I'm new and looking for advice based on my budget.

roper · Nov 24, 2008

First of all, thanks for replying (and being patient enough to do so). I know little to none about car audio systems, so the help I hope to receive would be greatly appreciated. I tried to keep this organized because I feel like it would be a great hassle to have to surf through this message multiple times to understand what i'm asking for.

A little background info...

A few months ago, I received a car for my birthday. The car is a 1994 BMW 325i Sedan. With the car came an installed Sony Xplod head-unit. The unit is a CDX-F5700, but as I said, I don't know if this is one of the higher end or lower end head units, due to my lack of knowledge in car audio.

Why i'd like a new setup...

First off, I am posting this because I was hoping for a few suggestions on what speakers to get. Currently, the ones I have aren't anything special - they are your basic 1994 factory speakers. The car has little to no bass, which is really the main problem i'd like to fix. I tend to listen to rap and rock, and it is very noticeable when a rap song with some low bass is playing, yet you hear almost no bass whatsoever.

My budget and my priorities...

For Christmas, I planned on getting a whole new system, probably with a budget of no higher than $600/$700 if possible. As mentioned, my first and foremost priority is to get a bit of bass, but I don't need anything crazy. I'd just like my car to thump a little bit, nothing that i'm going to show-off. A friend of mine said that maybe i'd like an Alpine 10" Type-R subwoofer. I, of course, didn't know what to think of his advice because I can't verify it myself, so here I am asking you guys. Though I am saying I need bass, this doesn't mean I don't want some other speakers aswell. (Perhaps a good all around system, then if there is money leftover within the budget, use that to beef up the bass a bit more)

The bottom line...

Pretty much, i'm asking this: If you had $700 to spend on a new system, what would you buy? (This may or may not include head-unit, read the second paragraph)

The details...

Car Make: BMW

Car Model: 325i Sedan

Year: 1994

Head-Unit: Sony Xplod CDX-F5700

Speakers: Whatever came with the car in 1994.

roper · Nov 24, 2008

This doesn't seem to be getting a whole lot of response, so I am going to bump it once before I go to bed. If it doesn't get anything even after that, then I suppose i'll just look into the system myself. Thanks //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

andrew2944r · Nov 24, 2008

no Sony HU, imo

Get a new HU, flip out a few nice comp sets and a nice 100.4 from sundown audio.

Save some more money for Subs and amp

joshualittle · Nov 24, 2008

First you got a cd player so I'd keep it. It may not be the best but it's nice. Second I'd get an image dynamics component set, and a kicker amp and wait till you can spend the money on subs and an amp. Or you can keep your stock speakers and get a sub and amp and wait on the rest.

roper · Nov 24, 2008

I know you recommended image dynamics, but I was looking on crutchfield (using my car and setup to match a compatible system) and found this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SPX13PR/Alpine-SPX-13PRO.html?tp=106

What are your opinions on a system like this as a starting point. (Like I said, nothing crazy, just looking for a 'decent' system at the moment.)

Buying this would assume I would put more money into it in a few months/weeks of saving. Opinions?

EDIT: I realize that if I wanted a kicker amp aswell, I would rather go a bit cheaper on the set adn then spend some on a kicker amp. Maybe something like this: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500SPX13RE/Alpine-SPX-13REF.html?tp=106&avf=Y

Once again, opinions appreciated. (I could also use some help picking out a kicker amp to match this set if anyone has any suggestions. Like I said, I know nothing about car audio. And when I say nothing, I am not exaggerating. I mean nothing.

joshualittle · Nov 25, 2008

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3944. I'd pick this component set over the one you picked out anyday of the week. And please don't buy from crutchfield. Their prices ****, authorized or not. You'll still get a warranty from woofersetc.com. Hang on a minute and I'll give you an amp suggestion.

joshualittle · Nov 25, 2008

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19218. I'd go with this amp. They have it pretty cheap here. I'll check techronics.com to see if they have it any cheaper.

Horsemanwill · Nov 25, 2008

crutchfield's alpine prices don't **** they sell it at what the company lists them as as woofersetc does with ID products.. now i myself would choose the ID because never really been an Alpine fan cept teh old old decks. and if your willing to spend that much i'd get this set http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=5712 granted it's a 6.5 but a skilled installer will be able to accomadate. but josh was right in saying the cxs52 would also do good.

joshualittle · Nov 25, 2008

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK44. And here's a great wiring kit for a 4 channel amp. Knukonceptz makes some great gear.

joshualittle · Nov 25, 2008

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=6862. If you really wanted to stretch the budget I'd do this amp. It's the same one I'm getting. And I know someone who can get it cheaper for you if you wanna give me a pm I'll let you know who it is. He's an authorized arc dealer. Also horsemanwill can give you some very expert advice so I would recommend you listen to him also.

roper · Nov 25, 2008

Alright, after reviewing, I think these three items should be able to fit into my budget, along with installation and wiring.

