First system purchase

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

I am currently beginning my research to purchase my first car audio system. I am looking for a one 10 or 12 inch subwoofer that will hit hard in my 2008 mazda hatchback. I am a huge computer enthusiast, and can only assume that car audio has the same perks as computers. Meaning, there are low, mid and high range products with some unnecessary features i will never need to buy.

I would rather not go the "Beginners" route, but do not want to spend the money for a competition system. If anyone can recommend other posts for me to read in this or other forums, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/up2something.gif.dd110ecf3ae4b76050d87598f2f8de7c.gif

Click to read more...

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

how much you wanna spend, first off.

 

[09civic 5,000+ posts]

car audio is an expensive hobby. its a money pit

 

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

What would a decent price range be for a single subwoofer system?

 

[Fiendstolemyamp 10+ year member]

Figure $200-300 for amp, $200-300 for sub, $50-for box (you build), $100 for power, ground, rca's. If you want non "beginner" stuff, might be a bit cheaper, depends on what you want.

 

[09civic 5,000+ posts]

if you buy everything new? then about 1k. if you buy used, 400-700

 

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

Alright. So, the price range above your saying 500-700$ is what I am looking into for a solid system? That is a little higher then I would like, but I can drop that much.

What brands should I be looking into to start out?

I have always been under the assumption that the best brands are Fosgate, Pioneeer, JL and Alpine. Scrolling through e-bay, I noticed they have a lot of products in the 100-150$ price range. Why would these not be a smart purchase?

 

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

First system, I am fine buying used products.

 

[09civic 5,000+ posts]

Alright. So, the price range above your saying 500-700$ is what I am looking into for a solid system? That is a little higher then I would like, but I can drop that much.
What brands should I be looking into to start out?

I have always been under the assumption that the best brands are Fosgate, Pioneeer, JL and Alpine. Scrolling through e-bay, I noticed they have a lot of products in the 100-150$ price range. Why would these not be a smart purchase?

try to stay away from mainstream subs. around here, everyone likes: sundown audio, Fi, DD, TC sounds, Incriminator Audio. just to name a few.

we need to know your goal. are you looking for to be loud or to have good sound quality?

 

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

Loud is a plus. I am not trying to impress anybody. I want something that will sound crisp with good sound quality.

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/amplifier-classifieds/509650-autotek-1400-1-1400%401ohm-1000%402ohm.html

and

SA-12D2 SUNDOWN AUDIO 12" DVC 2 OHM SA SUBWOOFER SUB | eBay

just adjust the gains right and it will wang and sound good

 

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

Awesome .. So those two products are the best I am gonna get for that price?

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

Awesome .. So those two products are the best I am gonna get for that price?

there are others. what you might want to do is start a wanted to buy thread. tell people what you are looking for and price. someone may give you a awesome deal on a sub/amp package. just stay away from alot of the big name stuff. alot of it is crap now

 

[Fiendstolemyamp 10+ year member]

AQ1200D Amplifier Might look at this amp as well, they are good quality & it's new w/warrenty. Not that the Autotec isn't good but I'm not familliar w them, I've used AQ's before.

 

[tHeFallen 10+ year member]

Alright, thanks for the help.