Amp and speaker recommendations for Ipod only install

[mlennon]

Looking for equipment/vendor recommendations, how-to's, etc for an Ipod only Club Car install. I'm assuming it would be a combination of an amp, waterproof speakers, cabling for Ipod connectivity and of course DC wiring to a dedicated 12volt battery install. From scanning the forum content, it doesn't appear that this topic has been discussed recently. Hopefully, there has been tech advances in this area. Thanks in advance...

[mlennon]

Something to get the thread started... Has anyone had any experience with the following:

Poly-Planar MP3 Kit
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_693MP3K...lyplanar&ssi=0

Sony XM-604M Marine amplifier 60 watts RMS x 4
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XM60...mplifier&ssi=0

PQN Enterprises
http://www.techronics.com/caraudio_9...Amplifier.html
http://www.techronics.com/caraudio_8...ers-4-ohm.html

[labrian]

i bought a cheap mp3 amp off ebay and two good marine speakers from ebay plays really good i was very surprised how good it played not as loud as i would have liked but loud enough the amp off ebay was about $12.oo

[mlennon]

Hi labrian. What's the manufacturer and model of the amp you used???

[labrian]

this how it is listed on ebay
Car Mini Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier Amp Motorcycle mp3 ipod


its a little blue box with three nobs its pretty cheasy but works good
im away from the house for few days cant get any other info hope this helps
as cheap as they are u cant really go wrong

[jaysephus]

Labrian,

I have a set-up similiar to what you are working to achieve; I'm using a separate marine battery just as you plan. Here is my set-up:

1. Source
**Ipod, as you mentioned.
**I'd recommend using a cable that catches the output signal via the pin connector, versus the headphone output. That pin output is 5volts, and dolby .1; the headphone output is 'dirty'.
**Uutboard Equalizer, with gain for subwoofer and volume; I had it laying around. You should be able to get one for less than $50. This will allow you to make it sound as good as possible.
** I put this in a plastic box I found at BassPro. It's built for a ski boat; once you start your Ipod, you can close it up with the Ipod in it, and it's water/dust prooof.

2. Speakers -- again, I had some Bose outdoor speakers I wasn't using; they are the old ones wiht a 4" driver. Anything marine should work. Mine are mounted under the dash in the front; you could mount the speakers behind your calves in that panel, or build enclosures and put them up high or on the dash. Again, would rec marine.

3. Marine amp -- I bought a 4 channel from ebay; cost about $100.

4. PartsExpress had a sale on transducers -- I bought four of them for $100 about 5 years ago, and installed one bolted to the bottom of the front seat. That thing will shake your eyes out of your head!! (Transducers work like subwoofers, but don't have a cone or enclosure to worry about. The 'thump' is transmitted to whatever you bolt it to...)

Our cart is the favorite for July 4th, Halloween, Christmas, etc as it rocks!

Good luck with your project.

[mlennon]

Thanks for your excellent insights to date. Just ran across an interesting speaker pod solution for our E-Z-GO friends. I've asked for info regarding possible adaptation to Club Car cars. Will post their response when received.

http://www.customspeakerpods.com/Speaker-Pods_c50.htm

[mlennon]

As promised, an update from www.customspeakerpods.com

Unfortunately our Ez-Go pods are not designed to mount to a Club Car. Our enclosed front pods, item 5002, are generic enough that they will work, but not look correct. We are planning on beginning work on pods for the club car within the coming month. Check back soon.

Thanks,
Brandon Shinoski

Owner

[mlennon]

jaysephus, I like the transducer idea. Following your Parts-Express lead, the Aura Pro Bass Shaker caught my eye - http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...&vReviewShow=1 - Is this along the lines of what you used?

I also like the outboard equalizer idea but have no experience with them. Is the Artec-SE-OE3 similar in function to the one you used?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ARTEC-SE-OE3-ACO...item1c13536425

Being the curious type I am, I was also wondering if you used a fuse block as well and where did you choose to place it and the amp?

[jaysephus]

The Aura Bassshaker is the one I used; they are 4 ohm, so easy to wire up to todays' moern car amps.

The EQ I used is more along the lines of this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/CROSSFIRE-CFQ5X-...item5193929853

I do have an inline fuse on the amp (40 amp AGU), and fuse on the EQ (3 Amp).