New setup ideas

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

A buddy of mine is looking to upgrade his audio, and between him and I we are trying to get some ideas about what to buy. He has a new(ish) (2004-2006 probably) cadillac escalade. Not positive of the max dims, but I can get exacts if necessary. I'm just assuming similar to most other large SUV's. He is running his stock head unit but willing to upgrade if necessary, which will most likely happen.

He is considering (2) 18's or maybe even (4) 15's or 18's. I am looking for suggestions as to what subs and amps to buy, but even more so to what else is necessary to accomodate such a large amount of RMS. He is running his stock alt. So, besides the Big 3 which I know he will need, what should he be considering as far as HO alt, bigger/multiple batteries, etc? I am leaning more towards (2) 18's since I really don't think he's considering all of the extra work (4) would be.

So, any recommendations on subs/amp, and any info as far as what will be required to do this?

Thanks.

Oh, and I forgot to mention. Budget is up in the air. He got bent over on the two kickers that he has in his truck now for like 2 grand for two 15 inch l7's. Lets say between 0-2000 to start.

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[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

it is a lot of work to do a setup as big as you and your buddy want. I hope you and him know what your in for. I also doubt that you will be able to fit 4 nice 18's or 15's into that budget. If you want a good DD, that sounds good and has no voltage drop with higher end equipment, you will be spending much more then that. What kind of equipment do you have in mind to run?

 

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

Then let's go with 2 18's. Budget is flexible, kid is loaded. So far we've talked about Fi, RE, AQ etc. He just wants something new, and nicer than his kickers.

And yeah I've told him its going to be a lot of work and that we're both going to have to learn alot before we even think about beginning something like this.

 

[Marlo Stanfield 10+ year member]

$2000 for a big setup w/ full electrical upgrades will be extremely difficult to do, especially if you are doing brand new equipment.

Here would be a basic 2 18" setup.

2 18" AQ HDC3 - $600 shipped

AQ 3500D - $700 shipped

H/O alt - $300-500+

Batts(something like Kinetik 1800 in front + 2400 in back) - $450+

That's over $2000 right there, without factoring in wire, enclosure costs, wiring accessories, or any kind of speakers, mids, tweets to keep up with the bass.

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

any of those brands will be better then those kickers IMO. Look into DC Sound Labs of course too //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Don't forget about your front speakers either, two 18 inch BTLs or DC Lvl 5's is a lot of bass if powered correctly.

It will be a lot of work, as you will want to do everything the right way and make it look nice in the end. This is a very nice caddy we are talking about...my setup in my sig cost a bit over 1500 in the end and it is thrown together and is just meant to get loud and not look good, lol.

You will be needing

-sub amp(s)

-speaker amp(s)

-speakers

-subs

-sound deadening

-alternator(s)

-batteries

-a nice box

-a decent cd player

-wires and connectors

-and im sure i am forgetting some things

 

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

As I said, budget was just something I came up with. If he was willing to get 2 kickers without a box or anything for over 2 grand I'm sure I can tell him we need xxxx to do this and he'll be fine. Must be nice to be rich lol.

Will definitely take a look at the recommendations.

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

if you have never done anything like this before, i don't know if doing a massive stereo on a nice Cadillac is the best choice man...

 

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

He's going to do it with or without my help, I just figured I'd try to lend him some sort of assistance or knowledge base so he doesn't burn his shit down.

Then again, he also has a bmw and a maserati. I guess he won't be too messed up without the caddy lol

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

lol, must be nice to be rich. Does he have any experience with this sort of thing? (im going with no since he dropped 2k on some kickers)

 

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

I am also going with no since he did indeed drop 2g+ on kickers lol.

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

well, if you want any help, asking about equipment or anything. feel free to PM me. Ill try my best to help...and good luck if you help him

 

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

Thanks, will do.

 

[Marlo Stanfield 10+ year member]

If this dude has all this money then why was there only a $2000 stereo limit... If u went higher then a much better system could be in order.

 

[AConnelly09 10+ year member]

I made it 2000 when I wrote the topic. It was just a number we through out. As I said before budget is flexbile and I'm sure it can go higher. This doesn't need to be the best setup ever though. He won't be competing or anything, he just wants some nice bump in his daily but hates his kickers.

 

[plugitin 5,000+ posts]

2 18's is a little more then some nice bump...lol. More like going deaf bump