audio set-up for beginners [continued]

[tsikotshop]

Sir may nakita po akong pioneer deh-6350sd, 3 pre-outs na 4volts po. Okay na po ba yun? Pero ung dominations atom amplifier ko parang 2 pairs of RCA lang nakita ko. Kakailanganin no din po ba magupgrade ng amp para mamaximize ko ung 6350sd? Thanks po pala!

Ganito po yung three rca pre out ng head unit, front, rear, and the sub, and maybe your domination atom amplifier nyo is just a two channel amplifier for driving maybe just the subs or the front speakers, if you used these amp for sub, ang gagamitin mong output from the head unit is the subwoofer output, if you used it for front speakers, you use front output of the head unit and so on. A 4 volts output from the head unit is a good thing(high volt), meaning, you have a great signal input to your amp so that you don't need any signal amplifier in line, a high volt capability also make your amp efficient because the gain setting sets at its lower portion, also in high volt head unit and three rca pree outs, One is sufficient but having two and three allow you fade, or adjust the levels of multiple amplifiers right from the head unit. your said head units now offer 4 volt outputs instead of the usual 1-2 volts. This can be very useful since cars have a lot of electrical noise in them. The 4 volt output is less prone to noise, however, you must be certain that the amplifier or crossover being connected to the output can handle 4 volts or you will not be able to use the extra voltage.

[tsikotshop]

Head Unit Pre-Out Line Voltages and their significance to your audio system

Head Unit Pre-Out Line Voltages and their significance to your audio system

When you shop for a head unit, the line voltage for the RCA jacks on the back of the radio are often advertised as being 2 volts, or 4 volts, or with some models such as Eclipse, as high as 8 or 16 volts. What does this all mean? Is more always better? What is the best voltage for your amplifiers? Will a higher line voltage mean a louder stereo system? Let's try to answer some of these questions, and by doing so, bring about a better understanding of what some of these marketing catch-phrases really mean to you.

First, I'd like to explain exactly what the line voltage is. The audio signal put out by your head unit to the amplifier(s) is an AC (alternating current) signal, like the one above, where the X axis represents the audio frequency being transmitted, and the Y axis represents the amplitude, or volume of the signal being sent.

The Y axis is measured in Volts (2 volts in each direction for a head unit that's advertised as a "4 volt pre-out" model) while the X axis, or frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or Kilohertz (KHz.)

The input stage of your amplifier has a gain setting, or input sensitivity knob which allows the installer to tune the input stage of the amplifier to match the voltage put out by the head unit. More about that is explained Here.

If the signal represented above includes a bit of noise introduced in the recording studio for the CD you're playing, or from the quiet hiss you often hear in some cars where the volume of the radio is turned up, but no audio signal is being played (between CD tracks for instance) then the more voltage you have at the line level (4 volts instead of 2 volts for example) on the Y axis, then the lower that amount of noise is going to be. This is called the "noise floor" and the higher your line voltage, the lower that noise floor will be. This is also represented as your "signal to noise ratio." With more voltage, the S/N ratio is higher, meaning more signal, less noise.

The other advantage to having a higher line voltage from your pre-outs is a higher resolution signal. The more amplitude (Y axis) you have in your source signal, the more detail you'll be able to squeeze into that waveform. Think of it like zooming in on a JPG image. If the original image is high resolution to start with, then when you expand the image to a larger size (as the amplifier does with the audio signal) then your resulting, larger image will be sharper, whereas if the original image is a low resolution thumbnail type image, then when it's enlarged, the image will not be as clear or detailed.

Now, the one thing to be aware of when looking at the line voltage of a head unit, is that most amplifiers made today have a limited range of input voltages that they are designed to accept, and the maximum line voltage for most amplifiers is in the 4 to 6 volt range. If you get a head unit with an 8 volt pre-out, and your amplifier only accepts a maximum line input voltage of 4 volts, then you can over-drive the input stage of the amplifier, and cause the amp to enter clipping. The way to avoid this is to do your research before purchasing your components for your audio system. If you do however, find yourself in this predicament, you can fix the problem by using an oscilloscope and a digital multimeter to observe the output voltage with a white or pink noise test tone at a 0dB reference output, and turn the head unit volume up until you see a clean 4 volt output. This is the volume you must not surpass to prevent clipping the signal at the amplifier. The use of a pre-amp with a volume control is one way to leave the head unit's volume control set to the required volume position, while allowing you full analog control over volume for the system.

