Help on a new system please

[TonyC 10+ year member]

Good evening everyone, I've been here for the past 2 weeks reading up on everything I can in this forum and I must say, THANK YOU, I've learned a ton in this short time, I'm probably spending 4 hours a night here, lol, no lie.

Which is why I'm here posting, I just need some short sweet advice, I don't want to take up too much of your time but I would greatly appreciate any feedback or help you can provide. Like I've read many times on this, "get it right the first time".

I got $1,500 to spend on a system and am a little confused on what to do, I've been debating on different stuff for a month now and it's driving me insane. I have a 2005 Dodge Neon and so far I've bought the Alpine 9887 ($300) and PG RSD-65CS component speakers ($87). (both from your help here, thank you) Also, spent $40 on install kit. I would like to get some new 6x9's and a decent amp, then a 10" or 12" inch sub for the back with amp, about 250-400 RMS range, I don't need to get crazy but I do want some good bass.

I plan on deadening the doors, renting the imprint software from Cruthfield for the deck and hopefully a few other things (like clay and upgrading the speaker wires) but where do I go from here? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif I know that's hard to answer but basically I'm just looking for some advice on a good set-up. Just cash is in my way //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif, I'm not too picking about anything, I just love music and want a nice listening experience with some bass.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this long read and sorry for the length but if you can help throw some advice this way, I would appreciate it very much, I respect you guys greatly here. Thank you and Have a good night!

TC

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[Loud3 10+ year member]

The headunit you have in possession right now allows you to run active up front... have you considered using your RSD's active and not using anything in your rear deck?

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

What amp are you using for the PGs? If you don't have one yet, you could save some cash and get a 4ch or 5ch amp to power the whole system. 4ch to run the components off the front 2ch and then bridge the rear two for the sub. Or if you can pick up a 5ch, run the PGs active and then have the dedicated sub channel. I would do this rather than pick up some 6x9s for the rear (which you don't really need) and then have to amp those too. What kind of music do you listen to? I think you could accomplish what you want for less than $1500 depending on your choices and if you install it.

 

[TonyC 10+ year member]

The headunit you have in possession right now allows you to run active up front... have you considered using your RSD's active and not using anything in your rear deck?

Thank you, thank you, this is the type of knowledge I'm talking about, I'm to stupid still to understand this stuff, lol. I'm not picky on a set-up so I wouldn't mind going active, I remember that sticky on this subject so I'll go back and read on that right now, lol. I'll be back.

P.S. Should I have gotten better components if I'm not getting 6x9's? I don't even know if my PG RDS's will ship because audiosavings.com doesn't have them on their website but someone posted a link earlier so I just followed that and paid for them early this morning, lol. Still don't know if I'm getting. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Looks like you still have around $1000 left to spend, if I am correct (give or take).

That's definitely a good budget for getting a solid amp... and in your case, I would recommend the baby belle from Memphis. It's a 5 channel, and would suit your needs perfectly. 75wrms x 4 channels, and the 5th channel sends a dedicated 400wrms to your low end driver.

If you want a little bit more playing room, you can get a solid 4 channel, a good two channel, or mono to run the lows...

As far as the sub is concerned, I think I'd head towards an JL 12w6. For it is one of the best at that range... and you still have a few hundred to install everything and play around!

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Thank you, thank you, this is the type of knowledge I'm talking about, I'm to stupid still to understand this stuff, lol. I'm not picky on a set-up so I wouldn't mind going active, I remember that sticky on this subject so I'll go back and read on that right now, lol. I'll be back.
P.S. Should I have gotten better components if I'm not getting 6x9's? I don't even know if my PG RDS's will ship because audiosavings.com doesn't have them on their website but someone posted a link earlier so I just followed that and paid for them early this morning, lol. Still don't know if I'm getting. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

As far as a first setup is concerned, it seems like you have your head on right. I could always say to pick another set, but everything is subjective, it is entirely possible you could fall in love with the RSD's. And at $87 dollars, it's hard to resist them!!!

So, here's my idea for you.

9887 (awesome choice, by the way)

PG RSD6.5's up front running active. That allows you to tune to your liking.

JL Audio 12w6v2. I picked this because it's hard not to love it. It's kinda pricey, but worth it in almost everyone's opinion. Especially at the 400w daily range.

Memphis Baby Belle. Perfect for your needs. Smallish footprint, so it doesn't subtract too much from your available space.

I think most people here are going to find a hard time argueing this.

