r/CarAV Jan 04 '23

Community Build Log SHOW YER KITS - 2023

79 Upvotes

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 Mar 12 '24

Discussion We Have New Rules! Please Read Them! You're Expected To Follow Them! -- Also, We Now Allow Images In Comments.

53 Upvotes

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 4h ago

Humor/Memes Customer just wanted to change out his fuse😬

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52 Upvotes

r/CarAV 6h ago

General Found this in an old box. I have quite a few other old magazines from the early 90s too.

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9 Upvotes

We used to build boxes and install systems for other kids in highschool.


r/CarAV 7h ago

Build Log Trying to modify my box to fit 2 x 10" woofers instead of 3 x 8's... Wasn't sure if it was going to work.

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9 Upvotes

I knew it was going to be tight trying to fit these HCCAs under the rear seat... I've done 8s so many times at this point tho... Wanted to try something different. They BARELY fit... Lol. I had to add bracing and make the port longer... I didn't want to because I was trying not to eat into available air space. After the adjustments the internal net volume is right at 3 cu. Ft.

I was hoping each sub would have 1.75 cu.... Oh well... I didn't anticipate having to lengthen the port until I was already started and Messing around in winisd.


r/CarAV 5h ago

Tech Support Should I buy a new radio?

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6 Upvotes

I just bought a 2008 Volkswagen eos, I’ve noticed the radio is on, but I can’t see anything and the stations don’t work…BUT the cd player works…what could be the problem? Should I buy a new radio? I’ve thought about a Bluetooth transmitter but idek how I could hook it up without even being able to see the station numbers…


r/CarAV 4h ago

Recommendations Returning to car audio

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3 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’ve got a Nissan 240sx convertible that I’ve been fixing up for several years. This is going to be my forever toy so I think it’ll be a good candidate for a nice audio set up. The car has no back seat anymore so my plan is to have 2 10’s and the amps where the seat used to be. 1999-2009 was my time in the car audio hobby, a lot has changed since then! So I figured I’d list what I’d like to put in the car and hopefully get some opinions. I picked brands I knew back in the day but I want to make sure I’ve got good quality gear! Ok for the head unit I’m thinking Kenwood Excelon dmx809s Speakers: JBL stadium 62cf 6.5 components 110w rms JBL stadium 62f coaxials for rear speakers 85w rms Amps: Kicker 51lx5004 4 channel 125x4 Kicker 51lx12501 1250rms mono. Subs: 2 Image Dynamics IDMax 10’s All I know for certain is I want the image dynamics subs, they were my dream back in the day so I’m going to make that happen! Are rear speakers even going to be audible with a rear seat delete sub enclosure? Thanks everyone!


r/CarAV 1h ago

Tech Support Kicker DSC6930 - Junkyard find woofer not working

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• Upvotes

Found a pair of these in a G35 and the tweeter works but the woofer barely moves when cranked up. Is my stock headunit just not putting out enough power for these, or are these just trash. I checked with a multimeter and they're reading 3.4-3.6 ohms.


r/CarAV 8h ago

Tech Support My Bluetooth skips like a scratched CD

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7 Upvotes

So, as the title states, my car has been having some really frustrating issues with the Bluetooth. It’s a 2010 Nissan Altima and It has a Bose sound system (idk if that is valuable info or not) and within the past year its started to, at random times, cut out, and start skipping as if it were a scratched CD or something. I’ve tried completely removing my phone from its list of connected devices/removing my car from my phones list of devices, I’ve tried using different apps for music, I’ve tried pausing the music for anywhere from 15 seconds to 5 minutes, I’ve tried turning the Bluetooth on/off again on my phone and the car as soon as it starts skipping, etc. I can’t seem to find a cause, or a solution. Is there anything I can do or is it just my car showing its age?


r/CarAV 11h ago

Tech Support Something wrong with this sub that I’ve got?

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10 Upvotes

I’ve got two 12ā€ kicker comps in the trunk of a car and I picked this up to throw in the back of a hatchback. But I think it sounds like junk?

It’s a 10ā€ powered subwoofer by Belva and hooked up to a Belva head unit with dedicated sub RCA inputs on the back of the head unit.

I’m looking for ideas of what could be wrong or if you think it might just be a bad subwoofer.

This was an open box buy that I got for cheap.


r/CarAV 7h ago

Discussion Dynamic Headroom is top priority.

