audio system

[WhenISayJump]

does anyone know of any good audio systems to install in cars?...i want something with good base and controls.

[Brandon1]

That is really really really general. Do you want a cd player, new speakers, amps subs etc? What is your budget and sound goals. Do you want to have slammin bass or a good balance of mids/highs/lows?

Let me know this and I will see what I can pull up?

[mose]

I hear 8-tracks are makin' a comeback!!! LOL!!

Not to hijack the thread but I have been batting around the idea as well. Brandon, did you do your own installation or did you have it done? I am thinking maybe a middle of the road H/U, small amp and replace the speakers. I am a Boston Acoustic guy from WAY back.....love those speakers!! Just wondering how simple it would all be to do myself.

[TrueDetailer]

If you just want some good tunes with some bump at a reasonable price. You should go with a alpine system front to back. I've run all kinds of alpine and have always been happy. You can get alpine at either bestbuy or circuit city.

If you want hardcore bass look into matts, Resonant Enginearing, memphis. You won't find any of that kind of stuff at any chain store. Look for a custom audio store with a good reputation.

[3puttjay]

I had an Alpine headunit and 12 disc changer installed with Boston Acoustics speakers in my 96 Impala SS. I have had great times these past ten years with this set up. I haven't checked out car stereos since, so I wouldn't know what the latest and greatest might be. I do know that you should really make sure you have enough amp power and to spend most of your money on speakers.

[Jakerooni]

Your budget makes all the difference in the world. I can easily put together a entry level system that's a little better than stock for a few hundred buck all the way up to something that would shake the grey matter out of your head with custom mounts an the whole nine yards for several thousand dollars. Being a audiophile for years now I have seen alot and know some good locations on the nets here to pick up some quality stuff at a decent price.

[todd@bsaw]

What Jake said, it's all about price. Set a budget first than you can work around it.
I wouldn't skimp on the HU, though. A good one can have some excellent crossover/EQ controls and I'd look for something with at least 3 RCA outputs (front/rear/sub) and 4V preamp.
I currently have about $4k worth of stereo equipment in my dub but $1k with proper installation and selection can make things sound just as good. But I'm also a recording engineer, so it was a tax write-off. :wink:

[Brandon1]

mose, check my ts.com page for what I have in my truck and how I did it.

OP-Yeah, dont skimp on h/u. That should be one of the first things you do. Pioneer DEH-5900 is a wonderfull h/u with full controls and display for like $170.

Front speakers should always be quality. Rear speakers arent needed in most applications, I always leave them stock and run off the h/u power in my installs. Front stage speakers should be components and some good brands are CDT, Alpine, Elemental, Pheonix Gold. You can spend from $100-$200 on these.

Front speaker amp should be about 100x2 and can be any model from a reputable brand. No Boss, Legacy, Pyle, Bazooka, Sony, Audiobahn, etc. $100 should cover this.

Sub can be your choice. I would just personally just choose 1 12" for it's all around versatility and SQ. Image Dynamics, Elemental, TC-sounds are some good reputable brands for cheap. Dayton titanic rings a bell as well.

Your sub amp should be at least 300x1 (rms) to get the full benifit from a sub. Again, what model does not really matter. Just get one with at least 300x1 "clean" power and stay away from crappy brands (see above)

Box-plays an important role in sub sound quality. If you buy ones that are pre-fab, get sealed, not ported. Pre-fab ported boxes are tuned really high and have really peaky nasty sounding bass. Build your own ported box port tuned to 30-35hz and you would have a nice sounding system that sounds great and drops some bottom.

Dont skimp on wires. Knutz concepts offers full wirekits at cheap.

[Dylan06SS]

Another vote for Alpine... you can't beat the level of built in EQ and tunability they give you. I was a diehard Pioneer fanboy for years until I installed an Alpine IVAD310 in my last truck... after that I don't think I could ever own anything but Alpine again. My most recent one is an IVAW200 and I absolutely LOVE IT.

[Brandon1]

Yeah, but only the expensive alpines have that EQ and tuning stuff. Their normal lineup only has a 2band parametric EQ and a sub level.

All that and I still have an Alpine, but I do want more tuning.

[Dylan06SS]

Gotta pay to play... I'd still say something like the IVAW200 would have to be cheaper than a lower end Alpine deck and a separate EQ.

[xtremekustomz]

You don't get the real goodies until you plug the PXA-H701 into the W200