Date:         Mon, 1 Jul 2002 19:00:02 -0400
Reply-To:     SpaceKommander <jboldway@BEE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         SpaceKommander <jboldway@BEE.NET>
Subject:      Stereo speaker bass upgrade
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello folks!

Was in Pep Boys or something like that today and saw that Audiovox has
re-released its BA-100 / BA-200 series bass speakers. This is a powered 8"
sub in a tube. Makes a HUGE difference in sound quality. You splice this in
to two speaker outs (preferably rear). Fits nicely behind passenger seat.
Does a awesome job of clarifying sound. OK, for all you audio bozos it's a
100 or 200 watt amp - for the rest of us rooted in reality is does a good
job with 10 watts.
OK, folks, audio reality time. These 50, 100, 200 watt amps are all bogus
numbers - amp power means little. What matters is speaker efficiency. An 88
db efficient speaker powered by a 10 watt amp is half as loud as a 94 db
speaker powered by a 5 watt amp. NO WAY your stupid car stereo puts out 300
watts. Basic OHMS law. I = V/R 12 volts, 4 ohm speaker. 12 divided by 4 is
three. VI=watts. 3 x 12 = 36 - maximum watts EVER in to a 4 ohm speaker
assuming a 100% efficiency. VERY FEW amps have voltage booster. So,
assuming 20% waste in thermal heat a 25 watt amp in to 4 ohms is the max.
Good luck getting that - a 10 watt amp is great. Speaker efficiency means
everything. Going up 3 db in efficiency is equal to doubling your power. My
home speakers (Altec Valencia and Altec Model 14) are powered by a 3 watt
single ended and 12 watt triode amp respectively) will get stupidly loud on
little to no power. My Dynaco IIIs (60 watts) through my Valencias or Model
14s would have me arrested and evicted.

So, back to the topic - an awesome upgrade in sound can be had by mounting
one of these Audiovox powered speakers behind the pasenger seat. The four
4" stock speakers will sound better with this bass upgrade than any
aftermarket 4" speaker with any amp. Plus, it is easily removable if you
need the space. A whopping $79.00 for the one I saw. Nothing comes even
close for upgrading your sound for the $$$.