upgrades where to start, where to end
Printed From: the12volt.comForum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=107030
Printed Date: May 03, 2024 at 11:09 AM
Topic: upgrades where to start, where to end
Posted By: lennex
Subject: upgrades where to start, where to end
Date Posted: August 25, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Replies:
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: August 26, 2008 at 8:54 AM
lennex wrote:
First time poster, but have lurked for awhile....
Welcome.
lennex wrote:
I'm decently happy with my system, but have done many things wrong.... example: I'm using a handme-down amp (no clue what the brand is off the top of my head. but it puts out 220w @ 4ohm. and has a built in cross over) through a Kenwood KFC-W3011 12" sub in a non-ported Phoenix Gold sub box
So I know I gotta upgrade the amp.
Why? Are youn happy with it's performance? If so, then don't upgrade it, save that money for better component systems. Seriously. You'll be glad you did!
lennex wrote:
My speaker system itself is bugging me too...
Why? You didn't really specify.
lennex wrote:
I have no clue what to look for in upgrading the battery. Thats all new to me.
For a small system like this one, anything will be adequate. If you really want to go TOO far beyond this, then look into an Optima yellow (or my preference - red) top battery.
lennex wrote:
For Front' Speakers I'm thinking of going component system. But I don't know if I wanna start cutting around in the panneling of my car. Currently I love the high end response of the Octane-R's but they have very crummy mid-range. And my ear seems to be very sensitive to high-mids. Which seem a lil sharp. The rear speakers I find muddy and usually have the headunits crossover set to 100hz for the rears. The fronts have a cross over of 80hz. But I blend most of it front anyways. I've been told to check out Clarions SRQ5730C for a straight 5x7 replacement, or I got a brutal deal on a set of Alpine Spx-177r. However the Alpine's are 6.5's and will require some cutting of metal and tweater install... (I want the tweaters at ear level for SQ)
The "tweeters at ear level for SQ" is a fallicy. AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE WOOFER, without exception. You should also check to see if there is something in the JL line that might also do what you like. I am pretty picky, and while I did build my component systems from (pretty much) completely non-off-the-shelf parts, I do have to very much admit that I do like the JL components. Not so much the metal domes, but the silk domes are VERY nice.
lennex wrote:
For a Sub Amp I'm looking at either a Kenwood Excelleon or an Alpine Monoblock.
Again... If you are happy with what I going on with your present piece, don't change it just yet.
lennex wrote:
To be honest I'm very open to suggestions as I have very little experience in car audio components. I honestly just bought the components I have now because some sales guy told me too, or because I thought the components looked 'cool.' (ie the Octane-R's.)
We all have to start somewhere...
What's your budget? What do you ultimately want to have in your car, performance-wise? Ground-pounding? SQ? A little bit more information with regards to what YOU want, and I think we can help you a bit better! I'd personally dump the rear speakers, unless you HAVE to have them, for the kiddies (or the wife 
). This will allow a bit more money for REALLY getting much nicer fronts. (Oh, and there is NEVER an end! LOL This is a path you will find will continue for some LONG period of time, if you ever get bitten by the bug!)-------------
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: lennex
Date Posted: August 26, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Posted By: Hornshockey
Date Posted: August 26, 2008 at 12:06 PM
lennex wrote:
The thing about the sub-amp is that I've been told by so many people that I'm underpowering it and I could blow the sub at any minute. 400w handling @4ohm, 1200w RMS is the number I'm pulling from memory right now.
Oh boy, now you've opened a can of worms...I spent an hour reading through this thread and all the discussions linked from it. Enjoy!
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Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while; you could miss it.
Posted By: chillin420
Date Posted: August 26, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Posted By: lennex
Date Posted: August 26, 2008 at 3:16 PM