Need opinions on this setup, please.

[JackD.]

Hey, fellas. This is my first post, but I've read around the board a few times before.

I have an '05 Ford F-150 Crew Cab with the (8") factory subwoofer and 6-Disc changer. From what I've been told, I'm pushing out around 60-80 Watts with this setup. It's time to upgrade.

I'm looking at getting a Kicker CVT (slim-line) 10" or 12", enclosed in a box that will fit under my rear seat on the driver's side (like my factor box/sub does). My current sub is down-firing and I suppose the next one will be too.

The Kicker CVT has 400W RMS (both 10" & 12" have same RMS), so I was looking at getting a Kicker Z400.1 Amp. I've found the sub for $85 (new) and the amp for $175 (new).

I've also found this pre-constructed box with the 12" CVT already enclosed, from a seller on eBay for $210. If I bought this, I would buy the amp separately.

The same eBay seller from above sells custom boxes that will fit under my rear seat for around $100.

I will also need new speakers, and I was looking at these: Boston Acoustics S55 and also these: Infinity References.

I'm not looking to crack concrete, but I listen to a lot of hip hop and I do like heavy bass.

My questions:

- What do you think of the direction I'm going in?

- Seeing as how they both have 400W RMS, which do you think is better, the 10" or the 12"?

- What do you think of the custom boxes from the eBay seller (Rodney)?

- What do you think of the particular box/sub combo I posted from Rodney?

- Would it be beneficial for me to add tweeters, or will the highs be crisp enough from new speakers?

- Would you recommend any other products/setup besides what I posted?

- From what i've told you, do you believe 400W will satisfy my needs?

Thanks in advance for any help, and sorry for the long post.

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[JackD.]

Bump.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

I have a dual 10 down firing box in mine with RE 10's it sounds pretty good ..2 10's will give you more cone area than a single 12

 

[cbrei1023 10+ year member]

- You are definately on the right track.

- I would go with the 12 if you were looking at that box/sub combo. Pretty good looking box.

- With either of those speakers you wont need to add a tweeter. They should sound alright.

- For other things you might want. I would amp the new speakers as well to get the best sound out of them. They wont be happy off of HU power, especially if it is stock HU. Maybe look into components instead of coaxial. Will get better sound from them, and the tweeter will be seperate from the woofer, similar to what you asked about. http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3376

Maybe some deadener in the doors in the future.

Overall I would say that for a first time system you're doing pretty well. You will be happy with your results.

Are you installing yourself?

 

[JackD.]

- You are definately on the right track. - I would go with the 12 if you were looking at that box/sub combo. Pretty good looking box.

- With either of those speakers you wont need to add a tweeter. They should sound alright.

- For other things you might want. I would amp the new speakers as well to get the best sound out of them. They wont be happy off of HU power, especially if it is stock HU. Maybe look into components instead of coaxial. Will get better sound from them, and the tweeter will be seperate from the woofer, similar to what you asked about. http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3376

Maybe some deadener in the doors in the future.

Overall I would say that for a first time system you're doing pretty well. You will be happy with your results.

Are you installing yourself?

Thanks for the response.

I've decided to get a new HU, too. Pioneer Premier 800BT looks good, may go less expensive and get the Clarion 785USB, but I'd like to have Bluetooth... Will I still need an amp for my speakers?

I may get the deadener now, too. The thought of rattling at red lights is nauseating. I'd like to keep my "bump" inside and not attract any unwanted attention. I'm leaning towards either Second Skin's Damplifier or Dynamat Xtreme. Any thoughts?

I won't be installing it by myself. It'll probably be a friend of a friend, who installed my friend's system and did a good job. I'll probably watch from the sideline and try to learn something.

 

[JackD.]

Shit, you'd think with this being "The Internet's Leading Car Audio Resource" you'd get a little more feedback.

To update my post, my plans are:

- Custom box/12" Kicker CVT from eBay for $210

- Kicker Z400.1 Amp for $175

- Pioneer Premier FH-P800BT Double Din Receiver

- Still unsure on speakers. Looking at these: Infinity's, Boston Acoustics. Any thoughts?

Will I need an amp to power my speakers or will that HU be enough? I thought I read someone say that you really only need front speakers, and rear speakers aren't as important; is that true? Should I get nicer components in the front and lower end speakers in the back?

 

[boom24 10+ year member]

well if your gunna run components ur really gunna want a amp on them, the deck isnt gunna be enough at all,and id go comps in the front and just coaxels in the rear in my opinon

 

[Toone 10+ year member]

Why are there so many threads like this. Rear fill isnt necessary. dont buy shitty speakers back there instead just get rid of them completely. amp will make those speakers sound better. save your money and build your own box and use that money towards a better sun.

 

[boom24 10+ year member]

ya i second that^^def a better way to go

 

[brynm 10+ year member]

What are you looking at for a budget, and sound preference?

I'd look at getting a decent set of components, an amp for them, and just leave stock speakers in the back.

Components http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=6201 - 179 shipped

Powered by a 2 channel amp that's 100+Wrms per channel - Kicker zx350.4 for example.

If you do go with that prefab, make sure ask what airspace it has and what material it's made out of 1/2 or 3/4" mdf and that it's a 2 ohm sub.

 

[Anthony Collova 10+ year member]

I'm leaning towards either Second Skin's Damplifier or Dynamat Xtreme. Any thoughts?

Both good options sound deadening mats.

I like Second Skin Damplifier for obvious reasons.

Slightly thinner than Dynamat Extreme

Same thick foil (4 mils thick)

200 degree higher heat rating.

Same exact weight

Between these 2 i'd say go for the best deal you can find.

ANT

http://www.damplifier.com