- Car Audio...

[Keith Moon]

- I've been meaning to get a subwoofer and amp put in my car, but I was wondering if anyone here could give me some input or recommendations for what I might get:

- I currently have a JVC 45W x 4 CD deck :shrug: and I was probably going to go with one of these setups:

1.) A Kenwood 400 watt 2 channel amplifier with a single 12" 300 watt sub


or


2.) A Sony 600 watt 2 channel amplifier with a single 12" 400 watt sub



- Question: A smaller sub will typically be more punchy that a larger sub, right?

[PatrickBateman]

12" sub seems to offer a nice balance of punch and boom.
I currently have a 600w JBL pushing a 12" Orion and it is pretty good. Up front I have a RF 250w pushing a set of JL XR650 csi's.
If I cared, I would get a little bet sub/amp, but it is fine.


I hate Sony shit (excepts maybe their TV's) so go with Kenwood out of those choices.
Remember, the box you put the sub in, is just as important as the speaker itself.

[Keith Moon]

12" sub seems to offer a nice balance of punch and boom.
I currently have a 600w JBL pushing a 12" Orion and it is pretty good. Up front I have a RF 250w pushing a set of JL XR650 csi's.
If I cared, I would get a little bet sub/amp, but it is fine.


I hate Sony shit (excepts maybe their TV's) so go with Kenwood out of those choices.
Remember, the box you put the sub in, is just as important as the speaker itself.


- Yay, a reply... :cookie2: I'm not looking for something too expensive and thank god I did my research at BestBuy, cause they're a rip off when it comes to car audio.

- They have a (fairly good) deal where for $200 bucks you get 2 300W Sony subs and a 600W Sony amp...but BestBuy charges $60 to install the amp, and $15 for each sub and then the wiring kit for $90...

- I can get this exact deal at this AudioExpress place for at least $100 cheaper with a :hand: $1.00 install fee.

- I'll definitely go with Kenwood when it comes to the amp, because they know car audio. I'm not sure about what sub though...but thanks for the reply, Pat.

[Capt]

i was going to reply but i didn't really have anything constructive to add

i have the same deck, JVC 45Wx4ch in my truck... got it halfway through february and i like it... stock speakers though, might put some 6x9s into the empty space in the front doors

i don't reccomend sony for car audio...

is the 600W amp rms or is that the peak?.... that's something to consider

in my other vehicle i've got a 400W amp/6 speaker (2 10' subs) and a 6/cd changer in the truck, but the motor broke so the cd player doesn't work and its 154$ to get that fixed

what's the price difference if you get the one 12' sub vs 2 10's? i would go with 2 subs over 1 bigger sub unless you don't have a lot of space to work with

[Mech]

I would also stay away from Sony car audio. Me, if i am going to spend money on it, I want to get the best I can. I have an Alpine 60x4 deck and 2 300 watt amps, with one on each of my Alpine S Series 10" subs. I also have Planet Audio speakers in the front (4x6) and Alpine 6x9s in the rear. To balance it all out, you need to have all the speakers upgraded from factor before you get an amp. Maybe you have already. But, There is an amazing difference between my car and everyone else's I have heard. If I were you, since you post on the forums here, I would get 10" sub. 12 might be too boomy for the kind of music you like (unless you listen to a lot of rap, then get a 12, but even for my love of easy E and other rappers I don't mind, 2 10"s sound very well.)

So, I don't know if any of that information helped you. yes, i like bragging about my system. It sounds very clean. It just so happens though that my friend is currently looking for car audio stuff, and I keep trying to steer him away from the Sony stuff because of its cheapness. I would atleast go for the Kenwood if I were you. Then, try and get a decent amp. I've never liked electronics that try to "specialize" in everything, aka sony. You just won't get the same clarity that you would from an audio company with a reputation for great sound such as Kenwood. If you wer ewanting to spend more, go for Alpine or Planet audio. Rockford is even pretty decent if you want cheapness.

And yes, never buy your stuff from Best buy :)

[PatrickBateman]

by the way, people are surprised when I pop my trunk only to find one measily 12" sub.

Another tip- just get one really nice set of components up front and screw the rear deck speakers. I left my factory speakers unplugged in the rear.

Also, when deciding where to mount the tweeters, have a friend sit in the passenger seat and move the tweeter around to where it sounds best but try and keep it closer to the other speaker. If you don't have any friends, try putty or something.

