Alright lets talk systems....School me

2435 Views 31 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Phi, Jul 8, 2004

ChicaLA

Discussion Starter · Jul 7, 2004

Ok so I know nothing other than the fact that I like my bass loud as hell and am prone to blow a few speakers. Right now I just have the stock JBL stuff in there. Any suggestions? When I say I know nothing, I truly mean nada, so, before I go to Best Buy and make an ass out of myself, can someone please take pity on me and my wallet and hook a girl up by telling me what I need?

Speak slow, like I said I am new and don't know much! Thanks

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ChicaLA

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 7, 2004

Alright sorry, perhaps I should have read the before you post read this section. I'll shut up now

shidarin

· #3 · Jul 7, 2004

I just looked over that sticky myself (new here) and it doesn't really tell you what systems are good, and what to stay away from.

Personally, I dont think you can go wrong with using JL audio as your subwoofers; make sure you have a decent amp to give them power tho.

Stay away from MTX subs and Sony subs- as they blow VERY easily- even before "rated" power (Both of these companies overrate their subs and amp, so if you power a Sony sub at "rated" RMS with an amp that puts out rated power, you'll blow it)

Goto Good Guys to hear the JLs, I can guarantee they'll make an impact on you more than any other subs.

As for the rest of the speakers, you can get JL as well; but Crystal and MB Quart make some EXCELLENT higher power speakers. If you don't want to shell out the money for them tho, Alpine will make you very happen.

I dont really mind Rockford Fosgate, but they're really overpriced.

ChicaLA

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 7, 2004

Here's what I'm thinking about.

Ok here is something I am toying with..any thoughts would be appreciated.

Alpine CDA-9827 CD/MP3/WMA Receiver

Rockford Fosgate Punch 5-1/4" Components

Rockford Fosgate FRC4269 6"x9" 2-way Speakers

Audiobahn A6004T 75W x 4 Amp

I am not sure about the receiver or amp for that matter..help!

If anyone has any better ideas, or thoughts, I would love to hear them. Thanks again

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shidarin

· #5 · Jul 7, 2004

Good choice on the Alpine Reciever (Alpine is known for their high quality head units)

STAY AWAY FROM A-BAHN for amps and subs. I didn't mention it before, because some people swear by a-bahn, but an equal amount of people swear that a-bahn overrates their amps and subs- and I'm one of them.

I believe that Amp you pointed out will only give you roughly 50W RMS if you're lucky.

But in the end, it's a matter of opinion. I believe they overrate their stuff, other people don't- so.. ::shrug::

As for the rockford fosgates; they're ok- do you want to spend the money on them? I also think they're a little on the tinny side- but most speakers will break in and the tinnyness will go away.

Also, when upgrading stock speakers to any kind of aftermarket, you will lose your bass- so you're gonna need to hook in some subs too. The stock systems are made to provide the bass- while aftermarket is meant to go in a system with bass- so they cut out the base in order to provide less distortion.

rawdawg

· #6 · Jul 7, 2004

What's your budget, ChicaLa?

Are you looking to get a serious sub system that will pound the block, damage your hearing and get you disturbing the peace tickets or just something to bump inside the car.

It makes a difference in what kind of set-up you ought to get.

That proposed set-up of yours isn't going to give you the "loud as hell" bass that you want. Ditch the 6x9's and get a two channel amp for the 5.25" components. You might be satisfied with the prefabbed sub boxes that Best Buy has. I'm guessing you'll need at least 12" in the woofer size to satisfy your needs(that sounded naughty). You'll need another amp for the sub unless you get one of those multichannel monsters.

I say go to Best Buy and just talk with the sales people and demo any equipment that interests you. If there are any car shows around your area, go to them and ask questions. Everybody loves showing off their stuff and guys especially love helping little girls in distress. Makes them feel big.

p.s. Go easy on the Volume Knob, girl.

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Stealth

· #7 · Jul 7, 2004

Wow... sounds like none of you really know much about what you're talking about. Seriously if you want to know what's good and what isn't, LISTEN TO IT. Experience is the only way for you to decide what you do and don't like.

88 LE

· #8 · Jul 7, 2004

^ :werd:

Everyone hears differently, so use your ears and judge for yourself. Afterall your gunna be the one listening to them.

shidarin

· #9 · Jul 7, 2004

Stealth said:
Wow... sounds like none of you really know much about what you're talking about. Seriously if you want to know what's good and what isn't, LISTEN TO IT. Experience is the only way for you to decide what you do and don't like.

That was uncalled for, ass.

I do know what I'm talking about, and I gave her recomendations based on that expierence. I also told her to goto the stores and listen to it.

Stealth

· #10 · Jul 7, 2004

shidarin said:
Also, when upgrading stock speakers to any kind of aftermarket, you will lose your bass- so you're gonna need to hook in some subs too. The stock systems are made to provide the bass- while aftermarket is meant to go in a system with bass- so they cut out the base in order to provide less distortion.

