Owned Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 Well, I don't do it anymore. I sold my half of the shop and bought into a laser shop. 100 times less fun, 10 times more money. I was charging $25,000+ for a full sound system (like the white Magnum), now I charge $250,000+ for a full laser system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 I don't know what that is, but it sure looks impressive. I see what looks like a 4U computer and a club amp in the bottom, and the rest of the big silver box is a mystery...I assume you mean like club lighting and laser light shows, as opposed to medical / engraving?Anyway, you've still worked with a lot more stuff hands-on than I have, even if I read a lot and get most of the theory.Anyway, </threadjack>. Good luck with your system, original poster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owned Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 We don't deal with lightshow stuff, except for we do cut the patterns for lightshow guys sometimes. We do medical (Viasys, Victhom, Pfizer), aerospace (LMCO, BAE), micro vias for most board makers, for instance. Even a bit of marking for people like Fishman (guitar guys should recognize the name). The picture is of a class 1 laser system with just a 30 watt Coherent Avia-X.We are thread jacking, but not out of disrespect! It's just the way VS gets sometimes. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 micro vias for most board makers, for instance. We are thread jacking, but not out of disrespect! It's just the way VS gets sometimes. Jesus christ that's more precision / speed than I want to think about. Don't some of those get down to 150-300nm these days? Still, it looks like something you'd expect to see at a laser light show or something, sturdy metal case, self contained, etc. Hook two speaker stacks up to it, and I'd put it in my living room .Does this mean if I need boards etched you can get me a hookup? Tell your client my run is part of their testing ? Part of the reason my LED project is on hold is the cost of etching.. They really get you on small runs.Yeah, definetly part of the reason VS rocks - just didn't want to put you in a hard spot as a mod. Not really a place to talk about random cool stuff besides OT though, and there it gets lost amidst the I'm dumb (no offense to you OT whores). If there was a "members with cool jobs" thread in there, I wouldn't have seen it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skazzunk Posted June 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 We are thread jacking, but not out of disrespect! It's just the way VS gets sometimes. Haha no, it's cool guys. That laser shop does sound interesting... what exactly have you done for Fishman (I know that they build acoustic guitar pickups/mics)? Sounds cool, but way beyond my understanding of things.About speakers though: I found a set of Polk comp speakers (5 1/4") which would fit wellin my front door panels. They were $99 because of an opened package. If I'm correct, they were 200 W peak and 100 W RMS. Do you think that's a fair deal? The guy at circuit city said that without a proper amp, they wouldn't run to potential (obvious), but would that be a good point to start so that maybe one day if I get an amp, I can run these speakers, but if I don't run an amp they'll still sound good?They also had $119 for 6 1/2" of the same model. It's roughly half price for both pairs according to the polk website. The thing is, I don't know that I'll even ever get an amp other than a small one for subs. I'd like to, but I don't know that I'll care that much about sound to increase the power on my speakers.Maybe running the cheap $25 pair will be good for me to feel this out... see if I really want things to be much louder. But $99 seems like a hell of a good price for those speakers. I looked in the box, and they were pristine.Let me know what you think. And you can continue your conversation as well ThanksEDIT: The polk's were an additional 10% off as well. So what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted June 6, 2007 Report Share Posted June 6, 2007 One of my Orlando VS friends (Evan) just upgraded from some kickers which he beat the hell out of to some polks he got at circuit city for $99, so I assume they're the same ones. He's running them (As well as his rear speakers) off my old ED 9.2, and they sound pretty damn good. He didn't have the polks without the amp, so I can't say how they do on HU power, but I can say adding the amp made quite a difference on his kickers, though. I'd say they were worth $99. Don't forget about eBay though... there are 4 or 5 sets of polks on there right now for under $50 (although perhaps not the same models you saw in the store), and because good deals aren't on there every day, you just have to keep your eyes open... (also don't forget about JL / infinity / alpine and many other brands who make good speakers). I got a set of Alpine type R's for $35. However, if you stick to stores like circuit city, you know what you're getting, walk out with it, probably get a warranty, etc.Adding an amp won't just make the music "louder". It increases the midrange and midbass response a lot, making the music seem fuller, more physical. Same reason people go to kickpods. It's not just about pure volume.Also, 6.5" won't fit up front without extensive modification. The "easiest" option is to do door panels (See bottom pic). Besides that, kickpods. But they won't fit in the stock locations, at least not with a proper fit and seal (which important for mids and midbass). Besides, the stock locations