Can I get an amp inside the console?

[THEDK]

So, I liquidated most my high end stuff because I wasn't going to do a system, but now I think I will.

The caveat is that it has to be completely hidden/factory looking.

Will an amp reasonably fit on the transmission hump, under the console? Is it difficult to get to?

I wish I hadn't sold my line level converters or EQs. Ugh.

 

[marshal]

i bet you could fit an alpine PDX under the dash no problem

 

[e60ral]

which amp? amp sizes vary a lot

also, amps need cooling or they won't last very long, so you don't want to put them in a space that's too enclosed

 

[THEDK]

i bet you could fit an alpine PDX under the dash no problem

PDX 4.150 is what I have, actually.

I would run Focal Utopia 165w up front, with a pair of Arc8s in the back. Ported maybe.


I sold my Dynaudio MW172 sadly. They would have been amazing in the doors.

I'd need something like an audiocontrol EQS-whatever. Hmmmmm. Spendy though. And these things tend to cause the PDX amps to whine.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

What? With a stock deck??? Why waste the time and energy?

Seriously, if you're used to having a full-on system with Dynaudio and Focal speakers, you'll just hate your system even more when it shows its flaws in audio reproduction, or lack thereof.

I tried, I really, REALLY did. I wanted to keep this vehicle as stock as possible for sound, I just wanted to add a little more bass to the stock (non-jbl) system. Tried running a sound processor to bring the bass level at higher volumes, but it was just pointless. The stock head unit has a sharp cutoff around 30hz and a volume around midway, and each notch or two of audio increase lowers the cutoff frequency a few hz at a time. It wouldn't have been so bad if the decrease was linear, but it was a very sharp cutoff which had the effect of my amp going out whenever I turned the volume up.

Dumped the head unit and ran the stock speakers with a Pioneer head unit, and it sounds like a 5 thousand dollar system now! Can't imagine what it will be like when I blow up the stock speakers in the doors and replace it with something decent!

EDIT:

Oh yeah, a smallish amp will fit under the rear seat on the passenger side. My PPI is sitting right where the seat's bottom has an indentation, nobody knows its there, you can't see it or any wiring at all, and there's plenty of air movement to keep an amp nice and cool.

 

[12T4R-Trail]

I have a similar-sized powered subwoofer (16x9x4in) that I installed under the passenger front seat, and fished all the wiring under the carpet.

 

[rigtec]

"...The caveat is that it has to be completely hidden/factory looking.

Will an amp reasonably fit on the transmission hump, under the console? Is it difficult to get to?..."

Hi THEDK,

There is 'SOME' unused space beneath the center console's trim panels, but not the kind of space required for a proper audio system component implementation e.g., Size 0/1 to size 8 gauge (+) and (-) copper power lines, low level (shielded) audio signal cables, speaker output lines, horizontal or vertical amplifier mounting platform...etc, and I really do particularly like the statement made by one of the previous thread contributors who Nails the issue saying...

"which amp? amp sizes vary a lot also, amps need cooling or they won't last very long, so you don't want to put them in a space that's too enclosed"

"...very well said [MENTION=113833]e60ral[/MENTION], and very carefully thought through... Kudos!" Because most car audio amplifiers 'DO NOT' use cooling fans; due to the level of noise that they can produce in such close proximity to the listener(s), they must totally rely on the small currents of ('presumed') cooler air that's available within the amp's convection cooled heat-sinks. Needless to say, running a convection cooled amp in a 'Confined space' is a definite "NO-NO"!, to say nothing of the 'serviceability' factor...

There is however, some extra space in the right rear (passenger-side) wheel well cover; which is where Toyota mounts the power amp with the 'Optional' JBL audio system. You would only need to scope it out from a sq footage stand point because most amplifiers have very different installation protocols and space requirements, but other than that I think you'll find enough space to mount some type of an amp back there so please let us know,

rig, 'Best'!

 

[tigger]

So, I liquidated most my high end stuff because I wasn't going to do a system, but now I think I will.

