Light weight system challenge

[Sonoman]

Hi all:
A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase within
the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight. Second, it
has to sound good. I know the second constraint is vague, but good quality
components are called for this (I know it is still vague, but you get the
idea).

Components that I had in mind:
A/D/S power plates (are these still made?).
Two 8" subs instead of one 12", the two 8" may weight more than the 12" but
the box may be substantially smaller (may be wrong on this one).
Alternate material to build a box. Not polymers, carbon fiber or titanium
(just a joke), do not want to break the bank.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[MZ]

> Hi all:
> A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase within
> the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
> constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
> because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
> performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight. Second, it
> has to sound good. I know the second constraint is vague, but good quality
> components are called for this (I know it is still vague, but you get the
> idea).

Well, there goes dynamatting...

>
> Components that I had in mind:
> A/D/S power plates (are these still made?).

Yeah, you can get them, but I wouldn't exactly call them light. I'm having
trouble thinking of which amps tend to weigh the least yet produce decent
power (US Acoustics and Kenwood comes to mind). But he should probably be
looking at a 5-channel amp, with a class D sub channel. That would, at
least in theory, be the lightest option.

> Two 8" subs instead of one 12", the two 8" may weight more than the 12"
but
> the box may be substantially smaller (may be wrong on this one).

Tell him to use subs without the gigantic magnets (that everyone seems to
think is necessary for some strange reason). You can get small magnet subs
that are very effective. A single 12 should require less wood than 2 8s,
except maybe if he's putting them on two faces of the box.

[Donald Sherwood]

I would suggest something removable, cause no matter what, even with light
mps, small magent sub, small box, and Mids, and tweets the weight adds up.
And seeing that I also do alot of conversating with people who do drag and
road race. The end result is ounces turn into pounds. what every you can do
with out, leave it out.

So my suggestion would be is to have stuff that can be securly mounted, yet
easilly removed.

--
1991 Tornado Red Corrado, CCA Member # 6645
Stereo is a continuous W.I.P.

There are two parts to wisdom:
1) Having a lot to say, and
2) Not saying it.
"Sonoman" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all:
> A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase within
> the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
> constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
> because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
> performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight. Second, it
> has to sound good. I know the second constraint is vague, but good quality
> components are called for this (I know it is still vague, but you get the
> idea).
>
> Components that I had in mind:
> A/D/S power plates (are these still made?).
> Two 8" subs instead of one 12", the two 8" may weight more than the 12"
but
> the box may be substantially smaller (may be wrong on this one).
> Alternate material to build a box. Not polymers, carbon fiber or titanium
> (just a joke), do not want to break the bank.
>
> Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[Chris Liberti]

I would recomend a Memphis 16-MC1300D amp, this is a 75x4 @4ohm +1000 watts
@ 1 ohm amp. As for sub any 8" that when wired is 2 ohms each (so either
single 2 ohm or dual 4 ohm voice coil) and look for ones that can take 500
watts each or a single 12" that is dual 2 ohm VC and can take 1000 watts.
For components, look at CDT, MB Quart, Focal, etc depending on what kind of
sound you like. And for sub box go with fiberglass.


"MZ" > wrote in message
...
> > Hi all:
> > A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase
within
> > the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
> > constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
> > because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
> > performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight. Second, it
> > has to sound good. I know the second constraint is vague, but good
quality
> > components are called for this (I know it is still vague, but you get
the
> > idea).
>
> Well, there goes dynamatting...
>
> >
> > Components that I had in mind:
> > A/D/S power plates (are these still made?).
>
> Yeah, you can get them, but I wouldn't exactly call them light. I'm
having
> trouble thinking of which amps tend to weigh the least yet produce decent
> power (US Acoustics and Kenwood comes to mind). But he should probably be
> looking at a 5-channel amp, with a class D sub channel. That would, at
> least in theory, be the lightest option.
>
> > Two 8" subs instead of one 12", the two 8" may weight more than the 12"
> but
> > the box may be substantially smaller (may be wrong on this one).
>
> Tell him to use subs without the gigantic magnets (that everyone seems to
> think is necessary for some strange reason). You can get small magnet
subs
> that are very effective. A single 12 should require less wood than 2 8s,
> except maybe if he's putting them on two faces of the box.
>
>

