Advice for a complete audio system upgrade

[Jon Scherf]

Hey guys, im fairly new to the car audio scene, ive done a few head unit installations and alot of reading online but im ready to spend a good bit of money on a completely new setup, the only thing im keeping is my Sony CDX-GT930ui head unit. Its got plenty of features and it was pretty highly rated when i bought it about a year ago.

Ive been looking at Alpine Type-R's in both 12" and 15", and ive found the 15 for $200, and the 12 for $130, they handle 750 and 600 rms respectively and i would most likely go in a ported box since i drive a small 5 door car. i also want to mount the sub inverted to show off the magnet and im looking at power acoustik BAMF amplifiers because i have a 1250/2 right now and I think its great. I will also be installing new 6.5" component speakers in the front and 5.25" speakers in the rear, im thinking alpine type-r for those as well.

Any tips on this installation? Better subwoofers or speakers for the money? Really any constructive input is appreciated im just trying to learn everything i can before spending the money.

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[Jon Scherf]

Just to specify a bit more i want a good balance of sound quality and loudness, i listen to mostly rap but it needs to sound good with rock as well. Only a single ported sub, amplified door speakers, tweeters, and plenty of dynamat.

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

People do really like the type Rs. However if you have the money get something other than power acoustik. How many subs did you want to buy?

I would agree completely with gong ported.

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

I would go with the 15" if you're just getting one sub, however the type R is not the best SQL sub

You need to read up on how to properly deaden your car and install speakers. No components will sound very good if you install them directly to the factory location.

 

[Jon Scherf]

@miker; what amp brands would you recommended? i can do my own research for specific amps but id like to have a good balance between price and performance, i cant really afford to get the high end amplifiers. My only concern with the 15 is that it might be too much for such a small car, think toyota matrix, and the stock speakers have the driver low in the door with a tweeter mounted at the front corner of the window on each front door. but ill also do some reading. is that a thumbs up on the alpine type-R's? or just a testament to their popularity?

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

A type R has the ability to take more than the rated power and get loud for how inexpensive they are, however they lack in sound quality, they don't sound like garbage but could be much better.. Anything that becomes popular on this site does so for a reason, generally being something that is affordable and performs up to par.

here are some better amps, the AQ being the best.

Audioque: Amps: AQ1200D

DTR1.1400D - Soundstream Monoblock 1400 Watt Class-D Series Amplifier

AUDIOPIPE AP15001D 1500W MONO D Car Audio Amplifier - eBay (item 230467601702 end time Dec-23-10 12:25:11 PST)

For mounting your speakers, you will want to mount them on an MDF ring and decouple them as well as seal of the whole area they are in.

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

check out lanzar..yes i said lazar components Lanzar OPTI62C...very highly recommended as being one of the best

 

[Jon Scherf]

Thanks for the input guys, unfortunately i think those amps are a bit out of my league but they look incredible. Right now im comparing the class D amplifiers; Kenwood KAC-8105D, Alpine MRP-M500, Kenwood KAC-8104D, Sony XM-ZZR3301 (not too sure about sony), MTX RFL600D, MTX JH600

they range from 120 to 190 on sonicelectronix and they put out between 500 and 600 watts rms at 2 ohms, id rather go with one of the major names for the warranty and customer support.

 

[dbeez 5,000+ posts]

Are you serious you come here for help then just shrug off advice. Aq is a very nice company and good warranty it would smash those other brands.

 

[Jon Scherf]

does anyone sell them for as low as 160? I saw the manufacturer sold the one i would need for $250. i thanked them for the advice but i cant afford that amplifier, i understand that is a great amp, but i have to budget everything out okay?

 

[dbeez 5,000+ posts]

Well put what your budget is for each item and we can do what we can to help.

 

[Jon Scherf]

Its probably less than most of you "enthusiasts" are used to but im looking at subwoofers between 120 and 150 dollars, amplifiers between 120 and 170 dollars, and speakers around 100 dollars a pair plus separate tweeters so overall about an $800 budget with the wiring and accessory parts for the installation.

 

[Jon Scherf]

Okay let me clarify just a bit more, I know this is one of the best communities for car stereo advice and I really dont mean to come across in negative way, im just tired of trying to deal with tech support from companies with all of my questions. If I am starting with just a head unit, and I have a budget of $800 to spend on a single 12" subwoofer, an amplifier for that subwoofer, a pair of front component speakers, a pair of rear speakers, a four channel speaker amplifier, wire kits and an enclosure, what kind of names/products would you recommend?

I will not be competing in any SPL events but i do like a solid thump when i listen to rap, however it also needs to be tight enough to play rock music cleanly. I understand this will be a low to mid-level audio setup at best and im not expecting incredibly high quality sound, but rather a substantial upgrade over my stock speakers. Im currently using stock 2 ohm speakers and a pair of alpine e10's in a sealed box, so just about anything I buy will be an improvement. Thanks in advance for any helpful realistic input.

 

[Desmond Audio 10+ year member]

if u really want to drop some coins go with mtx 9500 or alpine type x's

 

[TrlcKed_OuT 10+ year member]

man we can only help so much..we dont recommend these brands for nothing..we all have used them and they have proven themselves by far. an $800 is ok and thats what were trying to help you with..if you really want to stick to alpine and rockford and kicker then goto your local best buy and have at it...you want the best your money can buy and we are offering you alternitives...so $800...

Sub - $200 https://ssl.perfora.net/www.ficaraudio.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=154d0032c387633/shopdata/0050_Speakers/0040_SSD/product_overview.shopscript

amp- $150 CAR MONO AUDIOPIPE AP-15001D CLASS D 1500 W AMPLIFIER - eBay (item 140436363238 end time Jan-01-11 11:22:43 PST)

Front speaker-$80 Amazon.com: Lanzar OPTI6.1 400-Watt 6.5-Inch Component System: Electronics

front speaker amp- $108 AMPLIFIER NEW 1000 WATT 4 CHANNEL CAR AUDIOPIPE AMP - eBay (item 290431685010 end time Dec-29-10 09:07:46 PST)

wiring-$150 0 GAUGE DUAL AMP POWER KIT

enclosure- $50-$100 local builder

thats right at $750-$800 and a pretty decent start for a 15''...not sure about the front speaker amp..could do better...