New High Quality System

[leonsv 10+ year member]

Any recomendations on some good 2 channel amps for ~$250?... Also anything good in that price range for a 4 channel.... I'm still torn over the issue of letting go of the rear fill... If I keep the rears in I'm going to amplify them (Im going to have this car for a while), but would need a 4 channel for about the same price, maybe up to $300.
Im scared that going with the Front sound stage only will not sound "full". So what do you recommend... what would be best for sound quality?:

Amplified Front soundstage (rainbow)

or

Amplified Front soundstage (rainbow) & Rear Sonys (also amplified)

If the sound will be better with the front soundstage only, then I will go that route and disconnect the rear fills... I don't want to run the Rears off of the HU.

front stage only will definately sound full, the rainbow will play beautifully and offer you everything you need. Once my rears were down from the speaker frying but i didn't notice it until my friend said he couldn't hear them... (he was sitting in the back) p.s i didn't notice for 2 weeks lol. so my point is, the fronts only will be great

don't waste money on amps.... i would get a zed audio glaudius for that price range... great amp...

also you could look into jbl px600.2, phoenix gold xenon 2 channel, etc

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

Leon, I just received my Draconia. Looks impressive. I also received my other free amp that Steve gave me as a gift. It's a brand new Boss Chaos Rev 1055 (250 X 4CH). Do you think it's good enough for runing my Assassin 8 sub? I wanted to run the Draconia purely for the Rainbows. I hope the answer is "Yes."

Edit: The other part would be this - if the Boss is good enough for the sub, maybe I should return the Draconia and get the 2CH Deuce, which has 200W instead of 70W power?

 

[leonsv 10+ year member]

Leon, I just received my Draconia. Looks impressive. I also received my other free amp that Steve gave me as a gift. It's a brand new Boss Chaos Rev 1055 (250 X 4CH). Do you think it's good enough for runing my Assassin 8 sub? I wanted to run the Draconia purely for the Rainbows. I hope the answer is "Yes."
Edit: The other part would be this - if the Boss is good enough for the sub, maybe I should return the Draconia and get the 2CH Deuce, which has 200W instead of 70W power?

yeah, the boss will work fine... try it and tell us how it goes...

also i suggest you get a deuce with burr brown to run the rainbow components if you are running passive and only the rainbows.

if you are running active, use the draconia

 

[Freestyler717 10+ year member]

They are both around the same price. The SLCs recommend 150watts per side. Continuous Output Power "2 channels bridged into 4 ohm" (Draconia) is 280watts per side. That means you'll be getting a lot more than needed to power the system.

If you get the Deuce you'll be getting 200 x 2 at 4 ohm or 400 x 2 at 2 ohm. Maybe more than is needed? Anyway, I would say just stick with the Draconia.

So did you finally decide to disconnect all of the rears?

Edit: Leonsv... what does running active and running passive mean?

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

I actualy wasn't sure, but since I'll have to get the Burr Brown (don't know exactly what kind of upgrade it is) and complicate the process and raise the cost even more, I think I'll just run active and stick with Draconia. There shouldn't be a difference in the quality. Just to be sure, I CAN run the SLC 265 active, right?

Freestyler, I thought 4X70 =280 Watts was for the TOTAL system, meaning 140W per side. I may be wrong though. Regarding the rears, I decided I'll just run them off the HU since they are not going to deteriorate the quality of the sound. I played with the fader a little and think that the full sounds a little "full." If the speakers are there, might as well use them.

I don't think I'll be changing my HU anytime soon. I'll wait maybe a year or a little more and install a CarPC with E-MU 0404 soundcard (pro) with ASIO lossless output. That will quench all my audo desires.

I'll talk to Steve Mantz on Monday regarding the Deuce to see what he thinks. If he agreed to wait for me to test the Draconia's power and exchange them for the Deuce if I don't like them (with no restocking fee), I could test the Draconia.

