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[xekushnr]

i've read a bunch of your posts from random threads, and you seem to have developed a good sense of automotive electronics & theory. im just kind of curious as to where you learned everything. i installed for a little over a year at circuit city, and for some reason you dont really come off as an installer to me. dont take this as an insult or anything, because its not, im just sort of curious.

[PoorManQ45]

i've read a bunch of your posts from random threads, and you seem to have developed a good sense of automotive electronics & theory. im just kind of curious as to where you learned everything. i installed for a little over a year at circuit city, and for some reason you dont really come off as an installer to me. dont take this as an insult or anything, because its not, im just sort of curious.

I'm not insulted at all.

You're correct in guessing that I'm not a paid installer. Although I do do installs for people on the side.

Hmm.. Where I learned what I know. Well, the person that got me into the audio field was my father. He used to do stuff just like me. He had some old audio books and he handed them to me one day. So I read them from cover to cover, only about 125 pages, while sitting on the toilet. You probably didn't need to know that last part, but it shows you that I learned mostly in my spare time in the beginning. This was ~4 years ago. Then from there, I took to the internet. I'm currently an active member on two audio specific forums. I both give advice, and learn new things to and from others.

You've been around for awhile, so you know my personality pretty well. You know that I like to question things, and am not satisfied until someone provides me with cold hold *technical* facts. So on those other forums I would pose questions that I knew would lead to indepth technical discussions, and hopefully draw out the resident acoustical engineers. Usually this works, and I end up learning even more then I expected.

Most recently, specifically when I entered college a ~year ago, I found an excellent book called "High Performance Loudspeakers 5th ed.". Very quickly this book become my holy bible. If ever I needed to answer a question which I couldn't recall the answer to I would turn to the bible. It has failed me less then 1% of the time. I recommend that if you have access to any community college library or if you'd prefer, amazon.com that you buy this book. New it costs ~$60, used right now it's ~$40.

It covers everything from how a speaker works, to phase shift caused buy crossover(s).

Actually, I haven't gotten a hold of it yet, but the 6th edition has come out. More then likely it just builds on the 5th. So it'll have more info pertaining to surround sound.

So to answer your question, I got most of my information from reading, and talking to experts.

Note, when I say experts, I don't mean professionals, I mean engineers.

Now, This may come as a surprise to you, but I have only down two FULL installs. I'm talking installing everything. All the rest of the installs were for small things like speakers or HUs.

Feel free to inquire some more if you'd like

[xekushnr]

no, you pretty much answered most of my questions in that post. its kind of odd, we both learn the same way...whenever i take a trip to the can i bring my modern automotive technology book (1000+ pages of everything automotive, from big pushrod V8's to econobox I4's.) as for your personality, yes i figured out pretty quickly that you are usually not satisfied until you get some solid facts on a subject. although i admit i may find it a bit annoying in certain topics, it is a great way to learn, and honestly i wish i had your persistence when it comes to these things.

thanks for the tip on the book, i will have to look into it. my former boss was recommending something for me to pick up a while ago, and i think this might have been it (it really sounds familiar.) books are great to have around not just for the initial learning experience, but for refrencing as well. im the kind of guy who can read something and learn it, but have trouble remembering down the road without some help. repitition helps me a lot with this, so having a thick encyclopedia on all things car audio wouldnt hurt.

and about your install experience, i really wouldnt feel bad about only working on two full systems. obviously, whenever you start adding more parts there is the potential for more problems. plus with the extra time involved, you usually have to mold some of your day around it (unless you are a quick worker!) luckily with your knowledge of theory most problems you will run into installing you will have figured out pretty quick.

anyways, you seem to have a better grasp on theory than i do, but if you ever have a question or need help with installing, let me know. ive picked up a few tricks from installing that may be able to help you out next time you're doing some work.

[PoorManQ45]

So having a thick encyclopedia on all things car audio wouldnt hurt.

ACtually it's not car audio specific. It's more of Theories of Audio equipment type book. Its main focus is on home audio, but EVERYTHING applies. The only difference is the size of the room you're working in