Been out of the game for years, help me pick out a new system.

[dsw1204]

I mentioned it in the first post, but a 2008 corolla. I've read up on dsp's and to be honest they kind of scare me lol. I'm not gonna have time to sit and mess with tuning the system for long. I'm not really an audiophile and kind of just want "plug and play". I've done 4 or 5 builds lon ago, but tuning just meant building the right box for my subs lol. I don't really want to pay someone to install or tune anything for me, as I would rather spend that on equipment. I'm ok with the install part, deadening, wiring etc. This tuning stuff seems complicated. I was a "presets" kind of guy with eq's back in the day.

Okay, so no digital signal processor for you, LOL. That'll save you about $500 for your budget. Based on what you said, I truly believe you would be better off with that Alpine CDE-HD148BT than the Pioneer DEH-80PRS. The 80PRS is truly an amazing head unit, but I think it is amazing because of it's processing abilities. And, if you don't want to mess with a DSP, then you will want to stay away from that head unit. The Alpine will be a much easier, straight-forward head unit to use.

Take that $500 savings and put it towards sound deadening (at least some of it). That will make a big increase in sound quality.

 

[dsw1204]

I mentioned it in the first post, but a 2008 corolla. I've read up on dsp's and to be honest they kind of scare me lol. I'm not gonna have time to sit and mess with tuning the system for long. I'm not really an audiophile and kind of just want "plug and play". I've done 4 or 5 builds lon ago, but tuning just meant building the right box for my subs lol. I don't really want to pay someone to install or tune anything for me, as I would rather spend that on equipment. I'm ok with the install part, deadening, wiring etc. This tuning stuff seems complicated. I was a "presets" kind of guy with eq's back in the day.

Okay, so no digital signal processor for you, LOL. That'll save you about $500 for your budget. Based on what you said, I truly believe you would be better off with that Alpine CDE-HD148BT than the Pioneer DEH-80PRS. The 80PRS is truly an amazing head unit, but I think it is amazing because of it's processing abilities. And, if you don't want to mess with a DSP, then you will want to stay away from that head unit. The Alpine will be a much easier, straight-forward head unit to use.

Take that $500 savings and put it towards sound deadening (at least some of it). That will make a big increase in sound quality.

 

[dsw1204]

Sorry about the double post. My computer hiccuped when I was submitting my reply and next thing I knew there was two posts.

 

[dsw1204]

No worries. 2k isn't set in stone either. Budget isn't really my number one priority. My priorities are clean loud music. I listen to christian music 100% of the time, this ranges though, from rap, to rock, to more of a contemporary sound. I need something that sounds great with everything. I want more SQ but with a descent level of bass. Ease of use is important as well. I mostly only listen to music loud driving to and from work. Otherwise I have my kids in the car and keep the volume much lower. If adding another grand got me to where I want to be more easily, it wouldn't be that big of a deal for me.

If you sound deaden your doors, those Morel Tempo Ultra 602 speakers will shine! I don't have a sub, currently (working on that, although), but the Morels almost sound as if I do have a sub, at least when the volume is turned up. If you Google search "Morel Tempo Ultra 602 review" you will find a build log by somebody on diymobilaudio.com who used these speakers. And, the guy talks a lot about them in his build log. He, also, was very impressed with the bass response with them. Read that build log. It will be insightful.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Like I said. I can set you up completely with everything you want and need Sub or subs. 2000 watt amp 75 x4 amp components front. Coaxes rear big 3 amp kit. Box deadener deck and a agm battery $2300 shipped to your door brand new with warranty

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I'm in a completely different place in my life than I was in my spl obsessed days. I have no desire to go there again. I'm older now and kind of over all that.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

I mentioned it in the first post, but a 2008 corolla. I've read up on dsp's and to be honest they kind of scare me lol. I'm not gonna have time to sit and mess with tuning the system for long. I'm not really an audiophile and kind of just want "plug and play". I've done 4 or 5 builds lon ago, but tuning just meant building the right box for my subs lol. I don't really want to pay someone to install or tune anything for me, as I would rather spend that on equipment. I'm ok with the install part, deadening, wiring etc. This tuning stuff seems complicated. I was a "presets" kind of guy with eq's back in the day.

Well it's not like 80PRS is a bad head unit if you just go with the default EQ and no time alignment, but if you ever get bored or want to tinker you have the options built in. For the price you can have them for these days it's the best bang for your buck in a single DIN size head.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Its not that hard taking a tape measure and putting in the distance between each speaker to your ear for time alignment. Nor is messing around with an equalizer to get your music sounding good hard in anyway. It doesnt take a rocket scientist or even a full grown adult to perform these basic functions. I think youll handle it just fine bud.

