Sound Quality over Boom, What to do?

[abnormanomaly]

I'm looking to upgrade my car's sound system. I've been running the stock in a 96 ford ranger for about 2 years now and one of the front speakers is about dead so I figure it's about time. I've been reading all I can on the subject because I've always been a do-it-your-self-er. but reading can only get you so far.

I listen to a lot of ska and jazzy high pitched stuff with trumpets and what not, but i also listen to some music with bass.

I've always enjoyed sound quality over volume so i'm not looking for too much power or window shattering bass, just something that can play loude and still sound clear and crisp. (i don't have A/C so i have to drive on the freeway with the windows down, basicly i need something that can play well over that and not sound like shit)

like i said i have a ford ranger(regular cab) so i have two front speakers 6x8's i believe and two rear speakers also 6x8's but i think they can also fit 5-1/4's. And of course not much room in the back for subs. (though i've done some mesuring and i think i can get maybe two 8's back there or one 10, with a slanted box)

And of course problem number two i'm in college working two jobs, so i don't have a huge budget pry $500 at most for the parts then what ever i need for installation (500 doesnt' include head unit i already have one http://www.crutchfield.com/S-w3DwUXG6R7f/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=62700&I=158R5515X if you care to look it has two pre-amp outs one for front and one switchable for rear/subs)

so like i said i would like good sound quality with decent volume nothing skull crushing the important part is that is sounds good. I plan on putting two speakers int he front and then maybe 1 or 2 subs in the back depending on size and space. then powering the subs and speakers seperatly with two amps.

Or i'm wondering if i should just forget the subs since i'm not that interested in panel rattling bass and just get 4 high quality speakers and run them off of one amp.

does any one have oppinions or suggestions for my low cost semi-loude respectable quality system.. I'm very interested in car audio i love electronics and this side of it has always been covered by a showed for me so i'd love to learn all i can.

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[flakko 5,000+ posts]

well in a nice system you kinda almost need bass. for sq, i would reccomend cdt or kicker coaxes, a 10" idq with profile amps.

 

[AVSTANG02]

Your going to need more then just quality components your going to need a clue about what it takes to get good sound quality out of your systems components.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

yup, SQ can't be bruted forced, it's 90% install.

 

[jacko 10+ year member]

figure 400/450 for the gear itself, and 50-100 for installing and making it look nice. I like to figure this number as 10-15% of a total budget, otherwise you can go overboard making a nice install with not so high quality gear, to put it nicely.

 

[jacko 10+ year member]

my advice:

$40-60: 8 ga wire kit w/ speaker wire/2 sets of interconnects/fuse & holder/power/ground

$100-125 4 channel amp, 2 channels bridged to run 4ohm sub, 2 channels for front speaks.

$100-125- nice 5.25's or carve out the front openings for 6 1/2 coaxs(maybe with outboard crossover)

$100-125- nice SQ oriented 8" or 10" sub

low end: $340 High end: $435

Wood/carpet for sub box, random wires, connectors, tools, etc you may not have is the rest of the budget.

Disconnect all the speaker wires for the HU. also, since your new here. Your deck is fine for the equip you may be hooking up, but for the future, clear Sony, Boss, and Pyle from your vocab of any remotely acceptable equipment for SQ setups.

 

[cdj 10+ year member]

Don't you just love the helpful posts!

Since you have a standard cab Ranger, I think one set of good speakers plus a small sub would more than adequately meet the goal you describe.

I suggest you take a look at the Monitor Audio Kar6 speakers that are on EBay right now. I bought a set from him 6 months ago (the reserve is $150).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32819&item=5787835351&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Monitor Audio makes excellent home speakers and their brief venture into mobile speakers had the same high quality.

The speakers are metal dome but, after the usual break-in that Monitor Audio's need, they are incredible. The sound is crisp but not "bright or grating" and output is impressive. These qualities address your "open windows on the highway" problem. Trumphets will come alive on these speakers.

They are rated at 200W, but I used a 50W home amp for the break-in and they were plenty loud in a 12x15 room.

I replaced Morel Integras in my extended cab GMC, night and day difference. The guys at the install shop said "Whoa!".

Here is a thread on a UK forum where I asked about them before buying:

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=93484

As far as a sub, you could install the speakers and then see what you think. A single ID10 would be plenty if you decide you want a sub. Personally I think a sub adds a lot to the SQ.

Get a decent 4-channel amp, use two channels for the speakers and bridge the other two for the sub. You should easily stay under $500 and have a great SQ system in the Ranger.

