My door speaker install and the rest someday.

[DaveNagy]

Yep, those are the amps I'm looking to get as well. Teeny, cool running and they they draw less power at a given volume. I'll probably go with the PA2150 in front since that's a better match to my proposed speakers. MillionBuy.com seems to have the best prices I've found.

I really have no desire to replace the 6x9s. "Rear fill" mostly just serves to muddy the imaging. (I don't plan on having many passengers back there.) But those locations might be a good places to add some added bass. I might be able to get my 8" subs in there with some cutting, or if I could find a 6x9 "sub" of decent quality, that might be good too. I wonder if those Pioneers really go down that far???

While I'm on the subject, has anyone figured out the volume of the "enclosure" behind the rear speakers? My subs need about .5 cu ft.

-Dave

[snoopy]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bad Ess

I have ordered two Blaupunkt PA2100's. These are less than 6"x7"x2". They make almost no heat, are very powerful, and will fit in the hollow pockets in the boot.

These are good amp using some very new ideas. I would love to hear what you have to say about them after you get them installed.

I am looking at using them but have heard of some problems with the technology: 1 they pump the 12 volts. 2 The switching noise that they generate can also be quite high.

Both prolems can be over come if the amp is design right.

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveNagy
[B
I really have no desire to replace the 6x9s. "Rear fill" mostly just serves to muddy the imaging. (I don't plan on having many passengers back there.) But those locations might be a good places to add some added bass. I might be able to get my 8" subs in there with some cutting, or if I could find a 6x9 "sub" of decent quality, that might be good too. I wonder if those Pioneers really go down that far???

While I'm on the subject, has anyone figured out the volume of the "enclosure" behind the rear speakers? My subs need about .5 cu ft.
-Dave [/b]

I don't know if there's .5 cuft in there, but your bigger problem is that it's not sealed. it's hard to describe if you've never been in there, but if you stick your hand in there. there is some foam at the rear part, but it is actually open to the rear of the car (the foam does seal it some, but its just foam). You can wiggle the foam out of the way and stick your hand out of the rear access panel--well if you were Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four, but you get the idea. There's a lot less volume there then it looks like from the outside!

My replacement subs did give better bass response then the factory ones. I added two way 6x9s, if you're worried out SQ issues from the rear I would stick with 1-ways. The two ways added rear fill for me, which I actually like, it suits me but maybe not you.

I'm still deciding on whether to add a subwoofer, the bass response right now is pretty good, but I haven't heard the difference with a sub. And the JL Stealthbox just came out, so I guess I'll visit the JL Dealer

But I doubt any 6x9 would out-perform a 8" sub, but it is a compromise of space versus sound.

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by snoopy


These are good amp using some very new ideas. I would love to hear what you have to say about them after you get them installed.

I am looking at using them but have heard of some problems with the technology: 1 they pump the 12 volts. 2 The switching noise that they generate can also be quite high.

Both prolems can be over come if the amp is design right.

I've heard mixed reviews, most people that have used both traditional amps (in this case rockford fosgate) say they prefer them over the Blaupunkt. The packaging does seem incredibly small.

For reference you can fit an amplifier 25cm x 18 cm in the cubby hole. Do a search for mikeythemini, he has a pick of a kenwood amp in each side. When I was shopping for amps there were a number that would fit (at least on paper). So there's more space in there then it looks!

[DaveNagy]

Dang, so the compartments behind the 6x9s aren't sealed, eh? So much for another of my brilliant ideas. That leaves me with my fairly radical scheme to build a custom enclosure that will fit into the top 2/3rds or so of the battery box. (The battery is being replaced by a much smaller one.) If that plan falls through, then I'll just have to mount the sub in one of these little puppies. Not very sexy, but it should work.

What's the scoop on these JL Audio Stealthbox dealies? I'd never heard of them before today. They've released a box custom made for the MINI? I suppose they already come with a matched driver, huh? Not good for me since I already bought my subs. Dang it. I'm a sucker for sales.

-Dave

[Bad Ess]

I am just building a good system I can enjoy for the music. I think the PA2100s will be fine. 100 watts per corner will give lots of headroom. I looked at the small Kenwoods but I can't see them living in the rear wheel wells packed in foam and dead air. They would have to be wired then stuffed in.

sounddomain.com has the 2100's for $209. Did I get hosed?

Rears:

I plan to gut out the interior to get to it. I have observed the foam block. I see a challange. The car is small and my book almost over speakered. I am sure bass won't be an issue. (I don't listen to rap.)

Don't build a floor in the boot. The cabin air exaust is the grills below the latch through the rear bumper.

[minhi]

the JL stealthbox is an enclosure that sits flush to one side of the boot area, it hugs to one side much more then a traditional box, using up some of that dead space. It comes with or without a woofer, takes a 10". Of course it's more expensive then that Qlogic box, which is for an 8" right?

I'm not sure about your tool space idea either , maybe for a 5-6 inch sub, but not an 8.

An idea from another board, is to replace the shelf in the boot with a box, and then put 2-3 5inch subs in the box. you only give up space above, and you can still take it out. Unfortunately the only woofer I've found that would suit this would be the Focal 5WS which is about $150 per woofer! Doh!


I think the Blaupunkt AMPS are fine, especially since they're so small. The "complaint" I've heard is that they seem better on paper then in use. They are a new technology, so it will take time for people to warm up to them. I personally couldn't tell much difference when I heard them, but I only listened for a few minutes in the store.

[DaveNagy]

Quote:

sounddomain.com has the 2100's for $209. Did I get hosed?

"Hosed" is a bit too strong. MSRP is $370 for that unit, after all. That said, for your own happiness you probably don't want to look at Millionbuy's prices.

