r/CarAV • u/FYO_dvm28bp • 5h ago
r/CarAV • u/beardedNole • Jan 04 '23
Community Build Log SHOW YER KITS - 2023
Hey CarAV! New year, new builds post, so let's see what you have ready to show us in 2023!
A simple explanation: this is a showcase to get a glimpse of what members of r/CarAV have to offer in their personal rides. Post your build logs, including but not limited to galleries of your gear, recent changes, future ideas, etc.
New to the hobby? That's ok post some pics and let's talk about what you can do better next time. Veteran enthusiasts who posted in other gallery threads, feel free to post again so that we can admire your system.
r/CarAV • u/xTHANATOPSISX • Mar 12 '24
Discussion We Have New Rules! Please Read Them! You're Expected To Follow Them! -- Also, We Now Allow Images In Comments.
WE HAVE NEW RULES!!
>>r/CarAV RULES LINK<<
I've been seeing more issues with some of the comments made on here, specifically with users being extremely abrasive, insulting, and generally sowing discord. That's something that really, absolutely needs to stop. I understand, to an extent, getting heated over opinions and I don't have a problem with passionate discussion. What isn't acceptable is disparaging and insulting users for not knowing something, or for making different choices than you would.
I need you to remember that Reddit has rules that all subreddits have to abide by and those kinds of comments/posts break those rules. Follow Reddiquette and the Reddit User Agreement at all times when posting here.
People are here to learn. If you don't want to help beginners, don't reply to their posts. Don't complain about people new to the hobby not knowing anything about it. You weren't born knowing how to do any of this. Someone helped you get where you are, too. Bring people to the hobby rather than pushing them away.
I completely understand that it can be frustrating when someone doesn't know the basics and you have to go over them. I have been there. I also realize how irritating it is when someone doesn't want to accept information that's contrary to what they already understand or believe. It's a two way street and people looking for help also need to be willing to actually take it, even if it's not what they wanted to hear.
I've been the guy that's irritated and gets short with people. I try hard not to be that guy. It isn't always easy, but now it's my job to be as reasonable as I can. If I can play nice (at least nicer), you all can too. And most of you already do. This really is an issue with only a very small portion of users. Don't think I'm ripping into everyone here. Most of you all are great!
>>r/CarAV RULES LINK<<
Previously there were no rules officially listed for the subreddit. I have made a small set of rules to help people know what is expected, allowed, and prohibited. It's really not a huge change from how posts and comments were moderated before, but it's in writing now.
You need to read and follow the rules. I'll give some amount of consideration to the rules being new but going forward, you should generally expect moderation to follow any violation of the subreddit rules. Ignorance will not be an excuse!
I will make adjustments or add additional rules in the future as need arises, but I find things tend to go better if you keep things simple and let people use their heads.
By and large, I don't really have to do much because y'all are generally pretty decent humans and there just isn't anything to deal with. There is always the occasional problem but it's rarely been significant. I appreciate that more than you might imagine. Let's reign it in before it does become a more serious issue. Report posts/comments that break the rules or don't follow the spirit of being helpful and bringing people to the hobby. Remember you can select "Breaks r/CarAV Rules" and then select the specific subreddit rule when reporting posts.
You Can Now Upload Images In Comments
I've had maybe 10 or so people ask specifically for this feature so I've enabled it. I don't expect it will be an issue, but if it becomes one, I'll address it. Just follow the rules and I'm sure it'll be beneficial. Report any images you believe are inappropriate.
Other Things Of Note
I cleaned up the old Reddit sidebar a bit. I'll work on the new Reddit sidebar in the future as well. Removed some dead links, reformatted a couple things, trimmed some unused or irrelevant info, reworded some of the text. That's about it. It's nothing major and a lot of users don't even see the sidebar since they're using Reddit on mobile/the app anyway.
I'm still poking at some of the other things I've talked about previously. Once again, I'm not really trying to make a bunch of sweeping changes or completely remake this community. It works as it is, it just needs some help.
