A big hello to everyone. First post here, but I've been lurking around here and other various mobile audio forums for a few weeks gathering information, figured it was time to post for some opinions.
Backstory:
My brother recently enlisted in the military and sold me his truck (95 Tacoma). He gave me the amps (listed below) that he had, but sold the rest of his equipment minus the HU (listed below). I've been slightly short on cash after buying the truck, but have been working quite a bit and saved up enough to replace what was sold. After doing some digging around and visting a few semi-local audio shops I've come up with some equipment that I'm considering, so here goes.
Vehicle: 1995 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab
HU: Sony CDX-C780
I am thinking about a new HU only due to the fact that I have alot of music in mp3 format. The idea of only having to carry around a few CD's instead of 10's or 100's is very appealing to me. For general CD playback though I feel that the Sony currently installed will continue to do just fine until I feel a real NEED to upgrade.
Should I choose to get a new HU these are the options I have come down to:
- Alpine 9815
- Pioneer 7400mp/740mp/750mp
- Pioneer 9400mp/940mp
Important aspects of a head unit:
- MP3 playback speed
- Nice looking display (doesn't necessarily mean screensavers and such)
- Price (would prefer to stay near $400 max)
- SQ
I have noted that the Alpines seem to be the decks with the fastest mp3 skip times out right now which is a big plus. I also like the 2 line display on the 9815 (vs the 9813 and below models). I have been able to play around with this unit and did like it. The face seemed a little busy but I think that it can be manageable. Available on eBay for around 400, Alpine SQ of course. I have not had any experience with the Pioneers apart from a friend who has a lower model (though with an OEL display) in his saturn. While it does look nice, I'm not necessarily a huge fan of the screensavers. The biggest thing display wise that im looking for is ability to show track names and other information with as little scrolling as possible (where the 2 lines on the Alpine are handy). I've heard the the mp3 seeks could be improved upon, but the price points on the 7xx(x)mp series is closer to the $250-300 range, and the offer decent SQ. The 9xx(x)mp series of course is above my prefered price range (closer to $550), but looks to have (from reading the offical specs) a very informative display. A HU should last me awhile if I choose to get a new one and I feel that all of these would fulfill that purpose.
I have thought about other brands such as Eclipse/Clarion/Kenwood ... but the faces just didn't "do it" for me (If I have to look at it all the time, I better enjoy it). Yes I understand that could mean I'm turning down a nice unit, but I think what I'm considering are of good quality.
Amps: Phoenix Gold XS4600, Phoenix Gold XS2500
The XS4600 is a 4 channel amp with these specs:
75x4 - 4ohm
150x4 - 2ohm
300x2 - 4ohm
The XS2500 is a 2 channel amp with these specs:
125x2 - 4ohm
250x2 - 2ohm
500x1 - 4ohm
*700x1 - 2ohm (while I do not believe this is an offical spec, I have read a few posts of people running the amp bridged at 2ohm with no troubles)
I was "gifted" with these amps, and while may be a tad aged, think that they still perform quite well. I'm not looking to replace these right now. The tandem should provide plenty of different options to power the components and sub(s) (details coming).
Front Components: Currently Stock Speakers
New front speakers are the first majorly needed portion of the system. I have decided to go with a set of components for the obvious (or general, I'm sure there are nice coaxials) SQ advantage over coaxials.
Component considerations (6.5s):
- ID CXS64/ID CXS62
- CDT CL61
- Diamond S600s
- Crystal CSC-60s
Important aspects of a set of front speakers:
- Price (while it would be nice to get something outrageous, I am on a budget, preferably around $300.00)
- SQ
- Silk tweeter
The IDs are available in a 2ohm version, which would allow more power which could be a nice advantage. The CDTs of course are rediculously priced right now at $150, which in some ways is too good to pass up. The Crystals can also be had for a very nice price and appear to be a good "bang for the buck" speaker. The Diamonds are at the top of my price point, but have gotten some rave reviews. I was able to listen to a set of Boston Pro 6.5s at a shop, and while they were a nice speaker they were very expensive and I just didn't like how the highs sounded when the volume was turned up. After doing some reading it seems this is attributed to the metal tweeter. Due to this I have ruled out speaker sets with metallic tweeters such as the Focal 165k2 and Bostons. I understand here also that by limiting myself to silk tweeters I lose out on a few very nice brands, but again, what I am consdering isn't crap and should thrill me for years to come.
