Trying to pick a system
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=57724
Printed Date: April 26, 2024 at 3:22 AM
Topic: Trying to pick a system
Posted By: Hikari
Subject: Trying to pick a system
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 1:52 AM
Hey guys, i've been wanting to swap out the speakers in my car for a long time now. I have a 1998 Honda Prelude Base model, and when swapping out the rear deck I became all to aware of how terrible the stock system is. There's something inherently wrong with a cardboard tweeter. At any rate, i've fooled around with the idea for a while, but due to money issues, and my life long philosophy on doing things right the first time, i've never proceeded. Now I'm at a point where I can afford good equipment and do it correctly. I'm not trying to win any shows or even be showy to my friends, just want some quality sound. But being fairly new to all of this, i'm not really sure where to start as far as shopping goes. I would like to do a one brand install. I think it's cleaner. Although i've toyed with the idea of a Nakamichi HU and amps with another brands speakers. I listen to a lot of heavy metal and rock, but also like a good pop song once in a while. So I need a pretty versatile system. What are some good brands to look into. Probably looking to spend about 1500 on speakers and amps. I need 6.5s and 6x9s. What are some good companies, i've looked at JBL, JL, Infinity, and MB Quart. I've also been pointed in the direction of Environmental Design, but haven't really gotten any decent independent reviews on any of these companies. I guess my question is, which companies do you favor and why. I like a crisp clean sound.
Replies:
Posted By: Blowntweeters
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 5:16 PM
if you want to go all one brand. i can think of a few things . alpine, eclipse,soundstream,and rockford fosgate. those are all brands that you could do a single brand install ------------- 1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700
Posted By: Blowntweeters
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 5:18 PM
i favor all these brands because of the quality of the products
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1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700
Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 5:22 PM
Fosgate doesn't make head units any more.
The first thing to do is go and demo equipment, and begin to narrow some front stage speakers out first.
Invest more money into your front stage, and head unit. These two are very crucial.
It is difficult to match brands throughout, and you will have far more options by varying up the brands.
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Posted By: jussam
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 5:49 PM
alpine system | CD Receivers | | CDA-9835 | 1 | In-Dash CD Player/Ai-Changer Controller | | | | Type-S Front Speakers | | SPS-171A | 1 | 6-1/2" Type-S Component 2-Way Speaker Set | | | | Type-S - Rear Speakers | | SPS-690A | 1 | 6" x 9" Type-S Coaxial 3-Way Speaker | | | | Type-R Subwoofers | | SWR-1541D | 2 | 15" Type-R Series Subwoofer (4ohm + 4ohm) | | | | 1 Channel (Mono) Amplifer | | MRD-M301 | 1 | V12 AccuClass-D™ Mono Amplifier | | | | 4 Channel Amplifier | | MRV-F340 | 1 | 4/3/2 Channel Power Amplifier | | |
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------------- 2-alpine amp mrv-f545 4ch amp
polk audio 6 1/2 frontdoor w/alpine center speaker
polk audio 6 1/2 rear w/8"polk sub
2-12" alpine X type sub
2-alpine mdr-1005 amps
Posted By: Blowntweeters
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 5:52 PM
fosgate dosn' t make head unit anymore. dwarren is right once again . i agree the headunit and front stage speakers are what you hear and see the most ,and the quality of your head unit effects your entire system . i think demoing gear is much better than reading reviews ------------- 1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 10:59 PM
Steal this for a start to power your front components. You won't go wrong with USacoustics amps. Other notes: if you're front components are going into the doors, use a lot of sound damping such as Dynamat or Raamat on both the outer skin and the door panel. The high sub bass/ low mid bass sounds are crucial with rock music. For your sub, use one sub suited for use in a sealed enclosure, a 12". Power the sub with a separate mono amp. If you're using rear fill speakers, too...buy two of those USacoustics amps. (I'm always looking for closeouts on those amps.) Oh, and this: you might have plenty of money right now, but if you start buying without doing some good shopping that money will be gone fast. Save out the necessary amount for the sound damping...that is critical. ------------- Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: Hikari
Date Posted: June 15, 2005 at 11:41 PM
Thanks for the input guys, if it makes it any easier, I wasn't looking to use subs (too heavy for my application) and I don't need a HU (already have that picked out) i'm just looking for 6.5s, 6x9s and amps to power them.
