What would you do?

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charlie101_1999

Member - Posts: 40

Joined: October 29, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: March 29, 2004 at 7:23 PM / IP Logged

I have a 03' Mercury Mountaineer and I'm trying to put a system in it. I prefer SQ over SPL but at the same time I want it to hit. I have a Panasonic H/U(DFX683U) that I'll be using. My budget consist of about $1200. I will need everything from (4)5X7's, sub(s) and amp(s). I talked to a couple of shops and they seem to push Kicker. This is what it looks like so far:

KX600.1--S10L7

KX300.4--K57

If you guys had this budget, how would you do it? Thanks!

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Joined: November 01, 2003

Location: Alberta, Canada

Posted: March 29, 2004 at 8:38 PM / IP Logged

I would throw away the Kicker equipment and replace with mb quart 5x7" for the front and rear, next I would throw in a 5 channel amp like the Eclipse PA5532 and one MB Quart Reference 10" sub in a 1.23 cu.ft. ported enclosure, slot port 6x1x6". All speakers are amplifed and crossed over, the thing will have great sq and spl in the mid 130db range. For a recommended upgrade I would use MB Quart Discus or Reference 6.5" components in the front doors. For a second upgrade a 12" sub in a similar style of box. 135 db for a young kid is never enough, but for a connesseur of music 135db is easily loud enough and well into permanent hearing damage territory.

Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

razorbacx

Copper - Posts: 91

Joined: June 08, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: March 29, 2004 at 8:51 PM / IP Logged

Definitely go with the MB Quarts. I have a pair of MB Quart DKC169's and they are the best speakers that I have ever heard and these aren't even Quart's top end! If you really enjoy pure sound then I would go with the Quarts over the Kickers or anyother speakers out there for that matter. As far as amps go, you really can't go wrong with USA Amps as they deliver MORE bang for the buck and deliver clean sound. Sorry that I cannot comment on subs.

Razorbacx

Disaster092

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Joined: August 17, 2003

Location: United States

Posted: March 29, 2004 at 9:03 PM / IP Logged

Yes i would definetly agree go with MB. I too have the discus line, i have two 6.5"s and two 6x9"s both are 2 way, and both are amazing. The highs seem a little ear piercing at times but thats only at very high volumes.

charlie101_1999

Member - Posts: 40

Joined: October 29, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: March 30, 2004 at 6:37 AM / IP Logged

I guess I'll deffinetly go with the MB's for obvious reasons but I was hoping for a little more input in regaurds to the sub/amp combo. I do appreciate what response I did get.

DYohn

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Joined: April 22, 2003

Location: Arizona, United States

Posted: March 30, 2004 at 8:34 AM / IP Logged

MBQ is a fine choice for 5X7's. I also really like the sound of Infinity Kappa 572.5cf. and (for a little more $$) JLAudio XR570-Cxi. For subs, I'd steer clear of Kicker for a SQ system. Get a good sounding system that cvan still pound, try JBL W12GTi, Infinity Kappa Perfect, Image Dynamics ID12V.2, Eclipse Aluminum, Adire Bhrama, or Alpine Type R. One 12" in a sealed enclosure should sound nice in your SUV. Power it with a good quality mono sub amp from PPI, Planet Audio, Alpine, or JBL.

markcars

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Joined: December 11, 2002

Location: New York, United States

Posted: March 30, 2004 at 9:38 AM / IP Logged

I have the Alpine type R 12" sub with Alpine everything, including the MRD500 amp for my subwoofer. Sound was supposed to be great, but my setup seems to be a failure. I still could not figure out what the problem is. Lastly I read someone say that the ground connection might not be good, and that is probably the solution to my problem. What I did is put the ground wire in a "eye" and put the "eye" between a plastic body-enclosure of car and sheet-metal near the rear-light. I have to change the ground and see what happens. I guess a sandwich between sheetmetal and platic must be my horrible mistake. I've heard a Kicker Subwoofer in a buddy's car, who got it done at Circuit city. Sound was not that bad but not the best I ever heard either.

DYohn

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Posted: March 30, 2004 at 10:23 AM / IP Logged

Yes, sounds like you have a poor ground, but that would not affect the sound quality of your system, only the ability of the amp to pull enouch current. Fix your ground (bolt it to the car's chassis.) But if you are dissatisfied with the sound of your system, try moving the sub around to different locations and experimenting with forward or rear firing. Placement is every bit as important as component selection and EVERY car is different.

charlie101_1999

Member - Posts: 40

Joined: October 29, 2002

Location: United States

Posted: March 30, 2004 at 7:44 PM / IP Logged

Are the following good choices for subs or am I getting in way over my head? EDe10A.22 w/ Avionixx AXA 400.2

or the RE XXX

I haven't heard to much about these subs but what I have heard, seems to be good. Thanks

stevdart

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Location: Pennsylvania, United States

Posted: March 30, 2004 at 9:00 PM / IP Logged

Your $1200 budget include pro install or are you doing everything yourself?

Figure a portion of that money for necessary wiring and sound dampening materials, because you are going to want to fix those rattles. Search pricing for maybe 40-50 SF of dampening. Price out amp wiring, 8 gauge...get 4 ga. if you can. Figure speaker wire in. Find your best deal on RCA's.

If you install and take your time buying, figure maybe $1050 for one good 4-channel amp, the interior speakers, and a sub. Build your own box if you have the tools. Allow $50 for a quality enclosure. Now that's $1000 to spend.

If you use one high quality amp, you can run the four interior coaxials off two channels by running them parallel, and use the other two channels for the sub. You only need one good sub. You can build a good high-SQ system this way.

If you work with a two-amp system, like a lot of people believe they need to do, you'll soon be over-budget and trying to make do with inferior equipment.

There are some good suggestions of quality equipment in this post for consideration.

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