Installing Luke's Box - questions!!!

[ak96ss]

OK, so I am finally getting around to putting in the 10" ported box I bought from Luke ages ago (well, earlier this year, anyway).

What came out of the car was a standalone 10" box and a board against the back seat firewall that had the amps mounted to it.

Question: Before I do anything stupid, where to mount the amps? I have two to mount, one for the fronts and a separate one for the subwoofer. I got a new rear deck cover (they come without the speaker holes cut out) and decided I like the no-speaker look on the back deck, so I am leaving the rear speakers out for now.

Is it OK to mount the amps on the subwoofer enclosure, or should I put them elsewhere? I don't want them on the floor of the trunk, I actually use that space, and I can't use the spare tire well, it has a spare tire in it.

Thoughts on a cap? I had a 1-farad cap in there, but I am not at all convinced I need to use one.

I'll post pics as I progress.

[cmflossin]

eh. probably won't need a cap. and i thought the luke boxes came with a template to cut your own backboard to mount the amps on?

[ak96ss]

Nope, no template, although I would surely love to have one!

[NC325iC]

mine came with a template rolled up inside the carpet, it wasnt labeled just an outline on a brown piece of paper.

[ak96ss]

Carpet?? Wait a sec - I didn't get carpet either!! WTF?

Edit: OK, that comes across poorly - I am very happy with the box, but...

[cmflossin]

oooooh. i think i remember him saying that his carpet supply was essentially gone. check by the local appliance stores for some cardboard. get a big enough piece and then start cutting it down until you get the size that would fit perfectly. then just use that as your template...

[ak96ss]

That's what I was going to do - I'll have to search for the cardboard tomorrow. Wouldn't you know, I just threw out a HUGE box last week!

[ak96ss]

OK, as long as we are here discussing this... :)

I am looking at what I have on hand and debating what to do. I am moving to a two-speaker (well, three) setup (fronts and sub only) and have a collection of amps to choose from.

Without buying new equipment, if this is what you had, which amps would you use, configured how, and why?

Speakers are Infinity Kappa 50.7cs (woofers and tweeters, 2 ohms) and Infinity Perfect 10.1d (subwoofer, dual voice coil, 4 ohms each).

Amps to choose from, all MTX:

Thunder 564, 4-channel:

RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:

45 Watts x 4 into a 4 Ohm load with less than 0.3% Thd+N
90 Watts x 4 into a 2 Ohm load with less than 0.3% Thd+N
180 Watts x 2 bridged into a 4 Ohm load with less than 0.3% Thd+N

Dynamic Power measured at 14.4 Volts DC:

70 Watts x 4 into a 4 Ohm load
140 Watts x 4 into a 2 Ohm load
280 Watts x 2 bridged into a 4 Ohm load

Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥110dB A-Weighted
Damping Factor: >200
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ± 0.25dB

Thunder TA3202, 2-channel

RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:

50 Watts RMS x 2 Channels at 4 Ohms and ≤ 1% THD+N

Dynamic Power measured at 14.4 Volts DC:

100 Watts RMS x 2 Channels at 2 Ohms and ≤ 1% THD+N
200 Watts RMS x 1 Bridged at 4 Ohms and ≤ 1% THD+N

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (1Watt): 78dB
THD+Noise (Distortion) (1Watt): ≤ .1%
Frequency Response (-3dB): 20Hz-20kHz

Thunder 421d, mono

RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:

150 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load with less than 1% Thd+N
300 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load with less than 1% Thd+N

Dynamic Power measured at 14.4 Volts DC:

210 Watts x 1 into a 4 Ohm load
420 Watts x 1 into a 2 Ohm load

Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥100dB A-Weighted
Damping Factor: >100
Frequency Response: 20Hz-200Hz ± 3dB

Thunder 8302, 2-channel

RMS Power measured at 12.5 Volts DC:

75 Watts x 2 into a 4 Ohm load with less than 0.1% Thd+N
150 Watts x 2 into a 2 Ohm load with less than 0.1% Thd+N
300 Watts bridged into a 4 Ohm load with less than 0.1% Thd+N

Dynamic Power (IHF-202 Standard) measured at 14.4 Volts DC

120 Watts x 2 into a 4 Ohm load
212 Watts x 2 into a 2 Ohm load
425 Watts bridged into a 4 Ohm load

Signal to Noise Ratio: ≥110dB A-Weighted
Damping Factor: >200
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz ± 0.25dB

I'm thinking the 564 for the fronts and the 421d for the sub, but am open to suggestions and opinions.

[Schnitzer318is]

Wow, you hoarding MTX amps? I really liked their older stuff... alot.

[ak96ss]

You never know when you might need an amp! :)

Looking at that again, I may swap the 564 for the 8302 and use the 564 in my truck... decisions, decisions.

[StereoInstaller1]

Wait...you did not get carpet rolled up inside your box?

You should have, I had a good supply WAY back then (you lazy fuck you)...but it has since dried up in a bad way.

I can ship you a template mon or tues, PM me your addy again.

I would have caught this sooner, but my 3 day trip to Oregon took 9 days, with damn near no internet access.

Luke

[ak96ss]

No, no carpet - that's ok, I have a bunch laying about and am good on the carpet. The template would save me a fair amount of time, though! I'll PM you the address again.

Thoughts on the amps, as long as you are here? I am leaning towards the 8302 rather than the 564 since I will only be using the front speakers.

[jon.giant]

You admit to having multiple amplifiers... probably more than one person would need. Would you mind posting a picture of the S/N's on the MTX 421D and MTX 564. I believe you stole them from me.

[ak96ss]

I also have 3 cars, two trucks, and a camper, which is more than one person needs but just fine for my family of 5.

And unless you are Bill Crutchfield, I didn't get the amps from you either directly or indirectly.

[jon.giant]

Perhaps my method of inquiry was too direct. But you did make this post on the internet about having all these amplifiers and you have two separate amps that match those stolen from my car just a few days before your post. They also got my sub.

Ignoring the fact that you don't seem willing to post a pic of the SN - I would suggest using both those amps the 564 and the 421 in a SQ setup. They have great THD values, are very adjustable and sound great. I pushed the 421D constantly without ever having it overheat and always delivering a good signal to my Soundsplinter 10".