The caveat is that it has to be completely hidden/factory looking.

Will an amp reasonably fit on the transmission hump, under the console? Is it difficult to get to?

I wish I hadn't sold my line level converters or EQs. Ugh.

If you mean physically under the console and not in it, the only amps that will fit in there are the ones like the little Alpine KTP-190U Power Pack. I can barely fit my hand in there. To access it, just pop up the panel surrounding the shifter and cup holders. It is just clips holding it down.

If you mean in the console, I am not sure if the PDX would fit in there. It would be close. It will fit under the front seats with no issue. I have a PDR-V75 under there which is the same size as my PDXs. You can stack 2 on each side if you have them behind the vents. I have mine above the vent to prevent overheating in the winter, so can't stack.

And as said above, under the rear seat or in the passenger side rear panel there is room as well.

I prefer under the seats as they will get the little bit of air flow they need and are easier to access to adjust settings.

 

[THEDK]

Yeah how about under the dashboard maybe? Assuming it's not an insane level of effort to get there. I think the PDX would fit in that wheel well area though I'm not sure I want to run wire all over like that... Would have to for subwoofer anyway... Then there's the line level dilemma.

Non jbl system BTW.


*edit its too fat for any of those.places on close inspection.

If I had more time I'd take the sliding deck out and build a false floor installation and then glass the subs into the sides... Like the good ol days.


I want to avoid under the seat, unless it can be hidden with the seat in any position... I'll have to toss it under and look.

 

[tigger]

Yeah how about under the dashboard maybe? Assuming it's not an insane level of effort to get there. I think the PDX would fit in that wheel well area though I'm not sure I want to run wire all over like that... Would have to for subwoofer anyway... Then there's the line level dilemma.

Non jbl system BTW.


*edit its too fat for any of those.places on close inspection.

If I had more time I'd take the sliding deck out and build a false floor installation and then glass the subs into the sides... Like the good ol days.


I want to avoid under the seat, unless it can be hidden with the seat in any position... I'll have to toss it under and look.

It would fit under the dash, but it would be a lot of work.
I have mine under the passenger seat here. It cannot be seen no matter how far forward or back you have the seat.
It is not completely mounted in this pic, but it is tucked up to the cross beam so the carpet lays over the edge of the amp, covering the wires.

In this pic, you can see the floor vent. The amp sits above it to allow the air to still flow. I placed thin boards under the carpet on each side to raise the amp and have something to attach it to.

 

[rigtec]

I want to avoid under the seat, unless it can be hidden with the seat in any position... I'll have to toss it under and look.

Using the space underneath either of the front seats is a great choice for a variety reasons... easy service access, short wire pull, temperature controlled environment, power-seat "Trac-well" provides physical amplifier safety...etc! I've had two different sets of amp stax under the driver-seat:

DUAL JL AUDIO HD-750 mono-block

DUAL ALPINE PDX M-12 mono-block

I understand that you need to create the illusion of an OEM (factory) amplifier component in which case I'd still recommend the RR wheel well vestibule location. Wires are very easy to pull using the passenger side door sills as the wire trough. BTW: You still haven't mentioned what type of amp e.g., size, #of channels, power in watts, application...etc?

Rgds!

 

[tigger]

You still haven't mentioned what type of amp e.g., size, #of channels, power in watts, application...etc?

Rgds!

I think he said he has an Alpine PDX-4.100
Same one I use for the fronts in my Honda.

 

[THEDK]

I think he said he has an Alpine PDX-4.100
Same one I use for the fronts in my Honda.

4.150, but I'm 99% sure the form factor is the same.

I used to run it bridged to a pair of dynaudio midbass... those were the days.

Okay here's the driver's seat all the way forward with the PDX4.150 in position. (which is a position the seat will never be in, as I'm 6'7) If I make a little cover for part of it, it will be 100% invisible.

So, I'm on board with that.

For my subs, I'll set up a molex connector and some way to get them in and out in a hurry if I need the space. (two ARC 8s)

My next big hurdle is the integration. I'm leaning toward a unit like the AudioControl EQS.

