How should I set this system up. Calling all audio guru's?

[SuperSquirt]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up. Callin

Are you sure the MC10's will work with the car version? I was told from Alpine that they will only work with the new marine unit. I don't see how all the track #'s, ipod songs, sat radio info can be transmitted wirelessly? Does it come with an adapter to hook up behind the head unit?

I just fabricated a car dash kit to fit a standard din radio and my WS 420eq to fit in the radio console, I am patiently waiting to buy a new unit!!!

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up. Callin

So - Just to make things clear here.... Hook up your head unit with 12v power coming from the control panel and your remote on going to amp1 and the jump that to amp2. Drink a beer. run power and ground to your amps from the battery. Hook interior speakers 1+2 to the postive and negative of channel one. hook interior speakers 3+4 positive and negative to channel two (all on the clarion) and hook tower speaker one pos and neg to channel 3, tower speaker two pos and neg to channel 4. Drink a beer. Set your clarion at high pass 80-100 hz. set your fosgate at low pass 80-100 hz and run pos and neg to channel 1 of you amp OR bring pos of sub to channel 1 pos and neg of sub to channel 2 neg to bridge the amp. RCA's from the back of the head unit would get split with a y cable, or run one pair rcas to fosgate and then rcas from fosgate output to clarion input. ideally all grounds should be at same location, but there's probably already a ground there for the stereo, which you can use. Don't run power and RCAS in the same location. turn on your stereo and insert CD (preferably NKOTB or Pet Shop Boys) turn it up and get loose, then have a great set. Rinse and repeat.

[ispair]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up. Callin

Am I better off running all 8 Polk 6.5's to the Clarion amp, or running 4 from the head unit and 4 to the clarion amp?

[flaudia402]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up. Callin

It would be best to run your 4 towers off of a separate amp as previously stated, and then having your clarion power the other four in boat speakers. However, if you absolutely must then just run the 4 interior speakers off of your HU (Don't expect too much though).

[ispair]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up. Ca

It would be best to run your 4 towers off of a separate amp as previously stated, and then having your clarion power the other four in boat speakers. However, if you absolutely must then just run the 4 interior speakers off of your HU (Don't expect too much though).

As stated in my first post I was wanting to run the system with the equipment that I currently have (without buying more at this time). What was previously stated above was for me to run all 8 6.5's off my Clarion amp and to run my sub with the two channel amp, but we didn't really talk about the option of running some speakers from my head unit. My question is: Would the speakers sound better with 4 on the head unit and 4 on the Clarion amp, or just bypass the head unit and run all 8 speakers on the Clarion amp. I understand it would sound better if I had a seperate amp for my tower speakers, but I don't have one right now.

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up.

Your amp can handle 2 ohms, so you're best bet is two speakers per channel wired parallel. I would set your pass filter higher, at like 100 hz up and down on both amps. Let your sub pick up the hard work so you won't have heavier signals going to your light work speakers. You can go as high as 150, but I prefer right around 100. You are going to be doubling your power as you drop your ohm load (resistance) by running your speakers in parallel, so your best bet would be to get a milliameter and test tone CD, and check the output with that method to get it perfect. (imput your ohms and speaker capacity rating, then turn up gain to reach the number, checking with your milliameter, that you derived from the formula given X frequency, which depends on the type of speaker you are testing) Or you can do like all the lazy teens and turn up the gain until you start breaking crap and then turn it down from there.
Basically run all eight off the clarion, but just watch out that you're not giving too much power to your top end speakers.. Make sense?

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up.

and I am sorry that I missed you having 4 tower speakers in my previous post, so you would hook up the tower speakers just like you hooked up the interior speakers. I have the same setup in my boat with the db651's interior and tower mounted. You'll be fine. Also use at least 4 guage wire for the amps...

[brodie]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up. Ca

It would be best to run your 4 towers off of a separate amp as previously stated, and then having your clarion power the other four in boat speakers. However, if you absolutely must then just run the 4 interior speakers off of your HU (Don't expect too much though).

As stated in my first post I was wanting to run the system with the equipment that I currently have (without buying more at this time). What was previously stated above was for me to run all 8 6.5's off my Clarion amp and to run my sub with the two channel amp, but we didn't really talk about the option of running some speakers from my head unit. My question is: Would the speakers sound better with 4 on the head unit and 4 on the Clarion amp, or just bypass the head unit and run all 8 speakers on the Clarion amp. I understand it would sound better if I had a seperate amp for my tower speakers, but I don't have one right now.

Run all 8 speakers off the Clarion. Each speaker will see ~57 watts RMS. The head unit probably puts out about 15 watts RMS. You can just set your gains half way, and it will get you close enough. You can set the hi pass on the tower speakers a little lower than the boat speakers because of the enclosure, and that way you will get a little more mid-bass from them.

[OHLNautique]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up.

No question. All 8 off the Clarion. Speakers run off headunits sound awful past a certain volume.

[ispair]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up.

Thanks guys for all the help. If i'm able to find a good deal on another Clarion 480 or similar would I be able to run rca's from Clarion to Clarion to Rockford. If not, how would I be able to hook up all three amps. Once again, I appreciate the help.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system up.

How many pre amp outputs does the head unit have?

[ispair]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this system

How many pre amp outputs does the head unit have?

I'll have to double check, but I think just one.

[AuMDLST]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this sy

If you only have one output you are going to have to split the signal - I dont believe the clarions have an rca out. If you split the one out into three you may have issues with the one out not being strong enough to supply three amps.

[TravisFling]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: How should I set this sy

Certainly give it a go running with the RCA's, as it's your best bet for sound quality. Use gold plated connectors to get the best chance of it working properly. I know you don't want to replace the headunit, but that's the best bang for your buck from here on out, as far as the next thing to replace. You will only ever get as good a signal as what your Pile will produce. It's not that it's a completely horrible unit, it's just that it's not very good, and certainly your weakest link in the chain. Anyway, best of luck with the system! I hope it works out ok..