps you don't have enough room to dissipate heat. Or maybe you got the gain turned up too high.

2. (a) DON'T SPEND YOUR MONEY ON A CAP YET!! Upgrade your battery, and ground cables that run to your alternator, and to the chassis. It should solve your problem right then and there. If you really are getting annoyed from dimming lights, you could try putting caps on your headlights, rather than your amp. (b) I had the same problem with it turning off. I'm planning on running direct power from the battery to see if it helps.

3. Most likely, you'll get more bass. A lot cleaner, and tighter as well. Just switch over.

4. Mount the mid in your door, and your tweeter in the a-pillar. The adapter would work well. You could make your own if you desired.

5. That'll do

6. They're decent subs. In my opinion, i'd sell them and go with a beast AL 1804 or a baby beast AV 15

I own both of them beasts.. i heard the AV 15.. and it blows away my older JL 18w6 18" sub. The specs, and the way the AL 1804 is built, will definitely blow the AV 15 into the dirt.... as soon as i get a chance to hook it up. A JBL 600.1 would work with the AV 15 perfectly.

Ren.

how should I go about wiring the door speakers to the amp, it looks like I have two options that I could do. either drill holes or tap into the stock wiring under the dash. Either way I'd need a little help though. Which would be easier, I plan on use a 50-100watt amp, and I dont have a factory amp. I dont really want to be drilling holes in my car, nor do I want to be cutting factory wires. This would be my first time dooing this so all advice would be helpful.

also could you guys answer some of my other questions, I know yall are pretty helpful when you put your mind to it!

i dont think 2 12w0's would work with a jbl 600.1
but you could use either
2 12w0's with a 300.1
or
2 12w3's with a 600.1

cus i dont think the w0's will handle 300 wrms a piece
at least not for very long.

the 2 12w0s are 8ohm so its only a 4ohm load. The jbl puts out only 300watts into a 4ohm, the 600 if for 2 ohms. I was thinking of this amp becuase if I decide to upgrade from the jbl I could give the new subs 300watts a piece.