Kai Winters
10+ year member
plain ol' me
Well I'll offer some suggestions.
You can buy a decent 4 channel amp for just over a hundred bucks that won't sound bad. You will have to spend one fifty and up, more or less, for a decent 5 channel amp.
Start with the amp before you spend money on anything else at this point. If you're going to keep the sub/amp combo a 4 channel will do the trick. Once installed give it some listening time to evaluate the system's sound before you do anything else.
Once you connect the factory speakers to the amp I think you will find the 11 year old speakers lacking and if they are coaxials adding a pair of tweeters won't help...matter of fact they will magnify the system's lacking sound.
My opinion:
Starting with the factory speakers in your car are 11 years old...and have survived 11 years of "weather"...much of it unkind so I'd suspect your speakers are pushing their age limit for quality sound...perhaps not. While they may sound fine with the Alpine head unit that is pushing reasonable power for an after market head unit it is not going to push speakers that way an amp will and an amp will generally reveal any flaws in a speaker especially as the speakers get old and worn.
You really need to state what you have to spend or want to spend if you expect any decent suggestions. How much can you afford? Don't forget some extra money for wiring, fuse, etc. Perhaps budget $30.00 for low cost wiring kit or parts purchased separately maybe a bit less.
Have you looked at any online sites? They all offer a wide variety of amps at a wide variety of prices...generally "name" brands and high quality equates to a higher cost than lesser popular brands, etc...but you generally get what you pay for.
What is the sub with a built in amp? How is it connected to the head unit? How does it sound? Are you going to keep it?
What I'd do:
If on a low budget I'd start with a decent 4 channel amp and wiring, etc. Connect it to the head unit and factory speakers and live with the sound until I got more money. Then, depending on the budget, I'd get a good pair of speakers for the front...I'd prefer separates but I'm happy with quality coaxials. If I'm very pleased with the amp/sub combo and how it matches with the new front speakers I'd bridge the amp channels to the speakers...I'f I'm not pleased with the amp/sub I'd replace it with a sub that uses the rear amp channels bridged. I prefer front speakers and sub over 4 speakers and a sub...that combo is my favorite sound stage...it is all about what "you" enjoy listening to and how.
Total ball park cost under, or a bit more, $300.00 for amp and a pair of good speakers.
That is my opinion and suggestions. Good luck and keep us informed...
You can buy a decent 4 channel amp for just over a hundred bucks that won't sound bad. You will have to spend one fifty and up, more or less, for a decent 5 channel amp.
Start with the amp before you spend money on anything else at this point. If you're going to keep the sub/amp combo a 4 channel will do the trick. Once installed give it some listening time to evaluate the system's sound before you do anything else.
Once you connect the factory speakers to the amp I think you will find the 11 year old speakers lacking and if they are coaxials adding a pair of tweeters won't help...matter of fact they will magnify the system's lacking sound.
My opinion:
Starting with the factory speakers in your car are 11 years old...and have survived 11 years of "weather"...much of it unkind so I'd suspect your speakers are pushing their age limit for quality sound...perhaps not. While they may sound fine with the Alpine head unit that is pushing reasonable power for an after market head unit it is not going to push speakers that way an amp will and an amp will generally reveal any flaws in a speaker especially as the speakers get old and worn.
You really need to state what you have to spend or want to spend if you expect any decent suggestions. How much can you afford? Don't forget some extra money for wiring, fuse, etc. Perhaps budget $30.00 for low cost wiring kit or parts purchased separately maybe a bit less.
Have you looked at any online sites? They all offer a wide variety of amps at a wide variety of prices...generally "name" brands and high quality equates to a higher cost than lesser popular brands, etc...but you generally get what you pay for.
What is the sub with a built in amp? How is it connected to the head unit? How does it sound? Are you going to keep it?
What I'd do:
If on a low budget I'd start with a decent 4 channel amp and wiring, etc. Connect it to the head unit and factory speakers and live with the sound until I got more money. Then, depending on the budget, I'd get a good pair of speakers for the front...I'd prefer separates but I'm happy with quality coaxials. If I'm very pleased with the amp/sub combo and how it matches with the new front speakers I'd bridge the amp channels to the speakers...I'f I'm not pleased with the amp/sub I'd replace it with a sub that uses the rear amp channels bridged. I prefer front speakers and sub over 4 speakers and a sub...that combo is my favorite sound stage...it is all about what "you" enjoy listening to and how.
Total ball park cost under, or a bit more, $300.00 for amp and a pair of good speakers.
That is my opinion and suggestions. Good luck and keep us informed...
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