suck for imaging and distance. However, if either of those seem worth the time and money, 6.5"s will provide better mids.Lastly, a good amp for component speakers (A/B, 75-100 watts per channel, 2 channel) could probably be had for $100 on eBay, and would make a world of difference in your system. You don't have to buy one right away, either. Adam ragged on ED a post or two back but I had really good luck with my ED9.2. Some of their speakers to look pretty , though. I ran my AVI's (2x180W 6.5" + 2" mid + 1.25" tweeter on each side) off the ED9.2 and it held up pretty nicely. My soundstream VGA (650 watts, which I paid $300 for) does a much better job, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skazzunk Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 OK, sounds good. The polks that I'm looking at aren't under $120 + shipping on ebay, and they were $99 ($90 with the price drop) in Circuit City... so maybe I'll check them out this week if they haven't been sold. Although they won't be working at their full potential, they certainly wouldn't sound BAD off of a new HU, don't you think?I'm not sure if I'm just jumping into this too fast, though. The thing is, there is only one set of these polks, and I haven't seen this model at this price anywhere, and they seem like great speakers for the price, I'm just really bad at letting good deals pass me by B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owned Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 One of my Orlando VS friends (Evan) just upgraded from some kickers which he beat the hell out of to some polks he got at circuit city for $99, so I assume they're the same ones. He's running them (As well as his rear speakers) off my old ED 9.2, and they sound pretty damn good. He didn't have the polks without the amp, so I can't say how they do on HU power, but I can say adding the amp made quite a difference on his kickers, though. I'd say they were worth $99. Don't forget about eBay though... there are 4 or 5 sets of polks on there right now for under $50 (although perhaps not the same models you saw in the store), and because good deals aren't on there every day, you just have to keep your eyes open... (also don't forget about JL / infinity / alpine and many other brands who make good speakers). I got a set of Alpine type R's for $35. However, if you stick to stores like circuit city, you know what you're getting, walk out with it, probably get a warranty, etc.Adding an amp won't just make the music "louder". It increases the midrange and midbass response a lot, making the music seem fuller, more physical. Same reason people go to kickpods. It's not just about pure volume.Also, 6.5" won't fit up front without extensive modification. The "easiest" option is to do door panels (See bottom pic). Besides that, kickpods. But they won't fit in the stock locations, at least not with a proper fit and seal (which important for mids and midbass). Besides, the stock locations suck for imaging and distance. However, if either of those seem worth the time and money, 6.5"s will provide better mids.Lastly, a good amp for component speakers (A/B, 75-100 watts per channel, 2 channel) could probably be had for $100 on eBay, and would make a world of difference in your system. You don't have to buy one right away, either. Adam ragged on ED a post or two back but I had really good luck with my ED9.2. Some of their speakers to look pretty , though. I ran my AVI's (2x180W 6.5" + 2" mid + 1.25" tweeter on each side) off the ED9.2 and it held up pretty nicely. My soundstream VGA (650 watts, which I paid $300 for) does a much better job, though.He's running an S70, so 6.5 in the front isn't much of a stretch. I think you were thinking of the 850.I haven't heard much bad things about ED's amps. Most people love the 9.X's. The worst stuff they make that comes to mind is relabled roofing product 'sound deadening' and their 18" sub with a basket so weak you can flex it by hand. Years ago they also made a flat sub that for a while was amazing but the ones after they changed the design would literally rattle themselves apart.I've met some industry folks that had some interesting things to say about the head 'engineer' whos name is, I think, Chris, but my memory is a bit fuzzy on that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 :blink: Did I miss something? His sig says 1994 854 Turbo... That's the car I assumed we were talking about. Were we talking about a different car the entire time, or what ?Yes, if it's an S70 by all means go with 6.5", they should be a direct drop-in, or at least much easier. Also, the S70 rear door speakers are such that I'd just leave them in place, at least until you have a lot more $$. However if it IS an 850 then everything I said holds true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skazzunk Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Did I miss something? His sig says 1994 854 Turbo... That's the car I assumed we were talking about. Were we talking about a different car the entire time, or what ?Yes, if it's an S70 by all means go with 6.5", they should be a direct drop-in, or at least much easier. Also, the S70 rear door speakers are such that I'd just leave them in place, at least until you have a lot more $$. However if it IS an 850 then everything I said holds true.Nope, you were right, it's an 850. Perhaps he saw someone else's sig while typing. Totally new question from my findings on headunits: Is there a big difference when there are 3 selectable EQ bands rather than 7? Most units have 7 bands in my range, but the one 4 volt unit, a