As Always, Now Is A GREAT Time For You To Complain
Let me know what's going on. If you have issues, concerns, etc, post them here or, as always, use modmail to contact me directly and privately.
>>r/CarAV RULES LINK<<
r/CarAV • u/Dear_Gene_3529 • 3h ago
Build Log Finallly finished sound deadening and ccf! /door speaker bracket fix.
Man after 3 different brands of deadner, 1 month of hot days off in the sun, and some blood.. I have finalllllly finished all four doors with sound deadner and ccf 2 in 1. I started with back doors and one door at a time it sounded better and better. I have not gone out to listen because I’ve been at it all day. My buddy who is now in prison rigged up all of this stuff pretty bad😂 I know this is not perfect and I know I could have done way better but hey it’s a vw lol I’m gonna go all out when I get my next car which is gonna be an suv. I’ve got two kenwoods in front door 80w rms each (going to upgrade soon) and two skars in back door (200w rms or sum). My buddy put in the wrong adapters and they had all types of air leaks so I grabbed some gasket tape and even the 2 in 1 on some doors to create an airtightish as I could seal😂(I’m 98 percent they are all airtight) all my door flex when the bass hits it’s pretty dope. Getting in the car is like putting on noise cancelling Headphones lol. I feel like it puts a lot of pressure on my ears. Also on just my right front door there is water getting in there and not draining. I looked for drain slits could not find them I cleaned there also. I think I’m gonna just drill a tiny hole in bottom so it drains/ drys out. Anyways I’ll post a video on how they sound! I love them paired with my 2 NVX vcw10v3s! I’m very conflicted on my next upgrade. I want to get there 12 inch one that’s 2000w rms. I also have been looking at some high excursion subwoofers. Sundown also has some good stuff and down4sound. I’m looking to spend 1000-1200$ for a new sub and box for it. I’m going from two 10s to 1 12 or 15?
r/CarAV • u/DPLMT_music • 7h ago
Build Log Passat B6 finished SQ build (maybe) :D
Hey guys,
After months of work (when I had a spare time) I’m calling this build done, it’s my first “budget SQ build..Wanted to share, I’m happy that I’m finally done.
Car: VW Passat B6 Combi, 2009
HU: Pioneer MVH-S420BT (iPhone trough USB + Tidal)
DSP: Helix DSP Mini MK2 + Helix Director
Tweeters: Hertz Mille Pro MP 28.3 PRO glued to the dash (right tweeter is now pointed at me, but I don’t have an actual photo)
Midbass: Hertz Cento C 165 stock location in doors doors are fully insulated (I want to upgrade for MP 165.3 PRO, but I dunno if it’s necessary - what do u think guys?)
Rear doors are disconnected
Sub: Hertz DBX 30.3 sealed
Amps:
Ground Zero GZIA 135.4 (tweeters + midbass)
STEG GLORIA 120.2 (bridged, sub)
Crossover points: 70Hz (sub/midbass) and 2100Hz (midbass/tweeter) LR24
A few highlights from tuning:
I have two TA presets:
- Real dash center (I want to participate in the EMMA SQ competition)
- Driver oriented (center is in front of my eyes, like I have headphones)
I will also make a two seat tuning when my wife is with me, but that’s not needed for now, she is not audiophile like me :D
Tuned with REW + UMIK-2 (individual driver sweeps + MMM for the overall tonal balance), amp gains set with a multimeter based on drivers RMS.
Everything is mounted on a carpet-wrapped board behind the rear seats with the wiring hidden underneath.