Quote:

Don't build a floor in the boot. The cabin air exhaust is the grills below the latch through the rear bumper.

Good to remember. My "plan", such that it is, is to keep the same "floor". I'd just be building a box that hangs from the bottom of the floor. (Down into the now-mostly-empty battery campartment.) I'll have to futz around with my replacement battery's postioning, and do some measuring before I'll know whether there's enough room.

Quote:

I'm not sure about your tool space idea either , maybe for a 5-6 inch sub, but not an 8.

Nah, an 8" ought to work. The "Minibox Subs" I've purchased only require a .25 cu.ft. enclosure, but a .5 cu.ft. space would be better still. I think something in that range is possible, as long I can figure out a way to move the battery away from the center of the box. That may be tricky, what with that huge emergency power-cutoff doohickey.

Can you elaborate on how Blaupunkt's "plastic amps" may not be living up to their specs? Do they supposedly not make their rated power? They've been out quite a while now and I've been unable to find anyone with anything bad to say about them. (Quite the opposite.) I'm still looking though. I'd rather get the bad news *before* I buy'em!

-Dave

[snoopy]

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveNagy
[B
Can you elaborate on how Blaupunkt's "plastic amps" may not be living up to their specs? Do they supposedly not make their rated power? They've been out quite a while now and I've been unable to find anyone with anything bad to say about them. (Quite the opposite.) I'm still looking though. I'd rather get the bad news *before* I buy'em!

-Dave [/b]

The Amp uses Class T technology. A quick overview: it is like D class but it provides the full audio range unlike class D which can only be used in sub or bass frequency.

If you are only drive subs, a class D might be the way to go, as it is a cheaper to build. Class T is more for high power full range audio in a small case that does not get to hot. This is due to the efficiency of Class T is above 90%.

Don’t think making the power will be an issue, it is more like the cost per watt and the noise they can introduce.

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveNagy

Can you elaborate on how Blaupunkt's "plastic amps" may not be living up to their specs? Do they supposedly not make their rated power? They've been out quite a while now and I've been unable to find anyone with anything bad to say about them. (Quite the opposite.) I'm still looking though. I'd rather get the bad news *before* I buy'em!

-Dave

Dave,

I should have been more specific, my comments are really subjective (as pretty much everything car audio is, so don't take it poorly). I'm not bad-mouthing them, the size thing is a huge benefit. But when i auditioned speakers, they had a Blaupunkt and Rockford Fosgates hooked up to a speaker board. I liked the sound out of the RF better (even though it was rated at a lower wattage). I didn't have anything against the BP, it sounded fine, but on my purely subjective level I liked the RF better.

I think both would serve your needs fine. But you do have to pay a good deal, the cost/watt is high compared to other amps.

Though the millionbuy prices are pretty low!

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by DaveNagy

Nah, an 8" ought to work. The "Minibox Subs" I've purchased only require a .25 cu.ft. enclosure, but a .5 cu.ft. space would be better still. I think something in that range is possible, as long I can figure out a way to
-Dave

i've been contemplating the same sub since they seem so sensitive for the given power rating. the JL Stealthbox sounds like it will be super expensive. I'm thinking of building my own small enclosure (i'll just copy the qlogic dimensions) and calling it a day. it's easy enough to remove the subwoofer when needed. and it would be way cheaper!

[Bad Ess]

There is well over 1/2 cu foot in the 6x9 well. It is really deep too. There is no sound deading and only a chunk of foam on the back of the finish panel. I think I will block off this area with one part foam or something to make an acoustic suspension type baffel.

Removing the old speakers revealed some really cheap 6x9's with a small magnet light fram, paper surround, and no tweeter.

[Bad Ess]

New and old.

[Bad Ess]

Quote:

Originally posted by minhi


Dave,

I should have been more specific, my comments are really subjective (as pretty much everything car audio is, so don't take it poorly). I'm not bad-mouthing them, the size thing is a huge benefit. But when i auditioned speakers, they had a Blaupunkt and Rockford Fosgates hooked up to a speaker board. I liked the sound out of the RF better (even though it was rated at a lower wattage). I didn't have anything against the BP, it sounded fine, but on my purely subjective level I liked the RF better.

I think both would serve your needs fine. But you do have to pay a good deal, the cost/watt is high compared to other amps.

Though the millionbuy prices are pretty low!

I got hosed a few bucks at sounddomain.com. Million buy must be closer to China. Where were you guys when I was shopping?

These amps are not competition grade but this is the default because of size. I found the manual fuel cap release lever in the space where one amp will go. I have to give it some room. I don't know what is in the way on the other side.

[DaveNagy]

Quote:

I got hosed a few bucks at sounddomain.com. Million buy must be closer to China. Where were you guys when I was shopping?

Google is your friend. MillionBuy, which I had never heard of, comes up as the 6th link if you Google for "Blaupunkt PA2150". I also used a couple online "shopping engines" to try to find something even cheaper, but so far that's the best I've seen.

Thanks for all the input regarding the Class T amps. I'm certainly not looking for "teh best amp EVAR", so I imagine I'll be fully satisfied with the sound. I think a lot of the "traditionalists" tend to dismiss this sort of new tech. Heck, if it ain't got tubes (valves) in it, it can't be any good!

The MINI H/K system also uses "digital" amps, correct?

And yes, mounting the sub in a simple, smallish, sealed box is certaining the easiest way to go. I may end up doing that if I get lazy. I'd like to rig things so the box could be "unplugged" and removed when I needed the space.

That Q-Logic box is only $46 or so, so it might be easier to buy one than make one. Shipping might be expensive though...

-Dave