Poll: Favorite Car Audio Brand, Updated

This was tough.  So I bet on amplifiers.  Zapco just plain rocks the amp world.  If I had to choose head units, it would be a cross between JVC,  Eclipse,  and Alpine.  Speakers, mids and tweets,  Focal, Crystal, Lanzar, or even MB Quart.  Subwoofers. There are so many good ones out there it drives you crazy.  But around $300 you can get JBL w12GTiMkII which totally rocks or the JVC Arsenal CS-AW8240 or a Cerwin Vega Stroker.   All three are heart stoppers and sound great in my book. MA Audio is pretty good too.Zapco pwnz!!!

OH,  and I forgot Image Dynamics.  They were my first system speakers and were wonderful, until my ID Max sub blew and now am looking for an spl/sq combo to replace it.  I think JVC Arsenal Counter Strike AW8240 is the perfect fit and matches my Zapco 6.0 c2k perfectly.Zapco pwnz!!!

Five stripes all the way /////Alpine best iPod interface, best sound quality, best digital amps, best flipdown, best navigation interface. Keep it simple Alpine simply the Best!!

For those who scoff at Sony Xplod... yes most of their stuff is not very good but I have had Great preformance out of my head unit, but i am only running it of of the pre-outs from the cd player but i have had it for at least 6 years and not one problem cdx-m630 the first of their design with the dual screen flip out face plate (look it up) but otherwise i love JL Audio and Memphis97 F150, Sony CDX-M630, Sony XM-2165GTX, JL Audio 12W3D2, Planet Audio VX-602, Memphis 15-MC5.7

Yeah it's a mutt, but mutts make the best dogs!

If you have been using a 630 for 6 years and have not had to replace the ribbon cable from the face to the motherboard, either you never change CDs or you are the luckiest man alive.  You know you jinxed yourself.  When it breaks tomorrow let me know I will get you a part number and a phone number to order the new one.

Newbie here ... I wanted to post this question on the "Choosing an Amp" thread but it's closed. The question is about choosing the right size amp based on subwoofer RMS rating and configuration. This will be a new installation for a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS. It'll be a new purchase for both the subs and amp. Primary Question: for example: two 12" DVC 2 ohm (per voice coil) subs rated 500w RMS, series-parallel configuration (vc's in series and subs paralleled to amp) for a 2 ohm load to the amp. In selecting an amp, do I need to look for an amp that can deliver 500w RMS or 1000w RMS at 2 ohms? In other words with the subs in parallel to the amp, do I add each subs RMS rating? Also, if I have the options of getting an amp slightly below or slightly above the subs RMS rating, which is the better option? I'm thinking an amp that can deliver more than the subs RMS rating would be the better option and that I'd just need to turn down the amp gain. Correct? Secondary Question: Using Alpine as an example ... my budget will allow for either one 12" type X or two 12" type R's. Assuming I have the space for a two sub setup, which is better? I want good quality hard hitting bass that I can feel, but am a bit worried about shaking the car to pieces or breaking glass. I won't be entering SQ or SPL competitions ... just want great sounding hard hitting bass. This ties back into my first question ... type R has a power range of 50 to 500w RMS while the type X has a power range of 500 to 1000w RMS. Do I add the RMS for the two type R's, meaning that I'd need a 1000w RMS amp for either setup (2-R's or 1-X)? Thanks in advance,

Looking at some options that would fit my budget ... Subs (one of the following four options): two - JL 12W3V2-2 ... 2 ohm total load, 600 wrms total two - Alpine SWR-1222D ... 2 ohm total load, 1000 wrms total two - Hifonics B12D2 ... 2 ohm total load, 1200 wrms total one - Hifonics OLM1612 ... 1 ohm total load, 1600 wrms total for all options I'd go with a Hifonics mono D amp rated a little over the total sub load and the total price (subs and amp) comes out in the same ballpark (within $100). note: I want good quality bass for daily driving Main Speakers (6.5 comp up front, 6x9 coax in rear): JL VR 650 CSi JL VR 690 CXi Boston Acoustics SX60 (front and rear) Alpine SPX-17REF Alpine SPR-69C Again, I'm planning on going with a Hifonics multi-channel amp rated slightly above the speakers rms rating and the total cost (amp plus speakers) comes out about the same for either option (within $100). Any thoughts considering that I'm not looking at the top of the line models for the subs or mains (i.e. not looking at JLW6 or W7 subs)? Or is it a case of they're all good and it just depends on personal preference? Regarding the subs, I was originally thinking the high powered Hifonics OLM 1612 would be the way to go (looks awesome and I've read reviews saying it sounds great), but I can only afford one and the it requires the most power of all the sub options I'm considering. Also, this will be for daily driving (no plans for SPL competition). I want good quality bass I can hear and feel inside the car (Mitsubishi Eclipse) and would imagine the lower powered subs would be more than sufficient. I'm also a bit concerned about running into electrical problems running higher powered amps. The car has been sitting in the driveway for three years (just now getting title issue cleared up) so I need to replace the battery anyways (will probably go with optima) but I'd rather not have to upgrade the alternator. Any advice would be greatly appreciated ... I'm a newbie   : ) Tim