You couldn't be any more wrong on that. Almost ANY aftermarket speaker will play lower than your factory ones, not to mention they will likely have a higher sensitivity, so they will play louder with the same ammount of power. You may lose your bass if you don't set things up correctly, or if wherever you got them installed put in bass blockers.

I respect that you've made your own opinions on Audiobahn and MTX but in my personal experience at least, they are both pretty decent products and are certainly not underrated (powerwise). They are both aimed a little more towards the SPL side, rather than towards sound quality. I personally do not like RF but that's not to say it isn't a good brand. And I definately do agree with you on it being over priced.

Anyway, I say just goto different stores and demo the products and decide for yourself which you like best, and also do things right the first time so you don't end up having to do it again and spend more in the long run.

shidarin

· #11 · Jul 7, 2004

I'm sorry stealth, but I couldn't be more right about the stock speakers vs aftermarket. It's a very common problem that many people run into.

onephatcracka

· #12 · Jul 7, 2004

yea i agree with stealth.... it all depends on how you hear.

but a few tips......

1. its good to keep all your component speakers the same brand and series

2. if you want your bass loud... make sure you have enough power output as what your sound system will demand

3. for every 500 watts.... you should upgrade your electrical system with a 1/2 farad cap. (or alternator if available)

4. make sure you have clean ground swhen you install or you'll be buying another componenet soon enough

5. if you don't have any tint on your windows around your speakers make sure you put the covers on them.. i've seen way too many speakers get dried out with in a few months

thats just a couple of random thinks i could think of at the moment.... if you have any other questions let me know.

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Phi

· #13 · Jul 7, 2004

shidarin said:
I'm sorry stealth, but I couldn't be more right about the stock speakers vs aftermarket. It's a very common problem that many people run into.

True. It's happened to me twice. My interior speakers are powered separately by a 4 ch amp. Is there a fix for this? Maybe play around with the crossover? I've got subs in the trunk but I miss the midbass at lower volumes

ChicaLA: Car audio is weird in that price doesn't always reflect quality. Alot of it is based on trend an popularity. Stick to brand names and listen to the equipment whenever possible. Also don't go out and buy something 'cause it sounds good in your friends car unless it's the EXACT same car. Something as minor as leather interior can change how things sound from one car to the next.

As for your shopping list, I'd scratch the rear 6x9 and put that towards a small amp and sub.

shidarin

· #14 · Jul 7, 2004

Phi, your best bet is to get an EQ or a better head unit- what head unit are you running now? Without knowing the speaker type, I can't check the frequency response curve (more RMS at different frequency, for example, my Alpines provide a little more umph at higher midrange than at low range where they start to taper off).

The crossover might be misset- if you're sending frequencies to the tweeters that they can't reproduce that's definetly it. Do you remember the default options? Also check your 4 channel amp. For some reason it might be thinking your speakers are subs and only sending lower frequencies- while your front speakers are classified as "normal" and getting high end.

My Alpine9803 head unit, when "sub" is turned on, sends lower frequency signals with bass amplification to the second set of preouts, when "sub" is off, it's normal preout

eddiem67

· #15 · Jul 7, 2004 (Edited)

Well Chica, you got two guys fighting over your system

:

Alpine deck is good, speaks will work, are your 6x9 all the bass you want or are you going to add a subwoofer (big speaker in the back)? Scratch that amp, a kenwood, mtx, alpine, or JL e series will do.

ChicaLA

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 7, 2004

WoW! Thank you all for your suggestions. As many of you suggested, I am gonna go by Best Buy tonight. I already need to go look at alarms so I will probably be there all night.

I am gonna go and listen and see what I like and then I will probably post more questions, hope that's cool. Seems like the logical way to tell what I want. Whether I can afford it or not is another story.

The reason that I mentioned the 6X9's was cause I was told nothing smaller would work...lies? hmm..

I guess I need to decide if I want a sub, but from what I am seeing most of you say, I probably should have one.

Ok guys.... on with the fighting over my system I like it

ha-ha. What girl wouldn't want that?

onephatcracka

· #17 · Jul 8, 2004

well... my suggestion would be to pick out the best speakers and best headunit. the reason being is if you have no trebel or midbass then all you have is alot of music that sounds like the adults on a charlie brown cartoon.

personally i've stuck with Infinity References as my speakers and my sony xplode head unit. (those were the best at the time for the amount of money i had).

I've never really found any difference between amps.... except for wattage and how much you can push them before they overheat.

88 LE

· #18 · Jul 8, 2004

^ There is a difference between amps.

Cheap amps will use T0220 package bipolar transistors. Better amps will use mosfets, darlington, tube, or T03 transistors.

Theres also different classes. Class A, B, AB, D, etc...

You get what you pay for.

Guts on one of my amps (Linear Power 8002SW (800W mono block):

Its got mil-spec T03 transistors. This bad boy is gunna be driving a JL 12W7.

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rawdawg

· #19 · Jul 8, 2004

Also some amps have a better warranty, build quality and customer service.

mmm....... Linear Power.

88 LE

· #20 · Jul 8, 2004

^ I have a smaller one too. Use it for driving components.

2502IQ (125x2):

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