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YJ
Dodge Dakota
12/13/2001
16:19:58
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 Subject: Center Channel?
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Message:
Anyone install a Center channel speaker in their Dakota? I have a 2000 which has the same dash as the 97s, 8s, and 99s. I have the Kenwood KVT910DVD unit. I want to purchase the add-on module for true dolby digital surround but am not sure where the heck I'm to install center channel. I don't think I want to install it in the center vents. I also need to install a sub at some point but don't want to lose the bench seat up front and the seating for 3 in the rear of my quad cab. Let me know if you have any ideas.
Thanks in advance...
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kennungesser
Gen III
 
12/13/2001
17:08:27
| RE: Center Channel?
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I have asked this a few times also. I hope someone here knows. I would love to know how much room is under the top of the dash,about 5in from the windshield,dead center. Anyone?
Kenneth l Nungesser
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
12/13/2001
18:51:31
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
You can buy a deck that plays DVDs and DVD-As that has a centre channel that flips out, but for the most part, you do not want one. Quadreo is lame enough, a centre channel will just mess up the sound stage. There is no way you can get as good a sound stage in a vehicle as you can in home theatre. Save you money and get some REALLY good front comps, tweets, and mid bass drivers if you're looking for superior quality of sounds.
Also, where would you run your centre channel off of. Most 5.1 decks are pretty spendy.
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kennungesser
Gen III
12/13/2001
21:20:33
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
I put a center in my Shadow , and ran it bridged off an old (10 yrs) Sony amp. It sounds great and does NOT mess up the soundstage in the car. Hell,the front imaging in the car,with a hacked up system sounds better than the one I have in the truck.
Here's what I have in the car:
1: 6 year old Clarion head unit.
2: Blaupunkt in front
3: M.B quartz center(got it used,one was blown)
4: Pioneer rear
5: 10 year old MTX sub(still kicks hard)
6: Sony amp(center)
7: Rockford Fosgate amp (sub)
8: Optimus amp (rear)
9: Jenson amp (front)
10: Clarion passive EQ
11: 1 Cheap relay and switch
I told you it was hacked up,and looks bad in the trunk too. But man, oh man,I can turn ZZ Top up all the way and its clear as a bell! And the imaging is great!!
And the truck
1: Pioneer DEH p8200R
2: MB quartz RKC 116 all the way around
3: Clarion 4 ch amp running front and rear
After all this,it sounds clear,but don't let anyone tell you that speakers(unless component)will sound good when they are aimed at your feet, as they are in the factory location of our trucks.
Kenneth l Nungesser
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YJ
Dodge Dakota
12/18/2001
14:43:27
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
Well, to be honest I was hoping for a little more to answer my question. To answer xplikt, I have the Kenwood KVT910DVD, now with the add-on Dolby Digital DTS surround module. Yes, it was spendy, about $2500 all together, but I saved a few bucks doing the install. It's a great in-dash DVD, TV, CDR player and has the option to optimize the 5.1 to a specific location in the cab. I'm just trying to get a center channel in there. The ones like the Panasonic center channel that comes with some of their units, are pretty bad. I might just have to block the center vents. My Jeep's got all of the bass and audio toys I'll ever need. I just want my quad cab to have a fuller sound. The Infinity setup is decent but I need a place to put a sub and a center channel to really get those DVD movies crankin'. PS2's pretty nice though. :-)
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MikeW
Dodge Dakota
12/22/2001
17:38:16
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
YJ, I've put center channel speakers in the vents before. You just need bridge them together as a mono set so it gives you the correct imagine in the front. The hard part is finding a set (or one if u want) of speakers that are small enough to fit but are not too "tweeter-like". Small tweeters can work but it will sound a little better if they can put out more mid-range. Its helped a lot in most cases. Just an idea. ;-)
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/06/2002
22:23:40
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
Go to Crutchfield.com and look for a center channel that sits right under your cd player. It is the size of a normal din and if you have some kind of storage space under your player it would fit perfectly. I drive a 98 Honda Accord and it sounds perfect. I have all infinity except for that speaker and it doesn't make any difference. Sounds just like the movie theater.
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96dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/07/2002
22:12:01
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
The kvt910dvd has a add on center channel speaker as well. It is a small amp and a speaker that is about halfdin size. I typically put them in the pockets under the radio on toyos, and hondas or make a custom kit for them in other cars at work. You might be able to make a custom kit to hold both the 910 and the center because you have the din and a half opening. The model # is ksc-900ctr. I dont have the specs on it here at the house though. I like its performance for the most part. It is a small speaker so its output is obviosly hindered by that, but it comes with its own amp. The only problem I have found with doing the 5.1 with the kenwood is that it does not recognize that a disc is 5.1 so you actually have to go in the menu to change it.
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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/12/2002
02:43:45
| RE: Center Channel?
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Message:
Don't hold me to this but I think if you wanted to mount a speaker on the top of the dash right above the vents its doable. The vent channel is right under the surface of the dash. Of course you would have to be sure that it was small enough not to totally block the flow of air. You would also have to put it in an enclosure of some sort.
The best spot I think is the just forward of the 4 wheel drive shifter. There is a peice of carpet that hides the dash support and I am pretty sure that there is room for a shallow speaker (like a plate speaker) there. The advantages are a better sound field because of the similiar position with the door speakers and much better looks and likely simpler installation.
One thing to think about. 5.1 sound is cool but the automobile environment is a very poor place for it. If you could drive from the center of the cabin it would be fine...but everyone that in the vehicle is at one of the extremes of the listening environment. The best surround sound theater sounds less than impressive if you sit in the far back corner or right in front of a front side speaker. However...a center channel speaker that is properly blended with the system can help fill sound holes and make for better imaging. Just make sure its gonna give you what you want before you stress over trying to make it work.
DodgedogJB
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