What wiring kit to get for Alpine MRP-M500 with 1 12" SWR-1242D Type R(1500w)?

Question 1
What wiring kit to get for Alpine MRP-M500 with 1 12" SWR-1242D Type R(1500w)?...  I can't seem to find anything on this. I just received my Alpine MRP-M500 amplifier and just ordered one 12" Alpine Type R subwoofer(SWR-1242D, 4 ohms). First, the amplifier says 500w RMS x 1 at 2 ohms and 300w RMS x 1 at 4 ohms. Which would be the best setting for the 4 ohm sub? I've read that people hook it up with the 500w setting. I don't know how to hook anything up, I was just planning on following online directions. Then comes the next question. Walmart sells amp wiring kits by Schosche, but are various types by the peak power of the amplifier. The amplifier says nothing about peak power just the RMS. Are those wiring kits good? They sell 1600w, 1200w and 600w. Which one should I get to hook up the M500 and Type R?

Please help:(



Thanks,



Ben

Answers
1)   Your sub is the 4 ohm version, but its a DUAL voice coil sub. So with both coils wired together in parallel, the sub will show the amp a 2 ohm load, which is perfect, and the sub will get 500 watts.



Dont go by watt ratings on the amp kits. You need a 4 gauge kit, thats all you need to know. Here is a good kit thats affordable.



http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK4 - odinsragess

2)   if you want to buy a kit from walmart then get the biggest one i think it was 4 guage wire. It will be good up to like 1400ish watts just incase if you ever waqnt to ungrade in the future. The Type R has dual 4 ohm voice coils, this means that on the side of the subwoofer you have 2 hot terminals and 2 ground terminals. wire hot to hot then to the hot of your amp and then ground to ground then to the ground of your amp. Like this:

http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=1&I=42



That will give you a 2ohm load to your amp - Travis E

3)   4 gauge wiring kit should do you good. I used to have that amp also. Go to a local shop you'll probably find a good fairly priced kit. I got a sound quest 4 gauge kit for like 50 and it hasnt caused any problems for me. - Drew dawg


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Question 2
Need help with info on car subs?...  So, I'm turning sixteen in like a month, and I'm thinking about getting subs for my 2003 Escape. I'm a girl and completely clueless about this stuff. Like I know nothing about amps and stuff. Around how much would it all cost, how hard are they to install? Could someone just explain everything to me, like what all I need, what kind to buy, if I should get them, and about the amp and stuff haha, thankss.
Also, would I like need to install a different radio too?

Answers
1)   This is dangerous information for someone who has no clue. Before you overdo things listening to people who are all about being the loudest, visit a few stereo shops and talk to the techs who will tell you and show you how stuff works and what is most suitable for your car. You really can get very decent performance without spending a month's pay on the largest stuff that can be wedged in. Sometimes, size is not all that important. Quality counts more. Try to have a stereo that sounds like being at a small concert. Not one which leaves you deaf, but one you enjoy.



If they teach electronics in your school, you can learn things that will serve you for the rest of your life in one or two courses. - don r

2)   since you don't know nothing go to best buy and ask don't go to a local car shop they may make you buy things that are too expensive and they may get your money. best buy would help you out some times. Would you have to buy a new radio, no you don't need a new head unit. what you need to buy depends all on you how good quality you want the music to be or how loud. many people don't change their stock speakers while others do for many reasons, but if i were you i would just go to best buy and ask them its a ton of things to list from wires to speakers, amps, subs, head units, tweeters, how much the out put is... - Omar Bravo fan # 1

3)   Avoid best buy like the plague, they do very poor work and quality is certainly not there from them.



A new radio would be needed, since the stock stereo does not have enough power for aftermarket systems that you are more than likely looking for. When your looking for a stereo, look for a stereo that has 3 sets of preamp outs, 1 set for the front speakers, 1 set for the rear speakers, and 1 set for subs. You can find some stereos that are not used but are a couple model years old and will sell for big discounts.

For your speakers you will want quality speakers, these you need to do some homework on, avoid anything from JL Audio because they want way too much money for anything with their name associated with. Avoid Sony car audio as well, very poor sound reproduction. For 6.5" components I would sugggest Elemental Designs e9.65i, they are $225 a set though, but are audiophile speakers. Other brands are CDT Audio, Diamond Audio, and others just too many to list. For your subs Kicker makes some decent subs like the CVR and CVX lines, others are Rockford Fosgate, and Orion. For amps, there are some decent low budget amps out there as well. Power Acoustik is a low budget amp, Crunch and HiFonics are as well. You will not get the full rms out of the amps though, but it will not be that far off. HiFonics amps will give you the rms wattage that is advertised. Installation of everything should be around $300 for everything. - georgewillings


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Question 3
How can I set up a Bangin Car Audio system in my Civic?...  I drive a 1988 Honda Civic DX 4 door Sedan! I want to install a bangin car audio set up. What all do i need? Can I do all the work myself? How much will all of this cost me? Any advice is welcome! Thanks!
Im scared of the system draining my battery and making my car die. So is there any way to get a separate battery to sit in the trunk with the system? If so how do i go about doing thins? is it easy?

