First-Time Beginner Build

[T.I.K. 10+ year member]

600-800 is plenty to do a nice system first system.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

the lower end focals aren't gonna sound as good as you may think,most guys who have tried them said they actually ******.i'd look at cdt or morels ,if you are looking for some comps at 300 or less per set.also the amps aren't as bad to find a good one as you think.just need to know what you are trying to get out of your system so some of the more knowledgable guys can help you out.and never forget you get what you pay for.i've seen alot of guys on here talking about how they like the audiopipe amps , but when they get one it's been up for sale within a week or two at most.so that tells me junk.also had one and seen alot of them go up in smoke for no reason.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

leave the mids and highs for now, get your sub and sub amp, if im not mistaken your HU has built in crossover to separate the sub and the highs. i would cross it at 80hz 1st and lower your bass on head unit. so it wont distort your stock speaker, there is another thread almost like yours.

if you have tweeters ill upgrade those for the bullet ones first

Just my 2 cent

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

I'd start with front components with an amp and deadening the doors and trunk...

 

[Arythael 10+ year member]

the lower end focals aren't gonna sound as good as you may think,most guys who have tried them said they actually ******.

I've read this in multiple places, so I'm leaning away from them now. I spent a lot of time looking at components today, my list currently consists of: Boston Acoustics SR60 or SC60 (depending on quality vs price of each), Morel Maximo 6, or JBL MS-62C. I'm primarily considering the SC60s, at the moment. I'm sure some will be added/removed by the time I buy them, so any opinions on these would be great.

I'd start with front components with an amp and deadening the doors and trunk...

This is what I would like to do, although I haven't researched soundproofing at all (yet). Given the components I listed above, what kind of amps should I be looking at? What's the difference between 2-channel and 4-channel amps; which is right for me? I've seen people talking about Alpine amps more than any other brand, but I think they're out of my price range (at least at MSRP).

Back to subs, I'm curious why the Hifonics Brutus subs are so dirt cheap for such power? They're rated at 600W for half the price of most 300W subs I've found... Are they built cheaply or expected to burn out relatively soon? Unless they're crap or SPL subs that don't create the kind of accurate/loud bass I'm looking for, I can't find any alternatives that can match those specs within the $50-100 price range.

By the way, I do plan on taking a bunch of pictures during installs and following up with this thread after everything is done, for anyone interested //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

you get what you pay for in the car audio world.the hifonics subs are mainstream low end junk.as far as the components all that you named are very nice for the lower end realm of components also look at these CL-61A.2-25 Pro - CDT Audio Classic 2-Ohm 6.5 2-Way Component Speakers i can do the newer models for 150 shipped

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

You're on the right track focusing on the components first. Like mylows said, I'd look into some CDT Audio or some Morels, also Massive Audio. They all make some good speakers that transverse an affordable price-range.
For a speaker amp, I prefer a 4 channel. That way you can either amp all 4 doors for power, or bridge the amp to just the front doors, it just gives a bit more versatility.
Yea, the Hifonics subs, and just about anything new made by them, are poorly made. And they are geared toward SPL set-ups. Personally, I wouldn't really bother looking at a new sub until you get into the $100 range. Once you get to around $100-$175 there are a lot of good 10", 12", and even some 15" options. Dayton, SSA, Skar, Obsidian, and so on.
Don't get too stuck on the idea of a certain type or size of subwoofer producing "loud or accurate" bass, as that will mostly be dependent on your enclosure choice. But for now just look at some speakers... worry about your subs and amplifier when you've read around here a bit longer and saved up some more money.

And with all due respect @naughtyca you should be doing some reading around here and learning the other products out there before you start making recommendations. I'm not trying to insult you, I'm just saying I know where you're coming from, and you've got a lot more to learn.

 

[MisterDeadeye 10+ year member]

I've read this in multiple places, so I'm leaning away from them now. I spent a lot of time looking at components today, my list currently consists of: Boston Acoustics SR60 or SC60 (depending on quality vs price of each), Morel Maximo 6, or JBL MS-62C. I'm primarily considering the SC60s, at the moment. I'm sure some will be added/removed by the time I buy them, so any opinions on these would be great.

