Need help with audio setup.
 

I'm slowly ordering parts to complete my audio install. So far I have Polk DB6501's in the front, Polk Tweeters and Polk DB351's in the rear. I'm waiting on my Alpine INA-W900BT head unit and a JL XD-ACS60 wiring kit. This is the first time I'm doing a sound system and am not sure on what works and what doesn't, I hear that amping your speakers results in a better sound. I want to know what amp I can use for the front and rear speakers (not sure if you amp tweeters)? I haven't put in the crossovers yet because I haven't put in the head unit yet, I also plan to put in a JL 13TW5 and want to know what amp to use for that? I prefer to use a JL amp to match the sub but as for the speakers I wouldn't mind using JL (for a clean look) but if you can recommend something better that would be good too. I feel like I'm walking in the dark, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

First off the Polk DB6501's are a component set that have a tweeter and woofer combined so your good there, you want to power these with an amp for best results. Run the speaker to max RMS watts with nice clean power.

The Polk DB351's also have tweeters built into the speaker, hence the coaxial part. These can be run off the amp built into the Alpine headunit, low power for small speakers. Keep the rears seperate from the fronts so you can tune them easily.

Drop the extra tweeters dont need them!

Odviously you need an amp to power the sub max that thing out, again with a nice clean powered amp.

Look at a nice 3 or 5 channel amp to do the job with one amp unit, or you can get two seperate amps. One two channel for the fronts and one subwoofer amp, the deck can handle the rears no problem.

Quick choice Alpine PDX 5

Done deal, remember to remove your battery ground FIRST.

I second the alpine pdx 5 however if you are going to amp your speakers I would bridge the 4 channels into two "very easy to do" and run a set of polk mm series of focal polyglass as you have plenty of power to do so. Drop the extra tweeters x2 as well.

So alpine pdx 5 for the front speakers? Is there a noticeable difference if I send the speakers to the head unit versus amping them? If yes, is there a bit cheaper amp then the alpine pdx 5?

Yes there is and what would be a good price? the pdx 5 is doing the job of two amps if you did not notice a speaker amp and sub amp.

I'm sorry if I ask stupid questions because audio is anything but my forte, but I might just not be understanding. The Alpine PDX-5 can power both the JL13TW5 and the front speakers? Or is there another amp I can get that can do both? If can do everything with one amp that would be great but I don't know if that will compromise sound quality....

The pdx5 is a 5 channel amp when you "bridge" the 4 channels into 2 they are doubling the power to just 2 speakers. The 5th channel is made for a sub in your case a JL13tw5 and yes it will power them ALL

Excellent, then I'll purchase it. Thank You! I thought it the PDX-5 was for the front speakers only, that's why I asked for something cheaper.

Can't go wrong with Alpine amps. I'm running the PDX F4 right now powering my speakers. Very clean power.

So I don't start a new thread....will I need a capacitor? and if so can you recommend a good one?

No don't need a cap for a small amp like that.

X2 you will not need one nor would you want one. Worthless they are.

http://loyalkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/yoda.jpg

Capacitors only help if your amp is not regulated.

So I finished the install today and I have 3 problems:

1.) There is a high pitched frequency noise that can be heard when there is no sound going through the speakers. At first it sounded like it was coming from behind me but might be the amp...hope it's not the sound of the amp operating.

2.) When starting the car up there is a pop in the speakers.

3.) I took the seat off and after reconnecting it, it still blinks for "passenger seats"

any advice? Thanks

For airbag light --------> http://www.the370z.com/audio-video/8...-installs.html

High pitched sound; I would double check the ground wire and possibly redo it. That might also rid you of the pop in speakers.

Make sure when ground is done it's on bare metal..

thanks! :tup:

Sorry to keep buging you guys but this is not as easy as I thought it would be. So I mounted the amp under the passenger seat and tried using velcro to keep it in place, but it's not working. I want to know how you usually mount amp in that area, also is there a certain way that you tune the amp? I haven't even touched it yet because I wanted some advise before I mess it up.

Usually your amp is screwed down in place, often using the screws supplied with the amp. If your mounting it under your seat then your would have to remove the seat to screw it down, I for one don't like screw anything into the Z but that's me.

As for tuning the amp, start with your gains turned down low and your headunit turned up high. Turn up the gains till you hear distortion then back it off a bit. Set your crossover for around 80hz.

thanks. I feel the same way about screwing things into the car....could you recommend any other alternative?

I like to glue 1/2" MDF wood strips to the car and screw to that. The glued stips pop right off with some effort and leave no real trace. Use a metal 5 minute epoxy, then use a screw that won't insert past your 1/2" thick wood.

OK, so the poping sound was the rear speakers that were being sent into the amp and I think they were just getting to much power sent into them. Yesterday I worked late into the night and redid everything and left with no feeling in my legs. Now the tweeters and the front speakers are running to the crossover and the rear speakres are going to the HU. Before I put everything away I made sure and checked that everything was working correctly...and it was. The rear both worked and so did the fronts, as I drive away fron my friends house now the front speakers don't work but the rear work fine. Also, now my video doesn't work and you can only hear the sound from the video and when going to source setup all the other options are gone except for audio setup. I have an Alpine INA-W900BT, if anyone knows what I did wrong please tell me because I'm about to take a hammer to the system. Thanks