How to install a killer stereo for $500 (loads of pics)

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  • Andy.B
    E30 Mastermind
    • Sep 2011
    • 1650

    #256
    Got my 10" luke box installed today with a mtx t6104a sub I have had for years, and I am blown away by the bass I am getting. Even better, when I open the trunk with the radio on, it isn't blasting bass out. The sound is all going into the cabin, which is amazing.

    To anyone hesitant, or on the fence about buying one of G.A.S.'s products: Do it! It is worth every penny for the amazing engineering, fit, quality, and sound!

    Luke:
    I am about to go the rest of the way with my system, and order a 5 channel amp to run the system, so I can take the load off the head unit and BP300.1 amp thats pushing the sub now, but before I do, I was wondering if you could confirm if the planet audio 1800.5 you posted a few pages back is a good match to my system:

    Alpine CDA 9885 head unit
    Bravox CS50K front speakers; 4 ohm (75 watt RMS / 150 watt Max)
    Pioneer junk rear speakers (25RMS/140Max) - I will be replacing these with matching CS50k's once they blow.
    MTX Thunder 6000 T6104A Sub; 4 ohm (250 RMS/ 500 Max)

    The AC1800.5 5 channel amp lists its output as:
    2 ohms: 300Wx4 + 600Wx1

    Aside from the garbage pioneer rear speakers, which I will upgrade eventually, is the amp a good match for the rest of the system? Will everything else play nice together?

    Disclaimer: I am useless at deciphering bridged/parrallel/2ohms/4ohms/rms/peak/trimode/etc.

    Comment

    • StereoInstaller1
      GAS
      • Jul 2004
      • 22679

      #257
      Originally posted by Andy.B
      Got my 10" luke box installed today with a mtx t6104a sub I have had for years, and I am blown away by the bass I am getting. Even better, when I open the trunk with the radio on, it isn't blasting bass out. The sound is all going into the cabin, which is amazing.

      To anyone hesitant, or on the fence about buying one of G.A.S.'s products: Do it! It is worth every penny for the amazing engineering, fit, quality, and sound!

      Luke:
      I am about to go the rest of the way with my system, and order a 5 channel amp to run the system, so I can take the load off the head unit and BP300.1 amp thats pushing the sub now, but before I do, I was wondering if you could confirm if the planet audio 1800.5 you posted a few pages back is a good match to my system:

      Alpine CDA 9885 head unit
      Bravox CS50K front speakers; 4 ohm (75 watt RMS / 150 watt Max)
      Pioneer junk rear speakers (25RMS/140Max) - I will be replacing these with matching CS50k's once they blow.
      MTX Thunder 6000 T6104A Sub; 4 ohm (250 RMS/ 500 Max)

      The AC1800.5 5 channel amp lists its output as:
      2 ohms: 300Wx4 + 600Wx1

      Aside from the garbage pioneer rear speakers, which I will upgrade eventually, is the amp a good match for the rest of the system? Will everything else play nice together?

      Disclaimer: I am useless at deciphering bridged/parrallel/2ohms/4ohms/rms/peak/trimode/etc.
      Yes, perfectly....and it is on sale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...email_1p_10_ti

      Thanks for the words, bud..I am gonna post them on the GAS FB page!

      Luke

      Closing SOON!
      "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

      Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

      Thanks for 10 years of fun!

      Comment

      • Andy.B
        E30 Mastermind
        • Sep 2011
        • 1650

        #258
        Originally posted by StereoInstaller1
        Yes, perfectly....and it is on sale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...email_1p_10_ti

        Thanks for the words, bud..I am gonna post them on the GAS FB page!

        Luke
        Ordered the amp today, along with new rca cables. I cannot wait to get the rest of the system put together. It sounds amazing as is. Stepping up to a better amp, and more power, I might go deaf from this car.

        Now if only you turned your expertise towards getting good sound into a NA Miata. People thought it was hard to get good bass in an e30. The Miata is just about hopeless.

        Comment

        • INSILICO
          Noobie
          • Nov 2012
          • 2

          #259
          I just want to clear something up here for my own edification.

          I see a lot of people talking about the front speakers. Is it just the front speakers that work after this rewire? Or are the rear speakers just kind of drowned out by the bass coming from the rear now? I see that you're recommending just using the stock premium speakers as well, yes? Just like the rest of the e30's with premium they have the stock tweeters in the doors and are plenty "bright" as it is. Just no damn bass in the premium kit.

          I have the premium sound deck/speakers/amp in my 91 ix and want to make sure I get everything lined up before purchasing and using that LukeBox I bought oh-so-long ago.
          sigpic
          91 ix 2dr
          90 ix 4dr
          96 Taco 4x4

          Comment

          • StereoInstaller1
            GAS
            • Jul 2004
            • 22679

            #260
            Originally posted by INSILICO
            I just want to clear something up here for my own edification.

            I see a lot of people talking about the front speakers. Is it just the front speakers that work after this rewire? Or are the rear speakers just kind of drowned out by the bass coming from the rear now? I see that you're recommending just using the stock premium speakers as well, yes? Just like the rest of the e30's with premium they have the stock tweeters in the doors and are plenty "bright" as it is. Just no damn bass in the premium kit.

            I have the premium sound deck/speakers/amp in my 91 ix and want to make sure I get everything lined up before purchasing and using that LukeBox I bought oh-so-long ago.
            JEEBUS! You haven't installed it YET?

            Do I need to come choke a nukka out?

            You already have all the wires you need in your trunk.

            Get a 5 channel and get the thing done!

            LMKIICH.

            Luke

            Closing SOON!
            "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

            Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

            Thanks for 10 years of fun!