I can tap the leads for the front speakers. and use the Audiocontrol EQS to EQ left and right channels independently (by using FRONT as LEFT and REAR as RIGHT.) Because, honestly, Focals are going to need a lot of EQ bounced off a windshield...

But there's no guarantee the EQS won't whine like crazy, and it's expensive at $250.

I've had issue with outboard EQs causing electrical noise when paired with the PDX before. Hmmm.

Also not sure what to tap for subwoofer output.

 

[tigger]

You must have it behind the vent as it will sit further forward above it.

 

[THEDK]

You must have it behind the vent as it will sit further forward above it.

It's butted up against it. I'll probably put its feet on and put it over the vent for the actual install.

 

[tigger]

I just remembered that the PDR I have is only 6.5" deep so smaller than the PDX series. But yeah, it will still tuck up further.

Someday I will upgrade to the PDX-V9 or move the PDX4.100 and 1.600 over from the Honda to the 4Runner.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

My next big hurdle is the integration. I'm leaning toward a unit like the AudioControl EQS.

I can tap the leads for the front speakers. and use the Audiocontrol EQS to EQ left and right channels independently (by using FRONT as LEFT and REAR as RIGHT.) Because, honestly, Focals are going to need a lot of EQ bounced off a windshield...

But there's no guarantee the EQS won't whine like crazy, and it's expensive at $250.

I've had issue with outboard EQs causing electrical noise when paired with the PDX before. Hmmm.

Also not sure what to tap for subwoofer output.

Like I said, I did a lot of testing, using the AudioControl LC2i and a bunch of test frequency flac files on cd, and I can tell you the drop off for bass around 32hz is massive. I wouldn't even worry about the noise issue at all, when you hear this cutoff, you'll be looking for an aftermarket head unit.

Do some tests though, see if your head unit doesn't do the same, exact thing mine did. Find some high-res audio test files online, run between 20hz and 35hz, see where each frequency drops off and at what volume.

Or, maybe you're okay with the unbalanced nature of the stock head unit, I dunno. It was too much for me to deal with on a daily basis, and I found myself not listening to anything just because of the way it sounded at one volume, make it louder and the whole thing sounded like shit. Bass gone one moment, lower volume 1 or 2 clicks and bass is overpowering the rest of the system.

 

[THEDK]

I did run a single generator through it actually, & I found the same result that around 30 Hertz it pretty much just vanishes.

I don't think a JBL clean sweep could fix that since the data is just gone. Plus I don't have the money for an aftermarket head unit.. as awful as the factory navigation is, I'd rather lose some bottom end and mess with it. The 8 inch subs I use don't play much under 30hz anyway...


I have also noticed the base seems to follow the volume control around. That's pretty obnoxious.


Honestly my primary complaint with the system is there is absolutely no resolution or high end. Last night I played with several aftermarket tweeters and crossovers in conjunction with the factory unit and it was pretty bad.

I know some people put those 3 inch speakers in it but typically I hate the way those sound, & I imagine there's all kinds of ugly reflections in that location, not to mention they aren't sealoig off the back wave

 

[keyser_soze]

I see you have already found out, but no, I really doubt even the small amps would fit under the dash or center console.

There is plenty of room under the seats, and unless you are very short or your amp is huge I really doubt you would be able to see it from the outside.

I think the stock head unit is fine if you set it up right, and with a sound processor (I have a JBL MS8) it is comparable to a nicer aftermarket head unit.

Where in Sac are you? I live in Roseville, you are welcome to check out my system if you would like.

 

[THEDK]

I see you have already found out, but no, I really doubt even the small amps would fit under the dash or center console.

There is plenty of room under the seats, and unless you are very short or your amp is huge I really doubt you would be able to see it from the outside.

I think the stock head unit is fine if you set it up right, and with a sound processor (I have a JBL MS8) it is comparable to a nicer aftermarket head unit.

Where in Sac are you? I live in Roseville, you are welcome to check out my system if you would like.

Lincoln- I'd love to check out the ms8