Ok, I've been doing a lot of research on Crutchfield's website and all around and have made up my mind on most of the items I'm going to purchase. Now, this won't be a competition setup, but I want it to be as crisp,clear and powerful as I can make it for my money.
For the front I'm going to go with
THIS component system up front.
Powering those and whatever rear speakers I go with I will use
THIS amp.
For the woofer, Crutchfield has a great special on
THIS 10" Blaupunkt sub.
Powering that sub will be
THIS mono amp. Even though it's at the lower end of the RMS rating for the sub, I think it will work fine for me and provide plenty of rumble.
The only things I don't know what to get are the rear deck speakers and I will EVENTUALLY change my head unit from the Sony Xplod unit I have know to a better quality one, but this is honestly the last thing on my list. And yes, I know the HU is probably the most important part but I'm just going with what I have for now.
So what are some opinions, the more I researched these Profile amps the more and more I'm impressed with them. I've heard that Blaupunkt kind of sucks now that they've been bought out like 10 times, but that sub still seems good quality. Finally, the Polk components definitely seem to have great all around reviews. And any tips on 6x9's or whatever I might can fit in the rear deck that can handle close to 80w rms?
Jason
Crutchfield is good for research, and certain equipment, BUT you are getting hosed on price.
The Polk's in the doors would sound crisp, I heard them today in fact when looking for something for a buddy.
Check out (
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php ) for a Sub.
And match the Sub with RMS watts. don't skimp. Your bass will be muffled, not tight, and lack clarity if you don't.
Everyone has there preference. But for a semi-inexpensive system, I will recommend Infinity speakers, I love them, some people don't like their highs, but for the price they rock.
Here is a list, To keep you in your price range:
$95
6x9
$80
6.5
$155
Speakers Amp
$155
Sub
$105
Amp for Sub
You will need a box for the sub, If you can build one your self, great! Ported would be a good idea.
After your install accessories, and a box, It would come out to damn near 700 bucks. Go to shops and listen to what you like and get what sounds good to you, this setup would be good for me, but for you, it may not!
I know a lot of my links were to ebay, but they do have some great prices on there. My current subs (two 10" MTX subs) came from crutchfield, but only because they had a killer deal a few months back. Check around! You live in a world with a "Free Market*" use it to your advantage.
*Restrictions apply, not valid in AK, WV, FL, AL, HI.
If you want my honest opinion I would not put 6x9s in the rear. I would upgrade that 5.25 up to a 6.5 in the front and make it times 2. put one set in the doors and put one set in the rear deck. From my experience it will sound amazing. You are right about the HU you need to get rid of it, but only when you have the money. You have a HU now, good now upgrade the rest THEN upgrade the HU. But I would honestly go with another component set in the rear, I don't think that 6x9s sound that good. But whatever you do just make sure that it sounds good to the most important person in the car...you. I would maybe check out the local audio shops that way you can at least HEAR what you are buying before you get it. But that is my $0.02 good luck.
Mark wrote:Crutchfield is good for research, and certain equipment, BUT you are getting hosed on price.
The Polk's in the doors would sound crisp, I heard them today in fact when looking for something for a buddy.
Check out ( http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php ) for a Sub.
And match the Sub with RMS watts. don't skimp. Your bass will be muffled, not tight, and lack clarity if you don't.
Everyone has there preference. But for a semi-inexpensive system, I will recommend Infinity speakers, I love them, some people don't like their highs, but for the price they rock.
Here is a list, To keep you in your price range:
$95 6x9
$80 6.5
$155 Speakers Amp
$155 Sub
$105 Amp for Sub
You will need a box for the sub, If you can build one your self, great! Ported would be a good idea.
After your install accessories, and a box, It would come out to damn near 700 bucks. Go to shops and listen to what you like and get what sounds good to you, this setup would be good for me, but for you, it may not!
I know a lot of my links were to ebay, but they do have some great prices on there. My current subs (two 10" MTX subs) came from crutchfield, but only because they had a killer deal a few months back. Check around! You live in a world with a "Free Market*" use it to your advantage.