 

[jacko 10+ year member]

Don't you just love the helpful posts!
Since you have a standard cab Ranger, I think one set of good speakers plus a small sub would more than adequately meet the goal you describe.

I suggest you take a look at the Monitor Audio Kar6 speakers that are on EBay right now. I bought a set from him 6 months ago (the reserve is $150).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32819&item=5787835351&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Monitor Audio makes excellent home speakers and their brief venture into mobile speakers had the same high quality.

The speakers are metal dome but, after the usual break-in that Monitor Audio's need, they are incredible. The sound is crisp but not "bright or grating" and output is impressive. These qualities address your "open windows on the highway" problem. Trumphets will come alive on these speakers.

They are rated at 200W, but I used a 50W home amp for the break-in and they were plenty loud in a 12x15 room.

I replaced Morel Integras in my extended cab GMC, night and day difference. The guys at the install shop said "Whoa!".

Here is a thread on a UK forum where I asked about them before buying:

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=93484

As far as a sub, you could install the speakers and then see what you think. A single ID10 would be plenty if you decide you want a sub. Personally I think a sub adds a lot to the SQ.

Get a decent 4-channel amp, use two channels for the speakers and bridge the other two for the sub. You should easily stay under $500 and have a great SQ system in the Ranger.

i don't believe the intial sarcasm in this post was needed, seeing how you sounded like a one brand car salesmen. I also find it interesting to think that a sub may not be needed, seeing how he is building an SQ system and you typically want the whole range of sound in an sq system, not just the typical dramactic drop in output a full range speaker will give(or not give //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif ) lower than 100-60hz. But your choice of Image dynamics as an ideal subwoofer brand was quite admirable.

 

[abnormanomaly]

Thank you for the help, i'll keep in mind what you said about my HU. That's one of the main things i'm worried about is buying a brand that isn't so great just because the price and the specs look good. I've acctually been shopping and reading for about 3 months now and think it might be time to start getting a little hands on, so thanks for the walk through on what to look for....

o and by the way AVSTANG02 what i'm trying to do is get a clue. I'm a computer tech i'm into electronics like i said. I'm just new to the car audio scene so things are a bit new to me, but i catch and learn fast. Computers started as a slight intrest for me my junior year of highschool and by the end of it i had built my first system and now i've turned it into a career with a BS in computer science. So i'm sorry if i sound a bit stupid to you, be assured i'm only hear to learn from people like you who have much more knowledge and experience in the car audio field than i do.

 

[flakko 5,000+ posts]

Don't you just love the helpful posts!
Since you have a standard cab Ranger, I think one set of good speakers plus a small sub would more than adequately meet the goal you describe.

I suggest you take a look at the Monitor Audio Kar6 speakers that are on EBay right now. I bought a set from him 6 months ago (the reserve is $150).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32819&item=5787835351&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Monitor Audio makes excellent home speakers and their brief venture into mobile speakers had the same high quality.

The speakers are metal dome but, after the usual break-in that Monitor Audio's need, they are incredible. The sound is crisp but not "bright or grating" and output is impressive. These qualities address your "open windows on the highway" problem. Trumphets will come alive on these speakers.

They are rated at 200W, but I used a 50W home amp for the break-in and they were plenty loud in a 12x15 room.

I replaced Morel Integras in my extended cab GMC, night and day difference. The guys at the install shop said "Whoa!".

Here is a thread on a UK forum where I asked about them before buying:

http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=93484

As far as a sub, you could install the speakers and then see what you think. A single ID10 would be plenty if you decide you want a sub. Personally I think a sub adds a lot to the SQ.

Get a decent 4-channel amp, use two channels for the speakers and bridge the other two for the sub. You should easily stay under $500 and have a great SQ system in the Ranger.

NO IDQ

 

[jacko 10+ year member]

^^^^^^comma between no and IDQ? you mean no image dynamics, or to get their IDQ line over their ID line of subs. I'm assuming you mean the IDQ line is more of an SQ line of subs.

(I know what your saying but someone new to the forums may not)

 

[cdj 10+ year member]

I recommended the ID v.3 over the IDQ v.2 for 2 reasons:

1. The ID is less expensive than the IDQ; bang for buck concept.

2. A number of posts have indicated the newer ID v.3 is as good a SQ sub as the older IDQ v.2.

Although there are number of other subs that could be considered, I recommended the ID because of good SQ; cost effectiveness; works well in a smaller enclosure; relatively low power requirements. All of which are considerations for this particular install.

Given the small cabin volume of the Ranger, even the ID8 could be a good choice with the type of music played with "booming" bottom end bass not being a priority.