That's the build I'll be going with. The 4 Channel Amp powers 4 Infinity component speakers, the Mono Amp powers the Kicker sub. The CarPC will output 4.1 audio to the amps, giving me surround sound. I think the setup I've chosen will sound pretty damn decent, which is what I'm looking for. Anyone have any opinions that would say otherwise?
what kinda music do you mainly listen to? I think infinity reference series is garbage, you could go cheaper on the amps and not even notice a difference and then spend more on a better set of components for the front.
yea what he said i guess you really like best buy.
for mid's look into cdt audio alot better and you can get them for a good price, for amp's you can go with soundstream and get better amp's for a lower price. also someone can hook you up that's on the org for the amp's and someone else for sub's
I've posted before in this forum and Infinity Reference came highly recommended. I don't intend to buy any of this at Best Buy, I'll be purchasing it through a friend "in the business" we'll say.
I want an average sound, nothing high end needed, so if you think the Reference series is garbage, could you recommend some component speakers that are better for around the same price?
I have never heard em in person, but i know JLaudiocav will be in here recomending the 6.5 inch CDT components...CL-61's I believe... from what I've heard people say they're one of the best bang for the buck deals you can get...Might wanna look into those
wysiwyg wrote:i would say they bang, they don't really pound so much. but if
you want to bump, then they will bump and hit real hard and a lot good. 
LOL
CDT CL-61
eD 6000s v.2
both would run circles around those infinity components... who is highly recomending infinity reference comps??? i havent seen it....
Amps.. well with the GP pricing at eD, i would say a NINe.1 and NINe.2 for the subs and comps
if eD for some reason isn't your cup of tea, SoundStream makes awesome amps and has good prices, also keep an eye on ikesound.com for refurbs from Directed Audio, Viper Audio, Precision Power(aka PPI), and Orion(all of those brands are DEI products and factory refurbs are not a bad way to go!)..
and for those subs... Kicker gets decent loud for the money, no doubting that... but if u listen to more music than test tones and want crystal clear music all around, not just a good front stage and some stupidly loud sloppy subs, i would look elsewhere... eD 13Kv.2 would sound way better than kicker compVRs definately... and a box built to their specs will be the only way to go, NEVER get a prefab box... if going ported, slightly lower tuning (28-30hz) would be better for sound quality, slightly higher(say 32-35hz) will allow a lil more output....
Im not trying to knock your set up plans, but honestly... i am a big time sucker for sound quality and good prices, so your set up needs some tweaks IMO, and why 2 sets of comps? because you have 4 doors? i would keep some stock, or some cheaper coaxials out back powered off the HU, nice set of comps up front off a 2 channel amp, fade to the front more, spend lots of time tuning or having an audio shop help tune and you will be VERY happy. the rears are going to draw your soundstage back more, and honestly... with a properly set up and powered front stage, the rear passengers wont mind... but the fade button and the coaxials out back are there for them if they bitch... my music is for ME wether someone is in the back or not lol....
and as for "i have a friend 'in the business' lets say"... the way you word it, its some theif selling you stuff he stole or something.... the internet is a good place for good prices.... i wouldnt limit my selection just because "my friend is 'in the business'" or whatever..... quality and sound over price IMO,.... although if you are too cheap for a $95 set of comps that will outperform most comps around 150, or a sub for less than 100 that i would put on the same playing field as a W3, then you might wanna keep saving as far as i see your plans going.... good luck with everything no matter what tho!
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
I just bought a 20 inch widescreen ultrasharp flat pannel..I'm going to have to subscribe to the high quality porn places now......damn
I can't google anything but forum posts all over the web about eD 13kv.2. I can appreciate that you're recommending it, but I'd like to get some third party opinions. What is "eD" - the company? Is it the series?
I'll also check out the CDT CL-61s and the eD 6000s v.2.
What's wrong with the amps? I need a 4 channel amp for 4 speakers and a mono amp for the sub so that when I output my sound from the CarPC I'll have 4.1, which is the goal. Is the brand NINe, or is that the line of amplifiers they make?
Ok nevermind, checked it out and figured out it means "Elemental Designs"
The prices are EXTEMELY reasonable, so I'm going to do a bit of research.
JLAudioCav, would you recommend going all eD? If so, which components would you say fits this setup best:
- 4 speakers driven by a 4 channel amp
- 1 subwoofer driven by a mono amp
I appreciate the help!
I would skip the car PC and go straight for an Alpine DVA Flipscreen Combo (Connect to each other via Fibre Optic), and the MRA D550 (if you wanna spend a tad more, OR the MRA F350. Do not waste your time with those Car PC's and a Non Alpine Flip Out unit. Either of these amps come 5.1 ready and can replace the mono block and 4 channel amp. This can even end up saving you money. !!!!