Subwoofer: None
We all like a sub for some deep bass, so I'll just get into it.
Subwoofer Considerations:
- IDQ v.2
- ID v.3
- ed K
- ed O
Important aspects of a subwoofer:
- SQ (70%)
- Price (prefer around $200)
- Space (see below)
- SPL (30%)
I haven't measured the area I will have to work with yet, but seeing as how I tend to cart around myself and 2 friends, I need to have enough room in the extended cab for a 3rd person. This probably limits me to 1 sub, which I am plenty fine with. I can most likely fit a 15", but am leaning more toward a 10" or a 12" (all of which would be sealed) to save some cost. I have heard great things about all of the subs that I mentioned expecially concerning SQ. The fact that they all can perform SPL duties is just a bonus (although I am not a "basshead", on occasion I'll get out some rap or something with some low frequencies and the "bump" of a sub is quite fun).
Extra random information:
One thing that I'm really not sure about is what I should hook up to each amp. There are a few different ways that I can think of, some being.
- XS4600 -> 75W to each front set if speakers are 4ohm, 150W to each front set if speakers are 2ohm (2 channels free for future expansion)
- XS2500 -> 500W bridged to a 4ohm wired sub, 700W bridged to a 2ohm sub (assuming it can handle the load)
- XS2500 -> 125W to each front set if speakers are 4ohm, 250W to each front set if speakers are 2ohm
- XS4500 -> 300W bridged to a 4ohm wired sub (2 bridgeable channels free for future expansion)
While I'm not sure If its possible:
- XS4600 -> 300W bridged to each front set if speakers are 4ohm
- XS2500 -> 500W bridged to a 4ohm wired sub, 700W bridged to a 2ohm sub (assuming it can handle the load)
Please take the amp/other equipment combos into your setups should you provide an opinion.
Well, I think that is all that I have for the fine people of this forum right now. I hope I provided you with enough information for you to make a good recommendation for me.
Thank you,
Mike
Backstory:
My brother recently enlisted in the military and sold me his truck (95 Tacoma). He gave me the amps (listed below) that he had, but sold the rest of his equipment minus the HU (listed below). I've been slightly short on cash after buying the truck, but have been working quite a bit and saved up enough to replace what was sold. After doing some digging around and visting a few semi-local audio shops I've come up with some equipment that I'm considering, so here goes.
Vehicle: 1995 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab
HU: Sony CDX-C780
I am thinking about a new HU only due to the fact that I have alot of music in mp3 format. The idea of only having to carry around a few CD's instead of 10's or 100's is very appealing to me. For general CD playback though I feel that the Sony currently installed will continue to do just fine until I feel a real NEED to upgrade.
Should I choose to get a new HU these are the options I have come down to:
- Alpine 9815
- Pioneer 7400mp/740mp/750mp
- Pioneer 9400mp/940mp
Important aspects of a head unit:
- MP3 playback speed
- Nice looking display (doesn't necessarily mean screensavers and such)
- Price (would prefer to stay near $400 max)
- SQ
I have noted that the Alpines seem to be the decks with the fastest mp3 skip times out right now which is a big plus. I also like the 2 line display on the 9815 (vs the 9813 and below models). I have been able to play around with this unit and did like it. The face seemed a little busy but I think that it can be manageable. Available on eBay for around 400, Alpine SQ of course. I have not had any experience with the Pioneers apart from a friend who has a lower model (though with an OEL display) in his saturn. While it does look nice, I'm not necessarily a huge fan of the screensavers. The biggest thing display wise that im looking for is ability to show track names and other information with as little scrolling as possible (where the 2 lines on the Alpine are handy). I've heard the the mp3 seeks could be improved upon, but the price points on the 7xx(x)mp series is closer to the $250-300 range, and the offer decent SQ. The 9xx(x)mp series of course is above my prefered price range (closer to $550), but looks to have (from reading the offical specs) a very informative display. A HU should last me awhile if I choose to get a new one and I feel that all of these would fulfill that purpose.
