New To Car Audio...

[Psychosis 10+ year member]

Shamefully I am that annoying newbie who is probably the 1,000th person to post a topic like this...

I have tried to do some research on my own but compiling a good car audio system seems like a complicated process, one that I don't think I'd like to rest in my hands on figuring it out on my own. I'd like some help from you guys, whom which I would assume are educated on this subject,

I have a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5S. I have a standard cd player and standard audio set up. Since I LOVE listening to music and I want to treat myself, and my car, to having a decently nice system. I mainly listen to dance music.. all sorts. Trance, D&B, House, Progressive etc. Most dance music has a good combination of all frequencies, all of which I like to hear. I am looking for an audio set up that will be powerful yet balanced. I don't want the bass drowning out my mids and highs but I don't not want to feel the power of the bass. I would like to feel the bass, hear all the lows and get to hear the highs, mids and vocals nice and crisply without distortion.

My budget is anywhere from $1,300 - $1,500 and I'd ideally like to have that being included with installation. I have no idea what to look for or what to even consider. I'm totally lost in all of this. If anyone would be kind enough to help me out in making some choices I would be very greatly appreciated.

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[skadude016 5,000+ posts]

I wish I had 1300 to spend! Do you mind if it is used equipment?

 

[SAG3 5,000+ posts]

some nice components up front some nice coaxials in the back and probably a sealed 12" sub in the trunk

 

[2kchevy06civic 5,000+ posts]

well.....first off, do you want to keep your standard h/u? are you looking to upgrade everything? I would personally just go with a passive 2 way setup if you are just wanting to keep things simple.

If you are wanting some bass, there are multiple drivers that can be run sealed and be very effective with low wattage. I believe the mag, ss rl-p both come to mind.

So basically, just heavily dampen your doors, put a 2-way setup in the doors, and put a nice sub in the back and call it a day. Just get a simple headunit if you are wanting an aftermarket one. Good day

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

Welcome!

If it were me...... And this is only a suggestion

HU: Clarion, Pioneer Premier, Kenwood, Eclips, Alpine (you choose , all good ones)

Front: Focal

Back: Focal

Amps: Memphis

Sub: a single 10" or 12" Soundsplinter in a sealed box.

That may go a bit over your budget. (ok alot)

 

[Psychosis 10+ year member]

well.....first off, do you want to keep your standard h/u? are you looking to upgrade everything?

I'm looking to upgrade everything.

Front: Focal

Back: Focal

I went to Sound Advice today and they showed me the Focal speakers and they definitely did sound really nice. The whole package they set me up with came to $1,813... obviously he wasn't listening when I explained to him my budget.

 

[zsondy1 10+ year member]

if you want SQ get some JL

 

[Psychosis 10+ year member]

if you want SQ get some JL

SQ meaning Sound Quality?

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

SQ meaning Sound Quality?

Yes

SPL="sound pressure level" (loud)

 

[SAG3 5,000+ posts]

order your stuff of the internet man, you will save a lot.

 

[2kchevy06civic 5,000+ posts]

I used to have focal acess line comps for my first setup. I thought they sounded pretty good for a mid-range budget comp set. There are many companies to choose from: memphis, focal, seas, arc audio, etc etc. There have been several reviews about the arc audio slc? lines, I think that's the one.

Honestly, I think you should go to a few local shops in your area and just listen to brands that are mentioned here. The ones you can't listen to, search and see what others think about that particular model/brand.

 

[Psychosis 10+ year member]

order your stuff of the internet man, you will save a lot.

Yeah I figured that, that would save me a lot of money, so I'll definitely be doing that!

I have figured out some specific questions that you guys may be able to answer:

- I have been looking at Alpine Head Units... I have read they are pretty good. Are there anything better at around the same price? And are there any HC companys or models to avoid?

- For my front and rear speakers I plan on going with 6.5" but I'm not sure which brand of speaker to go with. The Focal speakers I was shown at Sound Advice were pretty good. Does Focal have a good reputation? I haven't even heard of them before. Would I be better off going for different speakers? Suggestions appreciated...

- Also pertaining to front and rear speakers, what wattage should I aim for?

- I was reading that in terms of Subwoofer's Kicker, Aiudiobahn, and MA Audio would be good choices to go for. Would anyone suggest a better brand?

