Got a Neon? or if not still help me build my system. Newb:(

[Bipolar 10+ year member]

**WARNING**This whole post will sound lame to experienced car audio enthusiast, Please don't flame me.. I live off of a disability salary and can only afford so much.. So here we go..I have a 01 Neon and was wondering first of all since I have yet to do any measuring, will 2 15"s fit behind the rear seat, Firing rearward I figure will sound better..Im open to all speaker sizes and configurations though. I have plans to "Rattle Trap" dampen the whole car. I have had 4 or 5 different systems in my life but I have never had any 15"s and would like to have a pair at least for a little while to see if im missing anything.. Also, all my systems I have had has been low budget or second hand crap. I want this system to be better/louder then any other systems I have ever owned. I still have alot to learn and even though im 33 and have been reading and playing car audio from like 16 on I still am a Newb..There is alot I dont know or understand. This is going to sound super lame but, the best I ever had was way back in like 93, I had a VW Rabbit (ha) with a "old school" Savard bandpass box with 2 12" HI Q subs and a Lanzar Opti Drive amp..now before you laugh..This was when Lanzar was Lanzar and not frikin Pyramid or who ever makes them now. I would LOVE to have that Savard box back too!! That was the best sounding system, I swear! I thought it was soo cool that I could flip quarters off my roof..//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif Now lately I have had 2 12 Infinity Kappa's and a Fosgate 700 amp pushing them, Now I have the Fosgate amp and some old school 10 MTX Blue Thunders, 8 ohms even..I know thats so lame but I didnt buy any of it, It was all either given to me or in the car when I bought it.. So what im thinking about now is Alpine type R 6x9s "SPR-69C" and "SPR-17C" 6 1/2s, and a Kicker KX850.4 amp to push them, I also need some 2 1/2 or what ever fits in the dash.. For bass I was thinking about a pair of 12 or 15 Kicker L7s dual 4 ohms wired down to a single 1 ohm load with about 2000-2600 "true" watts running to them with either Hi Phonics Brutus BXi 2608D amp or similar.. As far as a head unit i have been looking at the Pioneer Premier DEH-P980BT..the Alpine CDA-9887 and the Panasonic CQ-C9800U..Now I have a question about my sub selection. I have never had the chance to hear subs like Btl's, XXX's, Brahmas, DD's or any other "good" non mainstream subs..Am I missing out? Should I look to some of there products instead of Kicker L7's? How do they compair? Please let me know if I should scrap my whole setup idea or what I should use or not use..Thanks..

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[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

IMO....in a neon, look at maybe one 15" in a tuned to spec box...you will be way happier than 2 in sealed or any other option

 

[reed dollaz 10+ year member]

i used to have a neon. i have to go pick somebody up but when i get back ill make sure to come back to this post. like all trunk cars, you only have so many options. sucks, huh?

 

[mikey7182 10+ year member]

Not to flame at all, but you are looking at some decently expensive equipment for someone who lives on disability. Your financial situation aside, most of what you listed is pretty high quality for what you're wanting to do. I have owned both the 980BT and the Alpine 9887. If you get the 980/9800 get the Premier, because the Pioneer 9800 doesn't come with Auto TA. Otherwise, the Alpine is a great choice too and about $100 cheaper. It may be even less if you are okay with finding a mildly used one in the classifieds.

As for your sub "stage," I would agree with Dman. One 15" sub in a properly built/tuned box should give you more than enough in a Neon. In terms of brand, there are a lot of options out there. Kicker makes good subs, but in my opinion when someone comes on here asking about "L7s in my ride, yo!" it is amusing //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Not that that's you; I just think most inexperienced people pick either Kicker L7s or JL subs when they want a lot of bass, when there are a ton of other options out there, most of which are less expensive and as high or higher quality. I don't usually run 15" subs, so I don't have a lot of great suggestions, but I have heard a lot of good things about SS Icons, FI, SI, and other lesser known brands, as well as Alpine and Pioneer Premier. You'll want to figure out exactly what sound you are going for- SPL, SQ, or a mixture of both. 2500 watts to 2 15" subs in a Neon suggests you are more in it for SPL. But if you want it to blend well with a clear set of components, you'll probably want to reconsider your sub/amp selection.