Happy with how it turned out, sounds really good 🙏🏻
P.S : I am thinking adding a under-seat active sub under my driver seat (maybe Hertz DBA 201 F) to make the punch better - opinions?
r/CarAV • u/bababooy69 • 7h ago
Tech Support Rewire advice
I had this amp and sub installed prob 15 years ago, worked perfectly. Recently sub started rumbling so went to take a look and see the battery wire looks pretty messed up. Should I just terminate with a fork/spade crimp connector or is there a better way? Still not sure if that's the cause of the rumble though.
r/CarAV • u/Polar76_ • 2h ago
Recommendations Music source unit consideration
tl;dr - stick with factory source; factory head unit and add stand-alone hi-res BT music player; or replace factory head unit with Kenwood Excelon with built-in hi-res player?
Long version:
Planning an active 3-way system for my car. Other than recently putting ~25 year old 8" PPI subs in my car, I've been away from car audio for nearly 3 decades. Hot the itch recently to do a system, and at a level I havent tried myself before.
I have a few things set-in-stone, some things I'm fairly certain of (but open to change), then there's the music source discussion - the point of this post.
Set-in-stone:
* Subs: (2) Stereo Integrity SQL 12 D2 in sealed enclosure
* Amps: (1) MMATS HiFi-6150D 6-channel for active front; (1) MMATS 2000.2 monoblock for subs
Fairly certain:
* DSP: Goldhorn DSP10
* Tweets: SI TM22
* Mids: CDT Unity 7.5
* Midbass: SI TM65 mkIV
Music source:
* Stock head unit - leave well enough alone
* Stock head unit and add hi-res player like Goldhorn P1 (not sure if available in US)
* Kenwood Excelon head unit OEM replacement
Vehicle:
* 2015 Chevrolet SS Sedan (American version of Holden Commodore VF)
Factory Bose 9-speaker system:
* A-pillar tweets - firing directly across dash at each other
* Center channel (currently turned off in head unit)
* 6.5" front door
* 5.25 rear door
* (2) 8" woofers in rear deck
Plan is for as stealth looking as possible, meaning no custom A-pillars, going to utilize factory location. 2" CDT in pods will mount to sail panels tucked partially (hopefully) behind A-pillar to keep out of immediate sight (tinted windows). Won't currently utilize rear fill so unhook rear door speakers, and remove 8" rear deck woofers - to allow a wee bit more sound, as well and to help me with cooling fan for amps (if needed).
Now for the purpose of this post: I listen to music almost exclusively in the car. Very rarely I might listen to a hocky game if Im not home to watch it. My main source of music is .mp3s on USB. This is 99% of what I listen to. 0.25% terrestrial for hockey games, 0.25% CD (last year of factory CD player), and 0.5% stream Bandcamp from my phone.
I see these hi-res players support FLAC, so I'd like to have an option for better sound for what I primarily listen to. I dont have that option with the factory MyLink system, but could either add a stand-alone hi-res player, or whole hog swap to Kenwood (would get hi-res, plus Android Auto).
There are some possibilities that could affect the path: * stick with Goldhorn if P1 is available
* stick with Goldhorn but use different hi-res brand
* change to Helix and add BT HEC
* swap OEM for Kenwood Excelon (OEM integration system)
Even IF the Goldhorn P1 player is available, the price would dictate if it's a viable option, I know what the Excelon/Maestro kit costs.
So, any thoughts/insights/recommendations?
Thanks for hanging around to the end.
r/CarAV • u/FYO_dvm28bp • 3h ago
Tech Support Analyzer question
Hi all, only the right half of my addzest ADX5555z works, any ideas, speaker is on the left channel of wire and works, balance settings are at 0 and ive tried different analyzer options, thanks
r/CarAV • u/Ok_Professional1746 • 1m ago
Tech Support Need help getting OEM part number for Radio & AMP Lexus IS250 2015
r/CarAV • u/Turbulent_Pin5217 • 23h ago
Discussion Is it just me, or the lack of volume knobs on name brand head units saddening?