 

[TonyC 10+ year member]

Thank you LaserRed38 & Loud3, I really appreciate it, I'm going to check out some prices on this stuff and get back to you. I still need to understand a little more about going active but I'm reading up on that now. Thanks again, you guys are awesome!!

EDIT: Okay, got it, going active makes sense thanks to alphakenny1. Thanks again LaserRed38 & Loud3!

 

[tapout 5,000+ posts]

Looks like you still have around $1000 left to spend, if I am correct (give or take).
That's definitely a good budget for getting a solid amp... and in your case, I would recommend the baby belle from Memphis. It's a 5 channel, and would suit your needs perfectly. 75wrms x 4 channels, and the 5th channel sends a dedicated 400wrms to your low end driver.

If you want a little bit more playing room, you can get a solid 4 channel, a good two channel, or mono to run the lows...

As far as the sub is concerned, I think I'd head towards an JL 12w6. For it is one of the best at that range... and you still have a few hundred to install everything and play around!

good advice here. I could also recommend the following...

w6 or IDmax

jl 500/1

Sundown 100.2

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Another possible option, and this one I am going to link you to the options so you can see pricing...

Substage:

Ascendant Audio Arsenal 12d4. $175 shipped from soundsoulutionsaudio.com

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=164

Substage Amp:

Alpine PDX-600.1. $275 from soundsolutionsaudio.com

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=289

Frontstage Amp:

Alpine PDX-4.100. $289 from soundsolutionsaudio.com

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=289

These are going to be easier to get, and the guys at SSA are outstanding.

And, to be honest, I might consider these before my first sugguestion.

Those amps are small, and believe it or not, completely stackable.

That sub is VERY impressive, and should be quite nice with the attached Alpine amp giving it some power.

So, after that, you're looking at around $750ish in some REALLY nice equipment, from some guys who will back it up.

That leaves plenty of room in your budget for the enclosure and deadening required to really get the feel of a solid audio experience.

 

[TonyC 10+ year member]

Thanks Loud3, I'm going to check out your links now, thank you for your time tonight!!

And here is some of my early research on your first set but I'm checking your other one out now:

sonicelectronix.com has the Baby Belle for $399.99 (plus $25 ship) and eBay it looks like they've gone for $350 plus shipping. From eBay to onlinecarstereo.com it looks like $315-340 for the JL 12w6. So that's $750, plus $427, $1,160 give or take plus I need a box and amp kit but that sounds pretty dang good to me! I'm going to do some more hunting on prices and store warranty's but this is looking good!! Thanks again!!

 

[StupidLoud727 10+ year member]

Honestly IMHO if you aren't trying to get loud and just want some nice sound quality, you really don't need something as powerful as a w6. There are plenty of cheaper options with great sound quality if you want to save money for other areas of your car. Don't get me wrong, if you have the money and want to get loud with SQ, the w6 is where it's at. But I used to have an alpine type R in a sealed box running 500W at 2 ohms, and it got louder than anyone could NEED to listen to music at non-deafening levels. Now if you WANT it to be louder than anyone needs, that's a different story.

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Welcome.

I needed a break from MacroEcon homework, anyways... Hah.

Feel free to fire any other questions you may have through PM.

 

[TonyC 10+ year member]

Thanks again Loud3, you are right, getting it at SS Audio is a lot easier to find. I'm looking at the links now.

StupidLoud727, I don't WANT to be louder but I do want some good bass, I don't want to be heard down the block but inside I want it nice without going deaf, I don't need over the top, I do like hearing, lol.

I have the kicker upgrade sub in my Neon now (added it myself, got it of eBay cheap, amp goes 100 RMS, Kicker 10") which adds nicely but I probably want 2-2.5 times that bump. Thanks again you two!

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

I don't think I'd allow you to pass up something like the Arsenal or the DUB6 for an R.

You'd regret that decision, I can promise you.

 

[StupidLoud727 10+ year member]

I'm not a JL fanboy at all, but I think you would be fine with a well-powered 12w3. Lol I know exactly what it is like to do all the research before asking opinions, I did the same thing with my setup (all off ebay) and I love it. You really learn so much on these forums it is incredible. Sorry back on topic, I think Loud3's sub suggestion would be great, you dont need to spend $320+ on a w6 if you don't want to get...stupid loud lol. The AA one will impress you plenty I'm sure. I know what you mean about sound quality, and if you get anything as strong as a w6 you'll just have it on 1/4 volume all day long.