Advice on speakers for novice with KDC-X998

[Linc]

Hi,

I am a noob to this world but have been doing quite a bit of research (googling) on the topic of getting an aftermarket system for my car. Looking for advice on speakers, possibly an amp. Here is some info about my needs:

1. Will be listening to a variety of music, probably not metal or anything really heavy.

2. I am concerned with sound quality over volume

3. Budget around $800 for the whole system, including installation but excluding the headunit (Kenwood KDC-X998) which I already own

4. The system will be going into a Toyota Avalon 2002 model

5. I am a musician

Some questions:

1. Best speakers for my budget?

2. Is it essential to get an amp for the front stage?

3. Thinking of not installing anything in the rear stage, good move?

4. Would like to get a sub for SQ not super high SPL, advice on sub + monoblock amp?

5. Sound-deadening in the doors?

Thanks in advance for your help

Click to read more...

 

[snyderd758 10+ year member]

You can save a ton of money deadening the doors yourself. Look at alpine amps good mix of budget and sound quality. Used may be the way to go for you also your money will go a lot further.

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=281299687598&category=38638&pm=1&ds=0&t=1431828000537

NEW JBL GTO609C 6 5" 2 WAY GTO Series Component CAR Audio Speaker | eBay

Subs... see what you can find local. Maybe a deal on something. Only help i can offer from the states

 

[garychoffmann 10+ year member]

NEW JBL GTO 5EZ 1075 Watt 5 Channel GTO Series Class AB D CAR Audio Amplifier 050036313285 | eBay better choice

 

[Linc]

You can save a ton of money deadening the doors yourself. Look at alpine amps good mix of budget and sound quality. Used may be the way to go for you also your money will go a lot further.

Any particular Alpine amps you think might be good for my purpose? Is it necessary to try and match brands, for example if I get Alpine R speakers, would it be good to get and Alpine R amp?

Do you think deadening the doors is an essential thing or should I install the other stuff first?

 

[Linc]

NEW JBL GTO 5EZ 1075 Watt 5 Channel GTO Series Class AB D CAR Audio Amplifier 050036313285 | eBay better choice

Is it better to get a 5 channel amp to run subs and front stage or should I get a monoblock for the sub and then a separate amp for the front stage?

 

[Linc]

A couple of things to add... I know component speakers are ideal, however, I am concerned about the extra cost in installing them. Is it a really bad move to go coaxial?

I had been looking at a pair of Alpine SPR-60 coaxials for $150ish which seemed like a reasonable deal. What do you guys think?

Furthermore, I don't intend on cranking this system to ear-deafening levels. Is headunit power a no-no with aftermarket speakers? Keep in mind it will be power from the Kenwood KDC-X998 which I assuming is better than the stock headunit power.

 

[gimling]

A couple of things to add... I know component speakers are ideal, however, I am concerned about the extra cost in installing them. Is it a really bad move to go coaxial?
I had been looking at a pair of Alpine SPR-60 coaxials for $150ish which seemed like a reasonable deal. What do you guys think?

Furthermore, I don't intend on cranking this system to ear-deafening levels. Is headunit power a no-no with aftermarket speakers? Keep in mind it will be power from the Kenwood KDC-X998 which I assuming is better than the stock headunit power.

If your going for SQ and a sound stage then you are going to want components, toyota avalon is a higher end toyota and usually have pretty good factory sound deadning i wouldnt spend the money out of your budget on it, as far as a 5 channel i wouldnt do it unless your concerned with space, as far as brand I would go listen to your local audio shops see what sounds good to you. Polk DB, alpine have a pretty good entry level components that sound really good. Usually if you go with components they want power so they might not sound that great on just the headunit power.

If you just want good sound coax are fine but wont give you a sound stage, and u can find a descent set of coax that will sound pretty good on an aftermarket deck.

ps doesnt the avalon have a factory tweeter located in the door?? usually you can find a way to make them fit in that location, when i was installing we didnt charge more for component installs the tweets come with mounts customer just had to sign off if we were cutting a hole in doors or pillars.

 

[Linc]

If your going for SQ and a sound stage then you are going to want components, toyota avalon is a higher end toyota and usually have pretty good factory sound deadning i wouldnt spend the money out of your budget on it, as far as a 5 channel i wouldnt do it unless your concerned with space, as far as brand I would go listen to your local audio shops see what sounds good to you. Polk DB, alpine have a pretty good entry level components that sound really good. Usually if you go with components they want power so they might not sound that great on just the headunit power.
If you just want good sound coax are fine but wont give you a sound stage, and u can find a descent set of coax that will sound pretty good on an aftermarket deck.

ps doesnt the avalon have a factory tweeter located in the door?? usually you can find a way to make them fit in that location, when i was installing we didnt charge more for component installs the tweets come with mounts customer just had to sign off if we were cutting a hole in doors or pillars.

No, this Avalon doesn't have tweeters located separately in the doors. I just assumed that the installation would cost more to modify the pillars (actually, I have read in my research that components cost extra to install. Maybe it's better to spend less on the speakers by getting coax and then that way I save on having to fork out for a front stage amp.

Thanks for you input so far guys, really helpful. What do you reckon would be a good sub/amp combo for me?