build my system.

I have one grand to work with. I like rap and rock. Deep bass makes me smile. Throat clenching bass makes me smile harder. I have a Chrysler Concorde with a huge trunk. I also have a set of alpine type r components that are just sitting there till I can find an amp for whatever money I have left over from my subs and amp.

The items that I have narrowed down to are two 15 comp vrs for 140.00 a piece, a custom built box to fit these speakers and my trunk. Powered by Kx 1200.1 amp for 500.00.

Or a single 12 inch L7 in their custom box with the rear slot/hybrid port for 450.00 and a kx 600.1 for 400.00.

Keep in mind these are from the local shop that also has planet audio stuff, but mostly Kicker. I also live in Hawaii so the shipping is unreal for big subs. Thanks for any reply's and keep in mind that I am very new to the sound game and baby steps is what I need.  

Hey stevdart, do you mean a four channel amp for the fronts and subs, or should I get a 5 channel amp? The reason why I want to buy at the local shop is because they have a world-class box maker. They had a dozen competition pictorials with him and the cars that he customized. I have friends that say they can build any box and make it sound good, but so does everybody in here I suppose. I think it would be cool to have this guy build me a box. 

Getting the car damped that important? Thanks for the replys.

Talk to your audio shop about power choices...they will steer you along the right path.  Let them know your goals and let them see your interest level.  You could certainly go with a 4 channel now and when you do the future upgrade you could add a dedicated sub amp and use the 4 channel for the fronts.  The way to do that is to get one 4-ohm sub now to use bridged onto two channels, then later when you add an amp you can also add another 4 ohm sub.  If the amp you later get is a mono D amp, the load would be good at 2 ohms.  Talk to that builder about this "building up" way of doing it and he will come up with a design that will allow for expansion.  It would be cool to have that guy build the enclosure.

And, yes, damping is crucial.  Stay busy, make some money, and work on damping as you can.  The sound quality will be improved to the nth degree.

I will check him out tomorrow before I go to work. I think that I will put some money down to get him going on a box then go online to find a good amp and see if the shop will match the offer.

Maybe instead of a new golf driver that I was going to buy for 400.00, I will invest that into my system. what kind of damping should I get?

Which speakers do you like better 2 comp 15's or a 12 inch L7?

Thanks for your help stevdart

Read this excellent essay written by Rob (forbidden) today on the subject.  Trying to leverage a deal by asking a custom audio shop to match an unknown entity will more likely result in alienation rather than price-matching.  Use the approach I hinted at earlier - the frequency of your visits and your long-term interest.  Make decisions based on more than.....well, after you read Rob's post you'll see what I mean.

Look into Raamat or B-Quiet.  Take your time and do your own comparison listening tests at the shop.  I don't have a favorite.  And, you're welcome and good luck.  (good idea about that new driver!)