Hi everyone,

I just registred to this, what looks to be, exciting place to learn about car audio.

Introduction aside, my main goal of registering to these discussion forums here at CanadaCarAudio is to get some questions answered and some opinions/suggestions on what to buy. Ok, let's start!

My car: I have a Mazda Mx-3 Precidia 1992. I guess the most important factor would be trunk space. The trunk is about 35x23 inchs in size. (I forgot the height, but I dont think it will be a problem).

Subwoofer(s): Because of the trunk space, I don't know if two subs is to much. I don't know how subwoofer boxes dimensions work. The subwoofers that I have my eye on are the Kicker 15" Solo-Baric L5 or L7 series. Budget: Approx 600$

Box: What's the most common type of material used for a box? How much is it? How strong are they? Are they hard to build? Or is it better to buy a premade one? What about ports? In some videos I hear stuff about: This box is tuned to this much hertz. What's do the tuned hertz do? What about breathing space for the speakers? Boxes look complicated :P


Amplifier: Now this I really don't know how it works. Ohms, Peak watt, RMS, this, that and so on. Im guessing if I put 2x Kicker L5, I would need a 1500W RMS Amplifier, right? or 2000W RMS for the 2xkicker l7? And then what about ohms? and the other stuff? Is the amp a Mono amp? or would it be a 2 channel amp? Budget: Approx 600$

Wires: I looked at the wire chart very quickly but dont really understand it.

Battery: The current one I have is dead. Just tell me what to get and I will.

Altenator: Does the one I already have Ok? Or would that need to be changed?

Capacitor: Is this necessary? I was able to understand that they work by Farads (Wich I have no idea what these are by the way). How many farads capacitor would i need?

Deck: I have a Pioneer one, 2002- 2003 im guessing. Ill try to find the model.

Speakers: Those can come later. Just interrested in subs for now.

Budget: Student who makes about 600$ a week, so money is not really a big factor but I dont want to spend 3,000$ either.

That's all I have to say. I hope I can get some nice responses and suggestions. I'm just a kid looking for a kick ass sound system

Thanks!

-Mitch

to start welcome ppl here are helpful but cant tell you what are good sounding speakers and amps cause its your ears not ours just to let you know in advance hehe

ok not much room to play with your trunk unless you use it all 2 12" would fit fine and i dont think that 600$ for kickers l5 or l7 is enough cause i think they run at around that price well the l7 anyway

the boxes are made with MDF 3/4 inch or thicker OR fiberglass

amp buy used from this site they have some kick ass stuff for your budget range cause new good amps you wont have 1500watt to 2000

wires go big now BIG 3 in 0 gauge and if possible 1 gauge or 0 to the rear dont screw with the smaller stuff its gonna cost you in the long run

speakers ask for reliable brands get awnsers and go check em out yourself you have to decide on that one lol

hope this helps a bit and good luck bud putting it all together is the fun part
battery ppl say oddesey optima yellow i run a maximum fx works great

__________________
Big box installer (Timmins)
02 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT

SPEAKERS: -6 1/2" component from energy still to come concidering alternatives
-2x Massive audio CW12 in 4.2cf dual chamber square ported at ~35hz

Amps: -DD SS1
-KAC-745

Upgrades: -160 amp alt. maybe
-4 gauge wiring (done)
-0 gauge BIG 3 (done)
-sound deadning the shit out of the van somewhat not done yet
?????????

missed some parts alt upgrade would be great and as of capacitor dont bother if you do the big 3 do a search on BIG 3 uprade on google it explains what it is

__________________
Big box installer (Timmins)
02 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT

SPEAKERS: -6 1/2" component from energy still to come concidering alternatives
-2x Massive audio CW12 in 4.2cf dual chamber square ported at ~35hz

Amps: -DD SS1
-KAC-745

Upgrades: -160 amp alt. maybe
-4 gauge wiring (done)
-0 gauge BIG 3 (done)
-sound deadning the shit out of the van somewhat not done yet
?????????

Thanks for the fast reply man and help, much appreciated.

But I was hoping for more in-depth details. I like it when stuff is technical
Like you talked about a box, but I still question if I should make it myself or not and where could I go (website) or do (ex: calling places) to get dimensions and a right setup.

For the amp, how do the ohms work and stuff ?

You forgot to mention the capacitor.

Thanks for the wiring and battery reply, just what I was looking for.

What about alternator ?

Now for the subwoofers. You say they are like 600$ for just an L7, I found some for 300$ (2008) with free shipping, brand new. (Is this possible? It's on Ebay). I also gave Kicker as an example of what I could get but what other good brands of subwoofers are they?

Thanks again!

-Mitch

(P.S. I ask for techinical as I could start buying as of next week )

given the budget forget the cap or the upgraded alternator (for now anyway... you can get one if needed later). But yeah upgrade the power wiring first (and the battery)

There are lots of good subs for sale but don't forget they need to go in a box and they will need power from an amplifier.., have you heard a car you particularly liked the sound of? Is it all about volume or do you want to focus on the quality of the sound?

Battery... lots of good ones out there, I think the big question is whether you will be using the system a lot with the engine off. I really have had no trouble with nice big lead acid batteries they throw power and they start the car. All is well unless you bang with the engine off and kill the battery a few times. the Optimas, Odyssey, Stingers, etc. are great upscale batteries but you have to ask yourself ;on the scale of life how important is a battery to a student... it should get you to work and class on time! So get the biggest battery that will fit, I still like the inexpensive lead acids for you

__________________
MECA SQ

www.cardomain.com/memberpage/769882

I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.

Thanks man for the response.

Ive been talking with Dan all night and he suggests:
-BIG 3 upgrade
-1xTFone 15" Dual 4 ohm Sub
-KICKER 4500w/1500 RMS Amp
-Kinetik KHC1400
-0 Gauge Wires
-And for the box ill ask Yuli, Dan said approx 37hz ported box


Thanks all!

-Mitch

so... a little more to the loud side of the force is he

__________________
MECA SQ

www.cardomain.com/memberpage/769882

I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.

Hmmmm, lol why? Is this alot? I have never experienced big bagin' subs in back of car before.

im sure its gonna be loud allright lol but you can also bring down the bass from the deck so you dont blow out your ears with a 30min commute to school ( estimated time dont know actually lol )

__________________
Big box installer (Timmins)
02 GRAND CARAVAN SPORT

SPEAKERS: -6 1/2" component from energy still to come concidering alternatives
-2x Massive audio CW12 in 4.2cf dual chamber square ported at ~35hz

Amps: -DD SS1
-KAC-745

Upgrades: -160 amp alt. maybe
-4 gauge wiring (done)
-0 gauge BIG 3 (done)
-sound deadning the shit out of the van somewhat not done yet
?????????

Not extreme or crazy at all just nice solid powererfull bass no BS

__________________
MECA SQ

www.cardomain.com/memberpage/769882

I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.