EVO Audio Info

[LayinLo]

OK, I see a lot of this and it's a very simple process.

Our cars can be a little loud (especially on the highway) and come equipped with a crappy stereo. If you opted for the SSL, you still got a crappy stereo. Sorry, not trying to step on your toes, but it blows.


Basic Car Audio upgrade path:
1. ALARM
2. New Headunit
3. New front components
3a. amp to power components
4. New rear coaxials
4a. Did you get a decent 4 channel to power all 4 speakers?
5. Sub, box, and mono amp.
6. Dynomat, Damplifier, Raamat, Fatmat, etc. (This can be done anytime you feel the need)


So which is best?

• That's a great question that I, nor anyone else can answer for you.
  You will hear, "Oh, I have MB Quarts and they are the best." Or, "You should get some Focals, they rock!" These posts are biased. Nothing against the member who posted it, but they are only telling you what they think sounds good.

Since you can't answer that for me, how do I pick out some speakers?

• Glad you asked. First, find a CD that you are very intimate with. Pick one that you either know by heart or one that contains the type of music you regularly listen to. Now, take your CD and go to some stereo shops in your area. Warning: most of the speakers you will listen to in a store setting are on a different axis than a car's speakers are. Meaning this: You will be listening to them in your car from a different angle. So, move around and hear these speakers from different angles and at different volumes. When you finally find a set that you like, make sure you ask these questions:
  1. Will they fit my car? We have openings that accept up to 6.75".
  2. What amp is powering them? How many watts rms? Is it a 4 channel?
  3. Are there any equalizers or sound processors that are tweaking the sound?
  4. What is the crossover set on?
  5. Can I hear these in a car, preferrably mine?
  If the shop can't let you hear them in a car, thats OK. At least you now have an idea of what type of sound you can expect to hear. You will also find that some speakers that people have not mentioned may sound great to you and fit your price range.

Is that it?

• No, now you need to power them with the right amp. Did you find out what amp the stereo shop was using? Good, you paid attention. Is the amp that the shop is using outputting the correct rms wattage for the speakers?
  
  Lets say you listened to everything under the sun and decided you liked the LayinLo Audio 6.5 component set. This particular set recommends 80 - 200 watts rms. Now the amp that was on them was rated at 150 watts rms. Thats good. As a general rule, err on the high side when powering your speakers. Speakers do not like distortion. How do you get distortion? A lot of times people run way too low wattage and turn up the gain. This introduces distortion.
  
  Back to our LayinLo Audio 6.5's, they need 80-200 watts rms. If you only buy an amp that is putting out 50 watts rms on each of the components, you are underpowering them. They will sound ok as long as the gain is set low. But you want volume and clarity, so you turn up the gain and introduce distortion to the speakers. Now you are cruising down the road and have the volume cranked. All of a sudden you hear a funny crinkly sound coming from your speakers. Good job, you have screwed up your new components.
  
  If you err on the high end of your recommended wattage, you can keep the gain set low. Now your speakers and amp are working more efficiently and your brand new component set will really shine.

EDIT: I will be trying to update this a bit more when I have some more time. If you have a question that is not answered, post up, there are many good stereo guys on here. I'm sure we will all be glad to help and will find a way to get your question answered.

If you find something that you feel is wrong. PM me. We will discuss it and make sure that the right info gets posted on the first post. This way, we can keep out the clutter and help some people out.

[LayinLo]

4 speaker setup is standard. It's 6 if you count the tweets.

Stereo depth - 7.5"
Front - 6.75" with tweeter
Rear - 6.75"

The speakers are actually 6.5's, but you need a 6.75" adapter.


There was also a SSL package that added a powered sub.

Sub - 8"
Mounting Depth - 4.25"

[LayinLo]

Get cheap adapter plates Here at MJM Auto Innovations

[LayinLo]

Adapters needed for HU hook-up to SSL:

Originally Posted by outsider

Ok, so let me try to go ahead and cut everything short and sweet, as I found lots of pages on this but some confusion.

If you have an SSL equipped EVO, you will need two different harnesses to be able to use your aftermarket HU (headunit) and retain use of the stock amp & sub.

1) To use the stock amp & sub, you will need the "MITAH" adapter (Peripheral MIT) which has 4 RCA's which plug into your new HU, and the a factory rounded connector which goes into your harness. It also has a blue wire which you must join with your factory blue/white wire. You may also use the same adapter from another company called Soundgate "MITSRCVR" which does the same thing.

