[akhalteke]

I have added 6x9" rear speakers to the rear in boxes instead of the 6" speakers for better quality sound, but I'm still not getting the good bass responce. I'm thinking of adding two 12" speakers and putting them in the trunk space box . I was going to add a power amp to drive the speakers, but was told by a stereo store tech that the electric motor of the insight will cause a buzz inthe poower amp.

Has anyone added a power amp? Any problems?

Robert

 

[Tim Maddux]

http://www.geoff.shepherd.com/wayland/main.html

 

[Ecfool]

MIZR has had his amps installed for allmost 2 years now with no "buzz" from the elecrtric motor circuit at all. But I also run an auxillary battery for the amp power tied into the main 12V battery to maintain a constant 12volts even during high amp draw with bass cranked up. The only draw back with an amp is insuring that the draw during "normal" listening mode isnt to much for the DC/DC converter. An example is during normal road listening my amps draw a total load of 20 amps if I crank it up to "bug heck outta neighbors" bass it will draw 50 amps which I think is way to much draw and could over time cause deterioration to the stcok converter. As for the 12" subs you should think hard as it is tight and would require a speaker that wil operate with approxiamtely 2CF of air space in boxes. The Eclipse bass speakers are one of the few that will sound decent with a small air space and in MIZR I found that 2, 10" subs were about all I could squeeze in the cargo box space. Another point against the rear speakers and I tried it was they do tend to with a high quality system tend to drown out the sound staging.

 

[Resist]

Did you buy this car for sound quality or gas mileage? If you want a car with great sound, buy something else.

 

[Insighter]

Resist...

You seem awfully resistant to the idea of people wanting to put good stereos in the Insight...Why?

It can be done without ruining the car's efficiency, so why not do it?

 

[NJinsight]

I think putting a new stereo and new front speakers is a must and wont change the weight of the car, thus not changing the MPG. With Amps, Im sure the added weight isn't an issue, although current draw will be. With speaker boxes and crazy CAPS and power units, Im sure both weight and current draw would come into play. Who knows, I haven't dug into the electrical system yet, but if I do, I'd like to test and see what happens.

I think each person's car should be comfortable to drive, and whether you need a TV or a kick butt stereo system in yours to make it comfortable for you - its up to the owner. Some people are probably happy getting 30-45 MPG since their previous car got 15-20. Each to their own. Personally, Im going for a new stereo/speakers and then go for high MPG.

Michael