Component Set

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3944

Kicker Amp

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19218

Wiring Kit

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK44

I'm still open to opinions, i'd obviously like some input from multiple angles here. Are these speakers/amp/wiring all compatible with each other? The last thing I need is to order this stuff to find out they don't go together.

Thanks again guys (especially joshua)

kingfish405 · Nov 25, 2008

i also have an e36 bmw. do not get the 5.25 components, go for 6.5". its not a very difficult install and you will be happy with extra midbass.

Plutoman · Nov 25, 2008

Ok. First thing.

4 channel amp on one set of components - not the best way to go. You want a 2 channel amplifier - and while kicker makes decent amps, there's a lot of other options - joshua tends to be a bit set in recommending ID + kicker over everything else.

The set of components is definitely good. It'll get you a great sound there. You need a decent 2 channel amplifier for 100 RMS to each channel @ 4 ohms. If you still want kicker, this would be better for this - http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3952

If you just want a decent system, you can go much cheaper.

And hell, you need a better HU. The HU will determine how clean of a signal you can put out. I'd personally get a slightly cheaper ID component set, a smaller amplifier, and get a decent HU.

A 6.5" component set is going to a better overall deal than a 5.25", too, as said. If you feel up to doing a little bit of work, you can do it just fine.

kingfish405 · Nov 25, 2008

from my experience, here's what i had before im my bmw..

stage 1...

5.25 polk audio component

12" polk db sub in sealed box

orion 8004 (100x2 for front, 400x1 subs)

stage 2..

cdt audio 6.5" es63i braxial with image tweeters in the pillar firing to windshield

12" IDMAX in sealed box

orion 8002 for fronts (200x2)

rockford fosgate 8002 for sub (800x1)

the first stage gave a noticeable SQ improvement from stock.

second stage is just awesome

all installation professionally done. tons of dynamat extreme in the kickpanels.

forgot to add.. HU is an eclipse CD5000 bought on sale from sounddomain.com for $240 back in the days

roper · Nov 25, 2008

Thanks for all your input Plutoman/kingfish, that was very helpful.

So, after browsing a bit, I came across this:

ID Set:

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=6201

Kicker amp:

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=3952

I don't know much about head units, maybe someone could help me select one. If you disagree with the two items above, i'm willing to hear opinions, and posting your own suggestions is very helpful aswell!

By the way, I listen to most of my music through my 30gb Zune. I realize some head units have different input types, I figured that including this bit would help someone point me in the right direction. I listen to the radio occasionally, but probably 95% it's my Zune.

EDIT: Just read your newer post Kingfish, and this brought up a question. You mentioned that your system was professionally installed. If I were to buy the equipment I am speaking of, is this something I could do without going to a place to have it installed and paying a load of money, or is this too complicated to tackle for someone not in the business? Reason I ask is because my dad is very good with circuitry and the like, and I have a few friends who know a good amount about car audio. Would it be smarter to save the money and ask them to install it, or spend the extra money and get it installed by the local audio store. Thanks!

Search

I'm new and looking for advice based on my budget.

roper
10+ year member

Member

roper
10+ year member

Member

andrew2944r
10+ year member

CarAudio.com Elite

joshualittle

Banned

roper
10+ year member

Member

joshualittle

Banned

joshualittle

Banned

Horsemanwill
10+ year member

CarAudio.com Veteran

joshualittle

Banned

joshualittle

Banned

roper
10+ year member

Member

kingfish405
10+ year member

Junior Member

Plutoman
10+ year member

<-- Yes, that's me.

kingfish405
10+ year member

Junior Member

roper
10+ year member

Member

Similar threads

About this thread

roper

Chris Gerrish

Chris Gerrish

Latest topics

I'm new and looking for advice based on my budget.

roper 10+ year member

Member

roper 10+ year member

Member

andrew2944r 10+ year member

CarAudio.com Elite

Banned

roper 10+ year member

Member

Banned

Banned

Horsemanwill 10+ year member

CarAudio.com Veteran

Banned

Banned

roper 10+ year member

Member

kingfish405 10+ year member

Junior Member

Plutoman 10+ year member

<-- Yes, that's me.

kingfish405 10+ year member

Junior Member

roper 10+ year member

Member

Similar threads

About this thread

Latest topics

roper
10+ year member

roper
10+ year member

andrew2944r
10+ year member

roper
10+ year member

Horsemanwill
10+ year member

roper
10+ year member

kingfish405
10+ year member

Plutoman
10+ year member

kingfish405
10+ year member

roper
10+ year member