Here's a picture of some RCA line-level pre-outs on a modern Alpine head unit.

[thepadawan]

Head Unit Pre-Out Line Voltages and their significance to your audio system

Head Unit Pre-Out Line Voltages and their significance to your audio system

When you shop for a head unit, the line voltage for the RCA jacks on the back of the radio are often advertised as being 2 volts, or 4 volts, or with some models such as Eclipse, as high as 8 or 16 volts. What does this all mean? Is more always better? What is the best voltage for your amplifiers? Will a higher line voltage mean a louder stereo system? Let's try to answer some of these questions, and by doing so, bring about a better understanding of what some of these marketing catch-phrases really mean to you.

First, I'd like to explain exactly what the line voltage is. The audio signal put out by your head unit to the amplifier(s) is an AC (alternating current) signal, like the one above, where the X axis represents the audio frequency being transmitted, and the Y axis represents the amplitude, or volume of the signal being sent.

The Y axis is measured in Volts (2 volts in each direction for a head unit that's advertised as a "4 volt pre-out" model) while the X axis, or frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or Kilohertz (KHz.)

The input stage of your amplifier has a gain setting, or input sensitivity knob which allows the installer to tune the input stage of the amplifier to match the voltage put out by the head unit. More about that is explained Here.

If the signal represented above includes a bit of noise introduced in the recording studio for the CD you're playing, or from the quiet hiss you often hear in some cars where the volume of the radio is turned up, but no audio signal is being played (between CD tracks for instance) then the more voltage you have at the line level (4 volts instead of 2 volts for example) on the Y axis, then the lower that amount of noise is going to be. This is called the "noise floor" and the higher your line voltage, the lower that noise floor will be. This is also represented as your "signal to noise ratio." With more voltage, the S/N ratio is higher, meaning more signal, less noise.

The other advantage to having a higher line voltage from your pre-outs is a higher resolution signal. The more amplitude (Y axis) you have in your source signal, the more detail you'll be able to squeeze into that waveform. Think of it like zooming in on a JPG image. If the original image is high resolution to start with, then when you expand the image to a larger size (as the amplifier does with the audio signal) then your resulting, larger image will be sharper, whereas if the original image is a low resolution thumbnail type image, then when it's enlarged, the image will not be as clear or detailed.

Now, the one thing to be aware of when looking at the line voltage of a head unit, is that most amplifiers made today have a limited range of input voltages that they are designed to accept, and the maximum line voltage for most amplifiers is in the 4 to 6 volt range. If you get a head unit with an 8 volt pre-out, and your amplifier only accepts a maximum line input voltage of 4 volts, then you can over-drive the input stage of the amplifier, and cause the amp to enter clipping. The way to avoid this is to do your research before purchasing your components for your audio system. If you do however, find yourself in this predicament, you can fix the problem by using an oscilloscope and a digital multimeter to observe the output voltage with a white or pink noise test tone at a 0dB reference output, and turn the head unit volume up until you see a clean 4 volt output. This is the volume you must not surpass to prevent clipping the signal at the amplifier. The use of a pre-amp with a volume control is one way to leave the head unit's volume control set to the required volume position, while allowing you full analog control over volume for the system.

Here's a picture of some RCA line-level pre-outs on a modern Alpine head unit.

Thank you for the very detailed explanation sir! Good thing I also asked here 'cos I read from another forum that the only thing higher preout voltages do is that they just make the volume sound louder. I'm an ECE student but we haven't tackled this yet since we havent taken up our communications subject. Thanks again

[Sleepcare]

Gusto ko palitan ng speakers yung car namin. Plan ko din bumili ng under-seat subs. May marerecommend ba kayong speakers na worth 3k+ lang? As much as possible, ayaw ko mag-lagay ng amps and subs na naka-kahon kasi sisikip lang yung likod. Gusto ko sana maganda medyo SQ yung set-up.

