Advice

[TURBO2GO]

I'm borderline sick of the factory stereo. But I just want to mess as little with the car as possible. I had an idea, someone tell me if this has a problem. I wanted to use my iphone as an ipod and use my pandora radio, so I am thinking GROM adaptor. Then change out the factory speakers to some nice 6.5" speakers with neo magnets (I think infinity makes some), both for better quality and possibly some weight savings. Put in a nice 2 channel class D amp like the Infinity Kappa or Alpine PDX or whatever. Yank out the sub, center channel, and amplifiers (again for some weight savings). The system will look stock, and my ipod will have a direct connection to the amp. I think some dynamat and a good 6.5" with a hefty amp I should have better bass than the mud I have now that bose calls bass. Does anyone see an issue with this setup? I can get Focal at dealer (about 60% off) cuz I am a home dealer (only one set, don't be hitting me up), but they are kinda heavy... should I do it anyway... my cost may even be 70% off. I have to check. I can get infinity at dealer too, but not alpine so I was leaning towards that Kappa 4 amp or whatever.

Malibu make yourself useful and give me some advice instead of posting up baboon pics will you?

 

[Malibu Rapper]

Here's what I would do now...

Rockford makes a new tactile transducer called the I-Beam that should fill in the lows nicely. You can replace your sub with that. It's similar to the Aura Bass shakers and since you are into home audio you probably know how well these work. At 2.5 pounds, it shoud pack a huge punch pound for pound... Your speakers will not sound good if you don't highpass them and force them to play bass. Let the I-Beam do the low stuff...

Look at the Kenwood Portal product line (they can feed some power to the front speakers too but you will need a small amp for the sub). It's pretty lightweight and will give you options such as direct Ipod control, USB, Navigation, etc...

 

[cparsons]

Let the I-Beam do the low stuff...

If I'm understanding this right... it doesn't actually create any sound. It just vibrates when a subwoofer would normally hit.

That might be cool if that's what you're going for, but wouldn't just about everyone prefer some actual sound. Especially if you're cutting all the low frequency stuff going to the speakers. All the music will sound tinny and thin, but will the car will shake.

 

[TURBO2GO]

Its not exactly like that. Transducers do produce actual sound by shaking what they are attached to to a certain frequency. If you didn't touch anything and just listened, you will hear some sound. Besides the door speaker should be good down to 60Hz or so and I am trying to keep it light.

 

[yoojeankim]

i have the grom audio and it didnt work with pandora FYI

 

[Malibu Rapper]

If I'm understanding this right... it doesn't actually create any sound. It just vibrates when a subwoofer would normally hit.

That might be cool if that's what you're going for, but wouldn't just about everyone prefer some actual sound. Especially if you're cutting all the low frequency stuff going to the speakers. All the music will sound tinny and thin, but will the car will shake.

I ran bass shakers in another car and you would swear there were subs. So much of bass is more feel than audible and as Dave mentioned you will hear some sound from the vibrating panel.

This one is the most powerful tactile transducer for the car. I'm sure it can replace the OEM sub and cut down on the sub weight.

 

[cparsons]

I ran bass shakers in another car and you would swear there were subs. So much of bass is more feel than audible and as Dave mentioned you will hear some sound from the vibrating panel.

This one is the most powerful tactile transducer for the car. I'm sure it can replace the OEM sub and cut down on the sub weight.

I've never heard/felt the transducer sound before...so it's hard for me to imagine. I guess I'll just have to check it out!

 

[Zishan]

Interesting....where would you place the transducer?

 

[Malibu Rapper]

Interesting....where would you place the transducer?

I would try to put it where the OEM sub goes. Ideally you want to mount the transducer to the floor with the best bolts and nuts you can use to keep it from getting loose. When they get loose, they become less effective. In the picture below, it looks like mounting it on the OEM black bracket may be a possibility as well.

There is no question these things work really well. I'd love to see how well they work in the NSX and it looks like a good fit and a good place to put it as well. I just don't have time to work on my car right now otherwise I'd buy one and report in for you guys...

 

[TURBO2GO]

The only thing is these things are not always light either. Any idea what that I-Beam weighs? Can't find it in the specs.

 

[bluethunder]

The only thing is these things are not always light either. Any idea what that I-Beam weighs? Can't find it in the specs.

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/product_details.asp?item_id=112065

 

[TURBO2GO]

Shipping weight is 2.5, its probably 2 pounds at most. Not bad. Much less than a sub, its enclosure, and required amplifier. This, 6.5" set with neo magnets, and a class D amp hooked up to my iphone using the built-in ipod or pondora. The iphone can be the preamp. The factory stuff can all come out including the CD changer. I think I can save a bunch of weight and sound great. I think we have a super light system here! :smile: