Help me decide on some new audio equipment

[stocker08 10+ year member]

Im close to finishing my year at school and it is staring to warm up in minnesota, which means its time for me to start thinking about adjusting my car audio system. What i need are some suggestions/reccomendations.

Current System:

Alpine CDA-9825

Alpine MRP-F450 (Running my 4 speakers)

5.25in. PG Rsd components

stock rear speakers

Alpine MRP-M350

2 10" Kicker CVR's

What i am looking to do is get rid of both amps and and subs. Also possibly get some new 6x9 for the rear, but that is a low priority since the stock speakers really dont sound too bad with some amplification.

Since my trunk is a jungle of crossing wires (it really is messy) i would like to cut down on some of the space these subs and amps are taking up. I am looking to get possibly a 5-channel amp to run my entire system and get one nice SQ sub.

Some of the things i have been looking into are the Kicker ZX700.5 because it will put similar power to my speakers while giving me a decent 2/1-ohm sub channel. The sub i was thinking about was a JL Audio W3 or a W6 if i found one in my price range. Looking to get at least a 12" sub.

Toss some suggestions at me. Im sure you all know a hell of a lot more than i do. Just remember that my budget is around $600 for the sub and amp and i am looking for the best SQ (not really looking for SPL) equipment i can get.

Possible sub choices:

JL Audio W3

JL Audio W6

Audioque SDC2.5

IDQ v3

Alpine Type-R

Possible amp choices:

Kicker ZX700.5

Kicker KX700.5

Alpine PDX-5

Massive Audio P950.5

Alpasonik PMZ12005A

Alphasonik PMA5753A

Directed D2205

Soundstream RUB5.800

Click to read more...

 

[BassMechanix 10+ year member]

I guess the first question would be, What type of car is that you are putting the new system in and are you dedicateing your trunk space to it??

 

[stocker08 10+ year member]

It is a 2002 Buick Century and no, i am not dedicating my trunk space to it which is why i am looking to get 1 amp and a single sub.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

I've got a 12" W3 in a sealed box on the cheap if you're interested...

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

i would ditch the rear stage and do a fi q off of like 1000 rms in a sealed

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

https://ssl.perfora.net/www.ficaraudio.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=1549c54f48f2d42/shopdata/0050_Speakers/0030_Q/product_overview.shopscript if u want u can send 1200 to them.

 

[stocker08 10+ year member]

Yeah, i heard that the Fi q's are very nice, but it might be a little more bass than i am looking for. Plus, i enjoy having some sound coming from the rear stage, makes it sound a little more balanced.

One of those 15's would be awesome though.....

 

[mazda6i07 10+ year member]

Get anything Audioque. If you want to get loud get an Hdc3. Also hit up American Bass for amps that put out a lot of power, id suggest a vfl-110.1. The links are http://www.audioque.com

and http://www.americanbassusa.com

Both very solid, long lasting, great products with great customer service.

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

im sayin no rear stage cuz some times with the bass it makes ya speakers sound like ***. thats why most people dont run a rear stage in trunk cars.. well i did not ... the Fi are nice subs u can try some JL if ya want..

 

[thaster 10+ year member]

idq 12 v3 in a 1cu ft sealed box.

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

you could do a nice 4channel and have whatever your sub is run off the 2 channels bridged (they are usually smaller than 5channels). Then on the other 2 channels run your front and rear speakers on them at 2ohm stereo. AS for a sub, just keep one of the cvrs and run that

 

[stocker08 10+ year member]

Yeah, i spose i never really thought of that. I guess bass could mess with the rear speakers frequencies a little but i dont think the subs i am looking at getting will have enough power to do that.

The AudioQue SDC2.5 looks like a nice sub. Plus it is pretty affordable.

I have been looking into the IDQ's also. One of my friends used to have one and it always sounded great.

One more question, what would suit me better do you think, a 12" or 15"?

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

12 for sure. 15 is alittle more slopy sounding

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

I've never heard a sloppy sounding 15 in my life. i thought you were cutting down on space? if so do a 12, its SMALLer

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

I've never heard a sloppy sounding 15 in my life. i thought you were cutting down on space? if so do a 12, its SMALLer

i have heard some 15s that just dont sound right..