Soundstream SME.650C, any good?

[spokey9]

But here is a fact. You will never get as accurate and SQ oriented sound with inexpensive Pro/PA drivers (or even mid-priced) not gonna happen.

The fact is only a small percentage of people are actually chasing real sq...lots of people are happy with pro audio or companies wouldn't produce them

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

The percentage of companies putting out pro style gear, relative to SQ gear is very small, there is a reason. I guess we can just agree to disagree.

 

[spokey9]

The percentage of companies putting out pro style gear, relative to SQ gear is very small, there is a reason. I guess we can just agree to disagree.

Only if you're counting boutique audio brands that most of the general public hasn't heard of

 

[Old_Slapper]

Not sure if you're willing, but the best way to get better sound is to change out the head unit and factory amp. This will provide the biggest change in sound quality.

 

[Old_Slapper]

I have had both pro audio and SQ speakers. Bother were high end, but not the highest. Working at high end shops and being a DJ, I was able to hear the highest end of both sides. The best sounding pro audio speakers I have heard are the Bose units. They sounded pretty freaking good, but not as good as SQ stuff. They would make better sound SQ pro audio speakers, but nobody would buy them. What would be the purpose? you can't hear much detail when your in a crowded room of people. You would also need to dump a crap ton of money on amps. The biggest part is, who would want to constantly transport a $20k+ sound system from gig to gig? Either way, if you get the chance to hear the Bose system, do so.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I would recommend Polk Audio MM series components if you are not interested in the CDT HD series components. Id recommend placing an amplifier on any chosen to gain the benefits of the performance

 

[Abilan17]

Not sure if you're willing, but the best way to get better sound is to change out the head unit and factory amp. This will provide the biggest change in sound quality.

I am but not at this moment since I'm on a bit of a budget I have to do a little bit at a time. I've decided to go with these, Pioneer TS-Z65C 6.5" Component Speaker System 300 Watts Max RB as suggested by (Doxquzme). What head unit an amp would you pair with these Pioneer's?

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

Head units are not my forte, I'm old school CD playback, DEH-80/880/99PRS old school. There are a number of folks in here with a lot more HU experience than me. I guess I'll get up to speed when my last 80-PRS dies, but that will be a while, still have another instorage and 99s are still out there!

As for 4 channel amplifiers on a budget (price being a serious consideration here), lots to choose from. I would recommend sticking to units that can utilize high level inputs, then you can wir it straight to the HU of choices.

Class A/B

$95 on amazon, here is the model on ebay

REA600.4 1040 Watts Full-Range Class A/B 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 2-3 Ohm | eBay

Class A/B 4-Channel Amplifier, 1040 Watts Max Power, RMS 130 Watts x 4 Channels@2 Ohm; RMS 95 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS Power (Bridged): 260 Watts x 2@4Ohm. Highly efficient heatsinks keep the amplifier cool with a sophisticated new look.

www.ebay.com

Full range class D

The recoil site is down this morning but check out their $85 4 channel full range Class D, I think it is the REA600.4?, it's a decent power unit and the price is right.

$140

CT Sounds CT-80.4AB 480 Watt RMS Full-Range Class AB 4 Channel Car Amplifier 769055241850 | eBay

CT Sounds engineered the CT-80.4AB Full-Range Class AB Multichannel Car Amplifier for anyone in need of a powerhouse amplifier that fits just about anywhere in your vehicle and won’t destroy your wallet.

www.ebay.com

$114

DS18 G1000.4D Car Audio Amplifier 1000 Watts Full-Range Class D 4-Channel | eBay

DS18’s GEN-X Series is back to boost all systems to top-of-the-line performance! DS18 PW-OFC4GA-50CMGR 4-GA Ground Power Cable 50 FT Flex 100% OFC Camo Green. DS18 PW-OFC4GA-50YL 4-GA Ultra Flex 100% OFC Ground Power Cable 50 Feet Yellow.

www.ebay.com

$125

Taramps TS 800x4 800 watts 2 Ohms Amplifier Class D 4 Channel 800W RMS | eBay

@ 14.4 VDC - 2 OHMS: 800W RMS (4 x 200W RMS). @ 14.4 VDC - 4 OHMS: 544W RMS (4 x 136W RMS). 2 Bridged channels 4 OHMS: 400W RMS (2 x 400W RMS). This feature makes it ideal for this type of application, eliminating the need for adapters.

www.ebay.com

$140

Alpine BBX-F1200 4-Channel Car Amplifier | 600W Max Power | High/Low Pass Filter 4958043544301 | eBay

The amp's compact size (330mm x 52mm x 240mm) makes it easy to install in a variety of spaces. Total Max Power: 600W. EQ (Equalizer): Bass EQ Fixed Frequency 45 Hz, Q=0.5, Variable Gain 0dB to +12dB (3/4 Ch only).

