Recommendations for the show truck. Fi, Polk, Diamond...???

[Mystic Knight 10+ year member]

Ok, so lets lean in the direction of a setup using Rainbow. Just figuring out total cost on some theoretical combos. I've been looking at http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_14_15&products_id=52 for base prices. Let me know if there's a better option out there.

12" Hammer - $199

SLC 265 Kick set - $319

Not a bad price if they're all konichiwa says they are (and many others too).

Don't ask me why but I'm still drawn to the idea of doing a full Diamond setup. There's a local shop that sells them near me. I might have to go take a listen. I wish I could do the same with the Rainbows.

What are most of you using for rear fill? I know I've seen some people say they don't have any rear fill. Others do. My current system in my daily driver has Polk EX 6.5 seperates in the front doors, 4x6 plates in the dash, and 6.5 coax's in the rear doors. The sub is a 12" Polk EX. It's all run off a PPI A404 run mixed mono. It sounds ok but the imaging could definitly be improved. The original idea was to do a similar setup but use a 4ch amp + a monoblock for the sub.

 

[xtremebassjunky 10+ year member]

if you can get a deal on zapco products thats what I would do...

the amps are great, and the components i have heard were very good.

 

[SQBubble 10+ year member]

let me add JBL, they make some pretty nice all-around car audio stuff

 

[kublkmax 10+ year member]

May I interject here. The rainbow route would be perfect. I would say jump up to the Germs, Subs you could stick with the hammer if you want but I say get the profi sub. Amps wide open here. Arc's new Kar series, Audison SRx line, or lets go a totally different direction and do an all DLS setup. Reference amps, UR6i components, and the SP12 sub and call it a wrap. 6spdcoupe is the fella you wanna talk to about the DLS or the Rainbow stuff.

 

[Omarvelous 10+ year member]

May I interject here. The rainbow route would be perfect. I would say jump up to the Germs, Subs you could stick with the hammer if you want but I say get the profi sub. Amps wide open here. Arc's new Kar series, Audison SRx line, or lets go a totally different direction and do an all DLS setup. Reference amps, UR6i components, and the SP12 sub and call it a wrap. 6spdcoupe is the fella you wanna talk to about the DLS or the Rainbow stuff.

Germs will eat up his budget.

 

[Mystic Knight 10+ year member]

Ya, I haven't had a chance to check pricing on all that equipment but I'm guessing a lot of it will kill the budget.

A few things to keep in mind when making recommendations:

Amp(s), speakers, & sub - $2000.00

It won't be entering audio competitions. Just personal listening and car shows.

I never really got an answer from anyone. What are people doing for rear fill, especially in SUV's or wagons? I've tried setting up a system without the rear speakers and it never really worked out well. You could tell exactly where the speakers were. It was a cheaper setup though. The other thing to consider, the HU I'm using is a DVD unit so I'd think it'd be kind of nice to have the sound "wrap around the listeners" as opposed to being all up front. I'm just questioning the rear fill because that's obviously going to make a difference if I have to spend a couple extra $100 for rear fill speakers.

I appreciate everyone's input. I'd really like to get suggestions from people that have had the chance to listen to different brands. Maybe someone that competes or owns/works at a shop, as opposed to someone that just says "it's the best because it's what I run".

 

[Mystic Knight 10+ year member]

Anyone have any opinions on this setup? Theis site seems to talk a lot about a great sound stage and I've heard a few people mention them before. Just wondering how they compare to some of the ones we've been talking about.

http://www.cdtaudio.com/UP-629CF.htm

 

[el_chupo_ 10+ year member]

CDT makes some good quality speakers. They wont be in the same league as Rainbow, but they will sound very good, better than most.

Also, Woofersetc.com is having a sale on CDT stuff, you may find better deals there.

 

[Mystic Knight 10+ year member]

Thanks for the link. Looks like they have some pretty good prices.

 

[cam5860 10+ year member]

For the money, I would buy the polkmomo mmc 6500 set. I have been running them for a year now with the polkmomo 4 channel amp and they sound awesome.

If you put that momo amp on them they sound really good. Because you can remove the passive crossovers and biamp them off the amp. Plus all you have to do is use the pre eq switch and it sets the crossover points for you no tweeting.

The momo amp was built specially for the momo componet set and they don't sound nearly as good without that momo amp on them.

 

[konechiwa 10+ year member]

Ya, I haven't had a chance to check pricing on all that equipment but I'm guessing a lot of it will kill the budget.
A few things to keep in mind when making recommendations:

Amp(s), speakers, & sub - $2000.00

It won't be entering audio competitions. Just personal listening and car shows.