[junerski]

good day.

i just want to ask suggestions...

im happy with the stock set-up of my ride... pioneer head unit, 4 speakers (front and rear) and tweeters... ride btw is a pajero FM

may padala speakers from abroad.

ano maganda gawin maliban sa ibenta ito?hehe

replace my stock speakers? add these to the existing 4 speakers? thanks in advance

[jhnkvn]

good day.

i just want to ask suggestions...

im happy with the stock set-up of my ride... pioneer head unit, 4 speakers (front and rear) and tweeters... ride btw is a pajero FM

ano maganda gawin maliban sa ibenta ito?hehe

replace my stock speakers? add these to the existing 4 speakers? thanks in advance

I think replacing your stock speakers is better. The first step from stock to aftermarket always has the biggest "difference".

[junerski]

I think replacing your stock speakers is better. The first step from stock to aftermarket always has the biggest "difference".

ok thanks sir for the input.

[jaguar12084]

salamat po sa mga precious idea nyo, now im planning to put some boom boom in my ride...salamat po ulit...

[jaredgomez]

Hello! Total newbie here when it comes to car audio. Bought a second hand car and would like a budget friendly SQ setup. Existing head unit is a Pioneer deh1350mp. Separates currently installed looks like infinity reference series though I'm unsure about the model. Rear speakers are stock. I'm looking at spending around 20k but would like to do it part by part. Probably amp and sub first then new separates. I need the space in the trunk so probably a single 10 or 12" sub is okay. I just want the low end filled in.

Please help me with selecting components, I know very little when it comes to car audio brands. I do however appreciate various genres of music. I want clean distortion free mids and highs with precise bass.

THANK YOU!

EDIT: Btw, I'm looking at the Rockford R300.4 Amp. Something that could power the fronts and a sub until I could buy a mono amp and have the multi power the rears as well.

[Ry_Tower]

I think replacing your stock speakers is better. The first step from stock to aftermarket always has the biggest "difference".

* Junerski: Pa-PM naman kung sakto yang ganyang speakers sa FM?

[normanenoza]

may nabili ako 2nd hand na NBN subwoofer kaso walang kasama na wires. eto yung spec ng sub based sa website ng NBN.



NA-1028APR
10' sub-woofer
Size: 495mm×295mm×315mm
Frequency Response：30Hz-4KHz
RMS Power Range： 150W
Peak Power Handling: 500W
Impedance: 4 ohm

ano kaya ang minimum fuse rating para dito at kung anong gage ng wire ang dapat ko gamitin. pwede na ba ang 15AMPS at 14gage na wire. thanks!

[normanenoza]

may nabili ako 2nd hand na NBN subwoofer kaso walang kasama na wires. eto yung spec ng sub based sa website ng NBN.



NA-1028APR
10' sub-woofer
Size: 495mm×295mm×315mm
Frequency Response：30Hz-4KHz
RMS Power Range： 150W
Peak Power Handling: 500W
Impedance: 4 ohm

ano kaya ang minimum fuse rating para dito at kung anong gage ng wire ang dapat ko gamitin. pwede na ba ang 15AMPS at 10gage na wire. thanks!

corrected to 10gage wire.

[jay22arr]

ako po ay newbie lang at may konting budget..
wala ako alam sa sounds pero gusto ko sana mag pa quote sa inyo mga masters within a budget of 20 - 25k..

thanks..

[iamaissa]

Hi! I have a problem with our honda civic. May maingay sa likod ng kotse namin. Sa speakers ata. Pag nilalapit ko yung tenga ko sa may speakers naririnig ko yung malakas na tunog... parang latang kinakaladkad... I have the feeling that I need to replace the speakers already? Do you guys know where can I buy budget car speakers... mga 4-5k lang budget ko eh. hehehe! Thanks in advance.

[iamaissa]

and by the way, hindi naman ako naghahanap ng sobrang gandang speakers. gusto ko lang mawala yung sound na maingay. thanks again.