*Restrictions apply, not valid in AK, WV, FL, AL, HI.
If he is considering the 11ov.2, he doesn't even really need 500 watts. Its a very efficient subwoofer, and would do just fine with 350-400 watts RMS. Thus saving him more money in the long run.
Elemental Designs
Performance.Mobile.Audio.
alexl@edesignaudio.com
Warehouse Manager
A word about higher powered components in the front doors...I had 6.5" components in the front doors...be prepared to add some sound deadener or things WILL rattle like crazy. If you're going to add a subwoofer, use your amp in high pass filter mode for the front speakers and it will sound great - good highs and midrange without rattling like crazy in the front doors. If you have a good built in EQ, you may be able to tune it out, but I prefer not to have to manipulate the low bass settings too much because I do not use a subwoofer.
The other option is to use a smaller component system up front, like a 4" system
Still another option is to mount the 6.5" components up front in a kick pod, which will ultimately be easier to wire and sound much better in terms of clarity and imaging.
Good luck!
oldskool wrote:
Still another option is to mount the 6.5" components up front in a kick pod, which will ultimately be easier to wire and sound much better in terms of clarity and imaging.
Good luck!
I agree 100% Kick pods are 100% the way to go for the best sound and simplicity of the install. I forgot to mention that earlier! lol.
I've never really done much looking into kickpods, but to me it seems they get in the way wouldn't they? This car is used for long trips everyday so leg space and comfort are quite important.
I agree about not going with 6x9's in the rear, I don't think they are a good option period. How about
THIS
6.5 system for the front, think it could fit with a little trimming perhaps? And then go with
THIS 6.5" that Mark suggested for the rear?
I really like the specs and looks on that sub and might end up going with it and suggested amp as those are definitely some great prices. The box I can build myself, done that quite a few times, the trunk is already dynomated and all holes or "empty" space in the trunk lid filled with insulation sound damper material. I will definitely put dynomat up front, hate that rattling crap, lol. Ultimately I guess I'm looking for an extremely good SQ from this system, nothing over the top loud, just sounds amazing.
Thanks for the tips and pointers so far.
Jason
If you plan to run 5 1/4" in the deck, get a Good Set of 63/4 back there for a bit better Mid Range.
put some deadening in the doors, i put some in last week and it was a great improvement with rattle.
I like 6 x 9's alot, because price per pound, they put out better mid range and the high bass range sound. I feel they fill that gap better than most 5 1/4's. That 4 way amp i linked to has great tuning, so if you get a good set of speakers, you will be able to tune them to cover the audible spectrum pretty well.
honestly 6x9s in the rear make more sense. get 5.25s in the door if your going to do kicks, and put 6.25s in the kicks
amp them all. if your not doing kicks put the 6.25s in the doors. but definitely go elemental designs over blaupunkt for the sub.
"I did it because I wanted to see what it would look like. You should be greatful that I even told you that it would look good. If your to dumb to use photoshop and change the color of your own car then you don't need to see it changed. I'm not going to give my work away. I'll sell the pic to you though for $15."-Adam Kalin
^^JBO is about not being that guy
id personally take all the money you have for front and back speakers and buy one high quality set of 6.5" componets up front. and power them with as much power as they will handle. get the sound up front where you are, dont waste money on speakers that are behind you. when you go to a concert you face the band right? same thing here, get the speakers up front. why had mediocre sound when you can have great sound. kickpods if built properly can be made to take up little space and will help tremendously with staging and imaging. two things that will make your sound come alive. ive had kicks in my car for 10 or more years now and have yet to have any issues with them. just build then right and put some good grilles on them.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sndsgood/ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Square1Photography
Im with Mark on " what sounds good to me may not sound good to you". Take his advice and go to shops and listen to as many different speakers as you can. And if you're looking for tight, responsive bass, Id stick with a SEALED box, not ported.
144db@38hz! It hurts so good !
