Novice Needs Advice Please

My twin 16 yr old boys are building out their first systems. They have the following HU Sony CDX M800 & CDX M850. Now before we hear how aweful the sony HU is, they were given to them so the price is right. Both are building systems with their own cash (as it should be) so they are on a fairly tight budget.

Car 1: Dodge Rampage '82, two seater cab with pickup bed (dodge omni cab)

Car 2: Ford Bronco II "88.

Need recommendations on what additional components they should invest in: subs, amps, capicitors??, etc etc.

I really appreciate the help, there is so much info out there that it gets pretty confusing on whats needed, nice to have and must have.

Thanks, Joe

Thanks for the advice, anyone have specific component recommendations or configurations... Ill help them buy so they can setup full system rather than piece by piece

joe

what sizes are ther stock speakers?

Pioneer has has good SQ for the money, all i run in my car is 2 Pioneer 6x9" 4way speakers in boxes behind my seat and 2 Pioneer 12" svc subs in band pass box in the trunk with 2 500rms rockford fosgate amps powering them, dont waste your money on a capicitor,go with a Isolator and duel batterys,that why your system wont ever kill your main battery , them  pioneer 6x9"s are realy great the 4 and 5 ways they have can handle up 500watts each and i can turn my system all the way up with no loss of SQ, https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4069_35255,00.html

them less powerful speaker that run off the HU sound off full when you turn them up loud,and dont be cheep buying an amp , a good amp can make cheep speakers sound great go with RF, and dont buy sony speaker unless ther headphones

I think you should determine if the sound from the stock speakers with the new head unit is acceptable. 

Phase I:            If so, then the first item I would add is a 10" subwoofer to fill out the frequency response.  In my opinion, with o.k. sounding stock speakers this is the single greatest improvement in sound you can make right away.   They are 16yo boys so this will be even more the case because the bass will add some guts to the music.  I'd recommend a small class D amp and a 10" sub that can fit in a small enclosure in the trucks. 

They might decide that they are done with the system after this step.  Many times a good sub, new head unit, and factory speakers can be a very enjoyable system. 

Phase II:            Then, IF they decide they want more sound quality, volume, etc. from the mids and highs buy a 2 or 4 channel amp to provide some good clean power to the factory speakers.  Remember to use a high pass crossover and this addition should further improve the quality and volume you can get out of the factory speakers. 

Phase III:           The next phase would be to add a component set up front.  Rear speakers aren't that important in my opinion and should be replaced last.  I don't think you need expensive components for 'rear fill.'

A phased process like this would be what I would recommend when getting into car audio on a budget.  Don't replace anything until necessary, another reason for going with the amp and subwoofer first. 

Joe, do each system a step at a time so you do not get overwhelmed with info, trust me on this. This is the number one mistake that alot of consumers make. It is very easy to get caught up in the game and buy the deal instead of buying the equipment. Buy the right equipment to match the needs of the vehicle and the user. It is better to sacrifice rather than compromise, the latter leads to $$$$$ that will have to be replaced at a later date. I know that you want to do the right thing for the boys and get them looked after but they drive two totally different vehicles that will have drastic effects on how a system performs in each one. Thus what you do for one may not work in the other.

Start by buying the front and rear (if necessary) speakers that will fit the factory mounting locations. Next find out how much space you have available for a sub system. Get a rough idea in cubix feet of airspace available for each vehicle. This will determine the size and number of subs. The choice of subs will then determine the box and amplifier to drive them. If you have more questions or just want some advice, please post it up and one of the guys will be glad to answer.

I agree with kfr01, although I'm am fairly new to car audio, his way is the I am building my system.  I mean, when I first started building my system I started with the subs because I wanted bass. I bought 2 JBL GT 10"s from Crutchfield.   I didnt start with my speakers first because I went by what I heard and I thought the factory system was satisfactory.  Now a few months ago I replaced my front and back speakers, and amped them, and now I am saving for a new sub setup.  I think I am going with Diamond Audio, because after reading what you guys in here say about them I went to a shop here and listened and really liked them. So I say ask your boys if they want the having bass is high on their list

Actually my first purchase wasnt the subs but rather a new HU, a Kenwood KDC-X817, which I'm still using and will be upgraded once I recover from replacing the subs.

