How is this for a budget system?

[anks106 10+ year member]

I want to preface this post by saying I know next to nothing about car audio so if I am grossly wrong about something please let me know. Chances are I will be at some point, so please let me know where I am wrong so that I can learn.

My car is a Pontiac Grand Prix. The stock system has 2 5.25"s up front, tweeters in the door and 2 6x9"s in the rear deck. I am not looking to add anything into the trunk, so I am working with this setup.

Amp - Profile AP1040 (RMS at 4 ohms = 75 W per channel) - cost $90

5.25s - Phoenix Gold RSD 5cs x2 - 60 W RMS each (would this be a problem or can I turn down the amp?) - cost $74for 2.

6x9 - Tang Band W69-1042J 6"x9" or Tang Band W69-1436 6"x9". (cost pends which one)

The plan is of course, the bass from the rear deck and the sound stage up front.

Questions - Are these parts ideal given the circumstances? Do I need to upgrade the speaker wire? What other parts will I need (I see amp install kits, is that just selling money to people who will buy anything or is it actually necessary). Is there a better option for the 5.25s? I did my research primarily at avsforum.com and here at caraudio.com along with a few other sites and came about the PG components . Basically what costs have I not included here that I will have when I do this? What issues would I find with running a 8 ohm sub on a 4 ohm amp? Also, if I go with the Neo Subs, I assume I would need a better amp.

So I guess order of things.

1) Make sure I made the right choice of components

2) Make sure I made the right choice of subwoofers

3) If any changes made, which amp to go with?

Thanks!

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[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

no subwoofers?

 

[anks106 10+ year member]

unfortunately I am not a position to be able to add any subwoofers into the trunk. Hence looking at the 6x9" subwoofers. I know that simple physics says they won't ever be able to be as good a sub in the trunk, but just trying to make the most out of the limitations I have been presented with.

 

[kross 10+ year member]

I would say start with just upgrading your front speakers to the PG's, and not worry about the rear speakers for now. Many people on here (myself included) prefer to run with just front speakers (and subwoofer). A good set of aftermarket speakers, with an appropriate amp, will get plenty loud, and will put out more than enough sound to fill your car!

Also, I would look into making the holes in the doors bigger to fit 6.5" speakers in there.

As for the amp, that one is fine, especially if you bridge it for just the front speakers. It will put out 225w x 2 when bridged. Of course you don't have to use all that power, you can set it to output any amount of power you like up to 225 watts. It's good to have headroom.

 

[kross 10+ year member]

I just noticed you want to use the rear deck speakers as subwoofers. I don't know how well that will work, hopefully someone with more experience doing that will answer.

 

[anks106 10+ year member]

I have looked into 6x9 speakers in case the 6x9 Sub is not doable, would I be correct in assuming 2 way 6x9s would have much much less bass than a 6x9 subwoofer? I know this is probably a stupid question, but I really am clueless as far as all of this goes. As for putting 6.5s in the 5.25 slots it has been done on my car but I am not trying to modify the the stock mounts. I know I am working with a lot of restrictions and that is probably going to hurt the end result.

Is there any issue of matching components with the subs? I don't want the bass to overpower the rest of the sound (or to get drowned out). If I find this happening, would I be able to work this out with the amp?

Also I was planning on running all 4 off the Profile Amp, would this be a mistake?

The way I saw it

Ch1 - 60W RMS (PG RSD)

Ch2 - 60W RMS (PG RSD)

Ch3 - 80W RMS (Sub)

Ch4 - 80W RMS (Sub)

The rated Wattage for the Amp fits the rated wattage for the 4 ohm subs.. still unsure as to how that works if it is on a 8 ohm sub.

Adding yet another question - does anyone know if the W69-1436 6"x9 is worth the price increase over the W69-1042J 6"x9"?

 

[anks106 10+ year member]

Adding yet another question. I was told to run off a stock HU I will need high level inputs, does the Profile AP1040 have this? If not, is there any converter avail, or am I going to need to look elsewhere?

Thanks again.

 

[thaster 10+ year member]

Adding yet another question. I was told to run off a stock HU I will need high level inputs, does the Profile AP1040 have this? If not, is there any converter avail, or am I going to need to look elsewhere?
Thanks again.

why dont you add a subwoofer in the trunk? what is your budget? are you running these off your stock HU? if so you will need a line out converter aka LOC.

 

[anks106 10+ year member]

budget is about $300, I know it is not much but I am trying to get the best I can at that level. As for a sub in the trunk, I don't have the room for it. I have a huge trunk, but I use my car for work and have almost 0 space when it is full. Adding subs while nice would just be irresponsible of me.

 

[1991Brougham 10+ year member]

For a "cheap compromise" system, you seem to be doing pretty well! If you need the trunk, then some 6x9's work for bass. I use Pioneer REV's and they give a nice boost even if it isn't anywhere what a real sub would do, so I'd imagine you'll love the Tangs.

My guess as to how it turns out: decent enough SQ and enough bass to make you happy. It won't be high end results like one gets from a high end setup but in terms of bang for the buck, you'll do fine for now. Later on is when the urge to upgrade will start...LOL!

As for the wiring questions, I'll leave that to posters who either know GP's or are wiring experts.

Rick

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

budget is about $300, I know it is not much but I am trying to get the best I can at that level. As for a sub in the trunk, I don't have the room for it. I have a huge trunk, but I use my car for work and have almost 0 space when it is full. Adding subs while nice would just be irresponsible of me.

My Christ, is this maturity I hear? Burn him! We don't allow that here! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif
On a serious note, that setup sounds pretty decent. If you're induging in that type of setup, why not go component with some stronger midbass and textile tweeters on the A pillar? I'm not a fan of aluminum or titanium tweets because they're too bright, but some people like them.

 

[RidnClean 5,000+ posts]

Ib?

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

For a "cheap compromise" system, you seem to be doing pretty well! If you need the trunk, then some 6x9's work for bass. I use Pioneer REV's and they give a nice boost even if it isn't anywhere what a real sub would do, so I'd imagine you'll love the Tangs.
My guess as to how it turns out: decent enough SQ and enough bass to make you happy. It won't be high end results like one gets from a high end setup but in terms of bang for the buck, you'll do fine for now. Later on is when the urge to upgrade will start...LOL!

As for the wiring questions, I'll leave that to posters who either know GP's or are wiring experts.

Rick

This man speaks the truth, regardless of what he thinks about my selling practices. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
Only ****ing with you, but he's right. You have a good base to expand from as you learn more and see how your tastes change.

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

Ib?

...For what, subs?

 

[1991Brougham 10+ year member]

This man speaks the truth, regardless of what he thinks about my selling practices. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif
Only ****ing with you, but he's right. You have a good base to expand from as you learn more and see how your tastes change.

After seeing your post came right up after mine, I was going to say something nice along the same lines your way...LOL!

PV will know his tweets without a doubt. Me, I just turn down the treble to deal with that trouble

Rick

P.S. I won't be pulling your whiskers any more PV