what else do i need for my amp and speakers

drayid · May 3, 2012, 12:53

Hi so i have ordered a double din head unit and I have Focal 165a1 speakers (4ohms 2x60w rms). My amp is a MTX thunder x702 2-channel wich i will set to 4 ohms 2x70w output. this is my first install what amp cables and speaker cables do i need. For the speaker cables, im confused on do i need expenise or will just ok do as long as the gauge is right and what gauge will i need?

AckersMR2 · May 3, 2012, 13:52

I can't be of much help other than I'm running the same speakers straight off the head unit and connected it all up with the stock wiring, sounds great to me, (also went to town with Wickes flashing tape in the doors) s:)

s:)

drayid · May 3, 2012, 20:37

lol ya i am ordering sound deadening and the tape for the doors might as well do a decent job while im in there s:D

s:D . I never wired a car amp up and im slighly confused with what goes where. what you think of the sound quality of the focals? lol i love quality speakers spent loads of time researching my home cinema just been lazy for this i guess ! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Roadwarrior · May 3, 2012, 20:57

You can buy an amp wiring kit that contains everything you need.
If you are using an amp thats only 70w x2 then you won't need anything over top.
£20-30 for the amp kit and some mdf for the amp to sit on.
Ebay/Amazon/Halfords should sell the Amp kits.
Oxygen free speaker cable will give a purer sound.

AckersMR2 · May 3, 2012, 21:01

I think their really good, some say the tweeters being aluminium can be a bit sharp but you can turn them down on the cross over and I think their fine. I sound dead'nd the doors at the same time as the install and certainly don't see any need for a sub.
Check the speaker install thread and you can see my flashing tape handy work.

AckersMR2 · May 3, 2012, 21:09

imho I wouldn't spend loads on it after all it's a convertible sports car not the Sydney Opera House, any gains in high quality equipment will be lost in the acoustic environment of the car?

drayid · May 3, 2012, 21:24

Thanks for the anwsers one last question will a higher watt power cable damage a lower watt amp ( mate has a 1200w cable) ?? or am i gonna smoke the amp by doing that

stargazer30 · May 4, 2012, 09:57

Quote from: "drayid"Thanks for the anwsers one last question will a higher watt power cable damage a lower watt amp ( mate has a 1200w cable) ?? or am i gonna smoke the amp by doing that

No, it just allows you to install a bigger amp later without re-wiring. The main and important thing is make sure the red wire has an inline fuse within about 10cm of the battery positive end and that fuse is correctly rated for your amp. So for example if you amp has a 40amp fuse put a 40 amp one in the in line fuse. That fuse is the first and best line of protection if the power cable gets shorted against the hull. If you don't have and it shorts that your 1200w power cable turns into a rather nice heater wire, melts and things catch fire.

I've had it happen to me on my old focus when my car was in for repairs, the garage took the seat out and when they put it back they crimped the power cable between the seat and hull (it was under the carpet), then tightened up the seat bolt and hey presto fireworks!

AckersMR2 · May 4, 2012, 10:05

Quote from: "stargazer30"my car was in for repairs, the garage took the seat out and when they put it back they crimped the power cable between the seat and hull (it was under the carpet), then tightened up the seat bolt and hey presto fireworks!

Don't you just love garages s:scared: :scared: s:scared: makes you wonder sometimes wether a stamped up service history is just a good thing after all?

walt · May 8, 2012, 10:13

Speaker cable quality does make a real difference, although as already stated, your convertible car is not a sound proof demo room. That said, it is a shame to miss out on the sound quality potential of your system for just a few quids worth of quality cable. Rega quatro is a superb cable, very flexible, flat, rhobust and great sound quality, roughly £6 to £8 per m. However, it is a bi wire cable so you can split it into two sections of two. If its budget cable you want or you require small diameter, QED micro is excellent cable for the money and is a hell of a lot better than it's diameter would suggest at £2 per m. What I would try and avoid is a mish mash of various cables. Each cable has its own subtle sound characteristics, read that as sound quality loss if you like. To use one cable to the crossovers and another from then on means two slightly different losses resulting in a greater loss if you see what I mean.. So if I were you, I would decide on a decent cable and use it throughout. Hope this helps.

drayid · May 18, 2012, 08:17

lol np great replys i ordered a cable set and im installing todayish lol the i have been runnning all cbles by removing trim and cable tieing it to existing cables =D

walt · May 21, 2012, 11:32

You're not running the rca cables on the same side as the power are you?.. Keep all the cables containing information at pre amplification stage well away from any power cables. You will amplify all interference that you pick up along the way and that interference is always maximised by running cables parallel with each other. Obviously you have to run cables like this in a car because of the design, but in home hifi, its called dressing the cables and true high end audiophiles spend ages sorting out cables so that if they have to cross or go near each other, it is by the shortest amount possible. So run power down one side and information down the other if you can. Obviously, the better the cable, the better the shielding. Hope this helps.