car stereo question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

boink · 11-11-2007, 11:53 AM

hey all...hopefully someone can help me here. I don't want to register w/ a car stereo board just to ask one question...well...maybe a few questions in one post heh...

I have a Vanagon and I'm looking at a used self enclosed amplified subwoofer that would fit on the floor between the front seats. it's an alpine w/ 10" driver in a ported plastic enclosure. it would fit well under a (yet to be made) center console.
however, it's used, and requires a special 18 pin connector and that's missing form the deal. it is cheap though. probably under $50

another option is an infinity basslink self enclosed sub that's new for around $125- $150. it's pritty cool with various adjustable bits to make it sound right w/ different situations (systems, vehicles etc)

right now I have an older Alpine head unit that's an in dash 3 cd changer, if anyone remembers those. I haven't got an amp yet but I do have a set of those Polk 2 driver tweet/mid pods for my front doors. I still need some 5" - 6" mid woofs for my front doors too.

somehow I want to connect my Sony minidisc walkman into the system too. I'm sticking w/ minidisc for now cause I like the analogue recording ability.

I'm leaning tward the Alpine sub cause, I like Alpine and it's cheap (used) I think I can make it work but if I need a pro installer to wire it (due to the missing 18 pin connector) it might not be so cheap after all.

anyway, looking for opinions on amps and which sub might work for an overall good system. not looking to compete or anything. these self enclosed subs seem best due to their shape, the bazooka tubes seem harder to fit in the cabin nicely...if it matters, this is a crew cab Vanagon truck.

thanks for your time and opinions

AquaFox · 11-11-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boink

somehow I want to connect my Sony minidisc walkman into the system too. I'm sticking w/ minidisc for now cause I like the analogue recording ability.

most of what you said goes beyond me. But if you want to connect something like that mini-disc player, you'll want to check the back of your headunit for a audio input, then run a wire out from your dash and have it come out wherever is best for you... if it doesn't have an aux input, you will be stuck having to buy an FM modulator to broadcast it to your HU via FM (which will be lower quality)

QuasiMondo · 11-11-2007, 03:47 PM

Is that head unit a cd player or a tape deck?

I'd say get the basslink just because you won't need to hunt for a missing connector, and it's under warranty.

boink · 11-11-2007, 04:30 PM

it's CD player....I looked at the old Alpine sub and it has a wireing diagram sticker that explains the 18 pin layout...so I think I can get it all worked out.

the head unit is still in the mail to me, so I haven't seenif it has the Alpine M-bus connection, it's too old for the Ai-Net.

Aquafox, it'spossible to hook an FM modulator in line w/ the antenna wire for better transmission. still not as good as a proper aux in. but I'm wondering if I can tap into an amp and bypass the head unit.

QuasiMondo · 11-11-2007, 07:57 PM

You're better off just getting the plug-in modulator. Much easier than trying to reinvent the wheel. Either that, or buy a head unit that has an AUX input.

lt1s10 · 11-14-2007, 07:36 PM

I've ordered alpine parts from here before when I've needed something. You can look up the price and compare it to ebay. A lot of harnesses even for the older stuff has been available on ebay lately and it cheaper the pacparts if available (I just got one for a 3527 amp).

http://www.pacparts.com/

If you are going to amplify all your speakers you can use a y-adapter for the rca input to the first amplifier for the components and then run the signal for the sub off of the sub output from that first amplifier.

It's not the most elegant or sophisticated solution. And you may run into some problems level matching the inputs between your headunit and the mini disc player but it'll work. And it's probably the cheapest solution.

boink · 11-14-2007, 08:02 PM

well...as usual, bucking common sence (just buying new gear) I went ahead and bid on the old Alpine sub. self enclosed ported 10" sub w/ built in 70 watt amp. $41.00 shipped.

I was thinking of my head unit going to an EQ with a sub controller output. feed the sub from there and also a 4 channel amp for the 4 doors.

maybe I can just make a switch for the head to EQ line... from there, switch between the head unit or minidisc ?

I don't know much about the details of stereo systems, but I think this would work....?

11-11-2007, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
boink Addict Location: Seattle	car stereo question hey all...hopefully someone can help me here. I don't want to register w/ a car stereo board just to ask one question...well...maybe a few questions in one post heh... I have a Vanagon and I'm looking at a used self enclosed amplified subwoofer that would fit on the floor between the front seats. it's an alpine w/ 10" driver in a ported plastic enclosure. it would fit well under a (yet to be made) center console. however, it's used, and requires a special 18 pin connector and that's missing form the deal. it is cheap though. probably under $50 another option is an infinity basslink self enclosed sub that's new for around $125- $150. it's pritty cool with various adjustable bits to make it sound right w/ different situations (systems, vehicles etc) right now I have an older Alpine head unit that's an in dash 3 cd changer, if anyone remembers those. I haven't got an amp yet but I do have a set of those Polk 2 driver tweet/mid pods for my front doors. I still need some 5" - 6" mid woofs for my front doors too. somehow I want to connect my Sony minidisc walkman into the system too. I'm sticking w/ minidisc for now cause I like the analogue recording ability. I'm leaning tward the Alpine sub cause, I like Alpine and it's cheap (used) I think I can make it work but if I need a pro installer to wire it (due to the missing 18 pin connector) it might not be so cheap after all. anyway, looking for opinions on amps and which sub might work for an overall good system. not looking to compete or anything. these self enclosed subs seem best due to their shape, the bazooka tubes seem harder to fit in the cabin nicely...if it matters, this is a crew cab Vanagon truck. thanks for your time and opinions

11-11-2007, 03:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
QuasiMondo Wise-ass Latino Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA	Is that head unit a cd player or a tape deck? I'd say get the basslink just because you won't need to hunt for a missing connector, and it's under warranty. __________________ Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator

11-11-2007, 07:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
QuasiMondo Wise-ass Latino Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA	You're better off just getting the plug-in modulator. Much easier than trying to reinvent the wheel. Either that, or buy a head unit that has an AUX input. __________________ Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator

11-11-2007, 04:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
boink Addict Location: Seattle	it's CD player....I looked at the old Alpine sub and it has a wireing diagram sticker that explains the 18 pin layout...so I think I can get it all worked out. the head unit is still in the mail to me, so I haven't seenif it has the Alpine M-bus connection, it's too old for the Ai-Net. Aquafox, it'spossible to hook an FM modulator in line w/ the antenna wire for better transmission. still not as good as a proper aux in. but I'm wondering if I can tap into an amp and bypass the head unit.

11-14-2007, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
lt1s10 Crazy	I've ordered alpine parts from here before when I've needed something. You can look up the price and compare it to ebay. A lot of harnesses even for the older stuff has been available on ebay lately and it cheaper the pacparts if available (I just got one for a 3527 amp). http://www.pacparts.com/ If you are going to amplify all your speakers you can use a y-adapter for the rca input to the first amplifier for the components and then run the signal for the sub off of the sub output from that first amplifier. It's not the most elegant or sophisticated solution. And you may run into some problems level matching the inputs between your headunit and the mini disc player but it'll work. And it's probably the cheapest solution.

11-14-2007, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
boink Addict Location: Seattle	well...as usual, bucking common sence (just buying new gear) I went ahead and bid on the old Alpine sub. self enclosed ported 10" sub w/ built in 70 watt amp. $41.00 shipped. I was thinking of my head unit going to an EQ with a sub controller output. feed the sub from there and also a 4 channel amp for the 4 doors. maybe I can just make a switch for the head to EQ line... from there, switch between the head unit or minidisc ? I don't know much about the details of stereo systems, but I think this would work....?