I will soon replace my front speakers b/c they're shot and I'm also gonna get a couple subs. My friend will do the installation for me >>. I just wanted to ask for your opinion on what brands are best. Should I change the stock head unit, too? Thanks

This post has been edited by Rider: Oct 19, 2004 - 4:42 PM

headunit=sony or kenwood
subs=kicker or jl audio
amp(s)=kicker or sony.

-dstrb

i got a pioneer head unit, 2 700watt 12" with the KAC-7251 800watt amp all kenwood ,sounds great. Yea u should really replace ur head unit to be able to get out the most out of ur system.

head unit alpine, speakers jl aduio

What's your price range? What kind of music do you listen to? With a little more detail everyone could help you out a lot more.

-dstrbcelica+Oct 19, 2004 - 5:44 PM

I don't want to spend a lot of money so my friend recommends that I keep the stock head unit, and get the best 10-inch sub and the best amp they have at a store he works at (he will also give me a discount). I will listen to hip-hop and techno mostly but also rock. I forgot to mention that I have the 8-speaker premium system in my car so that is why he thinks I should keep the stock head-unit. Thanks for the replies.

EDIT: He says I might not need dynamat (sp?) what do you guys think?

This post has been edited by Rider: Oct 19, 2004 - 10:40 PM

-Rider+Oct 20, 2004 - 3:38 AM

How about Rockford for speakers, subs and amp?

-Rider+Oct 20, 2004 - 4:08 AM

im glad RF makes good amps, because after blowing my last POS power acoustik that lasted a month ive decided to go with one of their new amps thats in the mail right now >>

ok....head unit does not make 10 times better ...it does make it better...
it all depends on what HU to match to speaker..
for example...you get a HU rated at 45-52x4 no way in hell is that going to run some good speaker without a amp...unless it a really low rms...some pioneers (sp?) or crap like plye ect...
you need a amp to power your speaker if your going to invest in something good...ie. componets ect

as for sub....JL is way over priced...good spl and sq tho if you want to spend that money...

RF makes crap amps now....they are way over rated...they HX2 subs are pretty solid

their is tons of brand out there that will destroy JL
if you want spl try something like RE/XXX whoa do they hit only you will lose tons of SQ

DB drive is aslot a good brand for both spl/sq

anything with flames is not good....unless you dont care to much for music

infinity KAPPA's are really good on sq

MTX also has a fair share of spl/sq subs


for amp....i would look for a hifonics brutus...if your going to wire to 1 ohm

the list goes on......just all depends on how much money you want to spend and who builds it

-Gilbert_619+Oct 20, 2004 - 5:00 AM

-shid+Oct 20, 2004 - 3:49 AM

ok first....every one know JL is way over priced...it doesnt matter how much you bought it....you got a good deal...i mean dont get me worng they make top of the like stuff....but simple for the price it isnt worth it....if you are trying to get spl out of that like a said b4 RE/XXX sub will KILL it no problem hands down.....and infinity kappas will match that for sq for a 10w3v2



and what amo does RF make now that isnt crap.....plz tell me....simple like this..RF use to be know for getting alot of power for a good price since then all there new stuff isnt tottally crap but it isnt what it use to be......so i said it cuz when a company goes from good to ehh ...i dont know what you call it i just said crappy


and yes a aftermarket HU will of course be 10 time better then factory....if thats what you meant sorry i didnt get to read it good cuz i was in a hurry to go to the casino
but most HU now will give you a good signal ...and yeah like i said 45-52x4 max power come down to like 20-25rms times 4...the best i have seen from working one a stereo
was like 22rms something not to sure.....


ohh yeah and RF componets are pretty damm good like you said...i just installed some of the higher end stuff in a jeep and wow really nice i have to say..

and as for MTX you gotta know they make good stuff.....i mean they no where in hell the best...but i was really impressed on new 9500 series ....gives the JL w7 a runs for their money.....i didnt thing it would till i heard it..

as for amps....i bought a mtx 500D amp for 150....its puts out 500 at 2 ohms and 775 at 14.5 volts which most cars these day will put out...new amp wise i dont know havent really worked with them....they arent to bad from what i have read...

I'll keep my post short since everyone's else is UBER-long lol.

Headunit - Alpine
---My Headunit - Alpine MDA-W700JB Double-Din CD/MD player
Components- Infinity
---My components - Infinity Kappa 6 speaker set up w/o subs
Subwoofers- JL
---My Subs- Cant think of model - but two 10ers
Amps- Phoenix Gold
---My Amp - Havent got this piece yet (i'm putting my system together)

LOTS AND LOTS OF DYNAMAT!

-Ti

-Pali_playa+Oct 19, 2004 - 9:37 PM

let me know how that PG amp gonna work out...i heard nothing but good new about PG amps.....i have done a few installs with my buddy that use to sell PG stuff...and the sub are damm nice.....good prices too..

I would say most any Kenwood MP3 deck, some Planet Audio full range for the doors, Planet Audio amp 300+ watt for one 10, 500+ for two 10's and 700+ for two 12's. For subs Kicker Comp VR. Little back ground about my info, my dad has been making speaker boxes for car stereo's for the last 30 years for a few of the leading car stereo places around the Portland, OR area.

Gilbert, thats the reason I'm going with it.

I was going RF, but after hearing Phoenix Gold and seeing the quality, theres no doubt in my mind.

-Ti

Well, just to let u know on what I decided to do. Most of you would probably not consider this the best option, but I will get a 10-inch RF sub and a RF amp, while keeping the stock HU and replacing the front woofers. I really don't need a very loud system, I usually listen to CD's with the volume only about a quarter of the way up b/c my stock system is powerful as it is. The only thing I want is more bass. The opinions seemed to be split among a few brands so I will trust my friend (celicruiser) who has installed quite a few systems, including his car, and knows what he's talking about (plus I will get everything half-price >>).

-Rider+Oct 21, 2004 - 3:27 AM

TI,
picking PG over RF was a very good thing...the RF amps like i said before are over rated in power their old stuff rocked cuz it was a bang for the buck deals....PG is one of those brands that not to many people hear about..but slowly is coming up on installs...for the price to watts its a good choice..

good luck with the install

-shid+Oct 21, 2004 - 4:40 AM

-Rider+Oct 21, 2004 - 3:23 PM

I'm only getting one 10-inch sub so it wouldn't need that much power right? I'll let you know how it sounds when I get it.

-Rider+Oct 21, 2004 - 4:55 PM

size dosent matter, RMS power and Ohms etc matters....ull get the signal through a line output converter, which will drastically reduce your sub quality, it will be alot more distoreted and wont give u that clean hit


EDIT: and it also sounds like your friend works at best buy(hence all the RF)

This post has been edited by Pali_playa: Oct 21, 2004 - 1:17 PM

I actually didn't mean physical size- I meant how many watts it took, being careless, thanks for correcting me Pali

-dstrbcelica+Oct 20, 2004 - 4:17 PM