I've heard these are pretty nice, and they're fairly cheap. Pioneer TS-D1720C (tsd1720c) 6-3/4" (Oversized 6-1/2") 2-way D-

 

[Arythael 10+ year member]

Thanks for the info about Hifonics; that's kinda what I was expecting, although I had hoped otherwise.

Well, Boston Acoustics' specs can't keep up with the CDTs or Morels, now that I've compared them. Let's say I go with the CDTs mylows posted, could I get some amp suggestions for them?

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

I've read this in multiple places, so I'm leaning away from them now. I spent a lot of time looking at components today, my list currently consists of: Boston Acoustics SR60 or SC60 (depending on quality vs price of each), Morel Maximo 6, or JBL MS-62C. I'm primarily considering the SC60s, at the moment. I'm sure some will be added/removed by the time I buy them, so any opinions on these would be great.

This is what I would like to do, although I haven't researched soundproofing at all (yet). Given the components I listed above, what kind of amps should I be looking at? What's the difference between 2-channel and 4-channel amps; which is right for me? I've seen people talking about Alpine amps more than any other brand, but I think they're out of my price range (at least at MSRP).

Back to subs, I'm curious why the Hifonics Brutus subs are so dirt cheap for such power? They're rated at 600W for half the price of most 300W subs I've found... Are they built cheaply or expected to burn out relatively soon? Unless they're crap or SPL subs that don't create the kind of accurate/loud bass I'm looking for, I can't find any alternatives that can match those specs within the $50-100 price range.

By the way, I do plan on taking a bunch of pictures during installs and following up with this thread after everything is done, for anyone interested //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

The Boston SCs and SRs are VERY nice. Not the most midbass heavy though. The Pioneers Deadeye linked are very nice for the price. Strong midbass, take tons of power but midrange isn't as good as the Bostons. I hear the Morels are good and a friend of mine likes his over the Boston SRs supposedly. I doubt I'd pay that tag for a entry level set though. Massive CKs are worth a look too.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

There's a lot of options for amps, especially if you're open to buying used (which I highly recommend). If you're looking for a 4 channel, I'd look towards something that does ~75 over each channel, at 4 ohms. Or, you could also look at some 2 channels if you know you only want to amplify your front speakers (which most users here do). You'll learn once you develop a strong front stage, you usually can't even hear the rear speakers, so I just turned mine off. Then I used my 4 channel amp and bridged it just to my front components. So, for versatility, I'd look at a 4 channel amp with 75w per channel @ 4 ohms. Or for simplicity/space sake, a 2 channel amp with 100-150w per channel @ 4 ohms.

here's a few budget amps that are safe to buy new:

Amazon.com: RUB4.500 - Soundstream 4 Ch. 500 Watt RMS Rubicon Series A/B Class Amplifier: Car Electronics

JBL GTO1004 (GTO-1004) 600W RMS 4-Channel Grand Touring Amplifier

JBL GT5-A604 (GT5A604) 640W Max 4-Channel GT Car Amplifier

Massive Audio NX4 Nano Block Series 4-Channel 1600W Car Amplifier

MB Quart ONX4.80 ONYX 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Hifonics subs are garbage, i won't diss their amps though, for the price and they are cea 2006 compliant. which rates their wattage on 4ohms at 14.4 volts. I dont agree on spending all your money on just mids and highs and dont get a sub. i would change at least your front doors for mids and highs and add a sub and amp for your bass.

Not sure why they will advice you not to get a sub for a beginner setup i wont spend more than $70 on pair or ceiling at $100

Like i said before this is just my 2 cent.

for the mids and highs i would recommend RF PBR300x4, these are 75 watts per channel but birthsheet is always a lot higher, when i got mine it was 94watts per channel on 14.4v, you can get these for about $150 and they are very small footprint

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

I have a couple amps that may work well for you as well OP...

 

[CAT MAN 5,000+ posts]

I have a couple amps that may work well for you as well OP...

this OP. buy from payton. he is a good guy. So is mylows. but Tbh stay away from any hifonics sub made after '06. amps from 08-09'ish arent all that great either. and i should know. im the biggest nutthugger of hifonics ever. aint that right @mylows10

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

They got pretty bad around O5 as well... I just got a box full of brand new budget amps I'm not sure what to do with lol