-As said, the CL 61's, and 6k's from eD will rip the infinity's a new hole.
-BUT if you plan on doing multimedia, DO IT RIGHT. Do not go half ass and spend money on gear that need not be spent.
My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"
Amps: Good. Can't go wrong with alpine.
Components: IDK. I only like alpine and focal so I can't help you out there.
Subs: Kickers not bad. I prefer alpine and JL.
Carputer: Good choice if you know what you're doing. The Alpine DVA's that Short Hand mentioned are amazing but quite expensive. A carputer can do the same stuff for 1/4 the price of a DVA unit.
The only thing is what kind of setup are you running??
You said in your other post that you were lookin at about 1100 which is a LOT for a carputer. You must be running a Core DUO or something but I'll wait til you post ur setup before I tell you why thats bad.
The other thing. Your carputer may put out 4.1 surround, but you won't hear it as surround sound. For that, you need a center channel. And if you are gonna do that then it's worth it to just do a rear center channel and you can run 5.1.
IMO, don't worry about running surround sound unless you don't mind putting out the other money for another amp and speaker set. Your choice.
-Seth
allot of people reccomend the infinity because its generally good quality for what you can find in the best buy cc type stores. most people dont know audio brands unless they are at b.b or c.c.
when your looking into most technical electronic gear you have to remember that 90% of the people out there are just going to go to their local electronic store and buy whats popular. that doesnt make it the best, its just the most sold. kinda like saying a cavalier is the best car because they sell allot more cavaliers then they do corvettes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography
what you mean 4.1? lilke surround sound? ?? you putting a screen to replace your windshield and sitting on the center console? because i dont see the bennefit of going with a "surround sound" type set up rather than going with the type of set up most people invovled in SQ comps will run.... sub channel, front stage......thats it... more doesnt always equal better.... if music is your thing and u want ur music, good clear and loud dump some money into the front comps, sub, enclosure and amps, saving money on the rears allows to spend more to go further up the scale with everything else,...BUT, if u want to run all 4 corners, why not snag 2 sets of whatever comps u chose and get a NINe.4?
so, what is your total budget for the amps, sub, enclosure, and speakers? budget that you can spend on JUST those components, and is fvront and rear necesary, or will you trust us on being happy with just fronts?
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
I just bought a 20 inch widescreen ultrasharp flat pannel..I'm going to have to subscribe to the high quality porn places now......damn
If you have any questions about any Elemental Designs products or the special forum pricing, feel free to shoot me a PM.
If you would like to send me a pm with your budget, goals and a rough overview of what size drivers you are looking for. I can get help you out a little bit. get you some pricing and what to expect of the system. If you have questions about the 13kv2 ask jlaudiocavalier as he has been running a 13kv2 for a little while and loving it.
Thanks again.
Alex Lindeman
elemental designs
alexl@edesignaudio.com
Elemental Designs
Performance.Mobile.Audio.
alexl@edesignaudio.com
Warehouse Manager
DON'T COME IN HERE AND SAY IM LOVING IT SPEAKING FOR ME AND ALL THIS CRAP, THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!
ok Alex, so I AM loving it
but i had to give ya some crap...
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
I just bought a 20 inch widescreen ultrasharp flat pannel..I'm going to have to subscribe to the high quality porn places now......damn
im only going off what you tell me
i actually think im going back to 13kv2s in my vehicle....
Elemental Designs
Performance.Mobile.Audio.
alexl@edesignaudio.com
Warehouse Manager
Once you go to a 5.1 Setup with a music/Concert DVd... YOU can't go back, it really it a nice experience car audio wise. It is what im shooting for in my next setup, full multimedia. eD SHOULD get into this market which is sadly dominated by Alpine and Alpine only, which in the end discourages competitive growth in that section of Car audio itself.
My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"
Hopefully, new audio formats arrive in time, mixed in 5.1, no video just audio, it would be a nice change of pace. BUT I did enjoy my time watching an Eagles concert DVD in a car that popped into the shop I used to work at
My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"
X2 on the Infinity components, stick with the ED's or CDT's. IMO if you are going to a surround set-up you need to do it right. Alpine A/V head with the Alpine 701 digital processor. You want the optical outputs and the ability to keep eveything in the digital realm. Plus the tuning ability of the H701 will enable you to tweak and tune the system. If you're going to try surround sound without a center channel...forget it!
Asher Noll wrote:X2 on the Infinity components, stick with the ED's or CDT's. IMO if you are going to a surround set-up you need to do it right. Alpine A/V head with the Alpine 701 digital processor. You want the optical outputs and the ability to keep eveything in the digital realm. Plus the tuning ability of the H701 will enable you to tweak and tune the system. If you're going to try surround sound without a center channel...forget it!
21 band EQ per channel = droooool. (Although if you have no @!#$ clue in what you are doing it can end up only hurting some).
