I want to enhance my stock system by replacing all of the speakers and I may add 2 tweeters to the outside of the L & R mirror covers.

I was quoted $1700 from AMS Stereo in San Jose.

They suggested the following;

Alpine Type R speakers (6 1/2, mids/separate tweeters up front)
Alpine Type R Coaxial (6 1/2, for the rear doors)
Diamond D 10" bass speaker with custom box (trunk mounted)

Alpine 340w amp for the bass speaker (MRD-M300)
Alpine 340w amp for four (4) speakers (MRV-F340)

For $1700, this includes labor, a bass knob, that lets me separately control the bass speaker. It also included 2 cross over devices of some sort.

I'm not so much worried about the price, it seems like a decent deal. What I want is my system to sound much better than stock. Will this equipment do the trick?

My other choice is using the Polk DX 6's (4) and the new RM288 (1) sub with a dedicated more-powerful amp for the bass speaker.

Thanks so much for your time and any sugguestions.


Mike Smeezy

35% Full Tint
Front Nose Bra
3” Exhaust Tips
17” Type-S Rims
Rear Deck Spoiler
H&R Sport Springs
Anthracite 2003 TL
Mike Smeezy


Michael Smith
Office of Cultural Affairs,
4N 2nd Street, Suite 450
San Jose, California 95113

(408) 277-2787 (Work)
(408) 277-3160 (Fax)
e-mail:michael.smith3@ci.sj.ca.us

 

you did not say anything about the headunit.... so i am guessing that you are going to use the stock head unit.... as for the system i guess that price is not to bad but i am just curious why you did not go with an alpine type r sub since everything else you are getting is alpine...

 

Yes, your right, I did want to keep the stock deck, don't want to cut up my car. They sugguested that sub over the Alpine, so I went with thier suggestion.

thanks for your reply.

 

hey

first, MRV-F340 is your 4 channel amp, and MRD-M300 is your bass amp. AT MOST, they both should combined to be around 600.00 dollars(online price for them are around 500.00)...

your speakers are around 250.00 all together...and the crossover should be included, dont let them make you think that you are paying for the crossovers when in actualuty they should come with your component speakers. same as bass knob(im not sure about alpine)but other amps do sometimes come with a bass knob...

it pisses me off when dealers list out all the things that are included in a "kit" in order to make you think you are getting...in this case...crossovers, bass knob for free...

third, im not familiar with the diamond sub, but it can't be more then 300 dollars...

i imagine if you shop online you can get the same system for under 1,000.00...which means you are paying 700.00 for labor...

and dont get me wrong...your setup will be a vast improvement on the stock system, but 700.00 in labor??

go ahead and do a search online for your own reference...

Rick

 

kinda steap I think...
the amps will run about 700 bucks
the type R comp is 220
the type r 2 ways are 170
and the sub and box combo is probally 350
becasue its like a reatail store..
Also the alpine bass knob cost about 30 bucks
So if its all mounted nicely 1700 is not bad..


BUt i hope u change your mind and go with a Alpine Type R subwoofer

All my speaker in my car are Alpine Type R.

 

Can you list what your are using, amps, speakers etc. You mentioned That you went with Type-R, did you use 2 ways? Did you mount tweeters? and how do you like your set-up, would you change anything?

Yeah, I'll go with the Alpine for a sub, I think that would be clean.

Thanks!

Mike Smeezy

 

Ok there what I have first its a 2001 TL so I dont have memory seats so that where my tweeters are

My deck is Alpine CDA7897

Front doors have the Alpine Type R componnets

Rear Door has the 2 way Alpines plus a pair of Clarion half inch tweeters ( I put clarion back there beacue I already had this in the front door wit the factory bose and I just moved them to the back when i got components up front).

My subwoofer is one Alpine Type R 12. For just one subwoofer it Hits hard.

My first amp is a Rockford Fosgate 500s for the Sub and the 2nd amp is Fosgate 300x for the mids and highs.

Now that I think of it I should have bought the Alpine MRD500 its only 100 bucks more than the fosgate.

 

OK i kinda only answered half your question..I dont think Iwould change anything, I am more into sound quilty and have that now.. But I was low on trunk space so my woofer isnt really workin its full potential, becasue the box i have is only a .75cu foot. I usully like the boomy bass. I did fool somebody though. they thought I had 2 12's and when I opened the trunk it was a small azz box in the corner with a single woofer.

 

What I've decided on is:

MB Quartz separates (up front)
MB Quartz co-axials (rear doors)
12" Kicker (12" square in box)

Fosgate 500w 4 ch
Fosgate 300w (sub)

This is a different shop, they will do the entire package for $1400 out the door.

Mike Smeezy

35% Full Tint
Front Nose Bra
3” Exhaust Tips
17” Type-S Rims
Rear Deck Spoiler
H&R Sport Springs
Anthracite 2003 TL

Soon to have upgreaded stereo system

 

switch the amps around. The kicker is power thristy. 300 watts wont do u much. Put a 500 on the sub and 300 on the mids and highs.

 

Make sure you are going to a reputable shop....you may save a few dollers now but pay for it in the long run in other ways. Personally I would go with replacing the factory sub...putting a dedicated amp on it and replacing your speakers with the Polk. I have always run Polk speakers and absolutely love the way they sound (the old DB and DX series---the new ones sound horrible IMHO) With this setup you will retain the most trunk space and it will be the most cost effective. The sub upgrade and Polk DX6's have been a proven performer from others on this forum. Make sure that if you are gonna have someone perform the installation that you talk to the installer that is personally doing the install...if they don't seem to know their stuff don't let them touch your car. Also make sure that if you do feel comfortable with an installer that you actually have that installer working on your car...I've seen to many times where you think installer A will be doing the work and then installer B ends up hacking up your ride. On a side note..if anyone is in the Cincinnati area and needs installation work drop me a note, I've been installing professionally for 4 years now. My labor (HH Gregg's that is) prices are among the lowest here in Cincinnati. And I promise you won't be dissapointed in my work

 

After looking at my budget, the Polk DX's looks good, although finding them may be a pain. The Kicker RMB8 may be the way to go too.

Thanks for the great advice on the install, I have had previous cars hacked and your right, thats no fun.

Mike Smeezy