 

[Bipolar 10+ year member]

Thanks guys, I did go out and measure in the car and there is no way that I can see to fit 2 15"s in there with a good appropriately sized tuned/ported box. So now do I run 2 12"s or a single 15? I think 2 12"s. I am for sure way more into spl then SQ. As for my disability budget..I do own a few different vehicle's and buy and sell them to make extra money. Most of my build money will come from making a few grand from selling a car I have. I also do some strenuous searching for deals and save for months to be able to afford what I want. Its very important to me that I don't just jump in and buy L7's or this or that sub/amp/hu, thats why im here now asking what I should get. So as of now im going to shoot for 2 12" subs.. now as for what brand I still dont know. And if im considering L7s why not consider Solo X,s..well Solo X's are not a daily sub I have heard. Then I hear that they are. I dont really drive my car daily and when I do Its not like I have the thing wanging every where I go.. I just want to be happy with what I get. Should I go with one of the non mainstream company's like RE or ??? I have not got a clue, I wish I lived somewhere other the rural Indiana where it seems no one has any quality equipment I can hear. I swear every kid in town is rockin "Volfenhagen" or some crap. So if Im going to get Btls or XXXs or blah blah blah its going to have to be off of someones word that its good and I will be happy with it because I have no where to hear the subs. Thats why I ask, how do they compare to L7s, because I can go to a local shop and hear L7s..and others, but I really like the L7s that I have heard.. they seem to hit louder and harder then the other products they offer..Its just a shame I cant listen to more quality subs..

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

I'd still get 1 15. Saves weight and possibly space, compared to 2 12s in a ported enclosure. I think you would be happy with 1 15" Q, or a BTL. And as far as speakers, just do a nice set of 6.5 comps. Don't worry about the dash speakers or 6x9s. Seems like you are just looking for a loud-*** set-up. Wouldn't you rather have a loud-*** set-up that sounds good too?

 

[skateboardkid 10+ year member]

Get a set of seperates and at least 75 watts a piece on them, take out the rear 6x9" so bass can get into the cab from the trunk.

You dont have to run L7's or 2500rms to be very very loud. And in fact I doubt that your stock electrical is goign to be very happy with more than a 1500 watt amp and a 2 channel for your components.

let me throw some ideas at you

MTX TA 7801 1200x1 at 1 ohm the birthsheets range from 1400 to 1600 rms

This amp is like 250 all day all over internet.

This amp on a single L7 15" is gonn pound pretty hard. It is all in the install and enclosure.

also look into AudioQue SD2.5's, Fi they make the Q and BTL as well as SSd Subwoofer lines.

I would hang out and read all kinds of threads for like a week and then decide.

Take the time to deaden your front doors and get good seperates and you will enjoy listening to music instead of just watching your eyes shake in your head.

best of luck.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Good advice ^.

 

[krisfnbz 10+ year member]

Disadvantage of most good car audio companies is that you cant hear the stuff before you buy it. More shops should be selling more brands..but its never that way.

I would say go with a single 15, get a set of components for the front....

 

[Jeremy M 10+ year member]

well, i have a 02 dodge neon and i can tell u this much.

if your going to keep your back seats up 90% of the time, do not install 6x9's in the rear deck.

with all that power u will need a bigger alt. ( i was gettin dimming from a bxi2006d).

i started out with 2 12" type R's in a ported box which took up 95% of my trunk.

now i have a single DD 9515 and it takes up 90% of the trunk. So if u need trunk space, go sealed, if u can live life w/o a trunk, go ported. if u need any tips or help let me know.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You will have trouble getting the sub box in the trunk for a 15. I usually only go with 14 or so inches high on the boxes for my 12 in my Neon and it's a really tight fit. Running 2cf ported pretty well fills the trunk, too. I'm not saying that you can't get a 15 in there, but you may have to construct the box inside the trunk rather than building it and then putting it in.

I have had a 12" XXX (older type) in the car off and on for close to 4 years powering it with from 400-1500W. It's more than enough for me, though I'm not much of a basshead. A single Q or Ssd or the like should be plenty. If you want it loud, tune the box around 35hz or so (mine have been tuned 30 and below).

As mentioned above, lose the 6x9s in the back. The front speakers are 6.5" but they can't handle a lot of depth.

 

[Bipolar 10+ year member]

Great info guys! I'm really glad your taking the time to put some thoughts into my concerns and post back to me. As far as the rear seat, it can stay down 90% of the time, and trunk room is not a issue, I can use as much of it as needed. As for the alt, its no big deal at all for me to do a upgrade. "skateboardkid"..Thanks for your suggestions. The price on that MTX amp is just the kind of prices I like to see. I'm sure I would be happy with a single 15" and 1500 watts or so. My only worry is getting a box to fit in there. I really don't know how to build even a simple box outside of a car, and a complicated box build inside of the car is out of the question for me. I would really like to have my box removable too, just in case I have to haul a dead body or something at the last minute. I guess what I will do is look for other Neon audio enthusiast on some Neon car forums like Neons.org and or maybe even cardomain and check out there subs and get a idea how there systems are set up. Thanks guys. Any other thoughts or suggestions? Before I make a final decision I will be sure to run it by everyone on here to make sure its all up to par...peace..

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

I have a couple buddies with neons and one guy was running Audiopipe, cause he was selling it and was a demo vechichle. Believe or not it sounded pretty good. If you are not familar with Audiopipe, that is because it is not popular and people bash it to the high heavens here. I ran it before in my Cutlass and it sufficed. Not saying you should go that route, just saying what I have heard in my case. My other buddy ran a SQ setup with one Q 12" ID and ID Horns up front and ID componets in the doors. Sounded great, but shelled out quite a bit of money. Was also an SRT neon.

