posted
I personally feel that the most important component is the source of the music. If the head unit or the CD changer ****s, even the best amps and speakers cant make the system sound awesome.
I want to know what you all think?
This could include anything from cables or wires to EQs and Crossovers. ------------------ The one with the most toys when he dies, WINS!
[This message has been edited by DarkAcura (edited 11-26-1999).]
Posts: 305 | From: Brooklyn, New York, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
I agree witht the fact that if the head unit doesn't sound good all that will happen is the bad sound gets louder. But I feel most CD heads sound pretty good some are better sounding than others but most won't make a huge difference. When I read your question I thought of it this way, If I had a SQ install that was perfect to me and I swapped out equipment one piece at a time which would cause the most degradation of SQ. I feel that the speakers are the most important component along with the proper install of the speakers. Because I am very picky about what I listen to if were to switch to speakers I didn't like I wouldn't be at all happy with the sound. If I were to switch amps I doubt it would make much, if any, difference as long as power was reasonably close. If I were to switch heads I might be able to notice a difference but I doubt it would be something that bothered me too much. Posts: 2575 | From: GA | Registered: May 1999
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posted
The interconnect. Good wire is important, and most often is the most over looked piece of equipment in the signal chain.
Posts: 7993 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Hands down. Speakers. No other component has such a hard job of turning electrical impulses into sound waves we can actually hear.
And, as jc2 said, differences between a $1000 CD and a $200 CD are difficult to hear. Amps, the same thing. Take a $1000 speaker set next to a $200 set though and it is IMMEDIATELY apparent.
------------------
And that's the bottom line, cuz: LORD DUKK SAYS SO!
The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
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I.M.O The order of importance of component quality is your source being number one, THE SPEAKERS (wtg Dukk), the next one is the system's SOURCE, the C.D/AM/FM/Tape/.., The amplifier is unfortunatly dead last, after the interconnects, yet is the deciding factor for the speakers. Since all manufacturers have their unique "tonal signature" (just as a chevy doesn't sound like a honda, and metal sound different than wood). Matching the overall tonal balance of ALL the components, to YOUR taste, is the desired goal to Valhala. Just like cooking, you can start with choice cut of beef, but screw up the meal, so watch the spices.
Hey Dukk, how about some desert pizza? ------------------ E.C. Wuz here
[This message has been edited by Eli47 (edited 11-27-1999).]
Posts: 1057 | From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 'eh | Registered: May 1999
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'Where there's a will there's a wall' 'Would you like a little SQ with your SPL?'
Posts: 926 | From: Sugarland, Tx | Registered: May 1999
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I said interconnects because I feel that this is the most over looked, taken for granted piece of equipment that people have in their cars. Yes the source unit, amps, and speakers are really more important, but are you going to make the most of that $500-700 head unit and your class A amps with $5 per 80 yards of interconnect? I wouldn't think so. That is not to say that you should buy the most expensive wire on the market, but something that would compliment the rest of your components.
Posts: 7993 | From: Charlotte,NC USA | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Speaking of interconnects, has any magazine or individual done some objective testing on them?
For example, in-car testing of different brands/prices of interconnects head-to-head, both by ear, and by putting a scope on the output at the amp end?
If anyone knows of such tests, please pass along the information. I have used several different interconnects in my 'system, but don't notice any difference in the sound.
I'm looking for numerical data that backs up manufacturers' claims that their sooper-dooper quadra-teflon-insulated silver-coated interconnect is worth the $$$.
Posts: 95 | From: PA then IL then TX | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Autosound 2000 did some testing on cables a while back. I believe they thought the best sounding cable made specifically for autosound are the streetwires silverplated ones. I dont know the model numbers or anything like that, but I do know the 16' interconnect is about 110.00 retail. I personally run the straightwire blac silc interconnect and speaker wire. I honestly did hear a difference when I installed these cables over my old cables. My stage opened up quite a bit, not only wider and taller, but had better depth and individual instrument placement on the stage. As to actual sound quality difference, I didn't notice any real differences, but in the way the car imaged I did.
------------------ STILL waiting to hear a GOOD pair of HLCD's!!
If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway...
posted
Good job for jc2 to include the proper install of speakers in his list. IMO, the box the speaker is in is much more important than the speaker itself. Here is my list:
1. Box the speaker(s_) are in 2. Placement of said speaker system 3. Speaker type 4. Head Unit 5. Processor 6. Amplifier 7. Interconnect
posted
I'm sorry guys, but I think that it is very easy to tell the difference between listening to an Eclipse 7001 and a Blaupunkt cd player, just my opinion, I'm deaf as it is.
Posts: 12 | From: chicago,il,usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
I think the front speakers and their location are the most important to get the great SQ. But as so meny of you have written, all of the pieces in an install is important. If you have a great sound system, but ONE of the parts s**ks.... It all s**ks!
