My First System

[TD89 10+ year member]

I'm new to car audio and I'm planning out my first system. I've been looking around the forums for a while now but this is my first post. I'm definately on a budget (around $2000 max for everything but I'd always like to spend less) but I want to build a SQ system that can get pretty loud. I listen to all types of music so I want something balanced.

I have a Alpine CDA-9857 head unit, I figured that would be a good place to start, and I'm still planning out the rest. I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee with 6x9s up front (not very common I gather) and 6 3/4s in the back. I plan on ordering most of my stuff from onlinecarstero and maybe ebay.

So far here is what I plan to get:

Front: about $180.00 MB Quart RCE-269 (They were the only 6x9 components I could find for the front, and I was planning on putting in MB Quart anyway, so it works out well I think.)

Back: $269 MB Quart PCE-216 (Seems nice for the back and I like the way they sound.)

Speaker amp: I have no idea what I need to run those MB Quarts, what do you think I need?

Subs: To save money, I might go with two MB Quart RWE-304s in a sealed box. I know there are many alternatives but I really like the sound for the money. I really want a couple of JL 12W6V2s like this though http://cgi.ebay.com/JL-AUDIO-CVS212RG-W6V2-12W6-12W6V2-12-SUB-WOOFER-BOX_W0QQitemZ9720778970QQcategoryZ32823QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sub amp: MB Quart RAA1000

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14965

On paper that amp looks like it'd be a good match but I'm not sure. I wish i had the money for a JL 1000/1 but I really don't so I'm looking for cheaper alternatives.

Any help and suggestions about any of those choices would be greatly appreciated!

Click to read more...

 

[TD89 10+ year member]

I would recommend a 4-channel for the speakers, though. I overlooked that before. Looks like you've got plenty of headroom budgetwise, so why dont you get an RAA 4200?

That really looks like a solid amp. The only thing I'm really indecisive about at this point is the subs. I'm thinking of going with MB Quart for cost effectiveness but I've heard nothing but good things about Image Dynamics and JL audio subs.

 

[kotec123 10+ year member]

yea get better subs....

 

[TD89 10+ year member]

No doubt about it- the JL and ID subs are great. But, I've heard the MBQ subs and they won't disappoint. They're dirt cheap, too since Rockford dumped them. As far as value goes, get the MBQ's. If you want better SQ, I'd say either upgrade to the premium subwoofers or get JL's or ID's.

I haven't been able to find the premium subs online, all I've been able to find so far are the reference line MB quart subs. They have a higher level?

 

[SQBubble 10+ year member]

add isolator+battery

 

[TD89 10+ year member]

add isolator+battery

What exactly does that do, clean up the signal? Does it run a power line independent of the rest of the cars electronics?

 

[Ignatowski 5,000+ posts]

sounds good,look for a 5 channel amp possibly,or a 4 channel and a Dclass 1channel

You definatly want to AMP all your speakers using the HU to power your speakers is a let down

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

mmmm MB Quart Amps FTW

I love mine, best amp I've ever used!

-Nick-

 

[TD89 10+ year member]

mmmm MB Quart Amps FTW
I love mine, best amp I've ever used!

-Nick-

That looks like a really good amp, but the Q line is out of my price range. Have you had any experience with the reference line amps or know anyone that has?

 

[camry_tuner 10+ year member]

i would recommend getting 6.5 inch comps up front, you can fit them in the 6x9 opening, you just need to make an adapter. it will sound a lot better than having 6x9's in the front

 

[soul05 10+ year member]

thats a lot of mb quart stuff

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

Yeah my buddy ran that same amp the reference line that you chose! It's very nice and they don't put a lot of strain on your bat/elec system. You'll love it they are great amps and built to last

-Nick-

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

add isolator+battery

go with a manual switch. if you kill your aux battery completely, it wont have enough power in it to click the solenoid over to the main/charged battery.

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

also don't put the 6x9's up front put the 6.5's in the front! Those PCE's deserve to be heard!

-Nick-

 

[TD89 10+ year member]

also don't put the 6x9's up front put the 6.5's in the front! Those PCE's deserve to be heard!
-Nick-

I really want to do that I think it'd be worth the extra trouble.

I snagged both of these on ebay last night what do you think?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9722355032&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1