Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Off Topic Subjects >> New stereo
        
(Message started by: Kjetil S on Aug 3^rd, 2006, 9:39pm)

Title: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 3^rd, 2006, 9:39pm

My new equipment is starting to arrive, and today I recieved a brand new dynaBel monoblock to power my woofer (which will hopefully arrive next week)

Here are som piccies ;):

Logo on the monoblock:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060803_213013.jpg

nearest: BF4501 with 25mm^2 power wires
furthest away: BF0804 with "only" 8mm^2 power wires.

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060803_213031.jpg

Both amplifiers connected to the power blocks:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060803_213046.jpg

I also have some 50mm^2 power cables to connect the power blocks to the battery, and will be fitted to the car during this weekend. For the time beeing, I "only" use a set of 25mm^2 wires.

More piccies will follow as I progress :)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by jonnycab on Aug 4^th, 2006, 3:45am

Can't hear you yet.....you'll have to turn it up a tad ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 4^th, 2006, 5:25am

}{

And for those who wonder what the specs are:

BF4501

Output 4ohm 450W RMS*
Output 2ohm 800W RMS*
Output 1ohm 1200W RMS*

*THD 0,05%, 13,8V

LPF: 24dB/oct

SNR: 90+
Damping factor: 200+
Fuses: 3x30A
Weight: 4,7kg

BF0804

Output 4ohm 4x80W RMS*
Output 2ohm 4x130W RMS*
Output 4ohm bridged 2x250W RMS*

*THD 0,03%, 13,8V

LPF/HPF: 12dB/oct
SNR: 95+
Damping factor: 400+
Fuse: 40A
Weight: 4,2kg

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 4^th, 2006, 6:30am

Cool set-up !!!, verry nice !!!

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by mr._floppy on Aug 5^th, 2006, 8:52am

That's some serious amplification equipment, I hope you're going to play some decent classic sounds on it , like Beatles, Stones, Who, Cream Etc. rather than that tuneless computerised thumping that passes for music these days ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 5^th, 2006, 11:30am

My taste in music includes just about everything you mentioned there, plus a lot more ;D

My music collection includes just about anything from the 60's to the very latest. Anything well made, that is ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 5^th, 2006, 5:05pm

Time for an update!

Just finished pulling a new 50mm^2 power cable from the battery to the boot, and here are the pictures, as promised ;D

50mm^2 cable:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_155321.jpg

with "shoe":

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_163229.jpg

Fuse:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_163251.jpg

Cable hole:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_163911.jpg

Cable coming through the dash board:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_163928.jpg

And going back in again:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_164024.jpg

And out again ;)

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_164248.jpg

Relay box above the glove compartment:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_164432.jpg

Exiting next to the dash board:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_164554.jpg

Don't think a description is needed:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_164722.jpg

Fuse hooked up:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_164934.jpg

And test fitted:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_173411.jpg

Everything bolted up:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_174804.jpg

On my way out to do the ground wire as we speak, so a new update will follow shortly :)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Dave on Aug 5^th, 2006, 6:36pm

Cool, looking good there mate 8)

Don't forget to put the battery cover back on ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 5^th, 2006, 8:02pm

Thanks :)

And here is the rest of the wiring:

Grounding point in the bottom of the spare wheel well:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_202048.jpg

Back in with the wheel, cover and carpet. Cables still nice and tidy ;D :

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_202943.jpg

Everything but the speaker cables hooked up:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060805_203756.jpg

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 12^th, 2006, 3:32pm

Still no news on the speakers, but I have started on making my new head unit (yes making ;))

As I have a computer in the boot with a 7" touch screen sitting on the dash, I'm removing my Clarion CD player and making my own unit consisting of a slim (same type as you find in a laptop) slot in DVD-ROM/CD-writer + a number of switches to control the ICE system.

The front plate (aluminum) has been cut out, sanded and covered in primer. Will do the first coat of paint in a few hours. The switches has been ordered and will arrive in a few short days.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 12^th, 2006, 9:18pm

Just a small update.

Picture of the painted faceplate which will be the basis of my new head unit (Switches will be mounted some time next week):

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060812_223723.jpg

Rear side (unpainted):

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060812_223737.jpg

Test fitment of the DVD-ROM:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060812_224128.jpg

I know there is a small gap between the aluminum faceplate and the DVD-ROM. That will be fixed before I put it in my car.

