new to "the game", where to start?

[PwnFx 10+ year member]

I want to buy a car audio system, will have around 1k to spend, give or take a few.

I know nothing about audio.

I want to learn exactly what is happening and why it's happening.

I want to learn the in's and out's of audio, speakers, installation, amplifiers, subs and boxes for them, capacitors, different types of speakers, wattages, all of that good stuff.

Where should I start?

 

Also, I would like (if you have the time) if someone could throw together, from your personal knowledge, something that you would personally buy. (An entire setup, ranging $800-1200)

My car is an 01 Sentra, with front pillar speakers.

I currently have a [Pioneer DEH-P6200BT CD Receiver] as my headunit, I don't think I plan on buying another one, since I paid $150 for this, including all installation gear.

If you can, post what your reasoning for each piece!

 

As of right now, it would be easier if I could just start small, with some decent speakers.

I've been looking at speakers on crutchfield (dunno if there's a better place to shop) and I wanted to know if it's bad to mix speaker brands.

Basically: Front speakers being like RF, and rear being Focal.

 

Music I mainly listen to: Dubstep, Techno, Metal, DnB, and the occasional Classic Rock.

 

Thanks in advance to anyone that attempts to help.

Click to read more...

 

[Bettr n' Revrse 5,000+ posts]

Good to see someone that wants to learn and actaully has a decent budget... How much space are you willing to give up for subs stage, Do you just want to do a substage or mids and highs as well, and what goal are you wanting SQ or Loud?

 

[DoesDad 10+ year member]

What are you going for? Sound quality or freakin' loud or some of both? That's a decent budget....

 

[PwnFx 10+ year member]

What are you going for? Sound quality or freakin' loud or some of both? That's a decent budget....

Good to see someone that wants to learn and actaully has a decent budget... How much space are you willing to give up for subs stage' date=' Do you just want to do a substage or mids and highs as well, and what goal are you wanting SQ or Loud?[/quote']
My tax return is giving me the ability to afford this, lol.

I'd be willing to lose most of my trunk, since I don't use it for anything other than the jack/toolbox/oil/etc.

Not sure what you mean by "substage", but I want to have a little bit of both, would prefer sound quality over anything, but being able to get loud is an added bonus. As of right now, my stock speakers with my headunit turned up to "40" is "loud" to me, so I'm sure anything other than my stock speakers would achieve being able to be called "loud" to me.

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

soundscape is when it sounds like the singer is in ur windshield. drums are in the next lane over. ect... what kinda vehicle u got so we know roughly how many cubes u can fit.

 

[PwnFx 10+ year member]

soundscape is when it sounds like the singer is in ur windshield. drums are in the next lane over. ect... what kinda vehicle u got so we know roughly how many cubes u can fit.

Either I'm retarded or this information is mostly random. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eyebrow.gif.fe2c18d8720fe8c7eaed347b21ea05a5.gif

I said in OP what kind of car I have, lols.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wow.gif.23d729408e9177caa2a0ed6a2ba6588e.gif

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

oh sorry. i skimmed.

 

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

The sub stage is the subwoofer and it's enclosure and amplifier. It's what provides bass to your system.

 

[Mr.meyhem 10+ year member]

what i think you should start with is ur electrical then go from there. start with how many amp alternator u have. then if u wanna run 4 or 0 awg. then find amps for a sub and some comps that will match what u can put out for ur electrical. see how much cash u have left. then pick ur comps and sub. thats what id suggest.

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

start reading, as many tutorials as u can BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING. $1000 isnt alot to start fresh. may wanna save some more depending on your expectations.

 

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

You might be able to get what you're looking for with less than 1k. If you like bass, focus on the sub stage first, then deadener, then speakers and amp for the speakers. You probably won't have to upgrade your electrical since you made it seem like you don't need to be that loud. You will need wiring, though.

 

[lilboom 10+ year member]

You can get a nice system for 1k ,whats your listening habits? do you find your self cruising with the volume cranked? or do you only crank it when you want to?

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

soundscape is when it sounds like the singer is in ur windshield. drums are in the next lane over. ect... what kinda vehicle u got so we know roughly how many cubes u can fit.

Its an 01 Sentra is what he has posted.

 

[accuab 10+ year member]

No one has asked this but can you do the work yourself or have someone that will do it for you? If not, that budget just got a whole lost smaller. If you plan to redo all of it and can't do it yourself, go ahead and assume about $300 for the installation process. Most will charge at least $100 to install a subwoofer depending on where you go. Then there's the installation of speakers if you decide to go that route.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I think one heavy ten will fit nicely in that trunk, at a minimum of 600rms, at a 2ohm load in a 1.6 cu ft ported box on like an old school Autotek BTS 7150 or 66Mean Machine new like the SStream Rubicon 1000, and like approx 70-80 rms for staging(speakers)like on the SoundStream LilWonder 640 new, and like about an Alpine Duo-b 4ch 3550 old school.5.25 Infinity Kappas components /6.5 all speakers.I think that will sound great and be a fine example for utilyzing the stock electrical, and doing the big three.In my opinion/example as a decent set up.