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SHOW OFF YOUR AUDIO SYSTEMS

8K views 25 replies 14 participants last post by  WoodButcher 
#1 ·
Ok everyone, lets see what audio improvements you've done to your Astros/Safaries. I'm planning and prepping for an audio upgrade and want to know what you think which are the best bang for the buck, what sounds the best etc etc etc.
 
#8 ·
OMG, how have I never seen that custom install before, SilverBullet? Loving the doors

I don't have much of a system right now. It's in the research and design process. I posted pics of it before though.
 
#10 ·
Oh well, even though I posted it in another topic. Here is my small system inthe new Astro.

The amplifier has been replaced with a DUAL branded amp. Going to change it out again, for a Power Acoustik.

2 7" monitors in the headliner.

7" monitor for the passenger. The headunit was a Dual branded unit, but I changed it out for a JVC KD-AVX1 which is much better.


One of my doors. It doesn't have the MTX speaker in it now. I swapped them out for some SoundStream speakers. The button you see is for the door popper.


I thought I had more pics than this. Guess I need to get more this weekend.
 
#12 ·
JaxSPL said:
Oh well, even though I posted it in another topic. Here is my small system inthe new Astro.

The amplifier has been replaced with a DUAL branded amp. Going to change it out again, for a Power Acoustik.

2 7" monitors in the headliner.

7" monitor for the passenger. The headunit was a Dual branded unit, but I changed it out for a JVC KD-AVX1 which is much better.


One of my doors. It doesn't have the MTX speaker in it now. I swapped them out for some SoundStream speakers. The button you see is for the door popper.


I thought I had more pics than this. Guess I need to get more this weekend.
Damn!!!
 
#13 ·
I'm gonna clean the van out this weekend and get more up to date pictures. Things have changed a little bit.

chevymaher, to me, it is a very small system. I have never had a system below 1500watts on the subs. My last system was 4,000watts rms.

Pescador, you ain't seen nothing yet. Going to move back seats up to where the factory seats usually go then design and build an enclosure for up to 6 15" or 18" subwoofers. Should be running around 25-30 thousand watts. Going to have aprox 20 batteries, in a rack, under the van with 4/0 welding cable going to the second alternator, at 16volts.
 
#14 ·
JaxSPL said:
chevymaher, to me, it is a very small system. I have never had a system below 1500watts on the subs. My last system was 4,000watts rms.
LOL I know we butted heads in a alternator thread way back. And you showed some math and splained to me why a good stereo uses more juice than a welder would.
Hats off to your stereos. Mine are just babies compared to what your using. I am sure that aliens on Alpha Centauri are picking you up and wondering what is making this noise.
200watts RMS is plenty for me.
 
#16 ·
installed an Alpine head unit with Pandora and Bluetooth capabilities. Bought a used Sound Ordnance 8" powered subwoofer for $40 and installed that. Used the stock speakers. This stereo setup sounds fantastic! Powered sub gives just enough punch, and the stock speakers still have sparkling high frequencies. I would highly recommend the Alpine and definitely the Sound Ordnance(Crutchfield) subwoofer. Well worth the money and effort.
 
#17 ·
Trying to clean things up a bit and figured I'd post it here. 2 12" Cozmik audio subs, a dB Drive a4 2400.1 amplifier (got it for free), lots of wire (trying to clean up), and a lawn and garden battery. The battery is in there to see how many I can fit on that side. Looks like 4.
Oh, and I don't have the 1/0 or 4/0 power wires ran... yet. I forgot to grab my stepper bit from work Friday.

 
#19 ·
((Links aren't working if clicked. No clue why. Drag and drop them onto your tab bar (in Chrome) to open them properly.))

I have finally gotten around to replacing the factory stereo deck in my '99 Astro.
Old Deck.jpg


The first thing I did when I purchased this vehicle was to replace the driver's side cigarette lighter with a dual USB charging port. (https://www.bluesea.com/products/1016/Dual_USB_Charger_Socket/featured)

I decided that I didn't need any solid media (cassette, CD, etc) so I went with the Pioneer MVH-X380BT from Crutchfield. (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X380BT/Pioneer-MVH-X380BT.html?tp=5684)

Also, since the CD player wasn't connected anymore, I decided to remove it and replace it with a replacement pocket. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K4YO6W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00)

Since I hadn't done anything like this before, I took my time and went slowly, checking and double checking everything before I did it. The results have paid off, since the deck is working spot on and the replacement pocket fits (even though Amazon says it wasn't compatible.