Me, I will recommed what I have, being I have about the same size car in a 4dr Focus ST. I have a little more room, but not much. I am running currently a 12" Kicker CVX off my old school Lanzar 1200 peek/ 1000rms given good electrical on the sub. This is in a sealed box, which I perfer and sounds amazing. I have a new amp waiting to go in with less power, but is due to my Lanzar amp cutting out after it gets hot. I also save a ton of room and believe to my ear so far as I haven't gotten tested, it is as loud if not louder than my Fi Q 12d2 sub I had in there before. Sounds better too. People can bash me all they want, but I couldn't be happier and I have been through some subs over the years.

I also recommed a nice componet set up front, ditch the rears, unless you are like me and have kids that like to hear the speakers in the back. I have mine off headunit power just to make them happy. I suggest anything in the Rainbow line, which is an internet based brand, but very solid. Or maybe Hertz as heard nothing but good things about those. Me I am running MB Quart refrence line, which are ok for el cheapo componets, a little harsh, hence the reason I am putting in my Alpine Type X's in there that have the silk dome tweeter and is a little easier on the ears. For a componet amp, isn't that hard to find one to do the job. I run Clarion for now, but suggest Rockford, although their higher line is pricey.

Headunit, you can't go wrong with the PRS-880 from Pioneer Premier. Awesome deck with a lot of features and I believe there are or were a couple in these classfied section.

I would also go with Kicker Hyperflex wire. 0/1guage and is so easy to work with. Maybe do the big 3 as well to help out.

As the deadener goes that "Rattle trap" you are speaking of, is that from FatMat? I have the regular fatMat, 100sqft of it going in soon and I have heard good things and bad things. Might want to check into Rammat BXT which is Buytal based, not rubber(asphalt based) like fatmat is, which smells and it does. I will be purchasing some Rammat myself to do my trunk. Using the fatmat for the front and back doors.

Hope I helped more than confused you more, lol! Peace!

 

[Bipolar 10+ year member]

Yeah, the Rattle Trap is the 80mil fat Mat. I figured that "something" would be better then "nothing". I can get 100^ft of Rattle Trap for just $109.. I know the buytal Rammat is superior to the asphalt FatMat stuff but I also figure it will be 4-5 times more expensive then the Rattle Trap. I have never had any deadener in any of my rides before, so I figure I would start off like any other "hard headed" "low buck" builder and use the cheap stuff. I will probably learn a lesson but at least then I will know what not to get. Should be better then stock as long as I can deal with the smell. Yeah, I have 3 kids and they will for sure feel ripped off if they cant hear Hanna Frikin Montana singing in there ears in the back seat, and it would feel kinda unbalanced to me too, so rear mids/highs is a must. Just a quick very newbie question, how do I run 2 1/2 dash, 6 1/2 doors, and 6x9 rears off of 1 4 channel amp? As for the head unit I will for sure have to go check some out. My Pioneer hu I have right now, I seem to hit the volume button inward every time I try to turn it up or down, then it switches to cd, or aux, drives me nuts, and my Last Alpine hu I had I loved, but seemed very confusing with lots of extra adjustability. I did like the fact it had a motorized angle adjusting face though. I do know that if I get a year older model or a used HU I can afford a much higher quality unit. Off to do more research..

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

I would do Second Skin over any other deadener. Also, if trunk space/weight isn't a concern, then maybe 2 12s will be better, or one really badass 12. The Pioneer recommended is really nice. Also nice is the Alpine 9887. You don't need those 2.5" speakers in the dash. I'm thinking they may be mid-range tweets. Just run the 6.5s in the doors and tweets in the kicks or on the door as close as you can get them to the woofers. If you are going to keep the rear seat down (i.e. no people sitting in back) just don't bother buying new 6x9s. I feel like a single 12" RE XXX ported would fit your bill pretty well. As I stated before, it seems like you want a really loudass system, but the XXX will have excellent SQ too. You can look for an older used model to save some $.

Cliffnotes:

HU: Alpine 9887 or Pioneer 880

Amps: Alpine, Kicker, Sundown

Frontstage: PG RSDs (cheapest, but decent for the $), Alpine Type-X Pros, Hertz HSK/MLK, Rainbow, CDT

Sub: RE XXX, FI Q or BTL, I'll think of some more and post

Sound Deadener: Second Skin

Wiring: Kicker or Knu Konceptz

You also have the option of going with an active setup and running the tweeters/mids off a 4ch amp, with each having their own channel. But it might be a too complicated for you since it seemed like you didn't like all the tuning abilities of the Alpine HU (I know how you feel, but I'm ready to take the plunge!). So in that case, get some nice comps and a 2ch amp to power them.