no more ghetto fab

[Alex4R 10+ year member]

Since I have a few different questions, I couldn't narrow it down to one forum, so I guess this would be the right place for me to ask questions.

As of now, my setup consists of an Alpine 9827 head unit, an Orion HCCA 250G5 amplifier powering three JL Audio 12" W3D6's in a 6th order bandpass enclosure (I have a reg cab ranger, so its a blowthrough), and I have Alpine 5 1/4" midbass speakers with a pair of Kicker KS25 tweeters in some Q-Form kick panels powered by an Orion T300 amp.

So, I started taking everything apart this weekend to see if I could get some better air transfer to the cab, because I figured it was leaking into the bed because I haven't ever been able to get it to seal very well. By the time I got the rickedy *** bubba fabbed steel bedcover, box, and wiring out, i was frustrated to the point where I decided that this just isn't going to work out any more.

So here are my problems:

1. Orion HCCA 250G5 has been in 3 different vehicles, wired properly in all 3 (professionally in the 1st). For some reason about every other time I start the truck, the amp kicks on and works, but the subwoofers are very quiet. To remedy the problem, I can't just shut the truck off and start it again, I have to shut the truck off, open the door, wait a few seconds, close the door and finally start it again and it will work fine. You had to follow those same steps in both of my S-10s, and my Ranger. So, can I send this to Orion and let them fix it, or could I take it somewhere else? Would it otherwise be cheaper to just buy a new amp?

2. My Orion T-300 amp shuts on and off at will sometimes. This doesn't happen very often, but a lot more often either the right or the left channel will stop working altogether. I have had it apart to look for loose solder joints, etc and cant find anything. So I will most likely just replace this old amp. What are your suggestions on an all around quality amplifier? I am looking for sound quality and I want the power to be there when its time to drown out the sounds around me.

3. I just need new components, simple as that. The midbasses are decent, but not quite enough midbass for me. The tweeters are great, but either the crossover or the tweeter on the drivers side stopped working. I am assuming I just played it too loud and caused clipping and one took a dump. Otherwise the crossover might have gotten some moisture in it. To match the new amp, I want a set of components. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Like I said, when I want it loud, I want it loud. But good midbass and clear highs are very important also.

Now, when I said I'm starting from scratch, I mean I'm starting at the charging system and wiring, get the new accessories, build a new box and completely rework the blowthrough.

Where online can I get good deals on a new alternator? The dimming lights/dying engine don't cut it lol.

Sorry that this thread is so long, but I have been tinkering with getting this stereo where I want it for nearly a year and I'm sick of it now haha. I need to get it situated so I can move on to other portions of my truck.

Thanks for any help!

Alex

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[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Whats your budget for the entire setup?

Mean green is a well regarded place for alts.

Knukonceptz has good deals on wiring.

You might want to look in the wanted to buy section, there is a thread where another forum member is looking for old equipment- maybe sell the Orions and that cash can go towards the new setup.

Are you also planning on getting new subs or keeping the ones you have? Any size preferences?

 

[Alex4R 10+ year member]

Cost isn't an obstacle, but I would like to keep it reasonable.

All of my wiring is on its way to my doorstep, from darvex.com. That was a small fortune.

I really don't want to part with the HCCA amp, but the T300 will be sold.

I was thinking about new woofers, if I got new ones it would be a pair of 12 or 15" RE's, I would just have to see what I can get away with in the small space i have in the bed.

thanks for your help!

EDIT: That brings up something else I was wondering, what do subwoofers like mine (each) go for? They are 12" JL Audio W3D6's.

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

Cost isn't an obstacle, but I would like to keep it reasonable.
All of my wiring is on its way to my doorstep, from darvex.com. That was a small fortune.

I really don't want to part with the HCCA amp, but the T300 will be sold.

I was thinking about new woofers, if I got new ones it would be a pair of 12 or 15" RE's, I would just have to see what I can get away with in the small space i have in the bed.

thanks for your help!

EDIT: That brings up something else I was wondering, what do subwoofers like mine (each) go for? They are 12" JL Audio W3D6's.

We could help you out more if you give a solid number. $500 might be reasonable to some people, $2500 to others.

As for the value of your subs- it depends. Check ebay to get an idea, or make a for sale thread with an asking price, and see what type of response you get.

How limited on space are you?

 

[Alex4R 10+ year member]

Sorry for not being more specific, if I could get some good components around the 300 dollar range that would be great, probably want to keep the amplifier around that range also. My woofers don't look like they are making more than about $50 a piece on ebay, so I might as well keep them. I am happy with them in a proper enclosure.

I have been reading and I haven't heard anything but praise on Polk MMC series speakers, and they are priced well also. I see a lot of suggestions for "CDT" also, but I don't know what these are, or how they would compare to the Polk Momos.

Thanks for the help!