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Author Topic: Radio amp for a 94  (Read 3268 times)

94daves

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    • 1994 Mercury Capri N/A
Radio amp for a 94
« on: February 16, 2014, 06:58:34 PM »

Has anyone added an aftermarket amplifier to a 1994 NA?  I've replaced the radio and the 4 speakers with Kenwoods (not super high end ones) and I still think the sound is a bit thin and flat.  I'm not sure if it's the car architecture/speaker placement or if it needs an inexpensive amp.  I've tried numerous EQ settings but I can't find one I like.  I have a picky ear!

I'm curious if anyone's had luck adding an amp and where you installed it.  Thanks.
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Heavensheros

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Re: Radio amp for a 94
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2014, 08:37:32 PM »

There are a lot of things against us with these Capri's but rest assured it is possible to get good sound out of these cars ... My Capri is a 4th place world finals sound quality Car with a 5.25 passive component set and an 8 inch sub ... So it is possible.

To start these doors are structurally terrible ... They cause the sound to be very flat and dull. If you want to get a big bang for your buck I would first start with some sound deadener on the doors outer and inner skin. A brand I reccomend is second skin audio ... With just 25% coverage you will have a huge benefit!!!

The next thing you need to do is get rid of the plastic weather barrier on the door and cover those access panels with some sheet metal with sound deadener on them because is your speaker is pomressing and decompressing all that plastic is resonated 180 degrees out of phase with the sound wave canceling out each other. That is the same reason to sound deaden the panel. Secondly sealing those access panels better will help seal the door essentially making it a speaker enclosure to help with output.

Lastly an amp will help tremendously. An aftermarket radio can output 30 watts RMS at best on a good unit getting more power to the speaker (clean power) will help tremendously with sound output and cone control of the speaker for better bottom end.

Depending on the radio that you have having the radio eq set well will help with the flat response you are getting but I would very seriously start with sound deadening the doors. With just 1-200 dollars in sound deadener you will see a huge improvement.
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1992 Capri XR2
RocketMan VAF adaptor
Accel wires
Irundium IX
2.5\\" Thrush exauhst
Rocket Chip
Rims
H&R Lowering Springs
Tuner FX Racing seats
Gauges w/ A-pillar gauge pods
Accel superstock coil
FMIC

94daves

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    • 1994 Mercury Capri N/A
Re: Radio amp for a 94
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2014, 07:37:46 PM »

Thanks for the info.  I didn't even think about sound deadening.  I didn't understand your comment about the weather barrier/access panel suggestion.  Can you post a pic or describe it again?  Did you install the amp in the trunk or behind/under the rear seat?

I thought it would be useful to see what I upgraded to.  Here are the links to the head unit and the front and rear speakers.  All are Kenwood.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX597/Kenwood-Excelon-KDC-X597.html
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1131665S/Kenwood-KFC-1665S.html?tp=105
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113C5795PS/Kenwood-KFC-C5795PS.html?tp=105
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Heavensheros

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Re: Radio amp for a 94
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2014, 08:08:35 AM »

once you take the door panel off if it is te first time doing so there will be a plastic panel glued around the entire outer skin. dont reuse that.

i will be updating my capri thread you will see many pics
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1992 Capri XR2
RocketMan VAF adaptor
Accel wires
Irundium IX
2.5\\" Thrush exauhst
Rocket Chip
Rims
H&R Lowering Springs
Tuner FX Racing seats
Gauges w/ A-pillar gauge pods
Accel superstock coil
FMIC

94daves

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  • Posts: 115
    • 1994 Mercury Capri N/A
Re: Radio amp for a 94
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2014, 05:50:26 PM »

Has anyone installed an amp in the trunk or under one of the seats?  Are there any places that are recommended?
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Rocketman

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    • 91 BPT AWD Capri & 1991 XR2
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Re: Radio amp for a 94
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2014, 05:56:40 PM »

I have seen them mounted in the trunk before. Someone made a wooden panel that bolted in place of the cloth that covers over the window to the soft top storage, and then bolted the amp to that. I've also custom wood trunk floors that have had amps mounted to them.
 
I made a panel that blocked off my back seat and carpeted it as I have a bubbletop, and built a small sub box into it. I mounted the amp to the soft top. However I ran into issues where the amp would overheat and hit its built in thermal cutoff, there's very little airflow there as it turns out. Something to keep in mind if you're going to mount under the seats
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1.8L Turbo All Wheel Drive Capri... the "GTXR2"