I love my JL XR650's

[Keith Moon]

To balance it all out, you need to have all the speakers upgraded from factor before you get an amp. Maybe you have already. But, There is an amazing difference between my car and everyone else's I have heard. If I were you, since you post on the forums here, I would get 10" sub. 12 might be too boomy for the kind of music you like (unless you listen to a lot of rap, then get a 12, but even for my love of easy E and other rappers I don't mind, 2 10"s sound very well.)

- Can I upgrade my other speakers later if I want or is there a chance that those speakers will blow once I get the amp?

- I'm not much into rap at all really, so I'd probably either go with two 10" subs or just one 12" sub.

- Thanks for your help, Mech. :jims:


Another tip- just get one really nice set of components up front and screw the rear deck speakers. I left my factory speakers unplugged in the rear.

- Is it necessary to do that? That seems like a good idea, but I think I'd want to leave the rear speakers in just to see... :shrug:

- One more question: Is it really that hard to install a sub and amp on your own for the first time? Are the instructions that usually come with the sub and amp pretty helpful?

- Thanks guys! :jig:

[Capt]

self installation... i don't reccomend trying unless you have a fairly straightforward wiring diagram of your car's specific sound system, as well as the ability/time to remove old components yourself

[Keith Moon]

self installation... i don't reccomend trying unless you have a fairly straightforward wiring diagram of your car's specific sound system, as well as the ability/time to remove old components yourself


- Hmmm, okay. Yeah, I don't think I have the sufficient knowledge of my cars sound system and I wouldn't want to make it worse.

- Thanks Capt.

[Capt]

when i went to put in the JVC 45x4 deck in my truck... i would have had to cut a big hole in the dash to get the old deck out... i'm not even sure exactly how the tech at future shop did it...
the install was free though, because they fucked up the appointment date... would have been an extra 90$ because it was fairly complicated

also, self-install fucks up any chances of having a valid warrenty

[Keith Moon]

when i went to put in the JVC 45x4 deck in my truck... i would have had to cut a big hole in the dash to get the old deck out... i'm not even sure exactly how the tech at future shop did it...
the install was free though, because they fucked up the appointment date... would have been an extra 90$ because it was fairly complicated

also, self-install fucks up any chances of having a valid warrenty


- Good points all around. :up: :agree:

[Mufumonk]

Question: A smaller sub will typically be more punchy that a larger sub, right?


Depends on the sub and the box. I have 2 10" Fostgate Stage 2's that hit just as hard and clean as any 2 12" subs you can find. But I have them in a 3/4" plexiglass box so there's less chance for distortion.

[Mech]

- Can I upgrade my other speakers later if I want or is there a chance that those speakers will blow once I get the amp?

- I'm not much into rap at all really, so I'd probably either go with two 10" subs or just one 12" sub.

- Thanks for your help, Mech. :jims:



- Thanks guys! :jig:

Here is the thing. My friend recently upgraded his factory speakers to "nicer" speakers (he went with sony after he was going to go with Alpine.) Now, he can really recognize the sound quality (he recently got an FM transmitter, sounded clear with factory speakers, now he can hear the fuzziness in the sonys) difference. So, what is my point? If you add a sub with that deck of yours, the sub is just going to overpower everything else. If you really want a nice balance, it is wise to get speakers first. Yes, atleast get the front ones done. I can usually only hear the front ones and my subs, but only because my front ones are as loud as hell and the tweeters aren't stationary so i can point them right towards me. The rear 6x9s add a lot to the combination, especially to passengers sitting in the back, but when I am the only person in the car, it isn't as noticeable. So, whenever you turn up the volume (which i am sure you will, because that is the sole purpose of subs) you will hear crap treble but low ass bass. Not something I would want to listen to while driving around.

[Keith Moon]

Here is the thing. My friend recently upgraded his factory speakers to "nicer" speakers (he went with sony after he was going to go with Alpine.) Now, he can really recognize the sound quality (he recently got an FM transmitter, sounded clear with factory speakers, now he can hear the fuzziness in the sonys) difference. So, what is my point? If you add a sub with that deck of yours, the sub is just going to overpower everything else. If you really want a nice balance, it is wise to get speakers first. Yes, atleast get the front ones done. I can usually only hear the front ones and my subs, but only because my front ones are as loud as hell and the tweeters aren't stationary so i can point them right towards me. The rear 6x9s add a lot to the combination, especially to passengers sitting in the back, but when I am the only person in the car, it isn't as noticeable. So, whenever you turn up the volume (which i am sure you will, because that is the sole purpose of subs) you will hear crap treble but low ass bass. Not something I would want to listen to while driving around.


