Trying to figure out my first car audio setup..

[Camer138 10+ year member]

First I'll get the info out of the way.

I drive a 2005 Toyota Matrix with the stock 4 speaker setup right now.

I mainly listen to Heavy Metal and am looking for a setup that will suit this music well.

A Sub is the last thing on my list..

The first thing I want to do is put components in the front, replace the stock header, and get a decent 4 channel amp for around 250-350. And then when I feel like spending more money I will do the back speakers and stuff my doors with dynamat, but lets not talk about that right now..

I think I have the header and components figured out.. I will most likely be going for the Infinity Reference 6030cs speakers(My girlfriend gets mad discounts at future shop on these), and a simple Kenwood 348u for the header.

Where I'm really stuck is the amp part.. right now I'm kinda leaning on the JBL GTO1004 but am quite clueless as to what makes an amp considered "good"..

Can anyone give me some input on the speakers and head unit I am going for?

And can anyone recommend some decent amps for $250-$350?

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[>>SQL<< 10+ year member]

I think you can pay much less than that and still have a good amp

This is a solid clean amp that will you last you for many years

MB Quart ONX4.125 - 1000W RMS ONYX 4-Channel Car Amplifier/Amp

also if you have ever listened to Metal on a system with a strong sub stage you would not want it to be last on your list.

Run that amp, a good set of front component speakers, run stock speakers in the rear and buy a 10" woofer in a small sealed box in your trunk.

That would be a good system and I think it would surpass your exceptions by a lot.

That amp will run the front speakers and your subwoofer and the rear speakers will run just fine off the stock Head Unit (header??)

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Good choices IMO. I've had good luck with Infinity and JBL gear. Most of the head units above total crap tier are about the same, if you are buying local just play around with a few and see which one you like the feel of that has all the features you need.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

^^^ grab one with atleast 3 sets of preamps the higher the voltage the better and one that has the features you like the most and have a good day. I see nothing wrong with the speakers and amp u picked they are decent and should sound nice.

 

[Camer138 10+ year member]

Please excuse my newb terms such as header.. I swear I am by no means a troll!

I'll look into that amp for sure.. and while I do want a sub.. I would have to put it under my seat and I dont even know if thats possible.. I transport lots of band equipment so I cant have a sub box sitting anywhere in the open unfortunately.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

I agree on JBL, if you are getting it for a good price then I would go with that. I still have a few various JBL amps laying around, they are good amps for what they are.

 

[Camer138 10+ year member]

^^^ grab one with atleast 3 sets of preamps the higher the voltage the better and one that has the features you like the most and have a good day. I see nothing wrong with the speakers and amp u picked they are decent and should sound nice.

The 348u has 3 sets of pre outs.. It is only 2.5v, my friend at work said thats not too great.. but I really dont want to spend too much.

It is also a 1 bit (?)a/d/a converter(?).. not sure what the real difference between that and 24 bit is..

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

Please excuse my newb terms such as header.. I swear I am by no means a troll!
I'll look into that amp for sure.. and while I do want a sub.. I would have to put it under my seat and I dont even know if thats possible.. I transport lots of band equipment so I cant have a sub box sitting anywhere in the open unfortunately.

If you want just a little lowend and not to take up much if any space then pick up an Infinity Basslink. Other then that, perhaps getting something fiberglassed in is an option.

If you not sure what would fit if you did glass work, you could fit 2 8" and your amp on the passenger side by building a replacement side panel for your car.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

^^ could he not also use a 8 under his rear seats? I am not sure if they have a sloped floor or not. I mean it want be a comp winner but I know there are some 8's out there that can go in some very small .5 or less cf boxes.

 

[pro-rabbit 5,000+ posts]

^^ could he not also use a 8 under his rear seats? I am not sure if they have a sloped floor or not. I mean it want be a comp winner but I know there are some 8's out there that can go in some very small .5 or less cf boxes.

There is not enough volume under there for one. Could get by with a 6" perhaps but even then I don't think it would give him enough response per the cost of actually having it bought/built.

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

nevermind

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

There is not enough volume under there for one. Could get by with a 6" perhaps but even then I don't think it would give him enough response per the cost of actually having it bought/built.

Yea not sure about those cars and what the interior even looks like. Figured maybe they were like exp,envoys, etc that have at least enough room to put a 8 under there as I have seen many people use this space to store their extra batts and amps. If u can fit 3,4 group 31's under their then that’s more than enough room for a decent sized box I mean so low-end is better than none.

 

[Camer138 10+ year member]

I honestly don't feel the need for more low end than my stock speakers provide.. I just want more clarity in the lows, which I think new speakers should be able to pull off.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

I honestly don't feel the need for more low end than my stock speakers provide.. I just want more clarity in the lows, which I think new speakers should be able to pull off.

Well thats the problem u dnt actually have any at all those infinitys only play down to 70hz. So anything below 70hz you will not produce.

 

[disturbed471985 5,000+ posts]

One of these in a .3cf or so box would be a good option to produce freq down to 30hz and give you what you are missing with the setup you have listed above I mean there is alot of music out there "rap, blues,etc" that have notes much lower then 70hz. Dayton Audio DCS205-4 8" Classic Subwoofer 4 Ohm 295-200

Again I dnt know what ur car looks like inside but a box of that size is very small time to bust out the tape measure!!!