Menu
Forum
General Car Audio
Subwoofers
Speakers
Amplifiers
Head Units
Car Audio Build Logs
Wiring, Electrical and Installation
Enclosure Design & Construction
Car Audio Classifieds
Home Audio
Off-topic Discussion
The Lounge
What's new
Search forums
Gallery
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Registered members
Current visitors
Classifieds Member Feedback
SHOP
Shop Head Units
Shop Amplifiers
Shop Speakers
Shop Subwoofers
Shop eBay Car Audio
Log in / Register
Forum
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
Log in / Join
What’s new
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
General Car Audio
Subwoofers
Speakers
Amplifiers
Head Units
Car Audio Build Logs
Wiring, Electrical and Installation
Enclosure Design & Construction
Car Audio Classifieds
Home Audio
Off-topic Discussion
The Lounge
What's new
Search forums
Menu
Reply to thread
Forum
Car Audio Discussion
Amplifiers
Need help choosing right build
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Kai Winters" data-source="post: 8467250" data-attributes="member: 574994"><p>Well I'll offer some suggestions.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>My opinion:</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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?</p><p></p><p>What I'd do:</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>Total ball park cost under, or a bit more, $300.00 for amp and a pair of good speakers.</p><p></p><p>That is my opinion and suggestions. Good luck and keep us informed...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Kai Winters, post: 8467250, member: 574994"] 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... [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forum
Car Audio Discussion
Amplifiers
Need help choosing right build
Top
Menu
What's new
Forum list
