Any car stereo people here?

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 27, 2005, 10:34 pm

Going to start buidling a system in my car (Dodge Stealth). Going to have to balance price vs sound and also bass vs sound quality so it is a pretty difficult decission! Anyway, here is what I'm considering putting in for now.

Infinity Kappa 62.5i 6.5" - Front doors.

JBL GT03 tweeters - I want GTO220 but I can't find them.. Also considering GTO10T. These mount in the tweeter drop-ins on the dash.

(2) PHOENIX GOLD Octane-R R10d 10" subs. Why 2? Well not 100% needed I suppose but the box that fits oh so nicely is for 2 subs and hey who am I to complain?

Phoenix Gold Octane-R8.0:4 amp. Will run the 2 front door speakers and the 2 subs. Most likely will add a second 2 channel PG amp later this summer that will cover the subs and switch the 2 former sub channels over to mid-base speakers in the back. Will only have subs/doors/tweeters for now.

Alpine CDA-9827 head unit. I really want the CDA-9831 but am trying to talk some sense into myself... then again I might just give in.

Any idea what mid-range speakers to put in the back down the road? Any other comments or suggestions of change? And please be kind, I am far from extremely knowledgeable about stereos but am trying to learn as fast as I can.. Unfortunately, in addition to sounding good it needs to at least look ok. I am kind of picky on looks (note: What I think look good might not be what you think looks good ).

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 27, 2005, 10:52 pm

My advice is to not be one of those people with their bass rattling peoples windows. That's it!

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 27, 2005, 10:57 pm

I don't plan to rattle windows two blocks down the road.. and I don't plan to play it where it annoy others. If that was my plan I would have gone for dual 12" or even larger subs. Maybe triple.

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » January 27, 2005, 11:01 pm

Im by no means a 12v guy... I do home system design... but my install bays handle a good bit of the high end car installs in the DC Metro area.... 2.1 channel sound for a 2 door car is perfect... but dont fool yourself and think a car amp can handle mid, low and high frequency sound... get yourself 2 nice or at least decent 2ch amps... or 1 2ch and a single monoblock for the subs... that will give you the clean tight bass that you want... Also from what my guys tell me, JL Audio subs are some of the best bang for the buck... a single 10w7 sub with a JL 500/1 monoblock amp will give you some awesome preformance....

Course, I only know the products I sell... but MB Quart is supposed to have the best component car systems on the market... try contacting them directly and asking about B stock or stuff that was used in trade shows... Had a friend get hooked up last year with a $1200 pair of component speakers that had never been powered on, just used in a display for like 300 bucks.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 27, 2005, 11:10 pm

The single 4-channel sub is temporary until I add another 2-channel for the subs (possibly mono but eh, don't see a point in not making it a 2-channel). I'd pick it all up at once but the budget wont allow it

Have some mechanical stuff to fix as well.

I'm not aiming at the very high-end here. I can't afford (or rather, I can't justify) that. I used Phoenix Gold in the past for car stereos (looong time ago) and imho they are insanely good for the price. JL Audio is good, it is in fact on my list of possibilities but.. once again.. budget vs sound. And it is pretty difficult since I have a tendency to play rap/hip hop on my way to work and classical on my way back home!

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » January 27, 2005, 11:13 pm

Dont be afraid to buy used for car stereo gear... or ask around at the local shops if any of the guys are selling thier old gear.... Car stereo salespeople are generally stereo whores... upgrading every few months or year depending on the accomodation they purchased on.... always ask to test the used gear before you buy though

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 27, 2005, 11:22 pm

I've actually not had much luck finding any good stereo stores around here, which sucks ass. Going to pick up my sub box this weekend though (made to fit specifically in the Stealth.. god damn no room in it!) and I have a feeling those guys know a couple of stores around here.