I made one capitulation for other media. In the USB port is a 128gb SanDisk Ultra Fit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YFI1EBC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00). The deck itself has a limit on the number of files and folders that can be on it to play (15,000 & 500, respectively).

IMG_0078.JPG


IMG_0080.JPG
(No idea why this one is sideways, it is correct on my computer)

Next step (far later) will be to slowly replace the factory speakers, add an amp and sub & replace the lights (interior & exterior) with LEDs (after they each go out).
 
#21 ·
Still running my stock stereo with burned out lights in the buttons...had planned to upgrade, but it's like, on the bottom of my priority list...and I listen to mostly talk radio.
 
#22 ·
While cutting and pasting I posted this in the wrong place! :doh:
:lol:

WoodButcher said:
So,
My kid gave me a sound system. He planned to put this in his beater but his girl's brother totaled the car and I got the system to put in my '93.

here's the goodies :dance:
(link redirects suck, thanks to a member here the best way I've seen so far is to highlight and drag to a new tab)

head unit
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-raTdmIXvda ... etails-tab

sub amp
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500MRPM500 ... tml?tp=115
and an Alpine Type R 10" sub in a QLogic ported box
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SWR10D4 ... -10D4.html

5 channel amp
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-uLLMBytY1T ... X-V60.html

cap
http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Audio-PC3- ... roduct_top

speakers-

Pair of Kicker 6x9 three way in the rear doors
KS6930
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_115 ... S6930.html

2 Kenwood 6 ½" three way in the dash
KFC-1694PS
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-wFlNswUye7 ... 694PS.html





Since I put in the V8 the only time I use this is when I'm waiting for the wife shopping to watch a video...
 
#23 ·
here is my audio system, or at least a part of it. the rest stayed in the trailer for this small show.

11205995_853366914740018_3147820103467516586_n.jpg


not astro related you say? well the astro pulls it,

11057339_815703511839692_6922643846237301934_n.jpg

and yes i have hooked part of it up IN the van. i had 4 of the 12 18" subs in the back of the van and hooked up to my sub amp for fun, went for an oil change and the kid saw my 12" JL sub inbetween the front seats. he asked if he could hear it (it wasnt hooked up at the time, but he didnt know that). i fired it up and the garage doors at the oil change place shook. the look on his face was priceless "you get all that bass from that sub?"

yes. yes i do.
 
#25 ·
redfury said:
Still running my stock stereo with burned out lights in the buttons...had planned to upgrade, but it's like, on the bottom of my priority list...and I listen to mostly talk radio.
Now there's someone I can relate to. Except my lights all work.
 
#26 ·
redfury said:
How do you rate that head unit Woodbutcher?
I like it but it is middle of the road. I never had a fancy radio so I'm not a very good judge, my youngest son put the system together w/ help from a guy that knows his stuff and while it isn't top of the line it does work pretty well.
That unit was chosen for it's connectivity, six pre-amp outputs specifically and the cost didn't break the bank. The system runs two amps, 4 channels to one amp for the speakers and 2 for the sub(s) if you want stereo bass. In all much more power than I would need or buy.
When posting that here I looked at the links to see they were good and noticed it also has a video out jack so I'll need to find that and hook up a reasonable monitor in back. The screen on the unit now is like watching a movie on your phone except with surround sound. I sit in the back with binoculars and I'm good. :lol:
The touch screen can be tough if you have fat fingers but there are buttons and knobs to along with a remote. It does connect w/ Bluetooth if you need.

What is really fun is when a kid pulls next to me in popcorn sounding Honda with the thump thump rap music going on I can drown it out with Skynyrd or maybe a little ZZ Top, :cool: Then when the light changes I blow him off in soccer mom's mini van. :auto-layrubber: I love my little van.
 
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