I've finally decided to finish up my system, and after many months of saving up, I think I have enough money to do everything at once. I went to the store today and they kinda gave me the run-around when it came down to picking components... basically tried to make me get the best/most expensive parts. Well, after seeing how much these parts cost, I figure it's best to get your opinions.

I'm looking to change my HU to an MP3/CD receiver, change out all my door speakers, and add an amp for my speakers. I'm not looking to enter my car in shows or even have "the very best" components. But I do like quality. To give you an idea of the quality level I'm looking for, my system additions thus far are a JL 12" W3 powered by a PPI 300W amp.

I would like opinions on what are good speakers and amps. If you have any info on MP3 players, that would be great too, but I'm comparing Kenwood models right now ranging from $300-700.
As for speakers, I hear Bostons are top-line quality, but there are diff lines, for ex/ I think you can get either Raleys or Pros for components (which I would put in front) and Raleys, Pros, or RM's for co-axles (rear doors). I also hear Phoenix Gold is a great amp company, but they have diff lines too (Tantrum vs an even higher end). Does anyone have experience with these diff brands/lines? Any other suggestions?

Much appreciated,
UCLAtl

 

all ya need to know is focal and xtant, you get loud clear sounds which ever volume you listen to your music at. I've had every brand out there and learnt that get the best in the beginning so you dont replace it next year when you say to yourself 'I wish this, or that.' And the lines between these brands goes focal utopias most def., b/c, thats what you hear, and all you need is good fronts, your back speakers better not be stock, but you dont need top of the line either. There kept low anyway. And a low distortion amp is a must for the highs, front esp. Audition, audition, audition.

 

Thanks Crispy. I've never heard of those brands, but I'll check them out.

Anyone else with suggestions? C'mon, I know many of you have system or are into car audio. Share your knowledge.... please??

 

Here is my own review. Hopefully you have friends or shops that have them on demo so you can hear for yourself and make a decision that way.

Focals - pretty good for the price. they're not as expensive as others, but sound a little bright. They sound like titanium tweeters, but they're decent.

MB Quart - these are good too, but they also sound like titanium tweeters. There is nothing wrong with it, it's just some prefer it and some don't prefer that kind of sound. These are probably more expensive than Focals unless you "know a place"

Boston Pros - these are good. They have a warmer sound than both Focals and MB Quarts. They're hard to find cheap though, and if you pay MSRP, then they're kind of expensive.

The amp does matter. I don't know why, but different amps change the sound slightly.

I am in no way a pro or expert (shoot, i might be completely wrong!), this is just my opinion based on what my friends and I have. Overall, if you can get a deal on Boston Pros, then I would go with that...maybe just because no one else really has them, you can beat the crap out of them, they sound good, and they sound a little warmer.

If you want more expensive ($700 range and up, then I can give you my own review of them later on.)

Good luck!

 

Amplifiers Review

Here is my opinion. Again, I'm not an expert or a pro. I've listened to a dozen or so setups and cross used same amp with different subs and components and vice versa. My best advice is to listen to speakers and amps and form your own opinion based on your preferences. Good luck and hope this helps.

My friends and I owned PPI, Xtant, Zapco, Rockford, Soundstream, Phoenix Gold, Kicker, Alpine, Pioneer, and some others.

PPI - Excellent but expensive. They sound great on both components and subs. It's not as common as others.

Xtant - Excellent but expensive. They sound good, but good luck on finding any of these at a bargain (unless you can get them used?)

Zapco - My friend and brother had them for maybe 6 months? They are good and cheap. Since they are small, install is much more flexible.

Rockford - I don't like it for 2 reasons. It's very common and it's not like it used to be in the previous decade where they were the bomb! Don't get me wrong, they're decent, and you'll probably be happy with them, but if you have money, get something better. Pros - They are good and cheap

Soundstream - I like them on components, and don't like them on subs. Kind of hard to come by these days.

Phoenix Gold - These are good too but more than Kicker or Fosgate and a bit more rare, but easy to find. They sound great on subs and components.

