Wanna build a system - are brand name parts REALLY worth the cost?

[ivj]

I have a 97 eclipse spyder (convertible), and I want to put 2 12" on the sides of the trunk, and one 18" in place of the spare tire.

Now I'm not desparate to do that, so I want to save some money by finding good deals overtime. I hear mixed opinion on what stuff I should buy. Car Toys people tell me I GOTTA buy brand name stuf like JL because the quality difference is unmistakable (yet they still carry a ton of "crappy" subs).

So can somebody clear this up for me - what kind of equipment should I be looking for... I mean non-brand name stuff I can buy on ebay all of this (+the amp) for less than $500 EASY. But with brand name stuff this here is $1000+...

But am I really paying for quality or for the brand name advertising?

Any input is welcome!

Click to read more...

 

[RedlineAccord 10+ year member]

Ok, a few things. I'm not an expert, but I do know that you do NOT mix sub sizes. If you want 2 12's, or 2 15's, or just one 18, do it. Don't start mixing 2 of one, and 1 of another size. It has to do with the sound waves and frequencies each sub could produce I believe. I'm sure someone else could explain it better. As for JL, they are quality stuff, and no way in hell do they carry a ton of "crappy" subs. They ARE expensive though. Really good SQ subs.

As for the system... 500 dollars won't even get you all the subs you want, whether you're looking top end or low end. I would wait and save up for something decent or you'll end up like I did (I've gone from lightning audio 10's, to rockford P1's, to JL 10w3's, and just a single rockford 15" t1 now). Its expensive going through different setups. Save up now and do the right thing, and get a decent brand. You can ask around here and get a system that isn't the everyday best buy shit for cheaper than they sell their car audio. To a point you do pay for quality.

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

i would rather have a good amp with crappy subs than a crap amp with good subs.

all crap subs can do is blow up. a cheap amp may not make the power it's supposed to, or use a TON of electricty to make it.

more expensive subs wont necessarily "sound better" there's just different drivers designed for different purposes. Some of the most expensive drivers out there will sound like total *** if you're expecting quality, and vise-versa, there's expensive drivers that will not get terribly loud, but sound good. You need to look at the t/s specs of the drivers (assuming they're accurate) to determine which drivers you want.

I'm sure i didn't answer any of your questions. But i got to the two 12's and one 18 parts, and couldn't force myself to read any further.

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

Reasearch, research, research.

Then save up for the lowest priced name setup you feel comfortable paying for.

Really, more than half the fun is in the shopping and planning.

 

[yacob.naif 10+ year member]

Really, ALL the fun is in the shopping and planning.

so true, so true.

the best part of putting a system together is the anticipation of getting all the components together piece by piece, and just waiting for install-day.

Regardless of how much $$ you spend, putting a system together is hit or miss. That anticipation to find out which way it will go is addictive.

 

[MTXman 10+ year member]

Car audio is definitely a good example of "you get what you pay for" most of the time.

Some brands are more pricey than others, but overall, if you pay for crap - you get crap, pay more $$$ get sexay stuffs.

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

It should never be about the brand.

It should always be about the product.

 

[Notwerk 10+ year member]

Within reason, you're paying for quality. That isn't to say that there aren't some good values out there, but if you buy no-name flea market stuff, don't be surprised when it sucks.

I think it's wiser to look for those values. There are great brands that aren't so well known that make good stuff. CDT, Crystal Mobile Sound, for example.

Why don't you tell us how much you have to spend and what your goals are and maybe we can help you plan?

 

[ivj]

Well research is what I'm doing now..

As for the comment that mixing diferent subs is a bad idea - I'm not an audio expert, but from my Phys 203 education I can HIGHLY disagree with what you're saying. After all, why do they make 4-way speakers? If I have 2 12" playing on mid-low, and one 18" playing on low - how's that a "bad idea"? Can someone clear this up?

As for how much I want to spend - I have no idea. I'll definitely be building all the enclosures myself, so I have to figure out if going with 2 12s and 1 18 is a good idea or not. I mean I want both, quality, and loud. A good mix of both. Not really top-end, but good (and my definition of good is I'll be enjoying the music, really, 4 4-way speakers for my old camry did it for me for under $100). But I also want loud. This time.

So really, I need amp (no idea how much power, besides, from what I hear, most manuf. put BS power ratings on their amps), 3 subs, 4 speakers, 2 tweeters, the deck, the wires, and the fuse. I don't want to spend more than $1,000, and I want to find good deals overtime, because what I have right now is decent and works.

So any thoughts?

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

Well research is what I'm doing now..
As for the comment that mixing diferent subs is a bad idea - I'm not an audio expert, but from my Phys 203 education I can HIGHLY disagree with what you're saying. After all, why do they make 4-way speakers? If I have 2 12" playing on mid-low, and one 18" playing on low - how's that a "bad idea"? Can someone clear this up?

Different T/S specs and ideally you want to sub to play up to around 70hz and set your LPF there. So 2 12"s on mid-low? Like 50-70hz and the 18" up to 50hz? You will have a hard time, if not it will be impossible, to have them "blend" right. You will get cancellation and the subs will sound very different at different notes.

Trust us, don't do it.

 

[ivj]

(( but from what I hear 2 12" is pretty much same as 1 12"... So come on gimme some advice on what's a good way to go.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

After all, why do they make 4-way speakers?

If you're talking about coaxial 4-way speakers, they make them because there are guillible people out there that will buy them. It has nothing to do with audio and everything to do with capitalism.

 

[ivj]

Why can't you just post it here? Or is it underground stuff?

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

wow, good job jP

 

[maldecido33 10+ year member]

thats what college is doing to me //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif