Need budget build help/suggestions

[evil_lies]

Ok, so I am trying to put a budget system in my 2006 Mazda 3 (sedan not hatch). I have an old 10"

sub I want to use, but no amp or stereo. I have roughly $220 to play with right now. I have two options to propose to you and let me know which you would go with.

A) Initially I bought a Pioneer AVH-X2800BS touchscreen receiver, and planned to get an amp later. However, the one I bought was dead out of the box and was returned to Amazon, so I'm back to square one.

B) Option B is to buy something like the JVC KW-R925BTS or Kenwood Excelon DPX592BT (refurbished on the Kenwood) and a cheap amp like this. I could bridge one side to power the sub and then add some decent components later for the front stage and have power ready.

We just had a baby, and my wife cut back her work hours, so I do not know when I will have more money to throw at this project. Initially I did not plan to buy a touch screen stereo. Now that they are on sale, they allow an amp to be purchased too! The ones I am looking at have the same features I am looking for just without the screen (13 band eq, 6 channel 4V outs, bluetooth, usb, etc). I'm leaning towards option B, but don't know if that is a horrible mistake. Also, if B is the better idea, would you go with the JVC or (refurb'd) Kenwood? Also, would you recommend a different amp in that price range? It could be a mono amp instead of the 4 channel, I was just looking at future use and eventually upgrade the front speakers too. Thanks!

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[Chalo_209]

Ok, so I am trying to put a budget system in my 2006 Mazda 3 (sedan not hatch). I have an old 10"sub I want to use, but no amp or stereo. I have roughly $220 to play with right now. I have two options to propose to you and let me know which you would go with.

A) Initially I bought a Pioneer AVH-X2800BS touchscreen receiver, and planned to get an amp later. However, the one I bought was dead out of the box and was returned to Amazon, so I'm back to square one.

B) Option B is to buy something like the JVC KW-R925BTS or Kenwood Excelon DPX592BT (refurbished on the Kenwood) and a cheap amp like this. I could bridge one side to power the sub and then add some decent components later for the front stage and have power ready.

We just had a baby, and my wife cut back her work hours, so I do not know when I will have more money to throw at this project. Initially I did not plan to buy a touch screen stereo. Now that they are on sale, they allow an amp to be purchased too! The ones I am looking at have the same features I am looking for just without the screen (13 band eq, 6 channel 4V outs, bluetooth, usb, etc). I'm leaning towards option B, but don't know if that is a horrible mistake. Also, if B is the better idea, would you go with the JVC or (refurb'd) Kenwood? Also, would you recommend a different amp in that price range? It could be a mono amp instead of the 4 channel, I was just looking at future use and eventually upgrade the front speakers too. Thanks!

If your on a budget and the current stock stereo works in your car you buy a line e out converter for about 10 or 15 bucks and attach it to a rear speaker and your all set. That will also free you some extra money for an amp

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[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Stick with A if you want to do budget build. Pioneer has network mode the others do not. Plain and simple its far superior budget build and results wise.

 

[evil_lies]

I should have mentioned the stock receiver is shot and needs to be replaced.

 

[evil_lies]

Stick with A if you want to do budget build. Pioneer has network mode the others do not. Plain and simple its far superior budget build and results wise.

I'm an old dude that hasnt messed with this stuff in a while. What is the benefit of network mode if you will excuse my ignorance? It wasn't a selling point for me before I guess. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I'm an old dude that hasnt messed with this stuff in a while. What is the benefit of network mode if you will excuse my ignorance? It wasn't a selling point for me before I guess. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

Active vs passive crossovers.

Passive = component speakers that come with a crossover that splits the power and frequencies with a set crossover point. Advantages, simple to install. Disadvantages, every vehicle has different acoustics and the crossover point used in that passive crossover might not work with your car. Which leads to horrible reviews on supposedly good speakers. These ignorant people dont know anything about car acoustics and start blaming the equipment rather than addressing the actual underlying issue. Another disadvantage is that you cannot time align the mid and tweeter for a proper center stage since the mid and tweeter are different distances away from your ear so playing with the time alignment can only give you a mediocre center stage at best.

Active network = You can buy raw drivers of higher quality than those that you find in component sets which are typically pretty low performing in comparison. raw drivers means midrange/midbass and any tweeter of your choice then instead of a passive crossover with a set point, you can adjust the crossover point and slope on your head unit to perfectly fit the acoustics of your vehicle for maximal sound quality. You can also time align the tweeter and midrange individually for maximum perfect center sound stage along with blending properly with speaker level adjustments.

so passive aka your option B = from sh*t sound quality to mediocre unless you spend a lot of money for a high quality component set 300+ Or Network option A = good sound quality to amazing sound quality with much less money spent. Just requires some careful tuning and knowledge.

however if your audio knowledge is lacking and you dont have the patience, i'd say its best to settle for the kenwood option plus component set.

 

[evil_lies]

Active vs passive crossovers.
Passive = component speakers that come with a crossover that splits the power and frequencies with a set crossover point. Advantages, simple to install. Disadvantages, every vehicle has different acoustics and the crossover point used in that passive crossover might not work with your car. Which leads to horrible reviews on supposedly good speakers. These ignorant people dont know anything about car acoustics and start blaming the equipment rather than addressing the actual underlying issue. Another disadvantage is that you cannot time align the mid and tweeter for a proper center stage since the mid and tweeter are different distances away from your ear so playing with the time alignment can only give you a mediocre center stage at best.

Active network = You can buy raw drivers of higher quality than those that you find in component sets which are typically pretty low performing in comparison. raw drivers means midrange/midbass and any tweeter of your choice then instead of a passive crossover with a set point, you can adjust the crossover point and slope on your head unit to perfectly fit the acoustics of your vehicle for maximal sound quality. You can also time align the tweeter and midrange individually for maximum perfect center sound stage along with blending properly with speaker level adjustments.

so passive aka your option B = from sh*t sound quality to mediocre unless you spend a lot of money for a high quality component set 300+ Or Network option A = good sound quality to amazing sound quality with much less money spent. Just requires some careful tuning and knowledge.

however if your audio knowledge is lacking and you dont have the patience, i'd say its best to settle for the kenwood option plus component set.

I really appreciate the explaination. It definitely gives me more to think on. I had an idea of what it did, but not really the significance of it.

Is there another el cheapo amp you would suggest over the Rockville in that price range?

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I really appreciate the explaination. It definitely gives me more to think on. I had an idea of what it did, but not really the significance of it.
Is there another el cheapo amp you would suggest over the Rockville in that price range?

soundstream 900.4

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

I'm an old dude that hasnt messed with this stuff in a while. What is the benefit of network mode if you will excuse my ignorance? It wasn't a selling point for me before I guess. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

Hey I'm a old dude too.. guy here had a used ss rubicon 600.4 for $100 nice shape, if u can do little more $ than the new ss look at this.. Q4-90 http://www.caraudio.com/forums/amplifier-classifieds/630585-soundstream-rubicon-4-600-%24100-shipped.html

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

or if u wanta mainly get sub going now (what sub is it? how many watts?,single or d4 or d2) here's mono amp I'm thinking about getting it's very very well reviewed and puts out more like 620rms at 2ohms.. https://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosgate-R500X1D-1-Channel-Amplifier/dp/B00BF6HYDE/ref=pd_lpo_107_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9155XVSZGXEWX6QQ6S2V u will need to a $10 in line fuse to put at amp don't think it's comes with one..

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

Pioneer > jvc