Answers
1)   nope - sapphire.circle

2)   If you have never installed anything before then you better dedicate about 12hours worth of reading and learning before you will get it right. Go to your local battery store and get a battery with a high AmpHour rating (100 or better). Get about 8 foot worth of 1/0 guage wire and do the big 3 (research if you dont know what that is). Go to RDaudio.net and get a 1000.1 amp, and 2 RD Classic 12s. Then build a box that is around 4cu ft ported with about 48sq in of port tuned close to 34hz. This setup will beat your honda apart gaurenteed. Go to caraudio.com/forum to do research. Good luck. - Travis E

3)   Its not as easy at it sounds. Firstly, a "bangin" system will go deep into your pockets. There are a whole bunch of components that are necessary for the ultimate sound system, and they arent cheap. As a nub to the car audio world, it is best to go for a mediocre system. Might cost you around 500+ but at least you could get a feel for what you really want.First, a descent aftermarket stereo and speakers. Then an amp for your speakers, or if you like bass, add some subs. Keep in mind you have a civic and your battery power wont be able to handle alot of power. So you might need to upgrade that end. I recommend researching deep into car audio to figure out what you really want so you wont regret. (trust me i learned the hard way.) - Drew dawg


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Question 4
Crossover Frequency control for car subwoofer?...  the amp im getting has a crossover frequency control from 50hz to 200hz...if i turn it all the way up to 200, does this mean i can turn the bass from my pioneer headunit down so my speakers don't play alot of bass and let the sub fill it in? My stereo doesn't have a 'subwoofer' option in it's menu, so It's not like i can control the subwoofer from my headunit and the amp im getting doesn't have a level control for the sub, just a crossover control knob and an input sensitivity knob and a bass expander switch...Im afraid if i turn the bass down on my stereo that it will turn the sub down also, which doesn't make sense, seeing how I though the whole point of an amp was to control the amount of bass from your sub so that you COULD turn the bass from your speakers down. thank you

Answers
1)   A better way would be to get bass blockers and put then in line before your front speakers You don't want to eliminate the bass at too high of a frequency because the sub only sounds good with bass if you try and get it to play into the music it's not going to sound right, the lower the frequency you cross over the better it will sound. - Lance

2)   200Hz is going to be too high of a frequency to be your crossover point. I would recommend around 80Hz. Most speakers will play effectively down to around that range. Most subs won't play up to 200Hz very effectively. So set it to around 80Hz and you would be good.



The point of an amp is to power the sub. The heat unit is where you control the output of the system. Some amps have bass knobs but you still use the head unit to adjust the sub. Many head units have specific controls to adjust your sub though so that makes it easier. You should just set the controls on your head unit to where it sounds good. You shouldn't need to adjust it much if you set it right.



Good Luck!!! - MDC


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Question 5
amp @200 watts rms and sub @ 600 watts rms?...  what does this mean? Is that okay? does this mean the sub will be underused? The sub im getting is a 12" kenwood 1200watt and the amp im getting is also a kenwood, and it puts out 600watts max...I listen to like rock and indie, so as long as it sounds okay ill be fine, and actually the sub in my home theater is only 100 watts and it sounds amazing...



Also, will i need to get a new alternator for this? I mean, my car is a 2002 model, and the battery has been replaced since the car was bought, so should i be okay?

Answers
1)   Using a 200 watt amp on a sub that can handle 600 watts is fine. You wont be pushing it to its full potential though, so dont expect pounding ear bleeding bass....



Also, "1200w" max kenwood subs handle 400 watts RMS i bellieve, not 600.



Its a complete myth that underpowering harms or kills speakers. So, dont listen to any new who tells you so.



Also, no way do you need a new alternator. You shouldnt even be thinking about a new alternator until you hit 1200 watts RMS or more. - odinsragess

2)   yea man you will be ok with the stock alteernator up to about 1000watts. Just be careful on the gains on your amp dont crank them full blast like a crack head lol That will send a clipped signal to your sub and will eventually harm either your sub or amp or both. I would suggest gettin an amp thats rated for about 800watts rms and keep it turned down so you get a good clean singal to your sub. I have a 2004 f150 and just did an alternator and new batt and 1/0 welding cable but i am running 2 12s off of 2200watts rms :) - Travis E


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