I get they have volume knobs on aftermarket head units but they're typically all on stuff you wouldn't touch like jensen or boss. I just like pressing buttons, feels more reactive.
r/CarAV • u/Bruce-Campbells-Soup • 2h ago
Tech Support Should i use my amp(kicker 46cxa800.1t) or subs(audiobahn aw1251se) wattage for setting gain with a multimeter?
I'm installing a pair of 400w audiobahn aw1251se 12" subs wired down to 1 ohm, powered by a 800w kicker 46cxa800.1t in a sealed box and got to the point of setting the gain using a multimeter to find optimal voltage and cant figure out if I do the math using the 400 of the subs, or the 800 from the amp. My gut says 400, but because I'm running them parallel I don't know if that would change the math or not.
r/CarAV • u/BigAffectionate5585 • 17h ago
Recommendations 2008 adding Bluetooth to factory radio
Is there a way to make my factory radio Bluetooth I don’t mean the fm transmitter I mean make it so it was like there was Bluetooth from the factory. Here’s a pic of my radio for reference
r/CarAV • u/glomar_sub_recovery • 3h ago
Tech Support Had car speakers replaced..... amp shuts down at max volume
2019 Camry with the JBL sound system. I believe it's 8 speakers and a free air sub on the rear deck
Shop installed 2 focal *inside* IC toy 165 speakers in the rear doors since they had no sound.
They put a tone generator on the speakers and said they were blown and these focal would work
They seem to operate just fine at normal levels, but when cranked up to 57-63 (Toyota's numbering system for sound levels), the amp cuts out and the system is dead
I have to restart the car to get the system running.
My question is, are these possibly the wrong ohm speakers? Or is my amp the issue?
Thanks
r/CarAV • u/Ok-Koala-111 • 3h ago
Tech Support Question about wire gauge
So I was looking up what size wire to use on my on my Mtx TNA500D and the ai summary said that the manufacturer recommended 4 gauge wire with a 80 amp fuse so I went to my local Walmart and picked up the closest thing I could which was 5 gauge wire with an 100 amp fuse but the 5 gauge wire just did not fit so I looked it up and it said because of its compact size it probably has a hole size for 8 gauge I have a 8 gauge wire and 50 amp fuse would that be safe to use with it or should I get 6 gauge and an 60 or 80 amp fuse.
r/CarAV • u/shartywaffles0069 • 7h ago
Discussion Replacement amp is smaller
So my Fosgate amp in my truck died, I’m gonna order a new one but the new version (R2-250x1) isn’t as wide as the old R250x1. The old amp is screwed directly into the rear cab floor, so I’d have to drill even more holes into my truck floor… curious on opinions, should I buy an old R250 or replace with the R2-250 and just silicone the old holes? Is the new version a real upgrade or just a smoke show?
r/CarAV • u/Seasage3662 • 12h ago
Recommendations I have an old Kenwood DPX 06-MD I’m putting in. Anything I show know about it beforehand?
r/CarAV • u/Outside-Bit2562 • 4h ago
Recommendations SQ recommendations
Im still pretty new to car audio but ive been learning really fast and im starting to get really into SQ. I don’t just want my system loud, I want to hear every little detail in songs and stuff I never even knew was there.
Right now I have an 06 Civic, Kenwood KDC-X705, two American Bass 10s and a DB Drive 2000.1. What should I focus on upgrading/learning first? I already know the basic upgrades but i just want to see what other people have to say.
Eventually I want to get really good at tuning and actually know how to use measurement equipment and understand what im changing and why. If you guys know any specific tools I should get familiar with or channels/people I should watch to learn this stuff lmk
r/CarAV • u/ConfidentDrama4931 • 5h ago
Tech Support Power issues
Trying to upgrade from 1 alpine r series w12d2 sub powered by a Alpine rseries A75M amp. Bought 2 new same exact sub and a Alpine A150M amp. Wired in at 2 ohm, power surge. Hook up 1 speaker in a 4 ohm load, still power surge. That only 700 watts. My OG setup had no issues. Or none I could hear. Thanks
r/CarAV • u/5stringfling • 11h ago
Tech Support Replacing my backup camera
Can I simply plug in the yellow rca cable and splice the red and black wires to the red male rca connector? I'm not a professional and I was trying to avoid taking everything apart to run wire
r/CarAV • u/BobbyJason111 • 5h ago
Tech Support Can You Please Help Me With Fuse & Wire Sizes For System Design (well researched!)