[jhnkvn]

ako po ay newbie lang at may konting budget..
wala ako alam sa sounds pero gusto ko sana mag pa quote sa inyo mga masters within a budget of 20 - 25k..

thanks..

Depends if you have an existing headunit (HU) or not. Can't really quote one since shops show their SRP and you can haggle down there.

Go check Banawe. Madami doon gumagawa ng mga audio "packages"

Hi! I have a problem with our honda civic. May maingay sa likod ng kotse namin. Sa speakers ata. Pag nilalapit ko yung tenga ko sa may speakers naririnig ko yung malakas na tunog... parang latang kinakaladkad... I have the feeling that I need to replace the speakers already? Do you guys know where can I buy budget car speakers... mga 4-5k lang budget ko eh. hehehe! Thanks in advance.

Banawe is still the mecca of car modders. 4-5k? Firland, Dominations, maybe the entry-level Morels with konting hundreds more. Since stock sound systems shouldn't have that sound (and I doubt it's just system noise) maybe you should first consult with your auto electrician. Baka mamaya frayed wire or something.

[jam73]

Good day sirs! Need help and your expert opinion.

I want to setup my montero glv with stock head unit.
my budget is around 15k to 20k
Habol ko lang is sound quality. Hope you can give me suggestions as to what kind and specs of speaker I need to buy or Saan ako pwede Pumunta for my beginner set up .

Medyo excited na ko magkaroon ng good quality sound . Sarap kasi basahin mga audio setup thread dito kaya ako naenganyo.

salamat po sa advise.
More power!

[jhnkvn]

Hmm,

Kung walang subwoofer: Go for a Powerbass ASA600.4 and then a Focal Access or a Morel Tempo 6. You should still have a couple of thousands left for wirings. I suggest you first bridge the 2 channels for more power and set the gains down (alam ng installer mo ito). In the future, if you plan to get a subwoofer you can always delegate channel 1 and 2 for the front speakers and 3-4 for the subwoofer.

I'm not a fan of V12 amplifiers, but most car audio beginners have passed through that stage. Hindi lang siya talaga "ideal" on the long run since mabilis lang sila masira. For straight 20k, you can get a straight Firland package (sub, amp, seps, box and wirings) from Candyaudio in Banawe pagnatatandaan ko. You can also opt for Pioneer speakers, JBL speakers since masnasa price range ito. JBL amplifiers aren't bad if you don't like to shell for the Powerbass ASA600.4 (which in fact, is quite clean power for its category) and JBL's subwoofer isn't bad too for the money. Targa's also quite good for the money kung marunong ka magtune but since you'll be having a stock headunit.. best to stick with flat-sounds-great brands like Morel.

JBL's distributor is... Perfect Circle in Banawe. Not sure kung meron sila mga JBL packages (di ko tinanong eh), but probably has. Go ask for Benedict. On the otherhand, Tsikotshop's prices isn't bad too. I'm not fond of the A/D/S happy hour promo since hindi na ganun ka"sikat" ang A/D/S. It used to innovate in the past, yes, but now it's like MBQuartz.. nabubulok na. On a personal note, Targas sound better really.

For budget meal setups, maybe a trip to Jeff Tan's Arareta Car Accessories would be best. Mashindi ka ma-rip off versus to Banawe shops (which would rip off unsuspecting buyers btw). Give him your budget and he'll recommend you setups naman.

[tsikotshop]

Because stock head unit of montero has no RCA output(casa don't include it for some reason), i only used line converter to put an amp and to power and upgrade speakers, last time, i installed DLS COM07-06-R6A component sets in the front and some coax for the rear fill, and amplify it, the whole sets, including the installation cost up to 21k, wala ring sub, so i have to push the speakers to produce a low frequency down to its limit without distortion..
The problem always down on installation, for conversion like from high to low, installer faces problems like static so he must know tricks to manage that noise, so always consider who to install, in conversion also lost the front and rear fading, if these happens, the quality of sound decrease and out of line..

[kid80s]

I just want to ask the experts if it's true that you need to turn down the volume of your I.C.E. before you turn off the radio to prevent damage when you turn the radio on again.