If you only had $700.00 to spend.....

[dthor68 10+ year member]

I don't know about the amps, but NVX brands some really decent components. The X series is made by SEAS if I recall correctly. I also have read good things about the PPI phantom lineup of amps, but I havent played with any myself.
OP if I had you're budget and stuck on buying new I would probably focus my efforts on Harman-Kardon products for amps and cheaper components ie Infinity JBL etc. Personally I've always preferred seperate mids/highs and a monoblock so a 2 channel and mono would be ideal in your case IMHO.

Budget subwoofer I personally like Alpine maybe a type s or r if budget allows it.

Wire: Whatever true AWG OFC you find that's the cheapest.

Deadener: Knukonceptz or Sound Deadener Showdown (Expensive, but I've had decent result with minimal coverage.)

Box: Build it yourself if able.

I had no idea that HK owned JBL, when did that happen? If it happened after 1992 than I am open to trying JBL.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

You'll need either a sub that's a single 4 ohm or d2 to bridge an amp without blowing it crutch field to expensive. Woofers etc to much old equipment selling as new new. Not new old if that makes sense. Sonic. Can be good. But if there's a issue. Then a pita There are better brands sounds like you haven't been around for a bit But sundown. Ia. B2 twisted sounds ampere are just a few good brands to look at and consider. And some you can buy direct if you like I do agree about buying new. A warranty is a great thing. But you must remember it doesn't cover abuse Just saying. My daughters are 24 now. But I was I. Your shoes a few years back I did both of my girls cars for less than she's looking to spend ,each Use a lc6 if using a stock deck or even the lc4 those are about $100 it's better than a regular loc

 

[Papermaker85 5,000+ posts]

The stuff I recommended is the best stuff for the money.. All bs aside. That amp is solid underrated and clean. The sub is ****** ported for 130 and the comps are kinda run of the mill but they are nice for 220..

 

[dthor68 10+ year member]

If you are keeping the Headunit you have to look at the amps onboard filters. That's why I said a 3 channel. Because I know what I'm talking about.

I believe you, I have never in my life used a stock HU, never used a LOC, all new to me.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I had no idea that HK owned JBL, when did that happen? If it happened after 1992 than I am open to trying JBL.

I dont think you can go wrong with modern day JBL or NVX or ppi phantom series amps. Massive audio also has a nice 5 channel amp that does gobs of power. Your original choice of stuff was not bad at all to be honest. Sub is decent sounding for most people as well along with the car being a hatchback, it does not need much to get loud. However do not buy that sub unless you can get it under 110 dollars.

I'd say the biggest thing that will completely screw over the system is the fact that she's keeping the factory head unit. Nice gear with sh*tty audio processing with basically degrade all your great gear to flea market sound quality. Head units easily make or break the sound. Lately i've heard So many LOC setups that sound like pure @ss. When they got a new head unit or DSP it went from poor sound to amazing definitive sound. I'd look into a soundstream harmony or at least a JL cleansweep, something that can remove the factory EQ and process the sound directly and properly. On the high end you have helix dsp, audison bit one, alpine pxa 800, jbl ms8

Modern day harmon kardon owned JBL is a lot different from the older jbl that was prone to failure.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

What I would do is to focus more on proper sound processing and active tuning. I'd find a used JBL MS-8(Has a built in 8 channel amp) . Buy some vifa/tymphany xt 25 tweeters or some dayton audio air motion tweeters and some silverflute 6.5 midbasses or dayton classics, Have the ms-8 power the drivers directly and get a cheap subwoofer and a cheap amp to power the subwoofer. The setup will sound miles better than throwing a bunch of stuff on a stock head unit with 8 bit or 12 bit Digital Audio Convertors vs a DSP's 32 bit convertor. Most good head units have 24 bit and low end aftermarkets have 16 bit processors just to give a clue on what the difference will be like.

I assume your daughter wants decent bump and volume but mainly wants an amazing sounding setup SQ wise.



You can even keep the factory speakers and put them on the ms-8 amp and processing, you'll be amazed at what they can do once its on proper power(vs stock 2-5 watts per channel) and an audiophilic tune.