First step for an SQ system?

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

Sorry, I have an Alpine CDA-9856 head unit. I'm trying to work on a $300 budget. What should I expect to spend to seal and deaden the doors? PG RSD's for the doors, running off 2 channels, possibly a cheap sub off the amp, 8 inch CVR or something. Sound good? I know my budget is low, but I am about to start my second year of college, and they want all the money they can get. Thanks everyone.

Sounds like you are on the right track.

So you have a headunit. Do you already have the RSD speakers? An amp?

If you dont have those your budget it going to be really tight.

If you do have them get some deadening. http://www.secondskinaudio.com

if you dont have them save some more.

 

[JRock10 10+ year member]

i'd probably do the RSDs or go for a good co-ax (type r or diamond D3 comes to mind), a decent 4 channel and the sub you want. that'll give you pretty decent sound for now, then come back later and upgrade. but i'd go for stuff now that you may be able to use in the future.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER 10+ year member]

I like the 4ch amp cause I can use it later. All I have now is the head unit. I will need everything else. I can do one of two things. Get a good sub (JL w3) and no speakers, or get a cheap sub (Kicker CVR, JL w1) and speakers. So what about coax's? I think my factory speakers sound great (haven't heard anything better), so a good sub may be the next step.

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

Sorry, I have an Alpine CDA-9856 head unit. I'm trying to work on a $300 budget. What should I expect to spend to seal and deaden the doors? PG RSD's for the doors, running off 2 channels, possibly a cheap sub off the amp, 8 inch CVR or something. Sound good? I know my budget is low, but I am about to start my second year of college, and they want all the money they can get. Thanks everyone.

$300 for an entire "SQ" system?

Installation parts and accessories will eat up most of that budget. I think if you are very carefull you can squeeze a complete basic system into that budget, but I don't think anyone will call it a "SQ" system.

If you hunt around online for deals and used gear you can save alot, but it will take more time. Remember to consider shipping prices when comparing vendors and "deals". I dont' trust ebay dealers. I prefer an online vendor that has an actual store front somewhere.

Yes, lots of people recommend the PG's for cheap components. I suggest a larger sub woofer to make better use of your limited power you going to get off a cheap/small amp. A 12" will give you alot more "bang" for your buck off the same 200 watts than an 8". Make sure to build your box out of 3/4" MDF and it should give you plenty of "bang" even from just 200 watts RMS.

I know it's a sin to suggest it here, but you might consider using 3 rolls of Peel N' Seal to deaden your doors. If your carefull about installing, it will work well and cost alot less than commercial deadening.

Don't forget you need good power cables, a fuse holder and 2 sets of RCA's, some zip ties and paint or carpet for your box.

If you install this stuff well, you can make it sound good and it will last a long time. If you install it poorly it will sound crappy and it won't make it thru your first semester before it starts to crap out on you.

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

I like the 4ch amp cause I can use it later. All I have now is the head unit. I will need everything else. I can do one of two things. Get a good sub (JL w3) and no speakers, or get a cheap sub (Kicker CVR, JL w1) and speakers. So what about coax's? I think my factory speakers sound great (haven't heard anything better), so a good sub may be the next step.

Stick to the plan of getting a 4 channel. If your okay with your door speakers take them out, deaden/seal your doors and reinstall them powered off of the 4 channel amp and they should sound even better.

Don't blow your budget on a sub if your still going to power it off a cheap amp. Try to get a decent amp to power a decent sub, but there is no point in having a "good" sub off a crappy amp. They should all be about equal quality.

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

IMO the most important part of a system is the Source unit. I'd focus on that first.

x2

save up to get a nice radio where you have a lot of tuning, and time correction options

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

x2
save up to get a nice radio where you have a lot of tuning, and time correction options

I have an Alpine CDA-9856 head unit

..

