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My Jeep has been without music ever since I put in my custom dash about 2 years ago - so for christmas I asked for a new sound system for the Jeep. I didn't want to use a conventional set up however - I wanted to skip the head units all together because 1) they attract thieves 2) the last me two weeks before my CDs don't come out 3) they skip 4) they're just not durable enough for Jeeps, and the amplifiers are too weak to support high volumes.
So I got the idea of just using an amplifier, and using an MP3 player to drive the input. This would mean that everything is pure, rugged, solid state technology. It would have the ability to go as loud as I want without distorting (the cause for 90% of distortion at high volumes tends to be the shitty amplifiers/power regulation circuits in head units - not so much the speakers), it would be durable, low profile to prying eyes, and it would give me the flexibility to do whatever I want with the input. I plan on buying one of those new Helix MP3 players with satellite radio - and they also support napster subsciptions which I absolutely love and subscribe to currently - unlimited LEGAL music downloads and transfers to a capable player for 15 bucks a month. I intend on building a mixer circuit as well, so that both my CB and ham radios can share the same speakers as my MP3 player.
So today was the day to install it. I picked up some molex connectors, and a tool to crimp the individual pins (one that folds over the tabs, not just your typical 'smash' crimper from the Auto store), and made a wiring harness to smoothen out the install. I think the install turned out pretty clean - I wish I wisened up and started pre-wiring all my electrical stuff earlier, but oh well - now I'll know for next time.
I'm satisfied with the results! All I have to show I have music is a power switch for the amp, and a 1/8" audio jack for my MP3 player in the dash. Driving down the freeway, even with the gain on the amp at 50% and the volume a bit below half on the mp3 player, the music is LOUD, clear, and easy to hear - I can turn it up much higher still, however there is just no need for it. Audio quality is good - as far as 6.5" speakers go, the bass response is really great, however the bass becomes harder to hear at higher speeds as would be expected - at a standstill it sounds really good though. Adding a small sub with another amp would remedy this - perhaps in the future? The total cost for the project was about 150 bucks - about the price for an entry level head unit, with much better results IMO =)
Amp: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PRnzeNvAf1G/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=489AP400&i=489AP400
Speakers: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PRnzeNvAf1G/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=113KFC1680&i=113KFC1680
Anyways - just thought I'd share
So I got the idea of just using an amplifier, and using an MP3 player to drive the input. This would mean that everything is pure, rugged, solid state technology. It would have the ability to go as loud as I want without distorting (the cause for 90% of distortion at high volumes tends to be the shitty amplifiers/power regulation circuits in head units - not so much the speakers), it would be durable, low profile to prying eyes, and it would give me the flexibility to do whatever I want with the input. I plan on buying one of those new Helix MP3 players with satellite radio - and they also support napster subsciptions which I absolutely love and subscribe to currently - unlimited LEGAL music downloads and transfers to a capable player for 15 bucks a month. I intend on building a mixer circuit as well, so that both my CB and ham radios can share the same speakers as my MP3 player.
So today was the day to install it. I picked up some molex connectors, and a tool to crimp the individual pins (one that folds over the tabs, not just your typical 'smash' crimper from the Auto store), and made a wiring harness to smoothen out the install. I think the install turned out pretty clean - I wish I wisened up and started pre-wiring all my electrical stuff earlier, but oh well - now I'll know for next time.
I'm satisfied with the results! All I have to show I have music is a power switch for the amp, and a 1/8" audio jack for my MP3 player in the dash. Driving down the freeway, even with the gain on the amp at 50% and the volume a bit below half on the mp3 player, the music is LOUD, clear, and easy to hear - I can turn it up much higher still, however there is just no need for it. Audio quality is good - as far as 6.5" speakers go, the bass response is really great, however the bass becomes harder to hear at higher speeds as would be expected - at a standstill it sounds really good though. Adding a small sub with another amp would remedy this - perhaps in the future? The total cost for the project was about 150 bucks - about the price for an entry level head unit, with much better results IMO =)
Amp: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PRnzeNvAf1G/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=489AP400&i=489AP400
Speakers: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PRnzeNvAf1G/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=113KFC1680&i=113KFC1680
Anyways - just thought I'd share