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Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Old May 26, 2008 | 10:12 AM
  #181 (permalink)  
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by maxcichon
Is this capacitor non-polarized?
 
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Old May 26, 2008 | 10:22 AM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by RPM
Is this capacitor non-polarized?

I was just about to raise the same question here as well.

pelked1 (originator of this thread) states in post #77:
It really is imperative to use non-polarized capacitors.
 

Last edited by Valk; May 26, 2008 at 10:24 AM.
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Old May 26, 2008 | 11:31 AM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by RPM
Is this capacitor non-polarized?
No. It IS polarized.

This would be an issue only if one side (POS or NEG) of the amplifier output was referenced to GROUND.

They are not.

It is a non-issue.
 
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Old May 26, 2008 | 06:35 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by maxcichon
No. It IS polarized.

This would be an issue only if one side (POS or NEG) of the amplifier output was referenced to GROUND.

They are not.

It is a non-issue.
Okay. So the ones I bought from Radio Shack (post 149) should work.
Thanks.
 
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Old May 26, 2008 | 08:32 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by maxcichon
I installed a bunch of 270uF caps for other owners at the Tail of the Dragon meet earlier this spring and got alot of "thumbs-up's".

I tested 220,270,300 and 330 caps using an audio test CD and determined to MY satisfaction that this was the best value to use. It seems to cut off the doors at 180 hz.

JMHO you understand?
Max, thank you again! Out driving tonight and the difference is great, we can hear the drums now, all kinds of things in the music
 
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Old May 27, 2008 | 05:34 AM
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Thumbs up Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by RPM
Okay. So the ones I bought from Radio Shack (post 149) should work.
Thanks.
They should work just fine.

Have fun!
 
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Old Jun 8, 2008 | 05:53 PM
  #187 (permalink)  
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

We're out driving and the music just keeps getting better! Everytime we crank it up we smile and say "thank you Max!"
 
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Old Jun 9, 2008 | 05:24 AM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by Rapp's yellow CF
We're out driving and the music just keeps getting better! Everytime we crank it up we smile and say "thank you Max!"
Everyone is welcome! Just glad to do it.

BUT,

I just this last week installed a new head unit (no, it doesn't match, I might end up painting the silver console Blaze Red) and the dynamic range and frequency response REALLY bring out the quality of the Infinity speakers. I've always had Reference or Kappa series in my cars and home.
I hate to say it, but I will:

The Becker head unit really is awful. I bought the Pioneer DEH-P5000UB. It sounds great, supports iPods and iPhone.

Just my opinion, of course!
 
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Old Jun 9, 2008 | 02:35 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by maxcichon
Everyone is welcome! Just glad to do it.

BUT,

I just this last week installed a new head unit (no, it doesn't match, I might end up painting the silver console Blaze Red) and the dynamic range and frequency response REALLY bring out the quality of the Infinity speakers. I've always had Reference or Kappa series in my cars and home.
I hate to say it, but I will:

The Becker head unit really is awful. I bought the Pioneer DEH-P5000UB. It sounds great, supports iPods and iPhone.

Just my opinion, of course!
Good to know Max.
Thanks for the caps, they've made a big difference.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2008 | 07:21 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by Jeff Cobb
Good to know Max.
Thanks for the caps, they've made a big difference.
Jeff,
once again, my pleasure. I'm sure you know which members of the forum are here to HELP and which are here to be a PITA.

Are you going to the Tail this Halloween? We'll be there, but I'll have to watch the sign-up list. My temper has been pushed a bit lately, and I really want to avoid some a$$holes.

You're a great guy, Max and Tina.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2008 | 08:31 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

[quote=maxcichon] . . . avoid some a$$holes . . .
quote]

Yeah - gotta watch out for those speed bumps, er . . . road hazards.
If the obnoxions from planet PITA show, just watch 'em go left, and then turn right.

You've really been good at giving valuable input to this forum; it's guys like you who make this place a great rescource for XF drivers everywhere.

Some folks get it; some don't.
Oh well, live and learn and maybe others will as well.

I'll see you in the fall, but the local freakers ball is 10/31, so I may be a bit delayed . . . (Looks like this years theme is come as your favorite video game character - perhaps I'll paint myself white, add padding, and go as the ball from "Pong." )
 
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Old Jun 10, 2008 | 04:37 AM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

[quote=Jeff Cobb]
Originally Posted by maxcichon
. . . avoid some a$$holes . . .
quote]

Yeah - gotta watch out for those speed bumps, er . . . road hazards.
If the obnoxions from planet PITA show, just watch 'em go left, and then turn right.

You've really been good at giving valuable input to this forum; it's guys like you who make this place a great rescource for XF drivers everywhere.

Some folks get it; some don't.
Oh well, live and learn and maybe others will as well.

I'll see you in the fall, but the local freakers ball is 10/31, so I may be a bit delayed . . . (Looks like this years theme is come as your favorite video game character - perhaps I'll paint myself white, add padding, and go as the ball from "Pong." )
Right back at ya'!

