Can someone help me?
Thread Starter
I Feel Too Old Here
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 0
Can someone help me?
which direction should i go when putting together a system? HU/Components/subs/amps..... where should i go first? what brands am i looking for that wont rape me in price, but will provide quality sound? in other words......help me i dont know what im doing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I'm not going to suggest brands because there is so much personal preference involved with how things 'sound.' Don't listen to anyone about that... you should go listen to the stuff yourself and choose what pleases YOUR ear. Screw everybody else.
Though, in general, you get what you pay for with this stuff.
Keep in mind, that if you buy it right the first time, even if it is fairly expensive, you will be able to use speakers and amps for many many years to come, in any new car you buy. The Precision Power amp I'm using to drive my sub was purchased in 1989 and absolutely sounds as good if not better than they amps they make today. My wife has MB Quart separates in her car that I bought in 1990. Still sound AWESOME. So, do it right the first time and you don't have to do it again... which saves you money.
I personally think that you should add a sub and sub amp first. It will make the biggest difference in how the stock system sounds.
Then when you have recovered from your sub and sub amp purchase, go with replacing the speakers and getting an new 4 channel amp to drive them. That will make the next biggest difference.
Then I would add an EQ to the stock deck.
Then, when you have nothing else to do with your money, you can consider getting a new headunit. I personally think the disadvantages of replacing it (no more navi integration, no more indash 6 disc changer, no more looking like it belongs, no more steering wheel controls) outweight the benefits (perhaps a slight improvement in sound quality). I suggest that after you do the beforementioned, you won't feel like you need a new headunit unless you've decided that you're going to enter the national IASCA competition.
Keep in mind that you don't need any line output converters to hook aftermarket amps to the stock headunit... the outputs are line level and will input directly into the inputs on any amp (though you might need a $15 ground loop isolater from Radio Shack).
Hope that helps.
Though, in general, you get what you pay for with this stuff.
Keep in mind, that if you buy it right the first time, even if it is fairly expensive, you will be able to use speakers and amps for many many years to come, in any new car you buy. The Precision Power amp I'm using to drive my sub was purchased in 1989 and absolutely sounds as good if not better than they amps they make today. My wife has MB Quart separates in her car that I bought in 1990. Still sound AWESOME. So, do it right the first time and you don't have to do it again... which saves you money.
I personally think that you should add a sub and sub amp first. It will make the biggest difference in how the stock system sounds.
Then when you have recovered from your sub and sub amp purchase, go with replacing the speakers and getting an new 4 channel amp to drive them. That will make the next biggest difference.
Then I would add an EQ to the stock deck.
Then, when you have nothing else to do with your money, you can consider getting a new headunit. I personally think the disadvantages of replacing it (no more navi integration, no more indash 6 disc changer, no more looking like it belongs, no more steering wheel controls) outweight the benefits (perhaps a slight improvement in sound quality). I suggest that after you do the beforementioned, you won't feel like you need a new headunit unless you've decided that you're going to enter the national IASCA competition.
Keep in mind that you don't need any line output converters to hook aftermarket amps to the stock headunit... the outputs are line level and will input directly into the inputs on any amp (though you might need a $15 ground loop isolater from Radio Shack).
Hope that helps.
Fuct in the hed!
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,057
Likes: 4
From: Chicagoland-ish
As with anything...you get what you pay for. I would go to a Car Stereo shop......not a best buy or circuit city. Look for brands such as JL Audio, Kicker, MB Quart, Pheonix gold...etc.....
Try this link, theres lots of info here www.sounddomain.com
Try this link, theres lots of info here www.sounddomain.com
Thread Starter
I Feel Too Old Here
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 0
well i am really thinking about this long and hard (hehehehe) but i just cant afford your JL audio and premier $500/sub set ups. i visited a local shop and they have 2 10" Alpine Type R's in a box ready to go (all i need is install and an amp) for $339.99. this sounds like a good deal to me. i know some people have said that Alpine made these for marketing purposes and they arent too great, but im no discriminating aficianado of stereos. i heard my friends Infiniti Kappa Perfects and they sounds pretty good to me, he suggested the Type R's for "Bang for the Buck" or in this case boom. what do you all think of this? do they compare with his Kappa's?
Thread Starter
I Feel Too Old Here
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,100
Likes: 0
o BTW he also suggested this amp
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...o&i=236T81000D
its also for sale on audio domain for 479
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...o&i=236T81000D
its also for sale on audio domain for 479