Posted By: TruckSystem
Date Posted: June 16, 2005 at 8:24 AM
Not needing the head unit to match opens up a ton of possibilities to keep everything else besides the deck matching. Most companies that make aftermarket speakers make amplifiers as well.
I run an Alpine deck and almost all (soon to be all) Diamond Audio amps and speakers myself, I am sure there are plenty of others out there that like to have all the same brand stuff if possible as well.
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2003 Chevrolet Silverado Standard Cab ~ Alpine CDA-9851
Diamond Audio D3600.1 ~ 2x Diamond Audio TM310D4
Diamond Audio D3400.4 ~ Diamond Audio Hex S600s
AstroStart RS5204 Remote Start/Alarm
Posted By: us_test
Date Posted: June 16, 2005 at 9:03 AM
For components you can look at Hifonics Atlas (the ones I have). They are comparable to any $300+ components out there (JL, Alpine well they cost a bit less, etc.). Got them for $95 (can't go wrong with the Hifonics). Cheap Sound deadening (YOU WILL NEED THIS): Walmart Undercaoting spray. It is thick. One coat is 75% the thickness of a regular folded paper knapkin (per coat). At first I did not shake the can so it was coming out like paint (then I read the DIRECTIONS) and shook the can for 1 minute. It came out textured and thick. 1 can can do 4+ coats on a door panel. It dries pretty well in about 45 minutes. I can definetley tell you it works. I was driving today and normally cars pass you by and you can hear them (faintly), now they pass by and nothing is heard, this is also in 98 camry which is kind of quiet to begin with anyways. Get this, you won't be dissapointed. I'm getting more for the trunk. WalMart $2.68 a can. ------------- (1) Kenwood Excelon Head Unit KDC-X589 (24 bit Burr Brown DAC, 3 X 4 volt RCA).
(1) RF Punch 250A2 - running the components.
(1) Hifonics 6.5" Atlas Components (18db crossovers).
Posted By: Drewt
Date Posted: June 16, 2005 at 9:28 AM
well, without a HU to match too, you could do:
(amps & speakers)
MB Quart (RF is shutting them down basically)
Infinity (not too shure about their amps)
Polk Audio (kick ass)
Alpine (amps and HU's are great, speakers arn't all that good)
RF (I'm not a big RF fan, some people are)
that's all that I can think of now...
What I would do: put in alpine HU and amps, then either polk, infinity, or MB Quart speakers
I can vouch for the Infinity Kappa Perfect being a perfect sub (Perfect 12.1D). Hook it up to an Alpine MRD-M301 amp, and put it in a sealed box. You won't be dissapointed!
The MB Quart permium subs are kick-ass also. Not quite as clear as the Perfect, but it will handle like twice the power!
Good Luck
-Drew
Posted By: Blowntweeters
Date Posted: June 16, 2005 at 3:07 PM
i would go with soundstreams tarantula tra680.4 and the components for the front and rear speakers just what i think
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1974 ford pinto 4 15" punch Z power punch bd 1001 pioneer DEH-6700
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: June 16, 2005 at 4:36 PM
You should really go out and listen to different speakers instead of just ordering a pair on the internet that someone says is nice. Most of the brands listed throughout this thread make great speakers. Just take a CD with you to some local shops and listen to as many speakers as you can and choose the ones you like the sound of. To fill out the lows in a system a subwoofer is essential. Your main speakers would be strained having to play all of the bass. A single 10" or 12" sub would work well. Just because you have a sub dosn't mean it has to play really loud enough to wake up the neighbors and sound like crap.
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