Your sons tastes in music will influence what they want for a system.  If they like mostly rap, and music with a lot of deep bass they might want to spend more on a amp/subs then on speakers.  If they like less bass intensive music a smaller 10" sub will do, and they should spend more on a quality componet system.  They also might want to consider buying just one sub and one mono amp to start with, then, if they want more bass, but a second sub and amp.  My other advice would be, only buy quality equipment, run the products past us 12volt people before you buy, and also have your sons listen to them before they buy.  I am 16, going on 17 and in the process of building my first system, so I know how your sons feel.  At first I bought some cheap equipment and it didnt work out to well, so ive learned that its better to save your money and buy quality stuff.

You sound like 1 cool dad!

First off, welcome to the board!   I am going to start by explaining how a normal system should be set up, these are just genaral rules.

1. You ALWAYS want your best,loudest speakers up front,  they are the speakers that create the visualzation that you are sitting and watching the concert/band.  The rear speakers don't need to be of much quality compared to the front since you should only be barely hearing the rear as a filler.  Component speakers are the best speaker systems, but they generally are pricyer,  they basically are speaker systems where there is 2 separate speakers on each side of the vehicle, they consist of 1 small speaker called the tweeter that plays the high notes like female vocals, and such, and the other speaker if the woofer that will play your drums and guitars and such.  Then there is your "coaxial" speakers, where the tweeter and woofer are together in 1 speaker, the tweeter will be poking through the center of the woofer, , coaxials are a great speaker to replace with factory speakers, or for your rear fill speakers.

2.  Be shure you cover the speaker department up front atleast before you get a subwoofer.  Decideing on subs is purely on music choice, 10" subs are generally tighter hitting subs more suited for music where the bass must be quick and precise like in rock music .    12" subs are are the most average choice because they play the low notes in rap music very loud, and are still capable in making quick tight bass like the 10's, but as you go up in size the less precise the sound will be and the louder the low end bass will get.

3.  Decideing on amps is just as hard as subs, but once you do your measurements on space available and choose your subs like "forbidden" said it will be pretty easy to match the amps up .

As you go along, ask questions, and we will answer.  Ask about parts your looking at before you buy, that way you know your getting the best bang for your buck.

Good luck, and hope your sons enjoy your help!

Hey guys I appreciate all the advice its been illuminating to say the least. Sorry bout the profile change but my first one seemed to stop working. Was unable to get logged back in on it. Anyway, as we start to compile the systems illl be back to run the components by you guys. We have some pioneer, fosgate, legacy 4's as well as a pair of Audiobahn AS46Q 4x6s that some friends have contributed. So my plan is to install the Sony HUs, and replace the factory speakers with what ive got already.

On the subs, sounds like 10s are best, my guys are into R&R / Punk, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, NOFX, AntiFLAG, System of Down, as well as some classic R&R like Stones, Aerosmith, Van Halen.

So phase II will be subs and amps

Thanks

Joe

aggie altima wrote:

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Agreed, replace the speakers first. In my opinion, Infinity Kappas have a good sound quality to dollar ratio, as they are fairly inexpensive but sound good to my ear. I've heard lower model MB Quarts sound pretty good as well, but I don't have personal experience with them.

As for a capacitor, you shouldn't invest in one, especially at this time.

As for subs, it depends on what type of bass they want. Some people like it loud, some people like it to perfectly compliment the music, and some people... you get the point, hahah. Just let us know what type of bass they would like to have, and if they care about sound quality bass at all.

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Are these the Kappas you were talking about?? INFINITY KAPPA 42.5i 4" 2WAY SPEAKERS