These two amps are pretty heavy. I still have to install the sub, which I pray is not heavy as well. I'm really worried about decreasing the performance of my car (gas mileage) and taking up too much cargo space in the car. I'm not into displaying my audio. I only want the sound. What are your experiences with the car performance after installing all this heavy equipment? If you drive an SUV, the difference won't be much of course.

 

[leonsv 10+ year member]

I actualy wasn't sure, but since I'll have to get the Burr Brown (don't know exactly what kind of upgrade it is) and complicate the process and raise the cost even more, I think I'll just run active and stick with Draconia. There shouldn't be a difference in the quality. Just to be sure, I CAN run the SLC 265 active, right?
Freestyler, I thought 4X70 =280 Watts was for the TOTAL system, meaning 140W per side. I may be wrong though. Regarding the rears, I decided I'll just run them off the HU since they are not going to deteriorate the quality of the sound. I played with the fader a little and think that the full sounds a little "full." If the speakers are there, might as well use them.

I don't think I'll be changing my HU anytime soon. I'll wait maybe a year or a little more and install a CarPC with E-MU 0404 soundcard (pro) with ASIO lossless output. That will quench all my audo desires.

I'll talk to Steve Mantz on Monday regarding the Deuce to see what he thinks. If he agreed to wait for me to test the Draconia's power and exchange them for the Deuce if I don't like them (with no restocking fee), I could test the Draconia.

These two amps are pretty heavy. I still have to install the sub, which I pray is not heavy as well. I'm really worried about decreasing the performance of my car (gas mileage) and taking up too much cargo space in the car. I'm not into displaying my audio. I only want the sound. What are your experiences with the car performance after installing all this heavy equipment? If you drive an SUV, the difference won't be much of course.

both of you guys, i can help you in detail if you im me, you seem to have a lot of questions so this should be the quicker way, my im is

illuminatedman2

i'll be on most of the day so hit me up

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

Leon, I assume that's AOL. I don't have AIM, but it's definitelt worth it to install it. You're very helpful. I'm sort of disappointed with other members of this forum who did not care to help (assuming they are knowledgable enough).

Here's a quote I got from a link that someone in the other forum gave me:

http://www.mobilesq.com/store/

Sunstar Stereo $185 (Corin)

Audio Advice $300 (Melany)

Audio Crafters $220 (Arthur)

I'll go with Sunstar since they're the cheapest (the girl was an Asian). I told them that I have my own cables and kits.

Freestyler, they might be a great reference for you as well. Check them out. They're less expensive than the CC.

 

[leonsv 10+ year member]

Leon, I assume that's AOL. I don't have AIM, but it's definitelt worth it to install it. You're very helpful. I'm sort of disappointed with other members of this forum who did not care to help (assuming they are knowledgable enough).
Here's a quote I got from a link that someone in the other forum gave me:

http://www.mobilesq.com/store/

Sunstar Stereo $185 (Corin)

Audio Advice $300 (Melany)

Audio Crafters $220 (Arthur)

I'll go with Sunstar since they're the cheapest (the girl was an Asian). I told them that I have my own cables and kits.

Freestyler, they might be a great reference for you as well. Check them out. They're less expensive than the CC.

a couple of things, first please do not post remarks based on ethnicity as some find it offensive and the moderators would not like it. It would be a good idea to take that segment out.

also i'm assuming that your quotes are for the seas speakers... i would agree that you go to the lowest price as long as they seem authentic and offer good warrenties. good luck

also i have an advice for the installation

It may come as a surprise but the installation is more important than the equipment your have, the install is the difference between a decent system and a great system. THerefore go to all of the stores and ask to see some of the work they have done. Personally for your install, i would do a diy install because of the simlicity and the experience that you could gain from it.

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

Oh, you misunderstood me. I wrote the thing about the Asian because I know that Asians are pretty good with technology and wanted to point out that even though the place was the cheapest, it still didn't mean that I'd get a bad service. Written statements have many lacks.