            Comment

            • Andy.B
              E30 Mastermind
              • Sep 2011
              • 1650

              #261
              I now have the planet audio amp installed along with the lukebox, and the wiring for the non premium wiring stereo install from this thread. All I can say is THE SOUND IS AMAZING! I knew the lukebox would be good. I figured the bravox components would sound better than the old pioneers. I had no idea how much better a cheap amp could make the system sound. Thank you Luke for all you assistance, and for putting this guide together!

              Comment

              • swapped91
                Member
                • Jun 2013
                • 55

                #262
                this is a well written arcticle and easy for someone who doesnt know what they are doing to follow. I work on all the mercedes, bmw's, mini's, vw's and audi's that come into the shop i work at because no else wants to touch them. they are very easy to work on once you know what is going on. thank you for writing this for the less wirely inclined. i will actually be doing a system very soon in my 91 and ill post some pics. (wirely is not a word i just made it up sounded good)

                Comment

                • StereoInstaller1
                  GAS
                  • Jul 2004
                  • 22679

                  #263
                  Originally posted by swapped91
                  this is a well written arcticle and easy for someone who doesnt know what they are doing to follow. I work on all the mercedes, bmw's, mini's, vw's and audi's that come into the shop i work at because no else wants to touch them. they are very easy to work on once you know what is going on. thank you for writing this for the less wirely inclined. i will actually be doing a system very soon in my 91 and ill post some pics. (wirely is not a word i just made it up sounded good)
                  Well, thank you! I was the installer that got all the euro cars because no one else was able to explain why we charged more...so I quickly became the "german guy"...that was about 30 years ago...

                  Let me know if you get stuck. We don't want your car get all wirely, right?

                  LOL

                  Thanks again, man, you made my day.

                  Luke

                  Closing SOON!
                  "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                  Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                  Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                  Comment

                  • dogsbark26
                    E30 Addict
                    • Nov 2008
                    • 533

                    #264
                    Welcome to the forum swapped91. I'll look forward to the photos of your install.

                    Nice post Luke.

                    Comment

                    • 36brua
                      Mod Crazy
                      • Feb 2008
                      • 689

                      #265
                      OK so I'm trying to get going on an audio upgrade.
                      Seems the Jensen 5500 5chnl is being phased out.
                      Is Planet Audio the 'suggested replacement' for it ?
                      Planet Audio AC1800.5 MOSFET Five-Channel Power Amplifier, 300 Watts x 4, 600 Watts x 1 MAX Power
                      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...email_1p_10_ti
                      Any commets/input on this Infinity unit ?
                      http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Refer.../dp/B000R22X1A

                      and since I'm a noobie does the planet Audio amp have built in crossovers as the Jensen does/did ? and if built into the amp does that let me remove the existing aftermarket ones for front tweeters ?
                      89 I w/ stk sound syst the PO made mo betta....front Infinity tweeters/replacement speakers/crossovers, rear coaxial, 8" speaker in trunk w/ amp. Current HU is kenwood 135 but going to replace with suggested Pioneer or similar Pioneer unit. Car is not here so I don't have current amp/ speaker specs

                      TIA
                      Last edited by 36brua; 06-20-2013, 09:32 PM.
                      My CA legal M60 swap

                      The happening in our garage

                      Comment

                      • StereoInstaller1
                        GAS
                        • Jul 2004
                        • 22679

                        #266
                        Yes, the planet audio is a great choice.

                        By chance, is your car red?

                        Closing SOON!
                        "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                        Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                        Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                        Comment

                        • TurboJake
                          No R3VLimiter
                          • Oct 2010
                          • 3780

                          #267
                          I'll second the PA amp. As per Luke's suggestion, I bought one when I bought the 10" box.

                          Every time I turn up the tunes on this road trip, I have the dirtiest shit eating grin on my face.


                          Leave Me Transaction Feedback

                          Comment

                          • 36brua
                            Mod Crazy
                            • Feb 2008
                            • 689

                            #268
                            Originally posted by StereoInstaller1
                            Yes, the planet audio is a great choice.

                            By chance, is your car red?
                            Not red. Car is faded and peeling cirrus blau.. but it does make me see red sometimes. I finally had time to read a few more pages of this thread and as often the case it answered my question about the amp + speaker wiring. appreciate your reply


                            Originally posted by TurboJake
                            I'll second the PA amp. As per Luke's suggestion, I bought one when I bought the 10" box.

                            Every time I turn up the tunes on this road trip, I have the dirtiest shit eating grin on my face.
                            .

                            ^^ Thanks I might try to get this in for a road trip to E30 picnic :D
                            My CA legal M60 swap

                            The happening in our garage

                            Comment

                            • agent
                              Vice Grand Pubaa
                              • Mar 2010
                              • 7960

                              #269
                              Originally posted by StereoInstaller1
                              Yes, the planet audio is a great choice.
                              Originally posted by kronus
                              would be in depending on tip slant and tube size

                              Comment

                              • StereoInstaller1
                                GAS
                                • Jul 2004
                                • 22679

                                #270
                                Originally posted by Andy.B
                                Ordered the amp today, along with new rca cables. I cannot wait to get the rest of the system put together. It sounds amazing as is. Stepping up to a better amp, and more power, I might go deaf from this car.

                                Now if only you turned your expertise towards getting good sound into a NA Miata. People thought it was hard to get good bass in an e30. The Miata is just about hopeless.
                                Yes it is, sell that bucket.


                                LOL...not kidding though...

                                I have tried to return your email, it just will not let me send to you!

                                Closing SOON!
                                "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                                Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                                Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                                Comment

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