Kicker - Cheap and decent enough, but also common and like the Fosgate, if you could buy better equip, then go for it. Stick to this and Fosgate or Zapco if you're on a budget.

Alpine - My friend has em, they're cool but something about it doesn't give me the "Wow and Ooooh" feelings, but test it out. People say they're good.

Pioneer - Same as Alpine. They're not that expensive if you can find them outside of retail stores like Good Guys and C-City.

 

PPI - very nice amps,(if you can fidn the old art series or PC) the new PCX however are causing a lot of truble for some over heating reason...i herd from a god amount of dealers telling me about this... they are now owned by the same company as orion and made in some asia country (korea i THINK)

MB Quart - some say their harsh.... and too bright to the ear.... i find them suitable, their DSD are the best bang for the buck.... for that price range there might not be another component out that is compatable, their higher ends meets the industry standards of "high end" but are not chep

Xtant - Excellent sounding amp ...i once did a side by side comaprisen with soundstream.... i honestly think they sound a little better... but cost more then twice as much as soundstream...with all that extra money you are able to buy a more then decent EQ that will make a soundstream sound better. own by the same company as MTX i think.

Oz-Audio - very smooth nice components that could be had for a very fair price.... best deal online that i've see for a pair of cs-180 was $269

Zapco - zapco is one of the best... alone with mcintosh, arc, and butler tube drivers. their top notch stuff is very expansive... but their bottom lines just carry the name

Rockford - also made in korea nowadays, but these puppys get HOT....really hot... they are now a lot chepper then back in the days......they still make kicka ss subs.., but i perfer JL

Soundstream -my first amp was a soundstream reference 414s.... and i recently just purchased 2 more ..... that tells you something... i am too biased to judge this brand... IMHO these amps are the best for my money....until i can find a mcintosh, zapco, xtant for the same price. i'll stick with them. and they alway make amps perfect for my application.

Kicker - used to be the best bang for the buck (dont know too mcuh about their amps) subs ...their components are nice (the R6 set) with silk tweeters... real nice, their old solobaric are IMHO better then the new square ones...... i herd the new comp VR's.... very decent subs

Alpine - more into multimedia then soudnd system nowadays, i never had too much experience with their amps.... they have a new amp out with this T circuit chip on it.... suppose to be good but i never herd it, their older v-12 were nice.... dont know about the new ones... herd their having noise problems...i might be wrong

Clarion - very nice headunits for a very nice price.... their coaxials sound really nice, bang for the buck headunits....

Boston acoustics - many refer to them as the most "natural" "life like" speakers.... but a couple friends and i herd their pro series on display next to some kickers components and MB Quart psc's.... the PSC won our vote

Focal - i've herd only the utopia and polykevlar, and i like them both very much, the polykevlar sound almost as good as utopia, but a lot less stress on the wallet.

Dynaudio - herd them many times... a bit too soft for my taste...but then again i like MQ Quart so..... but they do sound VERY CLEAN

MTX - use their amps for subs....decent

US Acoustics - if your on a budget these amps are great... if one day i coudlnt afford soundstream i'd ge these their so damn chep for what they have to offer

US Amps - great class D amps, crazy damping factor... hooked up 2 12" solo barics to a 500watt U.S. amp.... it made the subs look like its poping out from a 3-d movie (badazz amp)

Kove - these subs pound hard..... 2 10's take up so little space.... and enough to loosen ur body (by force) after a tense day of work

Nakamichi - these headunits are 1 of the best but they dont offer much for multimedia systems(none really), if sound is all ur into... you cant fo wrong with them, their components SUCk (IMO) .... their amps are nice too ...never herd their subs

thats about it... i thinki've said TOO much alrady... most important ...go listen for ur self... see what you like.... buy what you find suitable for your ears.....if power acoustics sounds good to you....BUY IT... who cares what anyone else thinks... ur the one thats ganna have to listen to them all the time and pay for them

 

hay..... i see that ur in LA.... which shop did you go to? i can suggest a place to you .... they did my Tl and they have focals on display....write me up a e-mail....we'll talk