How much is enough?
06-17-2010, 06:38 PM
#1
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How much is enough?
I put in this system last weekend and it baffles me that people are putting in systems in Z's with dbl/triple/or more power than I put in mine. Now I am excluding anyone showing their vehicles or entering competitions. Mine is so loud and clear my ears ring if I turn it up past one quarter volume,bass hits hard enough listening to Rock that folks are looking my way from a few blocks distance. I mean do ya'll really listen to your systems loud enough to warrant all that excess power ?
Pic of whats installed in my Z:
HU Pioneer AVIC-D3
Pic of whats installed in my Z:
HU Pioneer AVIC-D3
06-17-2010, 09:22 PM
#7
If it is really getting that loud at only a quarter volume, it sounds like it is not tuned correctly. A good tuned system will let you go to 3/4 or more. Sounds like your gains are turned up to high. Most people think the gain controls on an amp are volume controls. You really are not running that much power using that amp. FYI more power does not mean louder it means a cleaner sound as you have more headroom before the sound clips. In order the give you an idea how power works, in order to double the sound you have to increase the power ten fold. A 200 watt amp is not twice as loud as a 100 watt amp. In order to double the sound of a 100 watt amp you have to get a 1,000 watt amp.
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06-17-2010, 10:55 PM
#9
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That little adjustment to your volume control should not increase loudness to the degree you describe. I suspect there is also at least some degree of distortion accompanying the increase in loudness you report.
The problem could be your HU Pioneer AVIC-D3 which has older technology and lacks the controls allowing transparent mating to some devices from other manufacturers.
Look at the latest generation of digital H/U’s from Alpine and Kenwood to solve the problem you are experiencing. The new digital H/U’s have a plethora of features that support balancing even the most non-compliant systems that stubbornly resist proper balancing and poor volume control.
--Spike
The problem could be your HU Pioneer AVIC-D3 which has older technology and lacks the controls allowing transparent mating to some devices from other manufacturers.
Look at the latest generation of digital H/U’s from Alpine and Kenwood to solve the problem you are experiencing. The new digital H/U’s have a plethora of features that support balancing even the most non-compliant systems that stubbornly resist proper balancing and poor volume control.
--Spike
06-18-2010, 02:23 AM
#10
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Nothing it was in the car when I purchased it.....
Purchased mine at HiFiBuys,compared them to JL's,Boston's there,imho much fuller sound than the other two. Only other options locally were polk,alpine etc and they all sounded like crap comparitively
I was taking a little bit of dramatic leeway there btw. the amps digital ,we turned the gain to full and it was as clean as 3/4's <which is where its set btw> and More power does mean louder if the amps are of the same quality because at low levels both would be clean,the gap would only show at higher volumes if everything else remains static.
I doubt its that noticable but I will be replacing the HU later this mainly because I want a non DVD based nav.
If it is really getting that loud at only a quarter volume, it sounds like it is not tuned correctly. A good tuned system will let you go to 3/4 or more. Sounds like your gains are turned up to high. Most people think the gain controls on an amp are volume controls. You really are not running that much power using that amp. FYI more power does not mean louder it means a cleaner sound as you have more headroom before the sound clips. In order the give you an idea how power works, in order to double the sound you have to increase the power ten fold. A 200 watt amp is not twice as loud as a 100 watt amp. In order to double the sound of a 100 watt amp you have to get a 1,000 watt amp.
That little adjustment to your volume control should not increase loudness to the degree you describe. I suspect there is also at least some degree of distortion accompanying the increase in loudness you report.
The problem could be your HU Pioneer AVIC-D3 which has older technology and lacks the controls allowing transparent mating to some devices from other manufacturers.
Look at the latest generation of digital H/U’s from Alpine and Kenwood to solve the problem you are experiencing. The new digital H/U’s have a plethora of features that support balancing even the most non-compliant systems that stubbornly resist proper balancing and poor volume control.
--Spike
The problem could be your HU Pioneer AVIC-D3 which has older technology and lacks the controls allowing transparent mating to some devices from other manufacturers.
Look at the latest generation of digital H/U’s from Alpine and Kenwood to solve the problem you are experiencing. The new digital H/U’s have a plethora of features that support balancing even the most non-compliant systems that stubbornly resist proper balancing and poor volume control.
--Spike
06-18-2010, 06:00 AM
#11
I've heard a lot of good things about HERTZ speakers, I'm looking at getting some my self. I'm running the JL HD600/4 and was trying to figure out what Hertz speakers to get. How much did you pay for the HSK 165 if you don't mind.
I'm currently also running a JL HD750/1 mono block pushing 2x 8w7's. Yeah they hit hard and push hard but it's CLEAN, and I ****ing love it! I don't turn it up terribly loud, only to show that two 8's can still beat a pair of 12's. I would have loved an 8w6 but JL only makes the 8's in W3 and W7 (higher ended) and I listen to a lot of electronic music.
