$2500 Car Audio System suggestions?

[4Exile]

Sorry for this being my first post, but I had a similar post at diyma.com and didn't quit find what I was looking for. Looking at this forum, I figured maybe I could get some suggestions.

I'm going to buy a 2008 Subaru WRX in a couple weeks and would like to upgrade the stock sound it has. It will likely have a stock battery and stock alternator (110A).

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Overall budget: ~$2500 (May add a little more if necessary)

This is what I have considered:

Subwoofers:

• 2 x 12" Kicker L7
  
• 2 x 12" JL W6v2
  

Amplifier:

• Alpine PDX V9 5 Channel
  

Speakers:

• Alpine SPR-17C 6-1/2" 2-Way Speaker (Pair)
  

Head unit (Would like something with touchscreen/navigation and fold out if possible?)

Install: I know how to install basic head units, amps and subwoofers anything above that I would likely need to pay to have done.

Experience: Previously installed 2 12" Alpine Type R's in a ported box, a sony head unit and Alpine component speakers. Unfortunately I had to sell the system when I moved.

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I'm not looking to spend money just to spend money, but I would like to have a good balance between SPL and SQ.

Thank you for any suggestions or advice.

Click to read more...

 

[CerwinVega_Fan 10+ year member]

Are u buying brand new gear?

You can spend a lot less then that and still have a steller system.

 

[dbheadrush 10+ year member]

well it depends if u want to be stupid loud or just when the times call it scenario to show off loud...cause with that much money to spend u have a good budget for either system.... don't go with kicker jl mtx...useless in my op and Alot of others on this forum go for dd sundown skar etc for subs amps u can get warranty online for same or equal price....flastrongman is a custom box builder with some good prices to get ur subs of choice in the proper box tuned right and put great finishing touches on ur box, I know cause I have one...Gud luck

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

you can get waaay louder and better sounding subs than L7s for the money they cost new. SoundSolutionsAudio's Online car audio store! Best prices, products and customer service. Fast shipping to US, Canada and More!!

is generally a good place to start but there are other "underground brands" that will beat many main stream in performance outright for the money.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

Out of the two subs listed, I would pick the W6 any and every day over an L7. That being said, you can get quality equipment new, that should outperform the items listed for the same or less. If you aren't opposed to buying used, you can do even more, but you will start getting into more electrical upgrades which get expensive real fast.

 

[black05alti]

what are your main goals? sq, spl, a nice mix of both? there's way better gear out there for that price.

 

[Oraclem19]

This should be a good follow

 

[4Exile]

All of the stuff I listed was just for a starting point so you would have some idea of what I'm looking for. I'm open to all suggestions, I've only mostly heard of the mainstream stuff, figured I would get pointed in the right direction here.

I would prefer to buy new if possible, as long as they are a well respected underground store I will buy from them too.

I will probably put a bigger alternator in it, upgrade the battery, do the big 3 and maybe use a capacitor. However, I'd like to stay stock electrical for a while if at all possible.

If I could get some specific examples of subs, amps etc or maybe some sample builds, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for all the replies, I can already tell this is a great forum.

 

[mclerico83 5,000+ posts]

@mylows10 ; will be an amazing guy 2 buy from he can hook you up with a lot better stuff.
and do the big 3 upgrade at a minimum.

companies to look at
dc level 3's
SPEAKERS - X SERIES - Fi Car Audio Store
Sub Woofers - Sundown Audio - SA Series - SSA STORE
Sub Woofers - SoundSolutionsAudio - GCON - SSA STORE
Incriminator Audio Lethal Injection 12" Subwoofer - Vertex Audio
12

amps
mmats
sundown
incriminator
american bass
audio technix (They have a nice blow out sale going on now)
http://www.caraudio.com/forums/audio-technix/576119-audio-technix-blowout-sale.html
@mylows10 ; can help you out with authorized new with warranty stuff.

biggest thing get a custom box @double 07 ; biggest mistake newbs do. the box means everything

 

[brandonkain82 10+ year member]

When will u new people realize there is more out there then kicker and jl.

