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Budget sound system

cyoung1253

By cyoung1253
in Audio, Electronics & Software

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cyoung1253 Enthusiast

cyoung1253

Posted
Posted

Ordered the rest of my "budget sound system" today.

Kenwood DPX-501 head unit

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListPro...&k3=173&pr=2377

Kenwood Excelon KFC-X170 front doors

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListPro...&k3=159&pr=2151

Kenwood Excelon KFC-x460 rear doors

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListPro...&k3=165&pr=2157

Also got a Rockford Fosgate P110S4 sub to be installed into my home-built sealed enclosure under the rear seat.

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/pr...89&locale=en_US

It will be powered by a Pioneer GM-3200T bridged to deliver 150w @ 4 ohms

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/p...91522415,00.htm

Total outlay so far is $490 including an 8 guage amp wiring kit, the enclosure was built out of materials I had kicking around so no cash spent there. Just under my $500 target :nopity:

I'll be running the coaxials off the head unit at 22w rms x4 for now, should I install "bass blockers" on them and let the sub do the hard work or just run 'em full range? I'm thinking >100hz on the 6 3/4's and >300hz on the 4x6's. Opinions/advice appreciated.

Truck is '05 Sierra ext cab WT with the crappy 4 spkr AM/FM radio that has just got to go.

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted

You shouldn't need any bass blockers...The pre-amp outs will go to your amplifier, where you should be able to set the freq for it's high end...Just overlap that a bit with what the frequency response range for the coaxials/stereo combo, and you should be gold.

 

 

That's going to sound bada$$...ESPECIALLY for spending under $500. :nopity:

cyoung1253 Enthusiast

cyoung1253

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'm not too worried about the front door speakers, they should be able to take whatever the 22wx4 channel head unit can dish out. Just wondering most if I should cut back on the low frequency abuse to the 4x6 rears.

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted

Well...I've installed them before, and they do work.

 

I think I paid about $4 each for them. And they just install inline into the + speaker wire.

  • 2 weeks later...
cyoung1253 Enthusiast

cyoung1253

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Update

Finally got aroung to installing the "budget system". Used some 1/8" foam padding left over from a flooring project to insulate and seal the door panels to cut down on road noise.

DSCF0568.jpg

Extra 1/2" thick foam rubber was added to the plastic panels around the speakers front and rear.

DSCF0565.jpg

Comparison of OEM speakers and the Kenwood KFC-X170's. No wonder it sounded so crappy.

DSCF0567.jpg

DSCF0566.jpg

Had to fab a couple of brackets to install the double-DIN sized DPX-501.

DSCF0578.jpg

Fits perfect in the factory cut-out. Unit is a hair crooked in this pic, tweaked the brackets to straighten it.

DSCF0583.jpg

Here is the home-built sub-box. Used bed liner spray to finish it and it looks right at home in the Work-Truck interior. The Pionner amp is small enough to hide behind the sub-enclosure and held in place with heavy duty velcro strips.

DSCF0554.jpg

DSCF0557.jpg

 

How does it all sound? :rolleyes::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

Bass from the down-firing sub has plenty of thump. No bass blockers needed for the door speakers as the Kenwood deck features high-pass filter adjustments for front and rear as well as low-pass sub pre-out adjustments. The DPX-501 has tons of tweaks and settings to choose from and is a bit confusing at first. (I actually had to read the frickin manual :eek: )

Will it win any "crank-it-up" contests and make your ears bleed? Of couse not but it plays well above comfortable listening level and makes the rear-view mirror vibrate. Huge improvement over the P.O.S. radio GM put in, and worth every penny of the $500 I spent. :cheers:

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