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER 10+ year member]

LOL, sometimes I feel you guys aren't listening. Yes, I have an Alpine head unit. Looking at a fosgate amp (good?). $300 is what I have right now in paypal, ready to go. I may do more later, the $300 is to get started with. My title is first step, meaning I am gonna do what I can now, then add later. Main question: sub or speakers? I have almost decided on the Fosgate P400-4, 1 JL w3 8, good wiring, and go from there. My trunk is 11 inches tall. Therefore, a 10 or 12 inch sub is out of the question. I will have the sub vertical, cant afford to give up space to lay down the sub. I am limited to about .5 cubes. That really limits my options for subs. I might could squeeze a 10 in there, but I doubt it performs well. What do you all think? Thanks for all the help.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER 10+ year member]

Looks like the 4ch. amp I have been looking at might not be enough, 200 watts, need 250 to the JL w3. I may go with a mono amp that will do 250+ at 4 ohms, then if I add another sub I can run 500 at 2 ohms. Any problems with that? Thanks.

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

With 300 to spend and you have an ok HU, I would go for an amp for my highs and mids and some comps. Focus on the highs for now, then worry about the sub and amp for those when you get more paper. At least that's the route I'm taking.

An Alpine PDX 2.150 would be a great amp for your fronts, or you could go with the 4.100 but that one would eat up your 300 for now budget.

 

[buggsson 10+ year member]

I am in a similar situation like yours. I would skip sub and sub amp for now and look firsthand for speakers, if your present speakers are not much to like. My reasoning is that good speakers will sound better powered by a sub-optimal amp (your HU) than vise versa. And if you choose speakers that go lower than most, you will not initially miss a sub that much. Then do a 4-ch. amp, and from there a sub and sub-amp. This way, I hope, you will get decent sound sooner?

 

[Aroc 10+ year member]

LOL, sometimes I feel you guys aren't listening. Yes, I have an Alpine head unit. Looking at a fosgate amp (good?). $300 is what I have right now in paypal, ready to go. I may do more later, the $300 is to get started with. My title is first step, meaning I am gonna do what I can now, then add later. Main question: sub or speakers? I have almost decided on the Fosgate P400-4, 1 JL w3 8, good wiring, and go from there. My trunk is 11 inches tall. Therefore, a 10 or 12 inch sub is out of the question. I will have the sub vertical, cant afford to give up space to lay down the sub. I am limited to about .5 cubes. That really limits my options for subs. I might could squeeze a 10 in there, but I doubt it performs well. What do you all think? Thanks for all the help.

From what I can see u have enough for front speakers and some deadning, or speakers and a good deal on a amp I'd go with amp speaker combo first for the reason you will have music apose to speakers with no power unless your wire them up to your HU witch would be a waste.

Tho I dont understand why you want a 4 channel get a nice 2 channel for the front componets enless you plan on running stuff in the rear as well.

Since your on a VERY limited budget I'd get something your going to be happy with first time around to avoid a rebuild a short time after.....

As posted above deadning and sealing doorpanels will make the biggist differnce in the quality and mid bass of your speakers..

 

[LBC99 10+ year member]

Here are a few things to start with:

4 gauge amp wiring kit - $26.99 + ship

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KLM-K4

Phoenix Gold RSD comps - $87 shipped

http://audiosavings.com/product_details.aspx?item_guid=767e9c4a-3e3b-4e48-8a27-7a13f9c0a9fe&category_guid=7617d28f-f8fa-4c53-b172-133ce952abd6

I'm sure you can find a good used 4 channel amp in the classifieds here for around $100-150

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7374_Hifonics+ZXi+5.2C.html

not awesome but they sound better than what most would give credit for

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11204_Hifonics+TXi+6408.html 4 channel

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_9043_Clarion+SW1051.html

that would be components, 4 channel amp and 1 10" sub for under 250. you would still need an amp kit, sub box and some sound deadening (you would want to get around the components for now as you can add more later)

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaster.cfm?Category=Amp%20Installation%20Kits