pioneer, only has 3 eq bands. I know that there's less self customization, but does that mean that overall EQ settings will be less versatile? Should that deter me from buying this unit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Perhaps someone will disagree with me, but I've found the EQ's in HU's to be rather worthless. In this case I say it depends on how much you care. Many of them require digging through menus to adjust, which only makes them suitable for "tuning" your system, as opposed for adjusting to a specific song / genre / etc. Even 7 bands isn't very precise for permanent adjustment. I have a 31-band under my driver's seat for leveling the system, and a 5-band (until it died a few months ago) next to the driver's seat for "real time" adjustments. With it being analog, I could actually remember where the knobs were, and adjust it while driving / at a red-light. That way if I was switching from rock to rap or something I could tweak my lows or highs if I desired.If you go with the 3-band and find out you need more control, EQ's aren't very expensive - I picked up my 31-band and my 5-band for $80. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skazzunk Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 OK, thanks. In that case, I'm currently consideringA. This pioneerhttp://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...mp;I=130DEHP490B. This panasonichttp://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...&I=133C8303The panasonic looks pretty cool, but i'm leaning toward pioneer based on what you and adam have been saying (4 volts, 22w RMS, reliable name, only drawback is the 3 band EQ which I probably won't even notice anyway)EDIT:Or this kenwood- very similar to the pioneer... tough choice. I'm very undecidied though.http://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...mp;I=113KDCX491Would you suggest that I buy a headunit from a reputable place like crutchfield rather than ebay? It seems that there are good deals on ebay that could save me like $70, but I guess you can't be so sure of the warranty, what's included, installation parts aren't free, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skazzunk Posted June 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 Just an update.. I put the cheap Sony Xplod speakers in my car. Even though they were cheap, not so well-liked speakers, they really brought some good sound to my setup. I really liked the way that they sounded compared to the stock.. they delivered surprisingly nice, crisp high's. I'm happy with them, although they may not be the best. My first goal in getting a better system though, is the HU.Well I think I'll make my decision between the Pioneer DEH-P4900iBhttp://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...mp;I=130DEHP490And the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X491http://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...mp;I=113KDCX491I'm leaning toward the kenwood because it has slightly higher stats on FM sensitivity, signal-to-noise, and it has a USB. However, the Pioneer has a cheaper iPod connection and a 2 line display. All differences are pretty minor...Same price.. and I could see NO difference between these units and the units that cost $40 more of the same brand, but supposedly one step up. Can anyone chime in to say if they've encountered a very good or very bad occurence with either? Otherwise, I'll just make the decision based on the small stuff above. Thanks.-Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximase86 Posted June 7, 2007 Report Share Posted June 7, 2007 The fiance's mother bought a Dual UH for her car. It does the job...but nothing impressive about it.I'm a fan of the Kenwood Excelon HU's. I used to have one in my old car...very clean, very nice. I run an eclipse unit in the 964 now that I'm very impress with considering it's driving stock speakers, and sounds pretty good.S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'93 Dave Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Just an update.. I put the cheap Sony Xplod speakers in my car. Even though they were cheap, not so well-liked speakers, they really brought some good sound to my setup. I really liked the way that they sounded compared to the stock.. they delivered surprisingly nice, crisp high's. I'm happy with them, although they may not be the best. My first goal in getting a better system though, is the HU.Well I think I'll make my decision between the Pioneer DEH-P4900iBhttp://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...mp;I=130DEHP490And the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X491http://www.crutchfield.com/S-GGXXtgQJRzw/c...mp;I=113KDCX491I'm leaning toward the kenwood because it has slightly higher stats on FM sensitivity, signal-to-noise, and it has a USB. However, the Pioneer has a cheaper iPod connection and a 2 line display. All differences are pretty minor...Same price.. and I could see NO difference between these units and the units that cost $40 more of the same brand, but supposedly one step up. Can anyone chime in to say if they've encountered a very good or very bad occurence with either? Otherwise, I'll just make the decision based on the small stuff above. Thanks.-Matti recently got that and to be honest that dial that controls everything is a bit odd...it takes some getting used to but it feels kinda cheap when u push it up or down...also if that nob breaks u cant do anything as it controls like 90% of the functions of the hu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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