New vehicle - new build.

[DUAL10S 10+ year member]

Long story short, getting cold and will be driving instead of riding for the next couple of months.

Not new to installing but out of the loop for the last year and a half or so.

Will be driving a 2015 Patroit that has bone stock stereo. The biggest pro I see so far is I won't have to take the door panels off - simply pull the speaker covers off and the 6x9's are right there. Getting through the fire wall may be a pain.

My plan is to run a 5.25 component front stage or a good set of coax 6x9's for the front. Sadly, I will not be putting the tweeters in the pillars. Haven't decided on sub stage yet as that will depend on the amp.

Kicking this idea around too: running my iPhone into a crossover/line driver then into the amp. Leaving the factory stereo in place with only the rear speakers for FM?....couple hundred bucks savings going this route.

So looking for a good 4 or 5 channel amp to run a front stage and sub. I am leaning more to the sq side this time.

Will be doing the big 3 tomorrow, but no more upgrades to the electrical system. No more more than 500rms for the sub/subs and no more than 1000rms for the whole system sound about right?

Trying to stay under or at the 300 dollar mark for the amp. Will be buying in stages but want to stay 750 to 1K for the whole system.

Thanks.

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[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Since you're talking about upgrading a new vehicle, and it seems you have not heard this sound system yet, I recommend you wait and see if the system is really so bad you immediately need to replace the speakers. If you do "need" new speakers, and I do question that need, do not take out 6x9s and put in 5.25s. You will instantly lose midbass, and that is a frustrating experience. I would start with a 5-channel amplifier and a subwoofer. Use the head unit's aux input to run your iPhone.

 

[DUAL10S 10+ year member]

Since you're talking about upgrading a new vehicle, and it seems you have not heard this sound system yet, I recommend you wait and see if the system is really so bad you immediately need to replace the speakers. If you do "need" new speakers, and I do question that need, do not take out 6x9s and put in 5.25s. You will instantly lose midbass, and that is a frustrating experience. I would start with a 5-channel amplifier and a subwoofer. Use the head unit's aux input to run your iPhone.

Agreed, I had not listened through the aux input jack when I posted - FM only. Much better sq, so I will keep the factory stereo. I will be replacing the 6x9's - turns out I will have more mounting depth than I thought and the reason for thinking about the 5.25's.

Looking at incriminator 6x9's. Most likley a single 10 or 12 sealed sub but a single 15 is not out of the question.

Have been looking at the mini amps. Like the idea of the small footprint but concerned about heat issues. Anything out there like the Power acoustic razor amps but of higher quality? I have run my share of PA equipment and not putting them down, in fact that razor 5 channel amp may be just for me.

Thanks

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Agreed, I had not listened through the aux input jack when I posted - FM only. Much better sq, so I will keep the factory stereo. I will be replacing the 6x9's - turns out I will have more mounting depth than I thought and the reason for thinking about the 5.25's.
Looking at incriminator 6x9's.

If I may suggest something better that is designed and built in the USA, we have a number of CDT 6x9 sets available, starting with CL-69COM and HD-690CFX. Later this month we will have new convertible 6x9s for an even better selection.

Most likley a single 10 or 12 sealed sub but a single 15 is not out of the question.

Would you consider a ported enclosure?

Have been looking at the mini amps. Like the idea of the small footprint but concerned about heat issues. Anything out there like the Power acoustic razor amps but of higher quality? I have run my share of PA equipment and not putting them down, in fact that razor 5 channel amp may be just for me.

Virtually every major car audio company has some version of a mini amplifier line now. We don't offer Power Acoustik. Precision Power i640.5 is similar in size to PA RZ5-2500D but the power ratings are a lot more realistic. I would not personally run either amplifier but the Precision Power iON line is a great value and they're very well built. If you want to get up your equipment from a reputable vendor with manufacturer warranties on everything I'm happy to help.