The four small holes beneath the diodes will hold four crucial switches:

1st: System on/off/ign
2nd: Monitor on/off/ign
3rd: Computer restart
4th: HDD heating on/off (pre-heat the disc drive to avoid starting it up below zero)

Edit

Has just ordered a new 50mm^2 ground cable with "shoes" for the battery (which should ensure a good stable earth connection) and a 1.5F capacitator with voltage meter and control electronics. Also considering taking advantage of the discount I found on 75A starter batteries. One of those in the boot should help considerably ;)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 13^th, 2006, 11:04am

So you are going with an entire car-pc setup, verry nice. I myself wanted to go this way but couldn't find time to do it, and when the time commed i couldn't aford it ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 13^th, 2006, 11:08am

Already got the car-pc setup, just lacks two things: radio/tv and a proper-front end software :)

Even got 4.1 surround set up. (Could easily do 5.1, but don't want to ruin the dashboard with a speaker sitting right on top of it.)

If I get the time, I'll see if I make a front-end myself. Still haven't found one that I like.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 13^th, 2006, 3:27pm

About the front end, i did some research on this problem, a lot of usefull information i have found on http://www.mp3car.com/

As for my personal recomandation on front ends, road runner is good, along with centrafuse. The only thing that holds them back is the lack of support for hardware. But for mp3, dvd, divx etc they are ok....

PS: and about the 5.1 ......you are right it will look like a "nut on the wall" (romanian expression)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 13^th, 2006, 3:32pm

I did try Road Runner at one point, but didn't like it. Can't remember why though ;)

Haven't tried centrafuse yet, but I will.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 13^th, 2006, 6:16pm

Just a quick question. What is the biggest alternator that will fit the 16v Scorpio? ;D

Just in case the standard one doesn't cope ;)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 13^th, 2006, 8:25pm

Looking at this http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/alternatorer.htm an 100 Amp cossie alternator will fit with some minor "adjustments".....but the power gain it's not so great, just 10 A, as all the DOHC engines are equiped with a 90 Amp generator.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 13^th, 2006, 9:35pm

I was hoping for one in the 130-150A range. Iirc it is Bosch that makes the original 90A alternator, and was hoping that Bosch made one in the range I was thinking of which would fit.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 15^th, 2006, 7:43pm

Still no news of the speakers :-/ , although I have sent them two emails about it, the last one 10 minutes ago.

BUT, I did get my brand new 1.5F capacitator today ;D

New layout, with A LOT of wiring:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060815_204435.jpg

And a close up of the integrated voltmeter:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060815_204407.jpg

I also wanted to install that new earth wire today but the "shoe" was DOA (the bolt threads weren't as they should have been).

Update: Got a mail from the company I bought the cable shoe from, and they will send me a new one today, free of charge, and I could keep the old one. :)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by taliban on Aug 15^th, 2006, 9:06pm

bleedin 'ell, you sure bout all of that!
all i want is a bit more bass for the clash and stiff little fingers lol

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 15^th, 2006, 9:13pm

Well, when I get my speakers I do get "a bit more bass" for the clash (and whatever else pops up on my play list) ;D

Hopefully a bit clearer and crisper sound as well, the original speakers in the scorpio must be as bad as they can be.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Geoff_W on Aug 15^th, 2006, 9:18pm

WMD in Norway already?

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 15^th, 2006, 9:23pm

WMD?

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Geoff_W on Aug 15^th, 2006, 9:35pm

Well a bit like speakers of .... mass destruction found in Norway.

Looks like you are building an amazing system, we would probably be able to hear it in Pitlochry if you cranked up the power ;)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 15^th, 2006, 9:41pm

Aaaah, weapons of mass destruction. }{ }{ }{

on 08/15/06 at 21:35:37, Geoff_W wrote:

Looks like you are building an amazing system, we would probably be able to hear it in Pitlochry if you cranked up the power ;)

IF I get the speakers that is ;)

Right now I got about a 1000 watts of power driving 4 original Ford "Premium" speakers ;D
(Or actually no, half of that power does just about nothing at the moment, as I don't have a woofer)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 16^th, 2006, 8:46am

on 08/15/06 at 21:41:01, Kjetil S wrote:

Right now I got about a 1000 watts of power driving 4 original Ford "Premium" speakers ;D

I can bearly wait to pop out of the sockets the "premium" ones.

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 16^th, 2006, 11:20am

Yay! Got mail today and they are sending me the speakers and woofer today! ;D

Should be here before the weekend then. Can't wait! ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 18^th, 2006, 8:44am

Finally a big-ish update. I recieved the speakers and woofer last night and worked through the evening to get the woofer ready, BUT it seems like the boot and parcel shelf on the scorpio isn't completely flat, so the woofer box is approx 5mm to tall to fit in, which means I'll have to do some chopping before I can install it.

Anyways, here are some more pictures:

Woofer:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060817_182135.jpg

Half ready box clothed in asfalt mats (to hinder vibrations):

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060817_172206.jpg

And then clothed in shapecut foam:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060817_191139.jpg

More or less complete:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060817_215720.jpg

The woofer cone is magnesium and has "Infinity M3D" molded into the dust cap ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 18^th, 2006, 8:13pm

I've now connected the woofer to my home cinema amp (Harman Kardon AVR635), partially to test it, but also so the surround will soften. (woofer surrounds soften when used, and elements won't play at their optimum until it has been used for a while).