You can buy the "MITAH" from this link:

http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/piehrcmit.html

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=434

You can buy the "MITSRCVR" from here:

http://store.yahoo.com/logjam/sounmitsrcvr.html

https://www.soundgate.com//index.php...ategoryid=187&

2) You also need a harness for your power plug. This is the "Metra" adapter.

This can be found here:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=433

Now, I found two places that sell both as a combo:

http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/MI...SS_p_1379.html

http://www.audioallies.com/getitem.a...70-7003&Sys=FR


That is what I have found through my own searches and those of others here on EVOM. I haven't bought any of these myself YET, as I'm in the process of gather info to buy what I need. If any of this is incorrect, please feel free to correct me!

Thread Here

[st3alth5]

I motion to have this topic pinned/stuck in the Evo Audio & Security forum, since it is a good starting reference.

[atombomb33]

Originally Posted by LayinLo

Get cheap adapter plates Here at MJM Auto Innovations

This thread definitely needs to become a sticky.

For those using high-end speakers and don't want to use the cheap adapter plates, you can easily build baffles yourself.

Tools you'll need:
sharpie marker
jigsaw
drill
cutout template from your speakers
1/4" or 1/2" thick MDF (I recommend 1/2" for high-end speakers...you can buy it in 2'x4' sheets at Home Depot or Lowes)

Steps:
1) remove the stock speaker
2) put the stock speaker facing down on the MDF board (speaker cone facing the wood)
3) use the sharpie to draw an outline around the speaker...don't forget to mark the screw holes too
4) take the cutout template that came with your speakers and center it inside the outline you just drew...draw the speaker mounting hole and the screw holes
5) use the drill with a 1/2" bit to drill a starting hole inside the speaker mounting hole
6) insert the jigsaw into the starting hole you just drilled and then begin cutting out the speaker mounting hole
7) pre-drill the screw holes to mount the baffle to the car and to mount the speaker to the baffle...use a 1/8" bit
8) use the jigsaw to cut around the speaker outline you drew
9) now you have the mounting baffle ready...be sure to test fit it to make sure it will work and the screw holes line up
10) Mount the speaker in the baffle using silicone or a rubber gasket (to make an airtight seal) and 3/4" or 1/2" screws (make sure the screws DO NOT poke through the back of the baffle)
11) Make sure to connect the speaker wire before going to step 12!!!!
12) Mount the baffle (with speaker installed) to the stock speaker location using 1.5" screws that are the same width as the stock screws (the gold screws you removed when taking out the speaker)...you can put some silicone or a rubber gasket behind the baffle between the metal to provide a tight seal and eliminate rattling
13) repeat for the remaining 3 speakers
14) enjoy great sound

[LayinLo]

Originally Posted by st3alth5

I motion to have this topic pinned/stuck in the Evo Audio & Security forum, since it is a good starting reference.

Thanks, this is very basic for those who have no idea where to start. I hope we can consolidate a lot of the info in the audio section into this thread.

[PedroMartinez]

so if i buy 6 3/4" speakers do i need adapter plates? i kinda got lost here. or i can just go plug and play guys.....

[atombomb33]

^not guaranteed that all 6.75" will be a direct fit. The mounting hole for both front and rear in the EVO is 6". So, make sure the mounting hole for the speakers you want are exactly (or just slightly below) 6". The speakers I installed mounted in a 5.5" hole, so I had to build baffles to mount the speakers.

[LayinLo]

Pedro, they should mount right up.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by LayinLo

Pedro, they should mount right up.

alright i was just getting confused. sorry but thanks for the help. im off i guess to find the right ones.

[DontRevMe]

i feel that the amplification should be either before or after the stereo. Not after speakers. Many people wouldnt believe the sound you can get from factory mids with a quality amplifier driving them.

If i wanted a budget upgrade to the factory setup, i would go
4-6ch + sub of choice.

STOP THERE..listen to it, see if thats enough for you. For most, it probably is. Upgrade your stereo if you want more options as far as aux input, more control over the amplifier, blue tooth, etc..

I see far too many people buying speakers before amplifiers, and its a waste of money if your factory speakers are working fine.

[LayinLo]

Thats why I put it as 3a.

It's where you get into a little of the grey area and have to decide which fits your budget, time contraints, upgrade options, or listening preferences.

[WhiteEvo05]

Does anyone know the mounting depth of the front mid-bass speakers in the bottom forward corner of the doors?

[Mongo]

3-4"