Budget "system"

[MattP]

So here's the deal. I bought a cheap car, a good old 1985 Chevette (blast from the past, eh? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif) and it needs some noise makers. Problem is, I don't have much money to put into it. I don't like my music excessively loud or heavy hitting. I'm not a true audiophile; if my imaging isn't immaculate, I will survive. All I need is some nicely balanced, good sound quality for under $200.

The music being played will be primarily screamo, with some classic rock etc. Much of my music has some pretty complex wave patterns, which many systems butcher. I figure blending a bunch of different speakers together will reproduce this the best.

Right now I've got a pair of JBL GTO 6x9's that have some decent sound and some Acoustic Research 3.5's that will probably sound like crap anywhere above about 3W and I most likely won't use.

Here's what I'm thinking.

Obviously I need a deck. From what I have heard, both first and second hand, is that the deck doesn't make much of a difference for SQ. Being a cheap car, I want something non flashy. This seems to be what I'm looking for - http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18517

Probably my biggest turn-on in audio is strong quality mid ranges. Naturally, I should put the most money into a good set of speakers for this. Reading reviews on this site, Phoenix Gold RSD's would be the king of mid's, but are a little more than I'd like to spend. That brought me to these, a pair of PG Octane ZR 6.0's http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14039

My JBL 6x9's have a fair amount of bass, but looking through the subwoofer section, there's a Boss Audio 8" mid sub for $19. It's range is up to 4500Hz and will be left thumping pretty softly in the background, so I figure that even if the SQ isn't great, it won't be too noticeable and should blend in nicely. Link here - http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18288

Now for the most underrated and forgotten about part of a system (in my opinion at least). Tweeters. As a general rule of thumb, AFAIK, silk tweets are sexy. I've heard that Lanzar has some decent quality tweeters for cheap, so naturally that would lead me to Lanzar's cheapest silk tweets. Peak power is 150W, so they should remain fairly clear at lower volumes. Here they are - http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=12889

Total - $175. Sub on one channel, each PG comp on their own channel, JBL's sharing a channel and the tweeters wherever they blend in the best.

I'll be using roof liner as sound deadening and making a custom box in the back for the comps and coaxes over the rear wheel wells. Tweets in the dash, sub chilling in the back.

Comments? Suggestions? I'm open to anything. I know at this price point, quality of sound can quickly go downhill, which I'm trying to avoid. I'm not expecting any miracles, just something that sounds nice. Will that fit the bill?

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[bumpinaintEZ 10+ year member]

No amps? and if your looking for SQ you may want to aim a bit higher than $200....but I myself am more SPL oriented so I may be wrong

As for the boss 8......well some one else will make a better suggestion than I can.

 

[DDeitz 10+ year member]

well those pheonix gold RS 6's are the forum boner and they do come with tweeters. that deck i dont know much about but im assuming it should suffice. Or check the classified section here u might beable to find a used headunit.

you are at 140 after those...i would say maybe try and find a cheap amp in the classified section to power the rs6's?..maybe someone else will have a better idea

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

for the price of the octanes and the crappy lanzar tweets, you can get a set of the Rsd comps online. Good midbass and a decent tweet. Just buy a set of Rsds, a decent cheap HU from the classifieds, and a small 2-channel amp. No sub, no extra tweets. This will give you a good start, and will work very nicely for a cheap setup

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

That Boss Audio 8" mid sub is probably garbage. I've never heard of a mid sub.....thats an oxymoron

 

[Thedeadly1 10+ year member]

You should buy a pioneer 4900ib. Pg rsd's. Used 100 dollar good amp. Your looking at 350

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Here's what I'm thinking.

Obviously I need a deck. From what I have heard, both first and second hand, is that the deck doesn't make much of a difference for SQ. Being a cheap car, I want something non flashy. This seems to be what I'm looking for - http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18517

Um...who told you that??

 

[Cxrazy 10+ year member]

I upgraded my deck and kept my stock speakers and it was like night and day.

A new deck is probably the biggest step you can take to improving quality.

Its the same thing as listening to a 28kbps MP3 on very nice speakers or an uncompressed flac file on decent speakers.

The flac and decent speakers will most likely sound better.

Was that analogy completely lost on you?

 

[JRock10 10+ year member]

cough up $10 more and you can play MP3

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18558

 

[Tehgregzor 10+ year member]

I agree with Jrock. Being able to throw 100+ songs on 1 cd...its just the best.

Kenwood cd player $109

Phoneix Gold ZR 6.0 $48

Phoneix Gold Amp $69

Thats $226... if you use the radio JRock said, then its down to $196. Don't forget wires!

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

I agree with Jrock. Being able to throw 100+ songs on 1 cd...its just the best.
Kenwood cd player $109

Phoneix Gold ZR 6.0 $48

Phoneix Gold Amp $69

Thats $226... if you use the radio JRock said, then its down to $196. Don't forget wires!

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif those aren't zrs in the link you posted, they are rs. Might as well go $40 over budget and get the Rsds

 

[MattP]

On Craigslist, there was a couple year old Alpine amp for pretty cheap, 60Wx4 that I bought.

It was missing manuals and a wiring harness, so I went into an Alpine dealer and got all the info I needed for that.

While I was there, they had this deck on sale for a good price, so I picked it up.

I'll probably just get the PG Octane ZR's. Paired with the JBL 6x9's it should be good for now.