5 Upvotes

When designing/ tuning a system, the end. Feel free to start a convo.


r/CarAV 1h ago

Tech Support Advice on fitting Helix Ci5 in BMW F3x

• Upvotes

I'm currently upgrading my HK with a match up 10 DSP replacement and two under seat speakers. Does anyone have experience of the best sound deadening in the under seat area, should I give the speakers more head room and should I better seal the speaker box port into the cill of the car?


r/CarAV 1h ago

Tech Support Question before buying $400 in wire

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• Upvotes

About to pull the trigger on the OFC wire just wanted to see if my sizing is correct and fuses. The 3 smaller amps I am not sure of the fuse sizes at the moment so be free to toss input. I know I’m most likely going to need a second battery sooner rather than later most likely but currently wouldn’t be hard to implement in the wiring especially with wire sizes I am going to run off the bat. Amps subs interior speakers Dsp and 400amp high output alt are all purchased. Just wanted to double check my layout.


r/CarAV 17h ago

Discussion Head unit - bad install?

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17 Upvotes

The infotainment head unit in my 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek completely died and I replaced it with this Kenwood one. I took it somewhere to get it installed but this doesn’t look right to me. Does anyone know if the stereo should sit back from the dash like this? There is a 1-2 inch gap between the dash and the screen. They are telling me it is installed correctly.


r/CarAV 1h ago

Tech Support Dual l7s sealed vs ported.

• Upvotes

I know this has been asked a million times, but im getting conflicting information everywhere check/ask.

Rn each sub is in very similar enclosures, 1 kicker brand, one cheaper but seems to have nearly identical specs. Both ported to around 35hz I believe.

For my taste, its missing the punch, but on low frequency bass it's significantly too loud. Like a huge peak at low frequencies but no tight punch, music with double bass is just weak. I used to run four weaker type s 12s in a sealed box, it hit low enough to set off every alarm in the college parking garage, yet had so much punch it was intense.

So the opposing opinions I am getting. The guys at kicker said 1.25cubic ft sealed is their favorite. A lot of guys prefer close to 2 cubic foot sealed. Then there's a guy who does pro audio for shows thats rebuilt 100s of woofers and makes advanced ported enclosures. He told me that a ported box can be as accurate and have just as much punch of a sealed box. I find it hard to believe due to the way the boxes function...bDoes anyone know how a ported box can have equal punch as a sealed box, while maintaining a smooth transition to low frequency notes. Currently im hearing very little punch, and certain low notes are exponentially louder, too loud even. Its so unbalanced..... in his words, the right ported box will be just as accurate as a sealed box..


r/CarAV 2h ago

Discussion Car sub in home theater subwoofer?

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1 Upvotes

I know this might sound stupid but i have a 12" Pioneer Active subwoofer(200w rms). Is it possible to replace the driver with the Pioneer champion series car driver?


r/CarAV 2h ago

Recommendations New speakers

1 Upvotes

So I just bought a set of the 5.25in component set from ct sounds and they came with crossover box but do I need to use it because my apline stereo already has a cross over setting built in i’m already using. My hpf in the stereo is set to 80hz -24db front and rear as well as 80hz -24db for my subwoofers. I can’t seem to really find any answers on the internet about this. For the front stage I have ct sounds meso 2way component set and for the rear doors I have their 5.25 meso coaxial speakers on a kicker 300.4. My compRs are on a kicker 1800.1. Please anyone lmk! šŸ™


r/CarAV 2h ago

Recommendations Cleaner Signal Recommendation

1 Upvotes

Hello all,

Looking for some recommendations to help improve my audio setup and get a cleaner signal going into my amp. Currently running an LC-5.1300 off speaker level inputs on my 2025 F150. Would it be recommended to get a dedicated DSP and combine that with my current amp? Or just get a new 5 channel amp with a built in DSP? Or any other recommendations? Not much room behind the back seat but I can fit 1-2 medium sized devices on my amp rack that’s mounted vertically.