- That makes sense. Hmmm, then front speakers it is...I'm guessing I have 4" x 6", but of course they're located on the dash :rolleyes: Thanks again Mech :wave: .

[sneakypete]

only the 2 right speakers work in my car and I need to listen to music in there. It is fairly embarrassing when other people ride in there. please pimp my ride.

what should I do?

[Bruce]

Make other people drive.

[sneakypete]

cool, can you pick me up to drive me to dayton tonight at 5?

[Bruce]

Yes. Have bells on.

[sneakypete]

http://www.asiteformoreeyes.com/Tinsel%20Dave.jpg

?

[Keith Moon]

Mono ftw.

[Bruce]

You still need some advice, Gerg?

[Keith Moon]

Always.

[sneakypete]

"Baby Eats Crack at Party"

[Da Rafsta]

I have a nice system. What I need to do is put a car on my system. :hrmph:


http://jojclassof1977.com/images/Autos/1977-AMC-Pacer.jpg

[Bruce]

I like the color.

[Keith Moon]

Since we're on the topic, what is some good car stereos that have the ipod attachment?

[Bruce]

Some newer model vehicles have docks. Like that Nissan Marino. :shrug:

[Keith Moon]

y u do dat?

[Bruce]

They have a really cool commercial? :huh:

[sneakypete]

almost all the new cd players can run an ipod cord out the back and up through your console.

I got 1 for 200.00 installed

[Bruce]

Yeah. I can get a factory installed for around that. I just use a jack that's located by my glovebox.

[Keith Moon]

What's this jack and out the back stuff u guys talking about?

[Bruce]

Mine came with a jack to plug in any mp3 player. Like a double-sided earphone jack cord...

[sneakypete]

dood...you need to drop the excuses and pick up a purpose, bitch.

[Bruce]

Me or Gerg?

[Keith Moon]

I'll just stick with ipod fm transmitter thing.

[sneakypete]

talkin to KM bout this.

[Keith Moon]

I'm KM in the AM.

[Bruce]

I'll just stick with ipod fm transmitter thing.

Okay, dude. Whatever. :lol:

[Keith Moon]

Be nice.

[Bruce]

I am playing. :hug2:

[sneakypete]

be mean! :rabid2:

[Keith Moon]

'n lean.

[Keith Moon]

My honda's (still under warranty) door speakers are both out and I don't wanna pay $100 just to have those 2 fixed. I may as well damage the rest of 'em if I'm gonna shell out $100. My tweeters sound okay, but my rear speakers sound pretty bad. What cd should I put in to pop all my speakers?

[sneakypete]

is this for real? My car (bought this summer, still under warranty) has 2 speakers that sound like shit. Also the 8" subwoofer is blown.

They will cover that in the warranty? How do you know?


google says, "usually underpowered amps driven to distortion that blow tweeters". I dont know what that means.

[Keith Moon]

I'm serious. $100 is what I was told a couple months back when I asked, but that was only when one of the door speakers stopped working and the guy at the dealership was like it's probably not worth it if you can deal with one speaker out.

[sneakypete]

shit yo. I should try to get some free shit. I was gonna start saving for a new stereo that wont blow.

I found out I am getting a remote start for my birthday or xmas! so tight!

[Keith Moon]

:five:

[sneakypete]

so, how are you gonna blow these puppies?

would it be high notes to break tweeters? do tweeter even play bass? instinct would say bass blows speakers, but tweeters may not even play bass.

[Keith Moon]

Try lots of bass I guess and mess with the settings. Ya, I think you're right. If tweeters play any bass, it's prolly only a nipple sized amount.

Which remote starter, if you had to choose, would you get? Or do you know which one you're getting?

[Bruce]

Bass Legends 1988

[dionysusolympus]

mine has a cassette deck standard.

[sneakypete]

Try lots of bass I guess and mess with the settings.

Which remote starter, if you had to choose, would you get? Or do you know which one you're getting?

I don't know which one. I just thought viper owned the aftermarket segment. Is that bad?

I wonder if the dealership is much more expensive and could install a stock one?

[dionysusolympus]

ask ur mama.

[sneakypete]

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2082/theniserioused.gif