- I'm not sure about what to do about my subwoofer selection. Should I go a single 10" or single 12." Or should I go for two 10"s? Should I be very concerned about wattage regarding my subwoofer or will any decent brand provide a good amount?

- I guess my last question would be about an Amp. I'd like to go for just 1 amp to handle it all, so I'm guessing I'd have to spend a little bit more to get a quality amp. I have heard that Audiobahn has great amps... Anything better you guys would recommend?

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just trying to figure out everything because I don't have a clue where to begin. Thanks for all of your help thus far, I appreciate it!

 

[New At This 10+ year member]

Hey, I have some suggestions for you.

First, if I had $1,300 to spend, i wouldnt go with anything Sony. Sony isn't terrible but for $1,300 you could definitely do a lot better.

Headunit: I would go with Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, or a nicer JVC. Alpine is really good but they will run you a lot of money. After listening to all of these, Alpine is the overall best but not the best value (your looking at about $400 for a good one). Pioneer is the best value. Kenwood makes great headunits with very good durability and sound quality. I would put the Kenwood Excelon up against any headunit out there especially for the money (around $300). JVC is pretty good but not as high sound quality as the others, also if you are trying to find a good JVC be prepared to spend at least $200. You need a headunit with a lot of options and good sound quality, but i wouldnt spend too much on the headunit. Save your money for speakers.

Speakers: Do you want to go with components or coaxials? If coaxials, the overall best that i have heard are Polk Audio or American Bass. They have good bass response mixed with the highs and lows. Keep your coaxials at 2way if possible. 3ways are extremely overrated and I feel that they somewhat cut down on the vocals. Of course, at higher volume, coaxials tend to distort. Right now, im running American Bass components in my truck and they sound great. I can let them run wide open and there is NO distortion. Also, keep you sound stage and compnents in the front. Im not running any speakers in the rear. If you like the rear fill, they get some moderately priced coaxials in the back. You ear as well as most other people's, shouldn't be able to tell between expensive back speakers and lower priced ones.

Amps: By far the strongest amps i have heard are Rocksford Fosgate Punch amps. Ask anyone who knows anything about car audio, and if they are being honest, they will tell you Fosgate put out more watts than they are labeled. Other strong amps are Memphis and American Bass. All three of these are very durable, long lasting, high-quality amps.

Subs: I would go with American Bass or Rocksford Fosgate. Both are high quality and very loud. JL is by far the best subs i have heard but are most expensive.

Overall the best value brand is American Bass in my opinion. Fosgate is great but will cost more.

Good Luck

 

[bumpncarstereo 10+ year member]

Yeah I figured that, that would save me a lot of money, so I'll definitely be doing that!
I have figured out some specific questions that you guys may be able to answer:

- I was reading that in terms of Subwoofer's Kicker, Aiudiobahn, and MA Audio would be good choices to go for. Would anyone suggest a better brand?

- I'm not sure about what to do about my subwoofer selection. Should I go a single 10" or single 12." Or should I go for two 10"s? Should I be very concerned about wattage regarding my subwoofer or will any decent brand provide a good amount?

- I guess my last question would be about an Amp. I'd like to go for just 1 amp to handle it all, so I'm guessing I'd have to spend a little bit more to get a quality amp. I have heard that Audiobahn has great amps... Anything better you guys would recommend?

Sorry for all of the questions, I'm just trying to figure out everything because I don't have a clue where to begin. Thanks for all of your help thus far, I appreciate it!

for subs if you want a good one i would go with RE, Adire, or Stereo integrity. The mag2 from SI is really nice so i hear, but i havent gotten to listen to mine yet. I have heared the the RE sx and xxx, and the adire brahama. i played alot of dance on the SX and it sounded alright. i would shy away from the 3 that you mentioned personaly expecially anything audiobahn (unless it is the immortal series, they are the only series that i have heard anything good about)

1 amp for everything, memphis makes some good 5 ch amps.

 

[Psychosis 10+ year member]

Speakers: Do you want to go with components or coaxials?
Subs: I would go with American Bass or Rocksford Fosgate. Both are high quality and very loud. JL is by far the best subs i have heard but are most expensive.

- This may be a stupid question, but what's the difference between components and coaxials?

- I listened to JL at Sound Advice and they definintely sounded great, but like you said they are expensive. I still don't know whether it's best to get a single 10" or 12" OR two 10" subs. Any suggestions on that?