Audio help, Unsure on amp

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Nimminz
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Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Nimminz » 15 Jul 2010 10:56 pm

Hi,

I have some 10cm speakers that I'd like to replace my door speakers with, i've been told they'd need an amp.

The speakers:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65707#dtab

Now I know nothing really about audio stuff.

My head unit has 2x RCA outputs but these don't power these speakers, I've tried. Also they dont work very well off the original door wiring sound rather tinny

I'm on a tight budget for an amp so after a quick look on ebay i found this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/500W-Power-Audio- ... 4070wt_911

Would that be too powerful?

I'm guessing that 500W is the max. The speakers I have are 250W max so this amp running both speakers should give 250W.

Cheers in advance :)

Matt
Last edited by Nimminz on 16 Jul 2010 09:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
'88 360 +T LSD - sold
'87 760 TDI (D24TIC) - sold
'04 V40 D sport (F9Q, decat, Remapped, launch control)
'89 740 SE (b230ft, 12psi, V-cam, headwork, 'remapped', banded steels)
'86 340 DL 1.4

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volvodspec
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Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by volvodspec » 15 Jul 2010 11:05 pm

25Watt RMS power; you definatly don't need an amp for that...

you should see the RCA outputs as a high quality signal output; with no power. the amp will use this signal and boost it up to make the amp strong enough to handle serious speakers.

your headunit should have more connections fo hook a set (most of the times 2 sets) of speakers.

does it have ISO connections or a loom from radio to ISO? if so; the brown connector is for the speakers.

Nimminz
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Joined: 11 Jun 2010 10:56 pm
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Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Nimminz » 15 Jul 2010 11:10 pm

Yeah the HU has ISO connectors. I used a loom for connecting to a different car and chopped it up to make it fit the volvo connector. I have tried connecting it to the OEM wiring but it sounds like only the tweeters in the speakers are working and not the woofer :/
'88 360 +T LSD - sold
'87 760 TDI (D24TIC) - sold
'04 V40 D sport (F9Q, decat, Remapped, launch control)
'89 740 SE (b230ft, 12psi, V-cam, headwork, 'remapped', banded steels)
'86 340 DL 1.4

Nimminz
Posts: 1669
Joined: 11 Jun 2010 10:56 pm
Location: Durham City, NE England, UK
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Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Nimminz » 15 Jul 2010 11:46 pm

been told I need a

25rms at 4 ohm. 2 channel amp

Having problems finding one. Everyone says they should work off the Speaker outputs though
'88 360 +T LSD - sold
'87 760 TDI (D24TIC) - sold
'04 V40 D sport (F9Q, decat, Remapped, launch control)
'89 740 SE (b230ft, 12psi, V-cam, headwork, 'remapped', banded steels)
'86 340 DL 1.4

Ride_on
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Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Ride_on » 16 Jul 2010 12:25 am

Its really not hard to wire up an ISO connector to the car, it mostly just speaker connections, permanent 12v and ignition 12v. Main difficulty is in identifying the wires in the car.

Maybe your head unit has tweeter connections or the output is set to tweeter. What is your head unit?

I have something similar, an Alpine head unit with 4 channels and 4 Alpine speakers. No need for a big amp unless you want to break you ear drums or the speakers. Always go with RMS, the other figures are just marketing bollocks. I had 6x9 oval in the rear shelve of an old saloon 360, sounded very good.

BTW the amp link doesn't work.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

Nimminz
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Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Nimminz » 16 Jul 2010 09:39 am

Ride_on wrote:Its really not hard to wire up an ISO connector to the car, it mostly just speaker connections, permanent 12v and ignition 12v. Main difficulty is in identifying the wires in the car.

Maybe your head unit has tweeter connections or the output is set to tweeter. What is your head unit?

I have something similar, an Alpine head unit with 4 channels and 4 Alpine speakers. No need for a big amp unless you want to break you ear drums or the speakers. Always go with RMS, the other figures are just marketing bollocks. I had 6x9 oval in the rear shelve of an old saloon 360, sounded very good.

BTW the amp link doesn't work.
> done that, wired the ISO connector up and it works fine with the standard speakers.

> I'm pretty sure its just got front L&R and rear L&R speaker connectons in the ISO. I tried them with the bass turned right up but made no difference. i'ts really crap duuno the brand now as i've painted the casing :oops:

EDIT: found a photo of the front before I painted it :

Image

Oh and fixed the amp link but now i know i'm not after that. I'm not into playing loud music although i like bass, i had an Edge 10" active sub in my last car but I don't really want it in this one

cheers
'88 360 +T LSD - sold
'87 760 TDI (D24TIC) - sold
'04 V40 D sport (F9Q, decat, Remapped, launch control)
'89 740 SE (b230ft, 12psi, V-cam, headwork, 'remapped', banded steels)
'86 340 DL 1.4

Ride_on
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Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Ride_on » 16 Jul 2010 03:07 pm

Yes I think the ISO will just have the basic 4 channels front and back. If it works ok with the standard speakers, are the Alpines bi-wired (wires for bass and treble) or have you knocked off a connection or broken them?

Just realised my fronts are Caliber CSS.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

Nimminz
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Joined: 11 Jun 2010 10:56 pm
Location: Durham City, NE England, UK
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Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by Nimminz » 16 Jul 2010 04:52 pm

Alpine are bi wired and are all connected

I'm not spending money on an amp for them when the original ones work fine, thourght these would just be plug and play so to speak

Checked today, the ISO just has as you say front and back
'88 360 +T LSD - sold
'87 760 TDI (D24TIC) - sold
'04 V40 D sport (F9Q, decat, Remapped, launch control)
'89 740 SE (b230ft, 12psi, V-cam, headwork, 'remapped', banded steels)
'86 340 DL 1.4

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hatch360
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Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Audio help, Unsure on amp

Post by hatch360 » 25 Jul 2010 01:29 am

Usually HU RMS outputs are around the 20-25 watt mark
Image
98 c70
87 360 GLT
93 Jaguar XJ6
82 244 GLT
84 240 GL

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