What the blazes is a "Freakers Ball"? Or, do I really want to know?
 
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Old Jun 10, 2008 | 09:44 AM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

[quote=maxcichon]
Originally Posted by Jeff Cobb

Right back at ya'!

What the blazes is a "Freakers Ball"? Or, do I really want to know?
Big party with lots of eccentrics and good food & live music.
Last years costume theme was come as a cult movie character; this year its a character from a video game.

Nothing to do with the Dr Hook song.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 12:44 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Warning: This information may be already posted in this 10-page thread. Sorry if it is.

I am of the rap generation and tend to like some pretty good bass behind the music. As of right now, my bass setting is on +7. If this mod is made, does it reduce bass from the whole system or just restrain it from the front speakers? I understand that it just redirects the bass to the "woofers." Correct me if i'm wrong.

So, for the bass lovers, what is a good capacitor?

Thanks so much for the help!
 
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 01:17 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by smokey847
Warning: This information may be already posted in this 10-page thread. Sorry if it is.

I am of the rap generation and tend to like some pretty good bass behind the music. As of right now, my bass setting is on +7. If this mod is made, does it reduce bass from the whole system or just restrain it from the front speakers? I understand that it just redirects the bass to the "woofers." Correct me if i'm wrong.

So, for the bass lovers, what is a good capacitor?

Thanks so much for the help!
Ok,Smokey!

It blocks the bass from the fronts. It lets the rears do all of the "low" work.

If you read my earlier posts, I ended up using 270 uF 65VDC caps. This ended up giving the best "kick" for the subs while still keeping good fidelity for the rest of the music.

After I installed my new head unit, the bass is really impressive. I was using +6 for the bass setting too. Now I use +2 for the bass and +1 for the Loudness control (Pioneer) and it thumps very nicely!

Good luck!
 
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 01:48 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by maxcichon
Ok,Smokey!

It blocks the bass from the fronts. It lets the rears do all of the "low" work.

If you read my earlier posts, I ended up using 270 uF 65VDC caps. This ended up giving the best "kick" for the subs while still keeping good fidelity for the rest of the music.

After I installed my new head unit, the bass is really impressive. I was using +6 for the bass setting too. Now I use +2 for the bass and +1 for the Loudness control (Pioneer) and it thumps very nicely!

Good luck!
Thanks Maxcichon for the quick reply! Do you think it would be more appropriate to say that the OVERALL bass production (after the install) is more, equal, or less powerful than originally?

Was the performance as impressive with the OEM head unit? I'm not really interested in replacing it.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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Thumbs up Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by smokey847
Thanks Maxcichon for the quick reply! Do you think it would be more appropriate to say that the OVERALL bass production (after the install) is more, equal, or less powerful than originally?

Was the performance as impressive with the OEM head unit? I'm not really interested in replacing it.
The bass production is much more pronounced. You will probably still use "7", but at least you can feel the subs.

And no, the OEM head unit just does not have the "ooomph" that my new one does.

Just save your $$ for a while. You can get a decent unit for $125 and be happy as he!!.
 
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Old Jun 16, 2008 | 08:39 PM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

If you perform this mod, will there be any loss of quality if you just conjoin the existing wire back together with a wire nut?
 
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 03:59 AM
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Exclamation Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

Originally Posted by smokey847
If you perform this mod, will there be any loss of quality if you just conjoin the existing wire back together with a wire nut?
If the wirenut is really applied properly (hold the wire pair 2" back from the wirenut and twist until the wire spirals to your fingers) it should be OK. But you won't have enough loose wire to do that.
I used male and female "bullet" connectors. Crimp on type. Much more secure.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 11:36 AM
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Default Re: Biggest stereo bang for the buck mod

I like bass also, I just did this mod and the quality and level of the base almost sounds like you put a little sub and amp in the truck. It re-directs the bass to the rear where they can handle it so it thumps. Chrysler and many others design the system to push bass in the fronts so the car seems to have a quieter road noise ride than it really has. It’s actually kind of smart but it hurts the people that listen to their music loud in the car. The system isn’t tuned from OEM to crank it up. When doing so it all distorts because the fronts just can’t handle the extra load. Back in the day I had an older 3 series Beamer with a weak stereo so I had a little amp and 9 inch sub installed in the trunk. They also attached these little things (crossovers, I think) to the stock speakers in the rest of the car so no bass went through them. It allowed the little OEM speakers to do the jobs they were capable of doing and the job of the bass went to the competent sub and thump idée thump we went. I didn’t and still don’t know much about car audio. It was pretty cool and it introduced me to the world of bass. When I made this little mod that was the first thing I thought off. Not as strong but it definitely had that feel. This can be done in the Crossfire LIMITED because the OEM system already has built in nice decent little subs they were just having their sound muttled by the bass over running the upfront. Especially when listening to music with strong bass. At least that my take on it I hope it helps and good luck.
 
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