Ransure · Post by **Ransure** » January 27, 2005, 11:34 pm

Where you at Kelsh?... A few of my 12v installers are nationally ranked and know people... I can ask about who the players are in your area... PM me if you dont want to post it here.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 27, 2005, 11:45 pm

Cleveland/Akron area. Little bit out in the middle of nowhere in between

I am sure there are some, but the ones I've been to honestly sucked ass and I wouldn't have bought a discman there if it was on sale. Being fairly new to the area it takes a bit to learn the good spots I suppose..

Edit: I'd buy used in a heartbeat if I found some people I could trust.. but since I haven't even touched a car stereo for 10 years I'm so outdated it takes a bit to trust people!

Tenuvil · Post by **Tenuvil** » January 28, 2005, 12:15 am

I am planning to get all my car stereo gear through Crutchfield and install it myself, supposedly with their free wiring harness doodads and instruction guides it's easier than it was 10 years ago (coincidentally the last time I installed a car stereo too

)

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 28, 2005, 12:26 am

I've used Crutchfield OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS.. however, even though some of their stuff is decently priced a LOT is way overpriced. Can find it way cheaper on other sites that I trust as well. Check out http://www.etronics.com, never heard anything bad about them and a friend of mine has actually visited their NY store heh.. they seem as legit as can be.

Still considering whether to do it myself or not.. I don't have anywhere to do it atm and my tools went poof when I moved

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 28, 2005, 12:37 am

Not having looked at a Crutchfield catalog in awhile but I agree... Way overpriced!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 28, 2005, 12:47 am

The this place for non computer electronics. I mail ordered my HD Toshiba rear screen projection TV back in 2001 from them.

Hmm, they may not have car stereo stuff, but for the rest of your doodad needs, they might be competitive.

http://www.onecall.com/

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » January 28, 2005, 9:28 am

Just buy decent speakers and a nice head unit and let it power your speakers. One 10 or 12" subby with a single channel, maybe 250w, namebrand amp.

My Jeep is set up this way, and it sounds ausome inside the ride...and you really can't hear much outside. That way, I can enjoy all my music and radio as loud as I want it...and people are not thinking that I am just turning it up to get their attention....cause they don't hear it.

Honestly, I can't and will never understand the need for people to build a car stereo that will allow the entire city block to listen to the same thing. One, they probably don't liek your music, and two, it makes you look like a toolbag who's parents didn't pay enough attention to....do you want to be that guy??

Oh, and Crutchfield is great when the item is on sale

Their buy one get one sale on speakers is the time to buy!

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 28, 2005, 10:40 am

No

I don't like how a HU powered speakers sound. Not enough clarity. Even a small amp like the one I am getting (4X75W RMS) will help a lot while not disturb planes flying at 33K feet heh. Even at very low volumes an amp will sound a lot better.

As for not understanding why people do it.. shrug.. I don't understand why people spend money on a lot of things. They like it, others like other things.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » January 28, 2005, 10:58 am

Nah no....I understand why you, like me, want a clear sounding stereo that pumps good...the one I don't understand is the "I built it for loudness only, so everyone has to hear it" types.

yeah, a 4x75 would be nice. that's subtle power. And with that, I think your subs, if you go duel, will overpower your radio with bass. I highly suggest the one sub, 10 or 12, with 250w or less amp. Worst case, you add another sub to the line if it actually ends up not being enough...which I'm sure it will be.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » January 28, 2005, 11:14 am

I've always liked having a good car stereo.. I've always had a bass addition, since I was able to drive...

My setup is always to focus the bass on the subwoofer, preferably with a sub output from the deck.. and drop the bass out of all the other speakers.. You'd be surprised how good stock speakers sound with bass at the minimum.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » January 28, 2005, 4:51 pm

My front stock speakers are blown

Well passenger side is.. so I have to replace those. Kappa's are good and not extremely expensive so not too worried about those. Same with the HU, it has to be replaced as well.. no CD in cold weather when you live in Cleveland is pretty much teh suck!