I have thought about other brands such as Eclipse/Clarion/Kenwood ... but the faces just didn't "do it" for me (If I have to look at it all the time, I better enjoy it). Yes I understand that could mean I'm turning down a nice unit, but I think what I'm considering are of good quality.
Amps: Phoenix Gold XS4600, Phoenix Gold XS2500
The XS4600 is a 4 channel amp with these specs:
75x4 - 4ohm
150x4 - 2ohm
300x2 - 4ohm
The XS2500 is a 2 channel amp with these specs:
125x2 - 4ohm
250x2 - 2ohm
500x1 - 4ohm
*700x1 - 2ohm (while I do not believe this is an offical spec, I have read a few posts of people running the amp bridged at 2ohm with no troubles)
I was "gifted" with these amps, and while may be a tad aged, think that they still perform quite well. I'm not looking to replace these right now. The tandem should provide plenty of different options to power the components and sub(s) (details coming).
Front Components: Currently Stock Speakers
New front speakers are the first majorly needed portion of the system. I have decided to go with a set of components for the obvious (or general, I'm sure there are nice coaxials) SQ advantage over coaxials.
Component considerations (6.5s):
- ID CXS64/ID CXS62
- CDT CL61
- Diamond S600s
- Crystal CSC-60s
Important aspects of a set of front speakers:
- Price (while it would be nice to get something outrageous, I am on a budget, preferably around $300.00)
- SQ
- Silk tweeter
The IDs are available in a 2ohm version, which would allow more power which could be a nice advantage. The CDTs of course are rediculously priced right now at $150, which in some ways is too good to pass up. The Crystals can also be had for a very nice price and appear to be a good "bang for the buck" speaker. The Diamonds are at the top of my price point, but have gotten some rave reviews. I was able to listen to a set of Boston Pro 6.5s at a shop, and while they were a nice speaker they were very expensive and I just didn't like how the highs sounded when the volume was turned up. After doing some reading it seems this is attributed to the metal tweeter. Due to this I have ruled out speaker sets with metallic tweeters such as the Focal 165k2 and Bostons. I understand here also that by limiting myself to silk tweeters I lose out on a few very nice brands, but again, what I am consdering isn't crap and should thrill me for years to come.
Subwoofer: None
We all like a sub for some deep bass, so I'll just get into it.
Subwoofer Considerations:
- IDQ v.2
- ID v.3
- ed K
- ed O
Important aspects of a subwoofer:
- SQ (70%)
- Price (prefer around $200)
- Space (see below)
- SPL (30%)
I haven't measured the area I will have to work with yet, but seeing as how I tend to cart around myself and 2 friends, I need to have enough room in the extended cab for a 3rd person. This probably limits me to 1 sub, which I am plenty fine with. I can most likely fit a 15", but am leaning more toward a 10" or a 12" (all of which would be sealed) to save some cost. I have heard great things about all of the subs that I mentioned expecially concerning SQ. The fact that they all can perform SPL duties is just a bonus (although I am not a "basshead", on occasion I'll get out some rap or something with some low frequencies and the "bump" of a sub is quite fun).
Extra random information:
One thing that I'm really not sure about is what I should hook up to each amp. There are a few different ways that I can think of, some being.
- XS4600 -> 75W to each front set if speakers are 4ohm, 150W to each front set if speakers are 2ohm (2 channels free for future expansion)
- XS2500 -> 500W bridged to a 4ohm wired sub, 700W bridged to a 2ohm sub (assuming it can handle the load)
- XS2500 -> 125W to each front set if speakers are 4ohm, 250W to each front set if speakers are 2ohm
- XS4500 -> 300W bridged to a 4ohm wired sub (2 bridgeable channels free for future expansion)
While I'm not sure If its possible:
- XS4600 -> 300W bridged to each front set if speakers are 4ohm
- XS2500 -> 500W bridged to a 4ohm wired sub, 700W bridged to a 2ohm sub (assuming it can handle the load)
Please take the amp/other equipment combos into your setups should you provide an opinion.
Well, I think that is all that I have for the fine people of this forum right now. I hope I provided you with enough information for you to make a good recommendation for me.
Thank you,
Mike