There is only one thing that can describe it: :o :o :o

If this won't make the Scorpio fall apart, nothing will.

I've never had that "cotton feeling" in my ears from listening to music before!

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Dave on Aug 18^th, 2006, 10:49pm

lol ;D Its loud then? ;)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 18^th, 2006, 11:52pm

You can safely say that again ;D

Loud, crisp and packs quite a punch!
Goes quite deep as well. Could hear the windows on the other side of the house rattling ;D

But I guess all those kilos of magnet must do something ;D

Can't wait to get the box adapted and try it in the car.

Edit: It does seem like I need to redo the bass ports though. 2 ports of 50mm just isn't enough, and the adjustable type which I used isn't stable enough. The amount of air getting pushed through at below resonance frequency is too much for the ports.

Looks like I'll have to recalculate some lengths, order some proper ports and add a couple extra ;)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Octavian_P on Aug 19^th, 2006, 11:46am

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING DAVE.....I CAN'T HEARE YOU......

Kjetil ...... PLEASE TURN DOWN THE VOLUME YOU'RE MAKING MY NEIGHBORS MAD...

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 19^th, 2006, 10:10pm

Got around to replacing the front door speakers today, and boy what a difference! If anyone is looking for a good upgrade for the 4" speakers, they can't miss with the Infinity Kappas. Incredible sound quality.

Tested them with some of The Eagles, Chris Rea, Yello and others. Now you can hear the artist breathing in between sentences. Try that with the "premium" speakers ;D

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 20^th, 2006, 12:02am

And now for the possibly most useful update so far, the howto on fitting regular 4" speakers in the doors ;D

The speakers fitted on the pictures are the Infinity Kappa 42.7i.

You take out the original speakers (obviously) and cut out two pieces of aluminium, like this:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_184626.jpg

You then add a suitable hole for the new speaker, like this:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_190014.jpg

And when fastened securely, it should look something like this:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_191147.jpg

You can use a couple of cable shoes to hook them up to the old wiring, which is surprisingly good:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_193356.jpg

Filter connected:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_193410.jpg

Bolted to the door. Seems like it fits nicely.

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_193947.jpg

And with the door trim back on, it will hopefully look like this:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060819_194708.jpg

Will do another one on the rear speakers as soon as I get a new pair of old ones to practice on ;)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 20^th, 2006, 7:55pm

Finally got around to adding a new and uprated grounding point. I don't know if it's necessary, but there is one thing I've learned: the grounding points can never be too good :)

Here's where I found room for a new connector:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060820_211545.jpg

Everything bolted up:

http://www.cheeseofdoom.com/~kjetil/scorpio/stereo/060820_212142.jpg

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by stafford on Aug 20^th, 2006, 8:00pm

great work my norwegian friend ..good pics too ..mine will be on site in approx 2 weeks

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 20^th, 2006, 8:04pm

Used my trusty BenQ-Siemens C75 to take snapshots. Not that good quality, but usually good enough and easy to carry ;)

Can't wait to see how you do things

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by stafford on Aug 20^th, 2006, 8:44pm

glad you like the infinity kappas cos ive got the 5,25inch components coming ..going to mount the tweeters at ear level in the front right on the windscreen plastic

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 20^th, 2006, 8:48pm

Was thinking of getting the components, but I want everything done as discretely as possible, with the exception of battery compartment and boot that is ;D

The regular two-way system fitted perfectly behind the mesh grille, so I ended with those. Haven't regretted that for a second. Really incredible sound. Fire up some Mike Oldfield or something instrumental and you will soon hear what I mean :)

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by stafford on Aug 20^th, 2006, 9:01pm

im glad its worked out nice for you u've put a lot of effort in..as for a totally stealth install i no what u mean..the rears will look standard and I will spray paint the grill's on the infinity 5.25s as they are silver and a bit of an advert..I am not too woried tho as i park at a safe work car park and the car has a tracker system that phones me the second the car even moves 50 metres ..so even if she's towed away on a trailer my mobile will tell me and every police car in britain will be looking for the signal. I also have a very naughty hidden device in the car that goes off if a hijack attempt takes place..

very special forces !!!

Title: Re: New stereo
Post by Kjetil S on Aug 20^th, 2006, 10:14pm

Nice!

Only thing not stealthy in the coupe is the 7" monitor sitting in front of the air vents in the middle of the dash, but that is dark grey and doesn't stand out much.

I was considering a tracking system for the car, but tbh I think the alarms motion sensor is enough. If someone tries to move the car or jack it up, it will sound the alarm and flashers. I even fitted a little surprise for those who tries to remove the number plates (as someone actually did last year) ;)