www.ebay.com

$132

Pioneer GM-D8704 600W Class FD 4-Channel Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote 884938421928 | eBay

Pioneer GM-D8704 600W Class FD 4-Channel GM Digital Series Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote. GM Digital Series 4-Channel Class FD Car Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote. 4 gauge power and ground wiring is required for installation.

www.ebay.com

$67 (cheap power, not a fan of the connector type or the crossovers, might not matter in this scenario)

NEW Taramps TS400X4 Full Range 2 Ohm 4 Channel 400W Class D Car Audio Amplifier | eBay

So why wait?. Perfect for use in vehicles, this amplifier is optimized for 2 ohm impedance and provides exceptional performance.

www.ebay.com

 

[Old_Slapper]

I am but not at this moment since I'm on a bit of a budget I have to do a little bit at a time. I've decided to go with these, Pioneer TS-Z65C 6.5" Component Speaker System 300 Watts Max RB as suggested by (Doxquzme). What head unit an amp would you pair with these Pioneer's?

Personally, I like the Pioneer head units the best. More flexibility and user friendly. If your on a budget, then a new headunit might be the best option. That, alone, has shown to provide a better sound. The sound, your speakers make, are only as good as the sound that is sent to them. For cost cutting and to prevent damage to the speakers, auto manufacturers will skimp on sound quality of a radio. They will 20 speakers in a car, but they will charge you up the yang for it because people think "OOOOOH... it has 20 speakers!"

I worked in car audio from 1997 to 2013. I worked at some of the highest end shops and I worked at Best Buy. Every time a person told me they wanted amps and speakers for better sound, I always talked them down to a deck and speakers. Just make sure to run at least a 12awg constant wire from the battery to your deck. So you are aware, there is hardly any markup in a head unit. There might be a $20 markup on a $200 radio where speakers and amps have almost a 75% markup.

Here's a true story. A guy, with a H2 Hummer, came in and wanted extremely good sound. He was an audiophile. He purchased Arc Audio Robert Zeff Signature amps, Rainbow components, and a JL Audio sub. However, he refused to replace his head unit. After listening to the system, he became extremely irritated because he just spent $12k on a system and the sound was mediocre. The speakers sounded nothing like they did in the sound room. He was asking for a refund. I recommended a new radio. He refused and insisted it wouldn't make a difference. I grabed a $70 Pioneer radio, which was the cheapest Pioneer we had, and hooked it up to his system. His jaw dropped on how big of a difference it made. He ended up getting a $2k Pioneer in-dash touchscreen.

 

[Abilan17]

Head units are not my forte, I'm old school CD playback, DEH-80/880/99PRS old school. There are a number of folks in here with a lot more HU experience than me. I guess I'll get up to speed when my last 80-PRS dies, but that will be a while, still have another instorage and 99s are still out there!

As for 4 channel amplifiers on a budget (price being a serious consideration here), lots to choose from. I would recommend sticking to units that can utilize high level inputs, then you can wir it straight to the HU of choices.

Class A/B

$95 on amazon, here is the model on ebay

REA600.4 1040 Watts Full-Range Class A/B 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 2-3 Ohm | eBay

Class A/B 4-Channel Amplifier, 1040 Watts Max Power, RMS 130 Watts x 4 Channels@2 Ohm; RMS 95 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS Power (Bridged): 260 Watts x 2@4Ohm. Highly efficient heatsinks keep the amplifier cool with a sophisticated new look.

www.ebay.com

Full range class D

The recoil site is down this morning but check out their $85 4 channel full range Class D, I think it is the REA600.4?, it's a decent power unit and the price is right.

$140

CT Sounds CT-80.4AB 480 Watt RMS Full-Range Class AB 4 Channel Car Amplifier 769055241850 | eBay

CT Sounds engineered the CT-80.4AB Full-Range Class AB Multichannel Car Amplifier for anyone in need of a powerhouse amplifier that fits just about anywhere in your vehicle and won’t destroy your wallet.

www.ebay.com

$114

DS18 G1000.4D Car Audio Amplifier 1000 Watts Full-Range Class D 4-Channel | eBay

DS18’s GEN-X Series is back to boost all systems to top-of-the-line performance! DS18 PW-OFC4GA-50CMGR 4-GA Ground Power Cable 50 FT Flex 100% OFC Camo Green. DS18 PW-OFC4GA-50YL 4-GA Ultra Flex 100% OFC Ground Power Cable 50 Feet Yellow.

