Slowly my Dolby 5.1 setup for the Ralliart is comming together, today I won the key component on eBay in my efforts to keep the system running mainly Eclipse gear (except for my iPod and the Playstation 2 which will be responsible for playing MP3's and DVD's respectively).

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9710622488&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

These Eclipse DSP's can't be bought in Australia as they were never released here leaving very few options for Eclipse fanboi's like me unless you want to replace your headunit with something in the AVX line.

The best part of this system is except for the sub's that will be in the boot and the mounting of the centre channel speaker the car's audio system will look completely factory!

Looking forward to seeing the completed setup, I'm a fan of stealthy installs as well.

I'm contemplating mounting the sub's in the spare tyre well so that they can be covered over for an even more stealth look. (but install costs may prevent this.)

For the centre channel speaker i'll likely be installing it were the cup holders / cigarette lighter & ash-tray are in the centre console.

get an AVX :p

i am looking into getting an external EQ aswell though, as i think the low voltage RCA's are the cause of my crappy sub response?

as for the centre speaker, although it will be going away from most brands that i've used, this clarion will be mounted where the ashtray normally would be

http://www.clarion.com/au/en/MungoBlobs/92/856/SRK5,1.jpg


* 1/2 DIN Fixed Application

* Fits in all DIN and 1/2 Installation Kits

* 50-Watt Amplifier

* 20 Watts RMS

* RCA Audio Input

* 5 3/4” Full Range 4 Ohm Speakers in a Sealed Enclosure with 2 1” Rear-Mounted Midbass Reinforcement Speakers Ported to the Front of the Enclosure

so 7 speakers all up, in a proper enclosure, not bad for $280

My Eclipse CD8051 has 8V preouts which is plenty!

The early AVX units had issues with low RCA voltage as you've discovered hence why i'm going down the path I am with the external DSP/EQ.

I'm going to try and use half a set of Eclipse 5-1/4" 3-way splits for my centre-channel. :)

I read somewhere that 80% of the work in a dolby setup is done by the centre channel hence I'm going for the best speaker i can fit in the hole were i want to mount it!

My Eclipse CD8051 has 8V preouts which is plenty!

The early AVX units had issues with low RCA voltage as you've discovered hence why i'm going down the path I am with the external DSP/EQ.

I'm going to try and use half a set of Eclipse 5-1/4" 3-way splits for my centre-channel. :)

I read somewhere that 80% of the work in a dolby setup is done by the centre channel hence I'm going for the best speaker i can fit in the hole were i want to mount it!


would an external EQ fix low voltage problems? i've heard that some can increase the output?

and yes, the missing centre channel in my setup is largely frustrating!! for normal CD's and MP3's its fine, but DVD video and DVD-A sucks balls, as there is so much lost!

My mate had an AVX in his R32 Skyline and overcame his voltage issues.

I'll find out what he did to make it crank, he is the Manager of a car audio store so one would hope he'd know.

He did have some huge ass amps and a couple of caps in his system though...

He did have some huge ass amps and a couple of caps in his system though...

check and check :)

cheers if you can find any info though!

Sounds like an interesting project, perhaps look into building an enclosure under the dash with fibreglass, with a small hole cut in the dash (neatly with a grille)

As the centre channel does most of the work you'll want a fairly large driver if you plan on doing a proper 5.1 setup. Otherwise you will end up high passing it around 150 hz if it's only 4". And you'll lose all your centre image midbass.

T-Bro went 5.1 in his magna with good results.

i just found this one on the Eclipse site

http://www.eclipse-web.com.au/equalizer/image/eq2102.jpg

* 30 Independent Frequency Controls
for Precision Tonal Adjustment
* True 2-Channel Stereo Tracking Controls
* High Q Minimizes Frequency Overlapping During Adjustment
* Separate Input Level Control and EQ Defeat Switch
for Easy Gain Matching
* Selectable ± 6dB or ± 12dB Boost or Cut
* Switchable Subwoofer Crossover Function
* LED Overload Indicator
* Premium Components and Corrosion-Resistant Parts


seeing the headunit has 5.1 built in, i'm guessing this should be fine, but 2-channel stereo has me worried, surely it has seperate front and rear inputs/outputs?

Sounds like an interesting project, perhaps look into building an enclosure under the dash with fibreglass, with a small hole cut in the dash (neatly with a grille)

As the centre channel does most of the work you'll want a fairly large driver if you plan on doing a proper 5.1 setup. Otherwise you will end up high passing it around 150 hz if it's only 4". And you'll lose all your centre image midbass.

T-Bro went 5.1 in his magna with good results.

Yup fibre glass and mdf are the materials of choice. I'll have dark grey grille cloth covering from the top of the ash tray section down to where the drink holders would normally be leaving just enough room for my iPod to be mounted there.

5-1/4" driver is what i'm planning on using provided it'll fit.

I've been talking about this project for a while now and finally it's becoming a reality: http://www.akko.id.au/dolby-project.html

2x 12" Eclipse woofers are now in as is my Eclipse 39011 DSP, boot install is approx 75% complete.

Unfortunately my Eclipse sub-woofer amp hasn't arrived so i'm running a somewhat under powered rockford unit for the time being until it shows.

My centre channel speaker/s has now also been ordered Eclipse SC8355 and will hopefully arrive at the same time as the amp.

Pics of the boot install to come - stay tuned.

/Edit - Amp & Splits finally arrived today!