 

[n01d3x]

Ok, after some research and forgetting about my power\budget, here is where I think I'm at so far. Anything you would change?

SSA XCON 12" (just one will do me I think)

Ampere Audio AA-2000.1 (sub amp)

Morel Tempo Ultra 602

Helix DSP

The Morels have an RMS of 120 watts, is that per speaker, per driver\tweeter or for all four speakers? If I stick with Ampere Audio for my sub amp, which Ampere Audio amp for my mids\highs? I've read that the computer for my '08 corolla will only allow a 160 amp alt, I assume adding another battery in the back would be needed as well. As for the HU, if I'm going active with the Helix DSP does the HU really matter? I think a double din would look better and if I'm using the dsp, any recommendations on a double din HU that is easy to navigate? It would be nice to have a front usb so I could use a usb stick for my music.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Doesnt matter, just pick whatever has the features you want.

 

[BCotrell 10+ year member]

120 is the rms per side tweeter/mid factoring the crossover. Since your goin dsp those mid level pioneer 2 dins are user friendly and priced right.

 

[dsw1204]

Ok, after some research and forgetting about my power\budget, here is where I think I'm at so far. Anything you would change?SSA XCON 12" (just one will do me I think)

Ampere Audio AA-2000.1 (sub amp)

Morel Tempo Ultra 602

Helix DSP

The Morels have an RMS of 120 watts, is that per speaker, per driver\tweeter or for all four speakers? If I stick with Ampere Audio for my sub amp, which Ampere Audio amp for my mids\highs? I've read that the computer for my '08 corolla will only allow a 160 amp alt, I assume adding another battery in the back would be needed as well. As for the HU, if I'm going active with the Helix DSP does the HU really matter? I think a double din would look better and if I'm using the dsp, any recommendations on a double din HU that is easy to navigate? It would be nice to have a front usb so I could use a usb stick for my music.

It looks like you didn't blow away your budget by all that much. What 4-channel amp (I am assuming you will be getting a 4-channel amp) will you be using to push those Morels? I don't know the SSA XCON subs. Are they SQ subs or SPL? I checked out their website but still couldn't tell if SQ or SPL. Looks sharp, although!

I am not very familiar with double-din head units. Looking at the Alpine CDE-W265BT on the Crutchfield website and it has great reviews, tons of features including front AUX and USB inputs, plus 4 volt preouts for your amps (that's one head unit feature I've always been a bit fickle about...and 4 volts is the minimum I would get). On that note...I know I recommended the Helix DSP but if budget was not a concern I'd definitely look at the Arc Audio PS8. In my opinion, and from what I have read, both are outstanding DSPs with both having fairly intuitive software. I like the PS8 mainly because of the 8 volt output to the amp. The PS8, however, is a few hundred dollars more expensive and out of my budget, unless I can find one in the $450 - $500 range.

 

[n01d3x]

I'm thinking about running the morels off an Ampere Audio AA-75.4. It does 75 per channel at 4 ohms, which will be just slightly above the rms for the morels. I'm not completely sure whether I'm going to go with a dsp or just go with the 80prs. Seems like the 80prs would do enough of what a dsp does to satisfy me. That would have me at around 2300 watts. With a 130 or 160 amp alt and another battery I think my car could handle that. The ssa xcon is supposed to be a great SQ sub that does still get pretty low. I did a ton of research a couple of years ago and those where my choice then.

 

[BCotrell 10+ year member]

Could always starts with the 80prs and add the dsp later

 

[dsw1204]

Could always starts with the 80prs and add the dsp later

Wouldn't that be a bit redundant? I always thought the power of the 80PRS was in it's processing and if you are going to get a DSP later on, then you would just be taking away that power from the head unit. The 80PRS is not an easy head unit to navigate while driving. Why not get a head unit that is easy to use and get the DSP for the processing and not worry about fiddling with menus just to make a simple EQ adjustment while you are driving? That's just not for me. Although, I am a bit confused. I thought the author of this thread said he was going to get a double-din a few posts ago, then said he was leaning towards the 80PRS. I still like the idea of the DSP with the easy to use Alpine CDE-HD148BT.

 

[BCotrell 10+ year member]

yeah, totally agree, misread your prior post. I read too fast and initially interpreted that you were interested in an 80prs/dsp combo. If you were going to do a dsp then getting a more user friendly hu with the basic mandatories makes sense to me. You indicated you were looking for a 2 din anyways which typically looks cleaner/more factory in newer cars anyways.