Audio Systems: Car Stereo, home stereo speakers, stock speakers

Question
Hey Tom...

I know that over the years car stock speaker systems have definatley improved.

My girlfriend has a 1994 Camaro with a $500 radio they installed in it, some Sony that has no buttons on it, only controlled by remote? Anyway, that's all that's changed in this vehicle. There was a sub-box and an amp, which ceased to work and has since been taken out. All that's left is this radio and AC Delco speakers.

Yet, it sounds soo GOOD. I know there's a stock sub in the back hatch, yet..... that's been replaced twice, always breaks, and I've had her radio loud when the thing wasn't even in the car, and the amount of bass that comes off of these is amazing. Is this just from the quality of the radio? Can that affect bass? I mean.. hell, Tom I'm not sure what I mean anymore, bare with me it is 2am!!

All I know is... with just some speakers and a radio... no amps or better-than-stock speakers -- how do i get powerful bass with no amp or anything? I've had $400 of radio put into my car, which is an 85 Monte Carlo... Kenwood 6x9's in the back - 150W, and Pioneer 2 1/2's in the front-- 3 1/2's? i dunno-- 100W... with a Jensen CD Player 50x4W

Which is another thing-- I look for car stereos that produce more than 50x4 and can't find any... which is why I was thinking perhaps this 500 dollar sony thing produces more W's per channel? I'm totally confused here! That noise I get in my speakers now when i turn it up too loud is distortion... is that because of the radio not putting enough W's out or the speakers being too loud?

Hell Tom, too many questions in there for ya.. but by reading that you can understand my position and what i'm trying to get across... I don't really expect you to say yes and no and detail answeres to every little thing I asked... just.. well.. u get my drift man!

thanks a lot
-Pete

Answer
Hello Pete,
To produce great sounding bass from stock speakers you will need a quality built and designed LOW pass filter assembly. In home stereo speakers that are well made and connected to a stereo with an output of about 50-75 watts, you will have great sound from a four way cross over. The same can be true for your car stereo sound as long as you have that quality filter. For great bass without using amps, you will need a good woofer first. The wattage of the woofer should be no higher than twice the maximum peak output of your stereo. You should stop by any good car stereo shop to see if they have low pass filters to install between your stereo and the woofers. It takes experience for matching the correct filters for any given system. On most bass amps you will be able to adjust the low frequency response of the amp to match the characteristics of your car. As for the distortion it may be due to several reasons. (1), not enough power output from the stereo to drive the speakers. (2)-turning up the volume way too high on the stereo, possibly near max. (3)-12 volt power to the stereo is bottoming out, possibly due to the power feed lines to the high powered stereo being too small to supply adequate operating current to the stereo. You can try beefing up the 12 volt supply lines to the stereo and possibly installing one or two stiffening capacitors to pick up the slack at peak outputs. About the stock sub in the Camaro, you may want to install a higher wattage woofer.


TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net