Need advice on building a system "right"

[Apex77]

Hi guys,

New to the forum. I'm planning on building a system for the my future car and I want to do it right. I have set up systems in the past, but these were quick "knock-up" systems. We didn't have the cash or knowledge to create a good system, but we had a few random pieces and we needed audio in the beater, so we threw together a system. It did the job, but that was it... nothing to write home about. We were always aware of these short comings.

I'm looking to build a system with high audio fidelity. A system with pristine sound. It doesn't have to be loud.

So, I'm looking for book suggestions, advice , etc. I want to take my time and do this the right way, with respect to component selection, correct wiring techniques, and so on.

Any useful advice will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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[Motley 10+ year member]

Ahhh... budget would be a good start? Music tastes? Car/Truck?

 

[its_bacon12 10+ year member]

sound damping in your doors is a big thing overlooked by alot of installers. proper damping can save you alot of hassle trying to get more midbass from your comps.

 

[its_bacon12 10+ year member]

theres a LOT of things you need to know to do it right.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Yes, give me a budget and tell me what you want, and I will show you everything you need down to the last wire for a nice system.

 

[Apex77]

theres a LOT of things you need to know to do it right.

Yes, I agree. Thats why I want to take my time, study a few recommended books, pick a few brains, etc.

Budget ..... Under $1000. Lets say $700 for now (but open to more if the quality I want dictates it)

Music tastes .... Wide ...from Classic Rock (Pink Floyd, etc) all the way up to Hip-Hop. Just good music in general ...I don't care which genre. If it's good, it will get rotation. The location also dictates what I play and when. When stuck in traffic the music I might play might be different than what I'm listening to on the interstate during a 5hr road trip.

Type of Car ..... Currently looking for a replacement for my beater .... Might get a used Golf or an Escape .... not sure yet.

 

[btdickey99 5,000+ posts]

As fas as Sound Quality and setup I will leave it to the guys that really know what they are talking about to help you. I am just posting to tell you to go with the Golf/Rabbit, much better all around vehicle

 

[Apex77]

I am just posting to tell you to go with the Golf/Rabbit, much better all around vehicle

Yeah I know .... just considering the Escape because of the space (I seem to make a lot of trips to Home Depot LOL), I like the look and it is not too expensive (used).

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

$700-1000, eh? These might be something to look at and consider:

• HU: DEH-P690UB $222 shipped
  
• COMPS: PG RSd65cs $129 shipped (good budget SQL set with lots of midbass when powered with 120-160w rms)
  
• SUB: PG RSd12 $109 shipped (these are beasts and have been reported to be able to take a clean 1000-1500w rms)
  
• AMP: Kicker KX650.4 $170 + shipping (channel 1 and 2 for the front comps, channel 3+4 bridged for the sub. will give you a good start until you can get a strong sub amp in the future)
  
• Wiring: www.KnuKonceptz.com $50-100
  
• Sub Box Materials: $50

TOTAL: $730-780 + shipping

 

[CaliforniabOY5 10+ year member]

$700-1000, eh? These might be something to look at and consider:

• HU: DEH-P690UB $222 shipped
  
• COMPS: PG RSd65cs $129 shipped (good budget SQL set with lots of midbass when powered with 120-160w rms)
  
• SUB: PG RSd12 $109 shipped (these are beasts and have been reported to be able to take a clean 1000-1500w rms)
  
• AMP: Kicker KX650.4 $170 + shipping (channel 1 and 2 for the front comps, channel 3+4 bridged for the sub. will give you a good start until you can get a strong sub amp in the future)
  
• Wiring: www.KnuKonceptz.com $50-100
  
• Sub Box Materials: $50

TOTAL: $730-780 + shipping

great setup there //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/graduate.gif.d982460be9f153bb54e5d4cb744f6ae8.gif

 

[Apex77]

$700-1000, eh? These might be something to look at and consider:

• HU: DEH-P690UB $222 shipped
  
• COMPS: PG RSd65cs $129 shipped (good budget SQL set with lots of midbass when powered with 120-160w rms)
  
• SUB: PG RSd12 $109 shipped (these are beasts and have been reported to be able to take a clean 1000-1500w rms)
  
• AMP: Kicker KX650.4 $170 + shipping (channel 1 and 2 for the front comps, channel 3+4 bridged for the sub. will give you a good start until you can get a strong sub amp in the future)
  
• Wiring: www.KnuKonceptz.com $50-100
  
• Sub Box Materials: $50

TOTAL: $730-780 + shipping

Cool.

So what is it about these specific components that make them so good?

I'm trying to get myself all schooled up //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

$700-1000, eh? These might be something to look at and consider:

• HU: DEH-P690UB $222 shipped
  
• COMPS: PG RSd65cs $129 shipped (good budget SQL set with lots of midbass when powered with 120-160w rms)
  
• SUB: PG RSd12 $109 shipped (these are beasts and have been reported to be able to take a clean 1000-1500w rms)
  
• AMP: Kicker KX650.4 $170 + shipping (channel 1 and 2 for the front comps, channel 3+4 bridged for the sub. will give you a good start until you can get a strong sub amp in the future)
  
• Wiring: www.KnuKonceptz.com $50-100
  
• Sub Box Materials: $50

TOTAL: $730-780 + shipping

x3!!!

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

ill do it like this

deck...(top 3 used around here)... alpine, pioneer or eclipse (you pick, feature dependent)

speakers... a/d/s or cadence (top deals on ebay, nice products too)

amps... cadence txa line in their outlet section (killer prices)

subs... idq (great price/top sq sub)

 

[Apex77]

ill do it like this
deck...(top 3 used around here)... alpine, pioneer or eclipse (you pick, feature dependent)

speakers... a/d/s or cadence (top deals on ebay, nice products too)

amps... cadence txa line in their outlet section (killer prices)

subs... idq (great price/top sq sub)

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm stuffing it all in my noggin.

By the way, does anyone have an opinion On products from Elemental Designs?

A friend of mine has committed himself to their products and keeps singing their praise.

I have no opinion as I don't have any facts, numbers or any other data to make any judgment on them.

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

eD isn't held in too high a regard here, and rightfully so. A lot of burnt bridges with past pre-order ordeals, ignored warranty claims, the whole SQ10/TB fiasco... and probably lots more others will post I'm sure.

As for the Cadence goods, PM JasonPaul (from Cadence) as he can get you a smokin' deal on the CVL6K comp set... you'll be surprised at the price he gives you.

Or the CWM-6KIT for $85 shipped would be a good budget set.

For the price, the TXA-6004 amp is hard to beat for what it does.

Or if you wanted to do dual amps, there's the TXA-3002 and the TXA-750D for a combined price of $278.