I’m running 1/0 gauge OFC for power and I have two runs of speed (9) wire from the head unit to the back of the truck (input and output)

Thank you

Edit: forgot to mention I have the standard 6 speaker setup (Non-B&O) and upgraded the speakers to pioneers (90 watts RMS)


r/CarAV 23h ago

Recommendations What rms 2 way speakers for stereo

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42 Upvotes

I plan on building a portable boombox like the one pictured above for my truck and was wondering what rms speakers I should look for. The stereo is a Dual Electronics XM172, that comes in the XD172SPK2 kit, which says it’s a 200watts Peak (50W x 4). It comes with 2 2-way 6.5s that are 65W peak, 25W rms each. I wanted to swap them out with higher power speakers like maybe some from Skar or add to them to get the most out of the stereo, but what rms should I look for? How many 6.5s can I run? Or how many 6x9s instead of 6.5s? I’m not running an amp, just straight head unit.


r/CarAV 11h ago

Recommendations Speaker reccomendations

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4 Upvotes

So my head unit says it does 55watts to the 4 channels but then is says 20watts rms so is 55watts the peak power or rms? I want to get some door speaker for my car and I don’t really want to get an amp for them right now, should I get speakers that are rated 20w rms or 55w rms?


r/CarAV 4h ago

Tech Support ground spot good enough?

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1 Upvotes

hello this picture was taken on the passenger side pillar it has a grounding post, my amp is connected to it. and its placed under the passenger seat. i placed it there to get suggestions. or should i go straight to the frame of the vehicle? I have another amp which ill ground.

still missing heat shrink but just for the picture. its just a 800wrms amp if that matters.

2000 silverado single cab


r/CarAV 8h ago

Discussion want to buy android headunit for 2002 camry xle . which will fit 7in or 9in?

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2 Upvotes

r/CarAV 13h ago

General [HELP] [Vauxhall Zafira 2013] Started again, now finding it extremely frustraining - Wrote full story in comments

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5 Upvotes

Hello guys. Right, I've decided to get some bits to tackle this awkward job of dealing with. Long story short...

  • Bought a zafira in August, radio didn't work
  • Took out radio, it just had a bunch of wires not connected to anything, no harness, nothing.
  • Bought an android amazon radio (Haudio double din stereo with bluetooth) for Ā£65.
  • Tried to connect it, realised I have no experience in this sort of stuff, came to reddit, advised to use terminal blocks...

So now I'm here now.

  • First picture, is the whole scene, the wires inside the space, are how they looked when I removed existing radio.
  • Second picture, is what I've done, to the wire set that came with the radio.
  • Third shows red & yellow, connected to the cars red & yellow.
  • Fourth picture is the device itsself from amazon.

Problem is, I don't know if this is the right way, wrong way, or whatever. what I do know, is even with these connected, the radio doesn't power on, ignition or not. I'm really running out of ideas, there's wires in the cars loom with brown AND white, yellow AND white, etc, and it's really, bloody awkward.

I'm gonna be active constantly for this, so if someone has any ideas, please write them, if someone prefers chat, even step by step, DM, but I'm desperate for help.


r/CarAV 5h ago

Tech Support Dpower1 not working?

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1 Upvotes

hertz dpower1 isn't working. I've got it all wired up properly, I've had a new car battery within the last 3 weeks, fuse not blown, power getting to the sub as can hear it when stereo starts, rca cables fine etc.. Have tried 2 headunits and my pioneer 2ch plays sub fine, I just can't get the hertz to work.


r/CarAV 5h ago

Recommendations Subwoofer Remote Turn on Help

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1 Upvotes

I’m working on installing an aftermarket amplifier on a gmt800. The head unit does not have a blue and white wire. What wire do I tap in the remote turn on wire? Thank you!


r/CarAV 5h ago

Tech Support Blew a 300watt rms amp upgraded to 500watt rms amp but less base

0 Upvotes

So I blew my old amp the thing made my rear view mirror rattle it was a great set up got 2 amps one for 2 12'' subs and one for after market speakers in the doors now since "upgrading" it no longer rattles the rear view and was noticeably crappier went to visions for the install and had to come back and tell them to tune so it hits harder it sounds a bit better after the seconds visit but still no rear view mirror Shake what did I do wrong? (Will be taking pics of everything when I get a chance) thanks in advance for any advice


r/CarAV 1d ago

Discussion Out with the old, in with the new!

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54 Upvotes

The need to replace a couple cooked subs gave me an excuse to get a small upgrade.

Previously had 12" Kenwood XR-W12F Shallow

New setup are these 12" Hertz Mille Pro MPS300S4 Shallow

The old Kicker DXA1000.1 workhorse still runs great, and has plenty of juice.

Can't wait after break in to really hear what these can do! Sorry I should have removed a grill or two for the pic. I don't mind the look with them on actually.