[Kevin Murray]

I would agree with the multi-channel amp choice but I don't think enormous power
is unnecessary. Choose drivers with smaller motor assemblies, beyond that tell
him to choose what sounds good to him. A pair of eights is a great idea. I'd put
them in a Sonotube enclosure that can be removed and wire them in parallel to a
single class-D amp channel.

Please post your findings as I'll soon be installing a light weight system in a
project car.

Kevin Murray

"Sonoman" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all:
> A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase within
> the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
> constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
> because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
> performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight. Second, it
> has to sound good. I know the second constraint is vague, but good quality
> components are called for this (I know it is still vague, but you get the
> idea).
>
> Components that I had in mind:
> A/D/S power plates (are these still made?).
> Two 8" subs instead of one 12", the two 8" may weight more than the 12" but
> the box may be substantially smaller (may be wrong on this one).
> Alternate material to build a box. Not polymers, carbon fiber or titanium
> (just a joke), do not want to break the bank.
>
> Your help will be greatly appreciated.

[[email protected]]

Sonoman > wrote in message >...
> Hi all:
> A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase within
> the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
> constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
> because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
> performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight.

Amen. I see too many hotrodded imports with 300lb audio systems
sitting on a grand or more of suspension.

I drag a Dodge Dakota, the amp and sub comes out at the track, I use a
quick disconnect marine grade DC connector, Neutrik NL8 for speakers,
and a single XLR for signal. The amp is a 5 channel MTX Pro4000X5 and
are cheap on Ebay now new. I use a single JLaudio 10" sub. It is all
in a fiberglass pod behind the seat and is easily removable by
unclasping a few fasteners.

I went fiberglass to reduce the road weight for when that irresistable
urge comes to show off 500ft/lbs of torque :) I did standard
seperates with 6.5 in the door and tweets in the kick panel. I did
not get overzealous on power wire, copper is heavy, I use what I
needed. Without the sub the system weighs probably a few more pounds
than stock, stock speakers weigh more as they have an amp on the rear
and the Cryco head unit is made of cinder block, I added wire. It
sounds great, but will not disrupt your breathing. I go through
phases where I either listen to the music or roll the windows down and
listen to a pair of tri-Y headers, after years without quailty audio I
find the choice nice to have!

Hope this helps.

BTW many pro audio companies are making neodyminium woofers, they have
found a magic way to stabilize its properties under heat. There may
be some out there for automotive apps. What used to weigh pounds now
weighs ounces!

good luck

Chad

[Tha Ghee]

"Sonoman" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all:
> A friend wants to build a system for a car he is going to purchase within
> the next two weeks (undecided between rx-8 and g35 coupe). There are two
> constraints for the system. The first is that it has to be light weight
> because this car is getting fixed for speed. He believes that the first
> performance upgrade should be to take off unnecessary weight. Second, it
> has to sound good. I know the second constraint is vague, but good quality
> components are called for this (I know it is still vague, but you get the
> idea).
>
> Components that I had in mind:
> A/D/S power plates (are these still made?).
> Two 8" subs instead of one 12", the two 8" may weight more than the 12"
but
> the box may be substantially smaller (may be wrong on this one).
> Alternate material to build a box. Not polymers, carbon fiber or titanium
> (just a joke), do not want to break the bank.
>
> Your help will be greatly appreciated.

I would get 1 10" door speakers the lightest 5 chn you can find and do the
job. I would put the sub in an IB or a.perd. enc. and you'll have a decent
system that wont' weigh the car down.