Serious Questions From a Beginner

[New At This 10+ year member]

Hey Everyone,

I have just recently become very interested in car audio equipment, installation, brands, etc. Im trying to decide on the best door-speaker/ headunit combination for my vehicle. It holds a 6x8/5x7 speaker. I don't think i want to get component speakers right now while im just starting out, so i was hoping that any of you guys who know what you are talking about could help me out in choosing the best coaxial speaker. My budget for the purchase and installation of the enitre system of a headunit and 4 speakers is around $400. $500 at the very max, but i'd really rather not go that far.

Headunits:

I have heard from almost everyone that Alpine is the best, but I do not have that kind of money to spend on a headunit right now, and probably will not make that kind of upgrade until i am more experienced in the car audio field. So, I'm looking at what lower-priced headunit is best. I've talked to 5 different audio shops around my town, and the general consesus seems to be that, for the money, a Pioneer headunit would be the best to go with. Two shops that are not even Pioneer deallers have told me that All shops except for the Sony shop has told me that. Also, listening to them for myself, I think that Pioneer produces a better sound quality than Sony. I know that other companies like Kenwood, JVC, and Panasonic. After listening and doing some research, I have concluded that I will probably go with the Pioneer DEH-3700 headunit. What do you guys think? Do yall have any other recommendations?

Speakers:

As i said before, my vehicle fits a 6x8/5x7 door speaker. I will be purchasing 4 of them. I am not looking to a buy a component set right now, so i am looking for a good 2-way coaxial speaker (ive heard that the enlarged tweeter in 3-way speakers blocks out some of the vocals). I want something with good clarity, durable, and with decent bass response. Also, I want something I can turn up loud and not have to worry about major distortion or blowing them out. All the speakers i have heard are on the sound boards at different audio shops. The Infinity Reference series was recommened, and while i do find them to be clear, i was not impressed at all with their bass response. I have also heard that they are easy to blow if the volume is turned up past 25. I have also been told that the Polk Audio 2-way speakers are pretty good, and after listening to them on a sound board, they have good bass response and clarity, i like them a lot more than the Infinty Reference series. Other possible brands of recommended speakers include Memphis (havent heard them) , Pioneer (not very impressed), American Bass (good sound quality), Sony (not impressed).

So, right now, my top choices are the Pioneer DEH-3700 headunit with 4 Polk Audio 2-way 6x8 speakers (American Bass is 2nd).

What do you guys think of this combination? If anyone has any advice or any other recommendations, I would be incredibly greatful. As i said before, I am very new at this whole thing and I'm just trying to make the best decisions with what money I have to put into my vehicle at this point. I'm just looking for reliable products with good sound quality.

Thank you for your time.

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[SAG3 5,000+ posts]

dont do 6x8/5x7 speakers, do round speakers instead

 

[ra4u2nv 10+ year member]

Hey there have you considered the kenwood excelon line. sonicelectronix has some pretty good prizes on them. Check them out. I have had about five different kinds of excelons and my personal opinion they are the best. I have had some alpines but I was not too impressed, but this is just my opinion.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

haha i like the name.

anyways yes do round speakers, you can make it fit with a custom spacer. just try to fit some component set, you'll be happy later.

 

[mikey060 10+ year member]

I have been very satisfied with my pioneer head unit (DEH-6700). Great quality for a fair price.

 

[MBrock4u 10+ year member]

Hello and welcome //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Yeah, I know where u r comming from so here is my 2 cents lol. Along with the Pioneer head unit why don't you take a look at some Kenwood head units at crutchfield.com. There are some nice ones with nice features for 200.00 and under. Pioneer is good too. I like your choice of speakers, clean highs !! I would also consider 6x9 if possible Alpine type S come to mind similer price range, and they have excellent bass response. You can trim the metal out a tad to get a 6x9 in I think you would be happy though with either speaker. I would put the american bass on the back burner way back! Stick to those solid brands and you will be happy with either or. best of luck to ya.

 

[New At This 10+ year member]

Thanks a lot i really appreciate what you had to say. Ill look into kenwood like you say. Whats your opinion of American Bass? One more thing, do you think the 6 1/2 round speakers are that much better than the 6x8s like those other guys said?