Now, the quotes are not for the speakers. I already bought the Rainbow SLC 265 from 6spdcoupe. The quotes are for the INSTALLATION of my entire system (both amps, sub, + speakers).

I would install it myself, but since I know absolutely nothing about system install, I won't have time to learn. I will watch how they do it though. The reason I listed all these places was to get your opinion about whether you'd think they do quality work. Sunstar has been in business for 14 years and they said that they do professional installs for dealerships. Other than that, I don't know how to judge their install quality. All they have to do is to connect some wires. I will fine tune the Draconia with the help of Steve.

 

[leonsv 10+ year member]

Oh, you misunderstood me. I wrote the thing about the Asian because I know that Asians are pretty good with technology and wanted to point out that even though the place was the cheapest, it still didn't mean that I'd get a bad service. Written statements have many lacks.
Now, the quotes are not for the speakers. I already bought the Rainbow SLC 265 from 6spdcoupe. The quotes are for the INSTALLATION of my entire system (both amps, sub, + speakers).

I would install it myself, but since I know absolutely nothing about system install, I won't have time to learn. I will watch how they do it though. The reason I listed all these places was to get your opinion about whether you'd think they do quality work. Sunstar has been in business for 14 years and they said that they do professional installs for dealerships. Other than that, I don't know how to judge their install quality. All they have to do is to connect some wires. I will fine tune the Draconia with the help of Steve.

well, what i suggest is that you visit some of them and ask if you could watch them install... do they focus all their attention to the car? are they professional? (not eating a sandwich or wearing a dirty t shirt, bad hygene) and talk to some of the people there and ask for some opinion... it's better to be safe than sorry...

also $180 isn't bad for an install.... i still suggest you try it your self...because my first install was more complicated than the one your getting and i got through mine without much difficulty...i was 17 at the time lol...

it's not as hard as you might thinkand trust me you'll really get to know your car... you don't have to be a techy to do it... if you've ever installed a home theater, or computer speakers...it's the same concept... set aside a sunday or something to do it... you can't be that busy right? lol

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

During the week I go to college, work at one of my jobs, and do some homework. During the weekends I work at my second job, do all the homework I didn't have time to finish during the week, volunteer, and travel out of state. So I'm pretty screwed with the schedule till December.

My car is brand new. There is no way I would risk taking out the entire dash or make holes in my car for the sub and amps risking possible damage. I'd rather pay 180for someone else to do it than pay a 1000 to fix my screw ups. But I promise to watch and learn. If you were willing to install my system, I wouldn't have a problem paying you to do because I do appreciate all your help. Are you going to swing by LA anytime soon?

My dave navone just arrived.

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

Leon, also if you could, please explain the significance of running my rainbows passive versus active. Since they come with crossovers, I think I should run them passive, right?

 

[leonsv 10+ year member]

Leon, also if you could, please explain the significance of running my rainbows passive versus active. Since they come with crossovers, I think I should run them passive, right?

sorry i doubt i'm gonna be in la anytime soon... also to run active you need a amp channel for each speaker, wheras with a passive you only need 2 channel. also before i can tell you, can you tell me again what source you're using? (headunit, equalizer, oem integration...)

 

[Freestyler717 10+ year member]

Hey, the Audio Advice store is like 6 blocks from my house. Cool.... everyone says they overprice though.

 

[Excelsius 10+ year member]

I do have one channel per 4 front speakers since with these two amps I'm going to have a total of 8 channels. I might even connect my rear speakers to the extra channels on the BOSS Chaos amp if that won't affect the quality.

Regarding the source, it is going to be the stock HU, at least for while before I add a CarPC. However, I listen to my mp3 player (in wav format) through the AUX jack very frequently. That's why I asked about a good and simple solution to get a better quality out of my mp3 player (I'm using simple interconnects).

Yeah, as you could see from my quotes the Audio Advice is really overpriced. I won't be going there. And get this, if you don't have your own wires and the kit, they're charging you 450, as if the cables alone cost $150.