www.ebay.com

$125

Taramps TS 800x4 800 watts 2 Ohms Amplifier Class D 4 Channel 800W RMS | eBay

@ 14.4 VDC - 2 OHMS: 800W RMS (4 x 200W RMS). @ 14.4 VDC - 4 OHMS: 544W RMS (4 x 136W RMS). 2 Bridged channels 4 OHMS: 400W RMS (2 x 400W RMS). This feature makes it ideal for this type of application, eliminating the need for adapters.

www.ebay.com

$140

Alpine BBX-F1200 4-Channel Car Amplifier | 600W Max Power | High/Low Pass Filter 4958043544301 | eBay

The amp's compact size (330mm x 52mm x 240mm) makes it easy to install in a variety of spaces. Total Max Power: 600W. EQ (Equalizer): Bass EQ Fixed Frequency 45 Hz, Q=0.5, Variable Gain 0dB to +12dB (3/4 Ch only).

www.ebay.com

$132

Pioneer GM-D8704 600W Class FD 4-Channel Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote 884938421928 | eBay

Pioneer GM-D8704 600W Class FD 4-Channel GM Digital Series Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote. GM Digital Series 4-Channel Class FD Car Amplifier w/ Wired Bass Boost Remote. 4 gauge power and ground wiring is required for installation.

www.ebay.com

$67 (cheap power, not a fan of the connector type or the crossovers, might not matter in this scenario)

NEW Taramps TS400X4 Full Range 2 Ohm 4 Channel 400W Class D Car Audio Amplifier | eBay

So why wait?. Perfect for use in vehicles, this amplifier is optimized for 2 ohm impedance and provides exceptional performance.

www.ebay.com

Thank you for these, I like the Taramps TS 800x4 800 watts 2 Ohms Amplifier Class D 4 Channel 800W RMS, I've watched a few video's on ghem and people seem to love them. Thank you for your honesty on the HU's. You have expanded my mind with all these options I didn't know where out there.

 

[Abilan17]

Personally, I like the Pioneer head units the best. More flexibility and user friendly. If your on a budget, then a new headunit might be the best option. That, alone, has shown to provide a better sound. The sound, your speakers make, are only as good as the sound that is sent to them. For cost cutting and to prevent damage to the speakers, auto manufacturers will skimp on sound quality of a radio. They will 20 speakers in a car, but they will charge you up the yang for it because people think "OOOOOH... it has 20 speakers!"

I worked in car audio from 1997 to 2013. I worked at some of the highest end shops and I worked at Best Buy. Every time a person told me they wanted amps and speakers for better sound, I always talked them down to a deck and speakers. Just make sure to run at least a 12awg constant wire from the battery to your deck. So you are aware, there is hardly any markup in a head unit. There might be a $20 markup on a $200 radio where speakers and amps have almost a 75% markup.

Here's a true story. A guy, with a H2 Hummer, came in and wanted extremely good sound. He was an audiophile. He purchased Arc Audio Robert Zeff Signature amps, Rainbow components, and a JL Audio sub. However, he refused to replace his head unit. After listening to the system, he became extremely irritated because he just spent $12k on a system and the sound was mediocre. The speakers sounded nothing like they did in the sound room. He was asking for a refund. I recommended a new radio. He refused and insisted it wouldn't make a difference. I grabed a $70 Pioneer radio, which was the cheapest Pioneer we had, and hooked it up to his system. His jaw dropped on how big of a difference it made. He ended up getting a $2k Pioneer in-dash touchscreen.

Thank you, Old_Slapper, for what ever reason I've always thought that Pioneer was as I call it a Walmart brand but since beeing on this forum I've heard nothing but great things from people who abviously know much more than me. Your the 2nd person who recomends a Pioneer product. I'm seriosly concidering replacing my factory HU for a Pioneer HU, now all I have to figure out which HU to buy and how to install it, I know I'll have to do a few mods to get it to fit and sit right and look like it's always been there.

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

Recoil site is back up. I like their connectors and they have better corrossovers pots, Taramps can be somewhat sensative.

$85

DI550.4 Full-Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 1,040 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, Mosfet Power Supply, Bridgeable - Recoil Audio

Class D 4-Channel Amplifier, 1040 Watts Max Power, RMS 130 Watts x 4 Channels@2 Ohm; RMS 80 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS (Bridged): 260 Watts x 2@4Ohm; Peak Power: 260 Watts x 4@2Ohm Featuring a high-speed MOSFET power supply, premium-grade internal components, as well as 4-way protection circuitry, the...

www.recoilaudio.com

$130

DI800.4 Full-Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 1,500 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, MOSFET Power Supply, Bridgeable - Recoil Audio

Features: Class-D 4-Channel Amplifier, 1500 Watts Max Power, RMS 185 Watts x 4@2 Ohm; RMS 125 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS (Bridged): 360 Watts x 2@4Ohm; Peak Power: 370 Watts x 4@2Ohm Featuring a high-speed MOSFET power supply, premium grade internal components, as well as 4-way protection circuitry...

www.recoilaudio.com

This new one is itsy bitsy!