AND I think there is nothing like a bad or good interconnect! Only different ways to color the sound....... ;>
------------------ Stig Westerhus
Head Judge Norwegian dB Drag Finals 1999 Judge Norwegian NASCA Finals 1999 Judge Swedish dB Drag Finals 1999 Judge European dB Drag Finals 1999 ------------------------------------
[This message has been edited by Stig W (edited 11-29-1999).]
[This message has been edited by Stig W (edited 11-29-1999).]
posted
Ummmmmm the most important component in a sound quality install? hmmmmmm......... *scolls up* "Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!" !!! Hey Dukk, can I borrow that hole saw??
------------------ E.C. Wuz here
[This message has been edited by Eli47 (edited 12-01-1999).]
Posts: 1057 | From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 'eh | Registered: May 1999
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I feel that a person should spend on wire an average of what the other components cost. eg: $400 CD, $350 amps, $250 speakers, $300 woofers, etc.... should lead to a wire package worth around $300. I cannot justify mega-priced RCAs but in the $8 to $25 to $50 range there are definite improvements. Heck, I just twist my own!
------------------
And that's the bottom line, cuz: LORD DUKK SAYS SO!
The Big Show The Dukk says: Know your bass: PORT your damn box!! Have HoleSaw, Will Travel!
posted
In answer to the "Any mags done a test on Interconnects". If Audiosound 2K isn't the source to look in, I'm not sure what is. However, take a look in Stereophile, Audio, Audio&Video, Home Theatre, and the more popular: CA&E, SR, CSR, AS&S.
If it were down to wires (no pun intended), I'd look into the 25-50 dollar range for spl applications.
Speakers will make a differnce: RF into Pyramid/Jensen resulted in yuk, put it onto the Kappas and other similar priced beasties and it was rather pleasant.
The source unit is rather important, but in my opinion, more so with the level of D-A converter ratio. If need be, just have someone convert a DAC-in-the-Box, or other non Alchemy product (went belly up ,) to 12 Volt and put it in line and you should be rather happy . Then maybe some balanced line drivers. I've found that the more often you can use XLR cables, the better off you are than from using RF/RCA cables.
posted
I say most important part of of a SQ install is just that. The install.
------------------ Looking to buy used Termpak and mics and sound card!! Robert (Rob) 1996 Chevy Cavlier 2.2L proaudio150@aol.com Member Of "Team Gates" and "Team Shockwave" USAC Sactioned Judge -----Judged----- 1999 Spring Break Nationals 1999 Midwest Regional http://www.sounddomain.com/5349 My up and coming SQ and SPL system.
posted
ProAudio hit it right on the head.aside from everything else, regardless of all speakers,wires adn whatnot, it will all sound like **** in SQ and SPl w/out the proper install.
its all about install no matter what your bag is, SPl or SQ
85% install 15% equiptment.
------------------ Elitecaraudio.com Co-editor and Chat moderator.
posted
Ummm, I hate to say this, but you can have the absolute best install, with all the best speaker angles in the world, but if your just running pyramid crapola.... I can come and change out the front speakers and make the car win competitions where it wasn't before. The best install in the world doesn't make up for mediocre components. The chain is only as strong as it's weakest link and all....
------------------ STILL waiting to hear a GOOD pair of HLCD's!!
If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway...
posted
Well that is taking it to the extreme. With them components. But brands are not the solve all.
This past USAC finals. HCCAIntegra did a car with Audiobahn mids in the doors and I think JBL tweets and audiobahn subs. Took 2nd in amature in the class it was in...I forget the class. There was another car..buddy of ours. Had the Orion Concept mids and orion hcca amp. Places a 5th in his pro class.
But according to the judges there the car that was an amature with a good simple install and a MUCH MUCH cheaper mids and highs was better sounding then the other car and was one of the 5 best sounding there. Was the other guys install bad? Who knows. But I will take a "lesser" component and a good solid install then a "better" component and a not so good install any day.
------------------ Looking to buy used Termpak and mics and sound card!! Robert (Rob) 1996 Chevy Cavlier 2.2L proaudio150@aol.com Member Of "Team Gates" and "Team Shockwave" USAC Sactioned Judge -----Judged----- 1999 Spring Break Nationals 1999 Midwest Regional http://www.sounddomain.com/5349 My up and coming SQ and SPL system.
posted
Actually, before I had the StraightWire's, I was using some home made twisted pair cables. By the way, Shielded cables are actually better at rejecting noise than twisted pair. Twisted pairs, however, are better at cancelling noise that is induced over them. This is why twisted pair works great for balanced transmission.
------------------ STILL waiting to hear a GOOD pair of HLCD's!!
If it dont fit, force it... if it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway...
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