advice required - classic car install
Discussion
hi all,
i have a 1972 mercedes 350 slc with factory stereo which is a [broken] becker europa and 2 x 3.5in speakers in the dash.
i would like to improve things to an acceptable standard. i don't expect high end audio but it's a comfy and quiet car for cruising so worth some effort.
i am thinking to go with a component system up front with 5.25 woofers in the kick panel and tweeters in the oem dash locations. i have seen this done and it's very stealthy. i would then add an underseat sub purely to round out the sound, not looking to win any car park bass comps
my query is regarding what to do re: amplification. ideally i am looking for an amp that can power the above, take a single usb input [from my phone] and have a simple means of turning it on, either with a control panel that can be hidden in the ashtray or even a simple switch. i'll keep the becker for show and filling the hole in the dash, bit would want everything else to remain unseen.
looking for suggestions of what product to go for, even search terms as i don't know what i'm looking for tbh.
i have a 1972 mercedes 350 slc with factory stereo which is a [broken] becker europa and 2 x 3.5in speakers in the dash.
i would like to improve things to an acceptable standard. i don't expect high end audio but it's a comfy and quiet car for cruising so worth some effort.
i am thinking to go with a component system up front with 5.25 woofers in the kick panel and tweeters in the oem dash locations. i have seen this done and it's very stealthy. i would then add an underseat sub purely to round out the sound, not looking to win any car park bass comps
my query is regarding what to do re: amplification. ideally i am looking for an amp that can power the above, take a single usb input [from my phone] and have a simple means of turning it on, either with a control panel that can be hidden in the ashtray or even a simple switch. i'll keep the becker for show and filling the hole in the dash, bit would want everything else to remain unseen.
looking for suggestions of what product to go for, even search terms as i don't know what i'm looking for tbh.
Either my phone or portable HD player, both of which have usb output.
I don t listen to the radio and I can t think out to incorporate a screen that could be fully hidden, so all a head unit would be doing for me is given the amp a remote switch signal.
Albeit if said switch really is that simple I could use the broken Becker for this? It s broken as in it lights up when powered on but no sound or even any static or crackling.
ETA: i did consider a retrosound becker style stereo but this is limited to 4 channels.
https://www.retromanufacturing.com/collections/ret...
i do feel that for a reasonable sounding and stealthy installation i need the components and sub. i was looking at this earlier [can get it much cheaper elsewhere] which seems like it might do the job? i like the fact it has the DSP interface as seems easier for me to set everything up without having to get too technical.
https://www.jbl.com/car-amplifiers/DSPAMPLIFIERDSP...
I don t listen to the radio and I can t think out to incorporate a screen that could be fully hidden, so all a head unit would be doing for me is given the amp a remote switch signal.
Albeit if said switch really is that simple I could use the broken Becker for this? It s broken as in it lights up when powered on but no sound or even any static or crackling.
ETA: i did consider a retrosound becker style stereo but this is limited to 4 channels.
https://www.retromanufacturing.com/collections/ret...
i do feel that for a reasonable sounding and stealthy installation i need the components and sub. i was looking at this earlier [can get it much cheaper elsewhere] which seems like it might do the job? i like the fact it has the DSP interface as seems easier for me to set everything up without having to get too technical.
https://www.jbl.com/car-amplifiers/DSPAMPLIFIERDSP...
Edited by shirt on Monday 21st July 18:10
To switch an amp on, it just needs a 12v trigger. If using a USN connection you'd need an amp that also has a DAC. So hugely reducing your choices and increasing your cost. You could use the headphone 3.5mm on a phone for example or even Bluetooth.
However, you lose all control over the signal other than volume.You can get amps with built in high/low filters etc but that would be the limit of your control.
DSP or DSP amp cab solve this as you suggest, but then the question is how much do you want to spend?
However, you lose all control over the signal other than volume.You can get amps with built in high/low filters etc but that would be the limit of your control.
DSP or DSP amp cab solve this as you suggest, but then the question is how much do you want to spend?
TEKNOPUG said:
To switch an amp on, it just needs a 12v trigger. If using a USN connection you'd need an amp that also has a DAC. So hugely reducing your choices and increasing your cost. You could use the headphone 3.5mm on a phone for example or even Bluetooth.
However, you lose all control over the signal other than volume.You can get amps with built in high/low filters etc but that would be the limit of your control.
DSP or DSP amp cab solve this as you suggest, but then the question is how much do you want to spend?
the jbl DSP amp above can be had for $280 elsewhere. i realise this isn't a high end solution but it does seem to do what i want and also user friendly set-up via a laptop. i don't mind messing with filters etc. as part of config. otherwise on/off and volume control is all i would want or need. However, you lose all control over the signal other than volume.You can get amps with built in high/low filters etc but that would be the limit of your control.
DSP or DSP amp cab solve this as you suggest, but then the question is how much do you want to spend?
if i keep everything JBL then i have seen their 8inch powered underseat sub for $180 and 'stadium' component speakers for $280 also. so total $720 plus cables and cost of making the kick panel enclosures. which is punchy for a car stereo in my sunday cruiser but acceptable. i wouldn't be inclined to spend much more. it's the icing on the cake type of project as part of the overall resto.
my thinking is that this solution would be much better than a $380 4 channel retrosound and the same speakers but no sub.
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