(and nice install by the way in your other thread !)
My Cav
I give up...
i'm buying a VW those people love trees, so they should love eachother too... "Andy"
My budget for audio (headunit/CarPC not included): $1000
My budget for the CarPC: $1000
Total budget: $2000
As I said, this is a mid-range setup, nothing high quality. I like the price/performance ratio I'm hearing from the 13kv.2 crowd.
Surround sound: the goal isn't surround sound, but that's what the CarPC will output: 4 speakers + 1 sub = 4.1. For 5.1 I would need a center channel, but I don't have any plans on working with the 5th channel.
Fronts only: I'm tempted to go with fronts only, can I get a pretty decent staging with just 2 components and a sub?
CarPC components - I know a more than a little (
) about PCs so I don't need advice here.
- VIA Epia M10000 MiniITX
- 512 MB PC2100
- Sound Blaster X-Fi Music
- 400GB WD 7200RPM
- Panasonic DVD/CDRW Slot Loading ROM
- GlobalSat BR-355 GPS
- Opus MiniITX PC Case w/PSU
The car PC is at $1186 right now, which I can handle. I'm pulling from the audio setup budget.
If I go with an eD setup, it will look like this:
eD 11kv.2 dual 2
eD NINe.4
eD NINe.1
Some component speakers
I haven't heard any component speakers from eD, but I heard a set of focals that blew me away. The only downside is the price. I've got $300 to spend for a set in each front door...so I'm kind of limited in choices.
uhg... ok.... going true surround in your car is going to cost a lot more than you think to do it right.. Asher was right on track with what he was saying... and honestly, unless u watch movies in ur car all the time, its useless, as music is recoreded in 2 channel stereo, not surround sound... now what most SQ fanatics shoot for, as well as the sq competitors is this... crystal clear clean TRUE TO LIFE music at any volume, and the goal is to get the music to be projected from ahead of you, to feel as if the band is playing in front of you such as at a concert (read term: "sound
stage").
Now what you mentioned about eD would be a decent start, but i would tweak a few things... you said you are willing to spend about $1000 on comps, amps, subs..... well... here would be my suggestion (and eD would be my first choice with this budget and sound quality goals)....
NINe.1: $315
NINe.2: $175
13Kv.2: $65 each X2
eDi 6500s: $250
Now thats $870 before shipping, enclosure, wiring.... i say that would be a damn nice place to start.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
I just bought a 20 inch widescreen ultrasharp flat pannel..I'm going to have to subscribe to the high quality porn places now......damn
According to wikipedia, 4.1 surround is front right, front left, front center and sub channels. Not just front and rear right and left and sub.
The setup looks good except for your Sound Blaster card. I'm definately not saying its a bad card but it is WAY overkill for what you're doing. If you want the card, go 5.1 and do surround the right way with center channels and everything. Otherwise, the onboard will put out front and rear right and left and sub channels and will save you a couple hundred.
Also, if you want to save some money, build your own case and go to a regular load instead of a slot load. Just a suggestion.
Also, maybe you already have this but... what about a screen??
-Seth
JLAudioCav wrote:uhg... ok.... going true surround in your car is going to cost a lot more than you think to do it right
My goal isn't true surround...I fully realize its going to be stereo and I could care less. I only have 2 DVD Audio discs anyways.
JLAudioCav wrote:NINe.1: $315
NINe.2: $175
13Kv.2: $65 each X2
eDi 6500s: $250
That looks more on target for what I want - a basic decent sounding setup. I only want one sub really, so I'll cut it down to one 13kv2. Elemental Design's website lists the sub at $125 though, where do you have $65?
wizkiddrummer wrote:Also, maybe you already have this but... what about a screen?
7" Lilliput mounted where the stock radio is. With a little bondo and some paint it's going to look nice and stock. I've been thinking about making some sort of cover for when it's parked for a long time, a sort of blanking plate.
I'll go through ed's kit building setup then, piece together a setup, and then research some more. This makes me realize just how unprepared I am lol, but I thank everyone for the help so far. I'm on DIY Mobile Audio and getting some extremely different opinions when it comes to sounds in the car, so I'm going to keep reading a while. This is, after all, a plan.
Maybe I shouldn't have put "final" in the subject? lol
Ok, here's the "ed only" setup I've packaged:
13kv.2 Subwoofer
NINe.1
NINe.2
eDi 6500s
This comes to $799 packaged, without wire/install/etc. This means I'd get 2 front speakers, 1 sub, and 2 amps, 1 for each.
I'm going to price a DIY setup and see what I end up with. I realize the DIY setup would be more intensive, but I like working with my hands. I like the way this eD setup is going and if they live up to the reviews I'm hearing from owners, then I'll be more than happy with the setup.