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Hello and welcome //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Yeah, I know where u r comming from so here is my 2 cents lol. Along with the Pioneer head unit why don't you take a look at some Kenwood head units at crutchfield.com. There are some nice ones with nice features for 200.00 and under. Pioneer is good too. I like your choice of speakers, clean highs !! I would also consider 6x9 if possible Alpine type S come to mind similer price range, and they have excellent bass response. You can trim the metal out a tad to get a 6x9 in I think you would be happy though with either speaker. I would put the american bass on the back burner way back! Stick to those solid brands and you will be happy with either or. best of luck to ya.

Obviously coming from someone with no experience with AB! Hah.

Also, by solid brands, you must mean the over-hyped, mass produced, warrenty-mongering, bastards.

Like I said in the shop, for what you had in mind, the pioneer really stands out as a clear choice...

Also, a mid to lower end Eclipse model might not be a bad investment either! Check out Crutchfield.com and have a look over their models.

As far as the doors go, I think I agree with everyone else on the component set up front. It would be a wise investment, and quite possibly suit your wants and needs the best. I'm willing to work with you anytime you want to stop by and visit.

-Nate

 

[EvilSquid 10+ year member]

Hey guys,

I am a beginner to all this as well.. Ive heard people say not to get 5x7/6x8 speakers and to get round ones, but can you tell me why?

my 06 Mustang has 5x7's in the front and rear.. Im planning on replacing them.. if I didnt replace them with 6x8's.... can I go as high as 6.5" replacements with a spacer?

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Two good options for your budget as far as headunits are concerned...

Pioneer DEH-P4800MP $169.99 (crutchfield)

Eclipse CD2000 $199.99 (crutchfield)

Both have 3 sets of pre-outs. Good SQ. Quality built. Both (brands) have pretty good followings in the car audio market.

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Hey guys,
I am a beginner to all this as well.. Ive heard people say not to get 5x7/6x8 speakers and to get round ones, but can you tell me why?

my 06 Mustang has 5x7's in the front and rear.. Im planning on replacing them.. if I didnt replace them with 6x8's.... can I go as high as 6.5" replacements with a spacer?

Yes. You will need a 5 x 7" to 6.5" plate. Fairly easy to make on your own, or can be optained from most shops or online.

Oval speaker sizes typically tend to distort prior to a circular shape, resulting in a loss of SQ, and possible problems later on down the road at loud volumes.

 

[New At This 10+ year member]

Thanks a lot, Ill look at that crutchfield site. Ill be back in there pretty soon. Is it safe to buy off cruthfield, like do they warranty their products?

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Thanks a lot, Ill look at that crutchfield site. Ill be back in there pretty soon. Is it safe to buy off cruthfield, like do they warranty their products?

Crutchfield is arguably THE safest bet buying audio gear online. They have been in business for over 3 decades and along with their website they also have a B&M (brick and mortar - meaning actual physical building) store in Virginia.

They are factory-authorized to sell every brand they carry and each item will come with a valid manufacturer-backed warranty for whatever period of time the manufacturer offers. Some products carry a longer warranty through Crutchfield than they would elsewhere (Example: Profile amps...normally a 1yr warranty but through Crutchfield they come with a 3yr warranty)

Above a certain dollar amount ($129.99, I think) all car audio purchases come with free install accessories. (such as factory wiring harness adapters for head units, speaker plug adapters for speakers, speaker mounting adapters if you're putting a non-stock size speaker in a stock location, etc etc etc)

Yes - the short answer to your question is Crutchfield is perfectly safe.

 

[SuperJETT 10+ year member]

Alpines are not that expensive really, I just picked up a CDE-9843 for $135 shipped. You can get a nice set of speakers for under $100/pair so that keeps you under $400 total. Try out an Alpine before doing anything, I replaced my Pioneer with the Alpine and it has much better sound.

 

[Loud3 10+ year member]

Never dealt with them before, to be honest, but a quick look at their customer service page lets me see that they offer full manufacturer warrenties.

They do a fair amount of business, and I have never heard much negative comments about them.

You missed out on an '05 Toyota Tacoma Ext. Cab today.

You might be able to hear it if you stop by up at the shop tomorrow afternoon. It's going to have all American Bass in it. 4 12" XO subs, 2 SQ540 amplifiers. *4 subs, running off roughly 1000wrms*

Should be mighty impressive.