unusual soundsystem for a softtop MG

[eddybrown]

I own a 1973 MG Midget, and i'd like to put a decent sound system in there. Because its a convertible, i'm worried about the stereo being stolen so i need a system that can be hidden out of site.

I was thinking instead of using a normal headunit, I could use my personal MP3 player and hook that up to an amp to power some 6x9s on a stealth shelf. Is this possible and what are the pros and cons of doing this?

If I were to do this, i'd want to power the little MP3 player from the car battery rather than keep recharging the AA batterys. It doesn't have a power lead, so it is possible to run some sort of converter to power it?

[Haibane]

Interesting idea... I would go ahead and buy a headunit with an aux out to the mp3 player, I don't know about powering it, Why a stealh shelf for the 6x9? I would get some boston acoustic comps or another great company to use as speakers and maybe get them custom installed into the side panels and behind the seats so it looks stock and won't bring attention. I would hide the amp behind or under one of the seats.

[eddybrown]

I really want to avoid buying a headunit because i'd have to knock up a custom console as I don't have a radio console at the minute. It was on optional extra back in those days and mine didn't come with one! I'd prefer to leave the connection to the amp open so i could interchange the source. This way I can use my mp3 player, or my cd player and its cheaper than buying a new head unit.

I don't think that 6x9s would fit without sticking out loads on the side panels. Nope i've just checked the shelf is the only place where speakers can go. I could possibly mount a headunit in the glovebox/glovebox hole... but I think thats the best place for an amp. Theres no space behind the seats for anything either I guess they don't call it a midget for nothing.

I've just been reading up on fiiting speakers to a midget and ive found a couple of interesting pages.

http://home.pacbell.net/davriker/Mid...Web/stereo.htm

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/429888

This highlights the problems of space and you have to consider the softtop folding too.

[ToyTundra]

I was thinking instead of using a normal headunit, I could use my personal MP3 player and hook that up to an amp to power some 6x9s on a stealth shelf. Is this possible and what are the pros and cons of doing this?

That is exactly what i did in my Tundra. i solderered on female RCAs to make preamp outs on the factory head unit, then wired it to an amp. To connect my brother's MP3 player i unplug the RCAs from the amp and plug in a headphone to RCA adapter from radio shack. I am considering getting a 2 female to 1 male plug so i don't have to stop and get out to switch but am worried about the amp getting two signals. It doesn't have nice SQ, but it gets the job done.

[eddybrown]

Thanks for that, its a relief to know it can be done. Now to choose which 6x9s and amp combination

[Haibane]

6x9, there are plenty good ones out there, I heard the MB Quarts yesterday and they sounded very good in 6x9s. And amp, anything that will power it to your standards

[eddybrown]

Just had a quick look for MB Quarts and i can't find any in the UK, i'll look again later. I was thinking of going for some pioneer 6x9s with 300W peak and 80W nominal. What power amp would be best suited for this sort of speaker? I've also seen some infinity 6x9s that are rated 110W RMS. I understand that RMS is the continous wattage and peak is the peak but what is the nominal value? I read somewhere that you should take the top 1/3 of the rating and find an amp to match that. So should I be looking fot an amp rated at 2x75W for the 110W RMS infinitys?

BTW can you tell that i'm a newbie car audio person?

[Haibane]

Match RMS with RMS, RMS is nominal value. You should look for an amp that does 110 rms by 2 if you are getting just 2, if you get more, get an amp that does 110 rms by that amount

[eddybrown]

Ok thanks thats cleared everything up. I'll post back later to let you know what I get.

[Haibane]

If you are looking to stay on a lower budget, a Profile California amp of http://thezeb.com/caraudio/profile.html CA400 will work fine. That is if the speakers are really RMS at 110

[eddybrown]

Thanks for your help. I decided to get a pair of MB Quarts QM1269 and an RTO SX4002 amp. I got them both reasonably cheap from ebay.

I'm now thinking about the practicalities of installing the amp. I've read about the power cable and the inline fuse and the ground cable and I understand those. I'm a little confused about the remote cable, because I won't be running a head unit. I've read you can wire the remote wire upto a 12V line that turns on when the ignition is on, so the amp turns on. I would prefer to have a switch, and i've read that it is possible, but I can't find how you go about this. Any info would be great.

[eddybrown]

I now know how to wire it using relays and switches. No need for anymore help. Thanks.

[Haibane]

I was wondering, not to tag on this thread or anything, but does anyone know how to power a mp3 player that requires a AAA battery with something else if there is no power jack?

[IveBeenBad]

if you want a switch, just wire it inline with the remote wire

[eddybrown]

Yeah its a bit more complicated than that really. The remote wire needs powering, so I had to take a wire out of the battery terminal on the amp to a relay, and then hook a switch to the relay and a wire to the remote terminal. Oh Haibane you really should use a smaller banner Taking ages to load on my slow connection because I deleted temp files!

If anyone finds out how to power an MP3 player like he said I wouldn't mind knowing. It would save on recharging the batterys...