For all you experienced car audio install guys like @landcrshr, should I add a capacitor to my install?
Using a JL xd700/5 amp.
Using a JL xd700/5 amp.
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to capacitor or not to capacitor (1 Viewer)
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Fun experiment. Hook it up w/out. Really get use to your favorite jams that way for a week or 2. Then if you think you still need a little more low end, buy a cap. See if it sounds better that way. Not difficult to add after the fact if you're diy. Good Luck!
I don't have any actual experience with capacitors for car audio, I've always been skeptical on weather they provide any real benefit. I would think that the greater efficiency of today's class D amplifiers would eliminate any need for a "stiffening" capacitor.
Not necessary with that amp, as long as you run sufficient positive and ground for it.
I am using the v2 version of this amp, with Focal front 6.5 separates and 6.5 rears and a JL sub.
I am using the v2 version of this amp, with Focal front 6.5 separates and 6.5 rears and a JL sub.
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Rivman1243
SILVER Star
Would a capacitor help with electrical noise from the alternator?
No, a capacitors job is to store energy for when there is a very sudden draw. But most high quality amplifiers have capacitors built in.
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Thanks fellas! I’m going to go with out on this one.
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What sub are you running?
I have a v1 10w1 I bought in high school around 1998. It’s out of JL power wedge I had in an ‘89 hilux. It was amazing behind the seat...somewhat expecting the 80 to have too much interior air space volume to provide a strong low end.
I’ll be running pioneer 6.5s in front and middle doors. Nothing crazy going on around here.
I had the amp and sub in an Impreza wagon up until a year ago. It was good but I was kinda left wanting on the low end.
Had my eyes on this for a while: JL Audio HO110-W6v3
It was hard to justify when these were $500, even harder at $639
I just have a 10W3 in a custom box. You're right the interior volume of the 80 could use a 12" sub.
ewillis
SILVER Star
You should get one of these...
Flux Capacitor has my vote!
I used to do SPL competitions - dbdragracing. Very high power demands. Large gauge power wire and at worst multiple batteries will do tons more than a capacitor. Caps are dumb.
I hope you pronounce it 'foh-kal'
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I’ve got some Lebanese nationals at arms length. Plutonium for days.
I ran a capacitor in my Honda CRX back in the day. Had 3 amps pushing two 12's, a single 10 and two 6x9's plus door speakers. Only reason for the cap was every time the bass hit the damn headlights would dim so bad I couldn't see at night. Had no room for additional batteries but I could mount the cap on the side of my bandpass box. Problem solved. I put the same system in a ford explorer a few years later and was able to lose the cap since the electrical system was better.
Electrical system on the LC is far better than a CRX and you're not running a lot of power. Should be fine without unless you bro it out with a ton of light bars.
Electrical system on the LC is far better than a CRX and you're not running a lot of power. Should be fine without unless you bro it out with a ton of light bars.
In my experience “crapacitors” have always been pretty s***ty. If you need the reserve power and want to do it the right way, look into adding a battery as close to the amp as possible. Sound Quest and XS Power are great options that are only slightly more expensive than a capacitor, and a battery might be of more use to you.
On a side note; I personally think anything JL Audio is slightly over engineered and they are #1 in my book as far as quality, so great choice on the amp. For the money (and for the average Joe) I think you pay for the name a little bit but it’s worth the money IMO
On a side note; I personally think anything JL Audio is slightly over engineered and they are #1 in my book as far as quality, so great choice on the amp. For the money (and for the average Joe) I think you pay for the name a little bit but it’s worth the money IMO
LINUS
Waiting for the Great Pumpkin
Exactly what my buddy who runs the local 12v / anything vehicle stereo shop says & does on the cars where guys go big on their ICE.
Esp since you can get / add a AGM battery & tuck it anywhere for the price of most of the mid-level farad caps, the caps just don’t pay for themselves, at all.