I never really got an answer from anyone. What are people doing for rear fill, especially in SUV's or wagons? I've tried setting up a system without the rear speakers and it never really worked out well. You could tell exactly where the speakers were. It was a cheaper setup though. The other thing to consider, the HU I'm using is a DVD unit so I'd think it'd be kind of nice to have the sound "wrap around the listeners" as opposed to being all up front. I'm just questioning the rear fill because that's obviously going to make a difference if I have to spend a couple extra $100 for rear fill speakers.

I appreciate everyone's input. I'd really like to get suggestions from people that have had the chance to listen to different brands. Maybe someone that competes or owns/works at a shop, as opposed to someone that just says "it's the best because it's what I run".

You can get the rainbows for cheaper then that, pm premieraudio (aaron) or 6spdcoupe (don) to get better prices.

You could easily afford some stuff in their higher up line...maybe the germs (i think 450) and a profi vandium sub (i think 400) would do you good...that'd leave about 1000 for two amps and rear fill, which can easily be done. I'm not to smart with amps...but i've had some kicker amps before and they were very nice (at least to me). You can get the zx line in that price range, and they easily do their rated power and then some (my kx350.4 did 396 watts instead of 350, birthsheet). Maybe 450.2 and a 400.1 (for the sub, the vanadium is dual 3.6 ohms, so it'd be 400 watts to the sub, most likely more since the kicker amp is underrated). Maybe a tiny amp and sl165 for the rear. that would most likely set you back about 1700ish. You could certainly find those amps cheaper on ebay though.

thats just me. I'm sure someone smarter can chime in here.

 

[pboulos 10+ year member]

let me add JBL, they make some pretty nice all-around car audio stuff

i added them many posts ago but it seems like the recommendation was ignored although a full jbl system done properly will annihilate almost any other recommendation made to this point within a reasonable price range

 

[meinbeast 10+ year member]

You can get some serious equipment with that high of a budget if you shop/look in the right places and take your time.

I got my system :

Polk SR 6500's

Polk SR 104-DVC 10" sub

PG 200.4 amp

Kicker amp kit/speaker wires

36sq ft Dynamat Extreme bulk kit

all new for under $1100

It just took 3 months of research and demos to choose the equipment. When that was all determined It took about a month to find all the equipment I wanted at the prices I wanted to pay.

After all the reading I have done on the 6 forums I frequent I found that the Polk SR6500 had the best reviews across all boards, never really heard anyone say anything negative about them, which is impressive considering how critical and brand loyal some forums/members are.

After I demoed them at a local shop that pretty much sealed the deal.

PS I bought everything online/ebay and couldn't be happier.

 

[Mystic Knight 10+ year member]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. If it's been suggested here I've looked at the product lines.

JBL:

I looked at the JBL line. I found a few reviews of their products. Most seemed to rate them pretty well. The prices are pretty reasonable too. I have to be honest about why I decided not to consider them... the looks. What the hell were they thinking when they put that plasticy looking silver dome on their subs?? If I used them I'd have to invert them to hide that thing.

Polk SR Series:

These are high on my list of options. Every review I've read on the SR line has given them VERY high marks. The reviewer from CA&E said it's the best components he's ever tested. I can't ignore great reviews like that. THe fact that their made by a US company is a nice little bonus too. I know someone at a local shop that's been saying they can get me some real good prices on Polk and Diamond products. I'll have to talk to him and see how good that price is.

Rainbow:

Also very high on my list. I plan on talking to Aaron and Don to see what kind of price they can do on Germs. If it's well below the Polk SR's they'll probably win. If they're similarly priced I'll probably go with Polk.

Side note:

I'd really hate to have some wonderful components like these in my truck and then settle for the MTX or Kicker amps. They just don't have the same WOW factor. Honestly, I've never heard much difference in sound due to the amp. This may be because I've used PPI for a very long time. It also may be the fact that I've only been using mid-level speakers. I've read tons of amp reviews though and understand that the different qualities can make a difference. Therefor I'll probably look into something a little more high-end. I guess it'll all depend on the final price on the speakers.

 

[genxx 10+ year member]

Rainbow(they rule IMHO) or Polk are both awsome. You could also do an all Pioneer set-up, using there premier lines, just adding another brand to the fire. You can build a very nice SQ system for 2G. Alot of good recommendations so far. Have fun building your ride, looks like it will turn out sweet.