Car audio 101

15inches · Post by **15inches** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:36 pm

Here's the deal. Im 18 and I love car audio. I basically taught myself how to install head units, amps, and subwoofers using the internet, magazines, and trial and error methods. I bought a kicker comp 15 and a 600 watt lightning audio amplifier. I was hoping to get some improvement tips on how to build a great system using 15s. N e advice would be apreciated greatly.

P.S. I also want to learn how to install dvd players and monitors. Again, n e info (links,articles,websites,posts) would be helpful.

swimmerdude · Post by **swimmerdude** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:49 pm

i learned how to install stuff by talking to guys on here and then trying it out on my car and a friends car. It helps to talk to people on how to do things.

Anyways, are you asking for advice on a new setup for yourself or what?? You could easily get something louder than that 15" kicker comp. There are a ton of brands out there that make great subwoofers... and other companies that do not. We have the Good/Bad list in the FAQ to help people out on what brands to look into based on their rating. If you choose something from a company in the good or highly reccommend list, the products will be real good for ya. For 15" subs, you usually will need a good amount of power for them, sometimes larger boxes, and if it isnt loud enough, just go ported. If they are loud subs, boxes with good bracing is very very helpful in bass reproduction.

Again, are you looking to upgrade, or what??

15inches · Post by **15inches** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:08 pm

basically yea...im thinking of upgrading. Im going 2 look into that good/bad list. thanx

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:49 am

The kicker comp, isn't that bad of a speaker. I have installed tons of them back home, and never really had a problem. Its the L series stuff that sucks.

I would put that 15 into a ported box, and match it up with a Kicker amp and call it a day. (I'm not to sure how the lightning audio would hold up.)

15inches · Post by **15inches** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:48 am

The lightning audio does fairly well. I had a friend with a 600watt kicker and the results were fairly similar. I have been thinking about getting a stronger amp though. I was leaning towards kicker or boss because I here alotta ppl talking good about both in my area.

JeremyC · Post by **JeremyC** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:06 am

Please don't go with Boss. Who ever is telling you their good has serious problems.

Out of the three, the kicker is the only amp I would trust. The others have way to high a failure rate.

CaptainPioneer · Post by **CaptainPioneer** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:31 am

^^^^ Dito dont i repeat DONT go with Boss Audio... nothing good their i know it was my big Newbie mistake at a first system, and literally had a fire in my truck! Ok so dont do that. Ur better off with that Lighting Audio, not much better but a little bit. I agree with the comment about the Kicker Amp and the Ported Box Idea. If you are looking to get loud with that Comp 15" Its best to put it on a Ported Box, Slot ported Should be fine... I would think that 35hz is optimal for your box tuning frequency... If you saw the same results with your friends sub and amp vs yours you will see a bigger difference once you let that sub breath in a bigger ported box, you will have a deeper sound and gain a few db's in the process.

If you are interested in installing other electronic components in a vehicle just pm me and i will try to stear you in the correct direction, I have installed In-dash dvd players and they are easy-peasy to install. Monitors arent so bad its just making sure that you have the correct install equipment and parts to link the monitors into your source unit. (dvd player/vcr/tv)

MobileAudio219 · Post by **MobileAudio219** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:26 pm

I'd go ported, tuned around 33hz... Maybe pick up another comp and a good 500-600 watt amp... Good budget system for sure..

MobileAudio219 · Post by **MobileAudio219** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:28 pm

Opps... Double posted on accident... But yeah, I like the comps alot..

CaptainPioneer · Post by **CaptainPioneer** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:42 pm

definitely, 2 15" comps on a kicker amp would be a sweet setup great pricing too