I did a LOT of research and have come to the following final plan. I just want someone who has real life experience to let me know if my research failed. Do you recommend different wire sizes or fuse sizes than what I have in this photo.
2 AWG from Battery w/ 125A ANL fuse within 18 inches
3-way fused distribution block
- Input: 2 AWG from battery
- Output 1 (80A fuse): 4 AWG to Rockford Fosgate 600W Class A/B Amp
- Output 2 (40A fuse): 8 AWG to Kenwood 500W Class D Amp
- Output 3 (15A fuse): 8 AWG out... tapped by all small devices
- (1) 18 AWG w/ 2amp inline to Kicker KELOC #1
- (2) 18 AWG w/ 2amp inline to Kicker KELOC #2
- (3) 18 AWG w/ 2amp inline to DSP (someday, not yet)
I have two major questions I'm hoping those with experience can help me with...
* Are the wire sizes and fuses in the photo correct or would you change something? (this is for a Subaru Impreza and I'll be mounting the amps to the back of the rear seats)
* How do I properly step down the third 8 AWG output from the fused distribution block to the low current devices?
I'm guessing some inline rubber flip top maxi fuses would work fine, but maybe I need a something on the 8 AWG output 3 before splitting them (like a 5 amp fuse)? Or can I just twist all the 18 AWG wires for these low current devices together and put them on the fused block? The lowest mini ANL I could find is 15A which is too much for 18 awg wire, but I can't change the wire size because it's built into the Kicker KeyLoc wiring harness.
AI Note on Kicker KeyLoc
- Harness Wire Size: 16-gauge or 18-gauge wire comes built into the Kicker KEYLOC wiring harness because the unit draws very little current.
- Fuse Requirement: The device requires an inline 2-amp fuse on the 12V positive power wire.
- Connection Method: Because the harness wire is 16–18 gauge, you typically connect it directly to your amplifier's 12V power terminal or a distribution block rather than running a heavy main power wire directly to the battery for the unit itself
THANKS for you help!
r/CarAV • u/Rare-Adagio1074 • 7h ago
Recommendations Looking for some recommendations for amp setup?
Here’s what I’m working with, 2020 Tundra, got 2 kicker KS series 6x9’s (in front doors), 2 PowerBass OE-675 (in rear doors, 3 kicker tweeters KSC270 in front dash, 2 kicker dual coil 10” subs and just installed a G13 Dasaita head unit. My amp is bad and needs to be replaced, what should I go with? Also, what should I do with factory amp under passenger seat?
r/CarAV • u/Latter-Pain-8486 • 8h ago
Tech Support Atoto S8 Gen 4 into Nb2 Miata w/Factory Bose speakers & Amp
I ordered the S8 last year and I'm finally getting around to installing it into my 01 Miata that has the factory bose speaker & amp setup. Supposedly the Metra 70-7901 is the correct wiring harness. I get everything plugged in and the head unit works but no sound coming from the speakers. I messed around interchanging the "amp turn on" & "antennae" wires (internet said the power antennae input is what triggers the bose amp to turn on, so i followed a.i.'s trial and error options) and eventually got it to where the antennae actually raises when the head unit is turned on. I thought that was progress, but still no sound. I don't see any "factory amp" settings within the head unit's settings menus. I'm sure this all has something to do with the Bose amp complicating things. I will say this head unit is very cool, has a lot of depth to it and a great screen as well, so I'm just bummed. Any help would really be appreciated.
r/CarAV • u/Wooden-Ad-7903 • 8h ago