 

[4Exile]

I do know there is more out there, otherwise I wouldn't be on this forum asking for suggestions. It's hard to know what underground companies are good if you rarely hear about anything other than mainstream. If you would be willing to make some suggestions I'd be happy to look at them.

Thank you

 

[SounDrive Pro Seller]

[quote name='4Exile']I do know there is more out there, otherwise I wouldn't be on this forum asking for suggestions. It's hard to know what underground companies are good if you rarely hear about anything other than mainstream. If you would be willing to make some suggestions I'd be happy to look at them.

Thank you[/QUOTE]

Look at these companies:


Subs/Amps

TANTRIC SOUNDS (one of my personal favorites)
Sundown Audio
Incriminator Audio
Digital Designs
Ascendant Audio / Fi Audio (same company, AA is generally higher quality parts)
SoundQubed
MMats (very very efficient amps)
DC Sound Lab



Also for alternators, check out:
DC power
Mechman



And for batteries, any AGM batteries will work (sears diehard platinum, oreilly superstart platinum, SAMs Duracell AGM. They're all the same as "high end" car audio batteries for the most part.)



For wiring:
Sky High Car Audio
KnuKonceptz



Sound Deadening:
MurderMat
RAAM Audio



Enclosures: @Buck ; @double 07 ;


I would also recommend new door speakers and an amp for them as well. $2500 gives you a lot of options, better than the noobs that come in here and say "I have $200 and I want 4 15s what are my choices"

 

[OldManBass]

Nice budget... I'd take a good long look at Shok Industries 1k's for subs and a sub amp... I am.

Sundown SA's are stellar subs too.

A lot of good suggestions have been posted already.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

i'll list out a sound quality loudness build.

Amazon.com: KnuKonceptz Kolossus Flex 0 Gauge Power Amp Wiring Kit: Car Electronics

Amazon.com: KnuKonceptz Kolossus Flex Kable 0 Gauge Power Wire Blue OFC: Automotive price per foot for your big 3 upgrade, you might wanna alternate between the colors.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/mechman-h-o-alternators/565567-mechman-alternator-xs-power-combo-discounts.html Hit this guy up for your alternators with a PM/email or call and he'll set you up with a good alternator and batteries.

So far thats all the electricals and wiring should be around 700$ give or take 100

It should leave you 1800 for your subs, enclosure and amp.

Q1-3500D.1 Amplifier with your electricals, it should give you more than the amp's rated rms.

if you dont mind the wait, you can order 2 FIQs from Fi Q Series Sub Woofers | Fi Q Subwoofer

This would leave you with around 400 dollars for the enclosure and installation. with the FIQ you can go sealed for sound quality but it'll get waay louder than L7s and sound like JL w7s if not better and louder. Of course you can also go custom ported which would be a lot louder and wont sacrifice much sound quality if the box is properly built.

For the enclosure, some other guys can chime in on this and recommend a good box builder on the forums.

And the installation, if you have no clue what your doing, try to look stuff up on google, youtube or w/e it'll save a lot of money if you learn how to do it yourself or at least the simple things first and leaving the harder stuff that you can't figure out to your local audio shop to save some money.

 

[myjaja 10+ year member]

Like others said, you have a lot to choose from with a $2500 budget. Heres a quick setup I put together thatll be nice.

2) 12" Sundown sa-12's - $389.99

Sundown saz-1200 - $399.99

KnuKoncepts 4 gauge amp kit (ofc) - $62.99 (You can get cca wire to save money but id pick ofc over it.)

KnuKoncepts 4 gauge 4 channel amp kit (ofc) - $71.49

Custom built enclosure - around $200 I recommend getting it from double 07.

2) Sundown sa 6.5cs components - $400

MB Quart oa800 4 channel amp - $159.99

= $1,684.45 and leaves quite a bit for a nice head unit.