I'm currently also running a JL HD750/1 mono block pushing 2x 8w7's. Yeah they hit hard and push hard but it's CLEAN, and I ****ing love it! I don't turn it up terribly loud, only to show that two 8's can still beat a pair of 12's. I would have loved an 8w6 but JL only makes the 8's in W3 and W7 (higher ended) and I listen to a lot of electronic music.
Last edited by Rubidium; 06-18-2010 at 06:04 AM.
06-18-2010, 02:45 PM
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I've heard a lot of good things about HERTZ speakers, I'm looking at getting some my self. I'm running the JL HD600/4 and was trying to figure out what Hertz speakers to get. How much did you pay for the HSK 165 if you don't mind.
I'm currently also running a JL HD750/1 mono block pushing 2x 8w7's. Yeah they hit hard and push hard but it's CLEAN, and I ****ing love it! I don't turn it up terribly loud, only to show that two 8's can still beat a pair of 12's. I would have loved an 8w6 but JL only makes the 8's in W3 and W7 (higher ended) and I listen to a lot of electronic music.
I'm currently also running a JL HD750/1 mono block pushing 2x 8w7's. Yeah they hit hard and push hard but it's CLEAN, and I ****ing love it! I don't turn it up terribly loud, only to show that two 8's can still beat a pair of 12's. I would have loved an 8w6 but JL only makes the 8's in W3 and W7 (higher ended) and I listen to a lot of electronic music.
...amp/sub/hertz came in under 780 which included tax ,pays to know people
06-18-2010, 03:24 PM
#15
I ran a 10w 0 for 4 years with only ~125w rms feeding it. 
The foam surround gave out on the trip back from ZdayZ last month, and I was thinking it might be a good time to upgrade. I have a 10w3 and a sweet old-school Kicker amp in my work vehicle. I even thought about talking my brother out of his ancient MMATS DC100HC amp and the brand-spanking-new-still-in-box 10w 6 that has been sitting in my garage for years.....
But I spend way more time in my work vehicle than the Z, and I really don't want to pull new (thicker) power cable...(I tell myself I'm saving weight too
)
Even though I think 4 years isn't a bad run for the w0, I think I'm just going to upgrade to the w1 (with the rubber surround) and power it with the same 125 watts.
OP, nice setup BTW.
The foam surround gave out on the trip back from ZdayZ last month, and I was thinking it might be a good time to upgrade. I have a 10w3 and a sweet old-school Kicker amp in my work vehicle. I even thought about talking my brother out of his ancient MMATS DC100HC amp and the brand-spanking-new-still-in-box 10w 6 that has been sitting in my garage for years.....
But I spend way more time in my work vehicle than the Z, and I really don't want to pull new (thicker) power cable...(I tell myself I'm saving weight too
)Even though I think 4 years isn't a bad run for the w0, I think I'm just going to upgrade to the w1 (with the rubber surround) and power it with the same 125 watts.
OP, nice setup BTW.
06-19-2010, 07:22 PM
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Theres no possible way people are hearing you blocks away with a sealed w3 not even remotely close. Just like hp or anything else you satisfied for a while then its just not enough. A w3 is more of a entry level sq driver not really made for spl.
06-20-2010, 06:53 AM
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OP really needs to spend alot more time researching...your answers elude to the fact that you've done some research but you either listened to people who didn't know fully what they were talking about, or you didn't fully grasp the concepts being discussed. Not a knock on you at all btw, just understand that in this section, you have a few people who are extremely knowledgeable about all things audio related
06-20-2010, 06:58 AM
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+1 I have a 10W3 and trust me while it hits good and all, you wont hear it coming up the block.
06-21-2010, 09:26 AM
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OP really needs to spend alot more time researching...your answers elude to the fact that you've done some research but you either listened to people who didn't know fully what they were talking about, or you didn't fully grasp the concepts being discussed. Not a knock on you at all btw, just understand that in this section, you have a few people who are extremely knowledgeable about all things audio related
Sound Quality is a very serious subject for me because hey, its literally my entire life rolled up into one thing! 'turning the gain up all the way' is not really a good idea. After a certain point you will be experiencing distortion. The fact that you cannot hear it indicates that you may be an inexperienced listener. DON'T WORRY! Most people are inexperienced when it comes to listening to audio equipment - thats what audiophiles are for. I think you should have your system tuned by an IASCA certified installer. Yes, I know I know....most people would say they don't have time or that or 'Bah...its good enough for me' but when you buy nice equipment, don't you want to get the absolute best out of it? I know that I would. I'm not trying to pick on you, I am trying to defend my profession.
The D3 is a decent deck but the main drawback is that its got a 2 volt pre-out. Running something with a 4 volt+ pre-output will give your amplifier a better signal therefore upgrading your sound quality instantly. Yes it will be 'louder' too but SQ is what you should be after. I really like the new Pioneer AVIC-X920 or Z120 as the menus are super easy, the Navi is beautiful and the sound quality is top notch.