L400 speakers and sound insulation

[Glenn Delwood]

Greetings,

I recently noticed one of my rear speakers didn't work. I just took it out, and besides the hard time taking it apart and the few cuts on my fingers, I noticed it's oval shaped. Quick google search came back with the "6x9" definition aspect ratio.

A few Q:

#1: On it it says something like 15W which back in 1995 Japan must have meant it packed lots of power of 90' powerful Japanese music. QUESTION: if I buy a new 2013 one (packing lots of 2013 powerful music ) that says 400W is the system going to need modifications? I don't really want to get into modding every aspect of the sound, but if with less finger cuts and not a ton of money I can decently overpower the Diesel noise, I'd like to look into it. Not necessarily looking into installing a sub woofer since I still showcase the original limited (in North American bandwidth) AM/FM stock radio.

#2: Has anyone looked into minimizing the engine noise inside the cab on their van? Wondering if it's doable via different hood insulation, door panels, etc. I'd like to not scream back at the kids that "we're not there yet!!!..."

#3: The van has some sort of Karaoke system (at least what's left of it). What I'm referring to is the mic input on the driver's side rear passenger panel (the one that doesn't have a sliding door). Did anyone attempt successfully to use those inputs for actually speaking via microphone into the van's speakers for the direction, education, reading, admonestation and the comfort of the little passengers in the back?

#4: What speakers do you guys suggest getting? Is it worth looking into changing them all (front posts, rear, doors, etc.)
Thanks for reading my lengthy post.

Cheers.

Glenn Delwood

[luckydad]

Hi Glenn,

My reply is with regards to your question number three only. I also have a Royal and the karaoke system is intact. My only music comes from the CDs with the changer under the passenger seat. I also have an amp under the driver seat. And I have two microphones semi permanently attached into the input jacks at the back control panel.

So my other source of entertainment is when my two toddlers sing to their hearts content when we are on a long trip or sometimes when we are just coming home from grocery shopping. I have not experimented on it myself but there are three other input jacks on that panel (yellow, red and white). I am sure that with a small tv, you can have a complete karaoke system or at least have the sounds of that tv come out thru the van's "surround" sound system.

I am sure you know that if you replace the Japanese (limited band) radio, the slave at the back becomes useless along with the cd changer and amp system.

Phil

[Glenn Delwood]

I am sure you know that if you replace the Japanese (limited band) radio, the slave at the back becomes useless along with the cd changer and amp system.

I didn't know the back radio would become useless. I hadn't thought about that at all. I wasn't planning to change it. Currently I use cassette adapter and iPod. I don't plan on karaoke use, just maybe reading to the kids (we do a lot of that) and upgrading the sound quality in the van.
Thanks for jumping in. Anyone else? Thx.

[Glenn Delwood]

I also have an amp under the driver seat. And I have two microphones semi permanently attached into the input jacks at the back control panel.

Phil

What kind of mics and input. What should I be looking for? xlr to what? or stereo?

[Big-Bird]

The power handling of a speaker can be somewhat subjective depending on the brand you buy.

Starting with a headunit you need to know the max output of each speaker channel. Most semi-modern decks put out between 15-25watts x 4. And this is at full volume so there will be distortion no matter what speaker you install.

Oddly enough Futureshop carries and entry level speaker series that come in a wide array of sizes and sound good on the head unit I pulled from a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder and inserted into my L400.

4.5" two-way which fits the lower dash near your knees.

6" if you have door speakers.

6x9 for the rear.


I have done lots of installs over the years and the deck oddly enough should be rated higher than the speakers. And this comes from my neighbor the sound engineer....If the deck has decent output power it can send a clean audio signal without having to use full volume which only distorts the signal anyway. The speakers by comparison should be rated as close to the stereo's actual max output so that they can reproduce the clean sound from the deck.
Using a speaker that is rated way too high (400watt RMS) on a deck that can only pump out 25watts is a waste of money as the speaker will be starved for a decent signal that the deck could never hope to produce even at full volume....and that will blow the deck anyway.

Don't let a salesguy talk you into something you don't need....unless you have a monster amp that can push huge watts! Try speakers that are under 75watts that are connected to only deck power and preferably something that is similar to your Delica's current stereo output. Oh and the speaker series from Futureshop start at 40.00 and go up to around 85.00 the last time I checked. Decent materials, good sound response.

Cheers

[Glenn Delwood]

I don't plan on changing the head unit (the tape/radio) yet. At least, I don't want to lose the usability of the rear/slave unit. How do I know how much power my current head unit puts out?

[Glenn Delwood]

Is this the amp under the seat?

How much does it put out and with what kind of speakers can I replace the stock ones?

[Glenn Delwood]

And the sticker.

[Big-Bird]

The part number confirms its an amp but hard to tell the output as the sticker has voltage and ohm ratings but the last bit isn't clear....looks like 20A x 3 so that could be the fuse rating for the entire system.

Its very likely the output is maximum 25wattsx4 which is common for Mitsubishi audio systems that employed an amp in the design.

You could go to the local wrecker and pull some factory 6x9's from there....most OE speakers are rated around 15watts nominal (not peak) so they can easily handle 25watt max which is the best guess output of your stock system.

I have a set of 6x9's I pulled from an older Chrysler car late 80's early 90's vintage and they work great in my Deli. Happy hunting!

[Glenn Delwood]

Hard to tell the output as the sticker has voltage and ohm ratings but the last bit isn't clear....looks like 20ampx3 but that can't be right....

Its very likely the output is maximum 25wattsx4 which is common for Mitsubishi audio systems that employed an amp in the design.

I think it's 10Ax3. I can go check again. So what does that mean in terms of changing speakers? What am I looking for?
Thanks Big-Bird.

[Big-Bird]

Go up one post.....better details are in the edit.

[Glenn Delwood]

and if I'm looking for better sound overall, what kind of speakers am I looking for that would handle the current head unit and amp?
I read somewhere the sizes:

dash 4
doors 6.5
rear 6x9

but I don't know anything about watts, etc.

[nxski]

400 Watts is a lot. My 15" subs are 400 Watts each powered by a 1400 Watt amp, and that uses a lot of juice!

[Diver]

Also be careful of the physical size of replacement speakers for the rear. Many modern 6x9s are too deep and won't fit the aperture.

[Big-Bird]

You should do some research on a few brands and being armed with some knowledge pertaining to stereo output and speakers.

http://willapse.hubpages.com/hub/Speaker-Watt

http://www.musicsupermarket.com/caraudiointro.html

The stock mitusbishi deck was engineered to work with the stock 15watt speakers....Stock speakers are made with cheap paper cones and flimsy voice coils.

Brands of speakers I like in my preferred order are

Phoenix Gold
Sony Explode
Ultimate (Futureshop.ca)
JVC
Alpine
Pioneer

Oddly enough the Ultimate speakers sound decent on a low powered deck and they are cost effective. There is a 4" speaker for $40 and it fits nicely in the lower dash mount behind the stock speaker cover.

I had some old 6" phoenix gold mid-range units and had to make an adaptor ring out of fibre-board. Fit real nice in the factory door mount and the pairing sounds great.