$141

DII400.4 Ultra Compact Full Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, Max 800 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, Bridgeable - Recoil Audio

Class D 4-Channel Amplifier, 800 Watts Max Power, RMS 100 Watts x 4@2 Ohm; RMS 60 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS (Bridged): 200 Watts x 2@4Ohm Features: RCA level and speaker level inputs / Turn-on mode selection (REM, VOX, DC) / RCA pass-through outputs / Thermal, voltage, speaker, short circuit...

www.recoilaudio.com

All their current amplifiers

Buy Amplifiers for Car Audio - Recoil Audio

An amplifier boosts the voltage of an audio signal from a head unit to a higher level. Buy car audio amplifiers online by Recoil Audio.

www.recoilaudio.com

 

[Abilan17]

Recoil site is back up. I like their connectors and they have better corrossovers pots, Taramps can be somewhat sensative.

$85

DI550.4 Full-Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 1,040 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, Mosfet Power Supply, Bridgeable - Recoil Audio

Class D 4-Channel Amplifier, 1040 Watts Max Power, RMS 130 Watts x 4 Channels@2 Ohm; RMS 80 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS (Bridged): 260 Watts x 2@4Ohm; Peak Power: 260 Watts x 4@2Ohm Featuring a high-speed MOSFET power supply, premium-grade internal components, as well as 4-way protection circuitry, the...

www.recoilaudio.com

$130

DI800.4 Full-Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 1,500 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, MOSFET Power Supply, Bridgeable - Recoil Audio

Features: Class-D 4-Channel Amplifier, 1500 Watts Max Power, RMS 185 Watts x 4@2 Ohm; RMS 125 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS (Bridged): 360 Watts x 2@4Ohm; Peak Power: 370 Watts x 4@2Ohm Featuring a high-speed MOSFET power supply, premium grade internal components, as well as 4-way protection circuitry...

www.recoilaudio.com

This new one is itsy bitsy!

$141

DII400.4 Ultra Compact Full Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, Max 800 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, Bridgeable - Recoil Audio

Class D 4-Channel Amplifier, 800 Watts Max Power, RMS 100 Watts x 4@2 Ohm; RMS 60 Watts x 4@4Ohm; RMS (Bridged): 200 Watts x 2@4Ohm Features: RCA level and speaker level inputs / Turn-on mode selection (REM, VOX, DC) / RCA pass-through outputs / Thermal, voltage, speaker, short circuit...

www.recoilaudio.com

All their current amplifiers

Buy Amplifiers for Car Audio - Recoil Audio

An amplifier boosts the voltage of an audio signal from a head unit to a higher level. Buy car audio amplifiers online by Recoil Audio.

www.recoilaudio.com

Your right, this one

DI550.4 Full-Range Class-D 4-Channel Car Audio Amplifier, 1,040 Watts, 2-4 Ohm Stable, Mosfet Power Supply, Bridgeable​

looks really nice, the look of it is much cleaner, it will pair nice with the

Pioneer TS-Z65C 6.5" Component Speaker System 300 Watts Max RB​

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

Thank you, Old_Slapper, for what ever reason I've always thought that Pioneer was as I call it a Walmart brand but since beeing on this forum I've heard nothing but great things from people who abviously know much more than me. Your the 2nd person who recomends a Pioneer product. I'm seriosly concidering replacing my factory HU for a Pioneer HU, now all I have to figure out which HU to buy and how to install it, I know I'll have to do a few mods to get it to fit and sit right and look like it's always been there.

Pioneer makes products on a par with many of the best there is to offer, just not in the states anymore. Their PRS, Premier, Stage Four and Carrozzeria lines offer some really hi-end stuff, world class. Again, not the HU guy here and my understanding, of late, is that Kenwood Excelon is the go to for android/apple HU products. I'm sure pioneer has some respectable units too, and as has been stated (and the reason I stick with the old CD units with Burr Brown DAC's) everything starts with the source.

For years, pioneer promoted (more like whored out) it's products to everyone and anyone that would sell it. That has done a lot to tarnish their reputation as a hardcore car audio equipment designers and manufacturer insofar as the US domestic market is concerned. Their international stuff still rocks and wins many awards. They have a very prestigious design center in Japan that turns out some real world class stuff - except in/for the US. Their GM-D line of amps are pretty solid performers, have used many in builds and they never give me any issues. Go out to ebay and querry Pioneer carrozzeria, some really nize shiz!

I just wish they still made amps that look like this!

Beautiful to look at and to listen too.

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

edit