good system without breaking the bank?

[aquamoe21 10+ year member]

friend wants a stereo but not alot of cash. The cd player will probably be a pioneer from walmart or circuit city, same with the wires. she wants good bass but good sq to. car is 98 escort zx2. its going to be a 2 sub set up. i mainly need some suggestions for a good sub/amp combo for 300-400 bucks

Click to read more...

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

With that little to spend, I'd go for a single sub setup and go for ported if she wants a little more output than a single sealed sub would give her.

 

[aquamoe21 10+ year member]

if she goes with a single sub should she get a 15?

 

[aquamoe21 10+ year member]

all the interior speaker are going to stay stock for now

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

friend wants a stereo but not alot of cash. The cd player will probably be a pioneer from walmart or circuit city, same with the wires. she wants good bass but good sq to. car is 98 escort zx2. its going to be a 2 sub set up. i mainly need some suggestions for a good sub/amp combo for 300-400 bucks

With that tight of a budget (this list only includes subs I have heard personally):

I'd say possibly look to a pair of 10" Kicker CompVRs (are they still on sale for Buy 1 Get 1?)

Maybe a single Alpine Type-R (the current forum 'goto' sub - more than adequate output for the price)

A pair of Memphis PRs can be had pretty cheaply

A Diamond M3/D3 is a solid SQ sub with the potential to get loud - eBay will be your best bet pricewise on a Diamond sub...

You'll most likely need to secure the materials and build the box yourself with your stated budget - if you don't feel up to the task of designing the enclosure yourself but feel pretty safe with a saw and whatnot there are several reputable box designers/builders on this forum that could get you some good plans for around 10~15 once you've supplied them with the dimensions you have to work with.

As far as an amp once you've decided on what subs you're going to run then you'll want to buy appropriate amplification for them. With your budget you'll probably want to go with a used unit to get enough output. Again, ebay can be your friend and the classifieds here more often than not have good deals to be found.

Hope this helps at all!

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

if she goes with a single sub should she get a 15?

I wouldn't. Since this is a simple system, no use in dealing with something that's size (box included) may be cumbersome(sp?) to deal with. A quality ported 12 will have more than adequate output for someone not looking to be heard from blocks away.

 

[Mr. Opportunist 10+ year member]

1 type-r 12 or 10 and cheapest amp you can find try ikesound for an orion 1200d refurb