What are my options?

[BeirBrennerE30]

aka... what should I do with my car audio?

I have the following setup installed in my car right now...


I made the box myself circa 2003 when my car wasnt so much a performance car. Now however my car is a lot faster and the trunk set-up isnt as impressive/ weighs a TON/ goes against what the car is currently all about. I use the car for basically weekend cruises, auto-x and a lil drag-racing for fun.

Part of my design criteria was to have the whole trunk set up removable is 5-10 miuntes for track. And it is as all wires are on quick disconnects and the whole think folds up and removes in 5 pieces. But this leaves me with no music at all. Also its a closed box setup so even with twin 10's it is very quiet in the car. The interior speakers overpower the subs. The setup sounds pretty good but i would like a lil bit more punch.

I got most of the parts in 2003 when I built the whole thing and include:
alpine typeR 5.25" components front and rear in the stock BMW premium stereo locations
Twin Alpine Type R 10" DVC subs wires to run at 2ohm
Alpine 500x1 digital amp
Alpine 340x4 digital amp(for interior speakers)
Alpine 12 disk changer(I REALLY dont need this anymore)
Stinger 1 Farad digital capacitor(got it for free with the stereo)

I updated the headunit in 2007 with an Alpine 9887 headunit with iPod connector. I currently dont use its internal amp as the wiring was already set up to use the external amp. My pervious Alpine 7995 headunit didnt have an internal amp.

here is the pic of the new headunit. Ipod connect is in the glove box...



So what I would like is something smaller, much lighter, better sounding setup. If possible I would like to use the components I have on hand unless you feel they completely suck(hey I got a great deal on them! I knew an Alpine rep). Something less obvious that also sounds good(sound quality is priority one) and give the subs a bigger sound in the cockpit. I was also kicking around the idea of sirius... thoughts? What can I do here? Like the title says.... What are my options?

[Erik j]

Go to this thread and see what I did for subwoofers. It might work really well for you.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=106194

[netcsk]

You can always do something like I did. It makes the whole set-up light and the subwoofer is removable within 20 seconds by releasing the clamp. Works well.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=92031

[BeirBrennerE30]

ok here are my thoughts...

1.remove the interior speaker amp and run the interior speakers off the headunit and keep the speakers in the stock location.
2. get rid of the trunk set up along with the disk changer and capacitor(do i need it)
3. keep one 10(should i keep both?) and build a small box for through the ski hole and ported to the parcel tray. Run the sub at 4ohm off the 500watt amp. How can I make this lighter?

thoughts?

[PiercedE30]

Build the sub box out of carbon/kevlar. Then you don't have to put carpet on it and it goes with the theme of the car.
Instant baller.

[BeirBrennerE30]

as amazing as that would be i dunno how good CK does with sound like that... anyone know?

[einstein57]

I used one 12" in a small sealed enclosure. Sounds much better then 2 sealed 10". I'd post a pic but photobucket is down at the moment.

[Addissimo]

as amazing as that would be i dunno how good CK does with sound like that... anyone know?

Build the box out of fiberglass, then do the final layer in CK.

or just make a wood box covered in carpet... cheaper and easier. :)

[BeirBrennerE30]

Build the box out of fiberglass, then do the final layer in CK.

or just make a wood box covered in carpet... cheaper and easier. :)

i have a wood box... its heavy

[einstein57]

use a lighter fiber board. I'm going to weigh my setup tomorrow

[Farbin Kaiber]

Moar new products for me to dream up...

[Addissimo]

i have a wood box... its heavy

you'll spend 2x as much on fiberglass, and it'll weigh about 3lbs less if done correctly. If you want your car to be a race machine, make the box removable or do no sub at all. Look at Ian's install for inspiration.

-Addis

[BeirBrennerE30]

its not a "race car" but lighter is always better. I used mdf for my first box. whats a lighter wood?

[nefarious7907]

Fiberglass :)