Audio Questions

[carsandguitars5]

I've searched around but haven't been able to find any answers, so here are my questions: What kind of brands should I look into for my amp, subs, and front speakers? I'm not going to go with components because I don't have the cash, but I'd like to replace the stockers. And what kind of dash kit did you guys find worked and fit well? The sticky on that wasn't really clear. I'll probably get an Alpine CDA-9847 or 9855, if that matters. Oh, and sites or stores to buy all this would help too. Thanks!

Chris

Edit: Thought this might help. I'm planning on powering my front speakers from my amp, so I need an amp that can power my sub(or subs) but won't blow my speakers, or some speakers that can handle the power from the amp. Budget is about $500ish for all three together. Thanks!

 

[the tortoise]

General Info:

Post # 12 gives you an idea on the cost of things:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6620&highlight=Amp

If you buy used you can probably keep everything within your budget, but you won't have a warranty. It's up to you.

AMPS
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122972&highlight=Amp

FRONT SPEAKERS
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43928&highlight=Coaxial

Though, everyone is gonna say just listen for yourself and see what fits your Dollar/Perfomance ratio best.

DASH KIT

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111064&highlight=Dash

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Chiguy_2002]

Best piece of advice I can give you is to go and listen to the speakers that you are planning on getting, we can suggest brands and types, but you need to be the final judge on what you like to hear. As for the amp, you can get one four channel, use the front two, and bridge the back two for the sub. You can also get a small two channel and a sub amp...I would say look at both.

 

[chuyler1]

So you have a $500 budget and you want an amplifier, subwoofer(s), and pair of speakers. We can prolly come up with a solution for you....

(goes off to do some research)

 

[chuyler1]

Here you go...

<table class="formtable" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); border-width: 1px 1px 0pt; margin: 5px 0pt 0pt; width: 574px;" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="label">
</td> <td class="label" style="text-align: left;">Item</td> <td class="label" style="text-align: right;">Quantity</td> <td class="label"> </td> <td class="label">Price</td> <td class="label">Total</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="prodimage"> </td> <td class="proddesc"> Audiobahn A6004T Multi-Channel Amp
<small>300W 4-Channel 600W Bridged Air Induction Fan Cooled Cobalt Blue Illumination
Part #: ABNA6004T</small> </td> <td class="prodquan"> <input name="qty_ABNA6004T" value="1" size="2" type="text">
remove </td> <td> </td> <td class="prodprice"> $154.98 </td> <td class="prodtotal"> $154.98 FREE Shipping
</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="prodimage"> </td> <td class="proddesc"> Image Dynamics ID10 v.3 D2 Subwoofer
<small>10" Dual 2 Ohms ID v.3 Series
Part #: IDSID10V3D2</small> </td> <td class="prodquan"> <input name="qty_IDSID10V3D2" value="1" size="2" type="text">
remove </td> <td> each</td> <td class="prodprice"> $129.95 </td> <td class="prodtotal"> $129.95 FREE Shipping
</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="prodimage"> </td> <td class="proddesc"> Infinity Reference 6810cs Component Speaker System
<small>5" x 7" / 6" x 8" with Soft Dome Tweeter Spacers Included
Part #: INFREF6810CS</small> </td> <td class="prodquan"> <input name="qty_INFREF6810CS" value="1" size="2" type="text">
remove </td> <td> </td> <td class="prodprice"> $159.95 </td> <td class="prodtotal"> $159.95 FREE Shipping
</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="prodimage"> </td> <td class="proddesc"> Q-Logic QLH-.6510SS Subwoofer Enclosure
<small>Small Sealed Enclosure for 1-10" Subwoofer New QxE Ring
Part #: QLCQLH6510SS</small> </td> <td class="prodquan"> <input name="qty_QLCQLH6510SS" value="1" size="2" type="text">
remove </td> <td> </td> <td class="prodprice"> $69.95 </td> <td class="prodtotal"> $69.95 </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="prodimage"> </td> <td class="proddesc"> Stinger Custom Pro SWK8R Amplifier Wiring Kit
<small>Custom Pro Series 8 Gauge Kit with Interconnects
Part #: STISWK8R</small> </td> <td class="prodquan"> <input name="qty_STISWK8R" value="1" size="2" type="text">
remove </td> <td> </td> <td class="prodprice"> $34.95 </td> <td class="prodtotal"> $34.95 </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="prodimage"> </td> <td class="proddesc"> Stinger Custom Pro SWT16BLU Speaker Wire
<small>Translucent Blue 16 Gauge
Part #: STISWT16BLU5</small> </td> <td class="prodquan"> <input name="qty_STISWT16BLU5" value="30" size="2" type="text">
remove </td> <td> foot</td> <td class="prodprice"> $0.19 </td> <td class="prodtotal"> $5.70 </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="6" style="text-align: right; font-size: 10px;"> Make any changes above? <input value=\"\"\"Update\"\" quantities=\"\"\"\" src="http://images.cardomain.net/sites/cardomain/buttons/button-update-quantity.gif" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 3px; vertical-align: middle;" type="image"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5" style="padding: 5px 5px 5px 0pt; background: rgb(238, 238, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: right; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-weight: bold;">Additional savings for this order</td> <td style="border-width: 0pt 0pt 1px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 0pt; background: rgb(238, 238, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; text-align: right; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">-$9.00</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5" style="padding: 5px 5px 5px 0pt; background: rgb(238, 238, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; text-align: right; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-weight: bold;">Subtotal</td> <td style="border-width: 0pt 0pt 1px; padding: 5px 5px 5px 0pt; background: rgb(238, 238, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; text-align: right; font-weight: bold;">$546.48</td></tr></tbody></table>
Sorry I went a little over. This system is composed of good components. The Audiobahn amplifier is a good unit for the price and you won't get as many watts/dollar with another brand. If you bridge the rear channels you will provide 300w for the ImageDynamics subwoofer and 75w per channel for the Infinity 6x8 components which are an easy install in the Protege5. Also included in the estimate is a subwoofer box, wiring kit, and speaker wire.
You will also need a Line-Out-Converter if don't intend to buy that Alpine head unit right away. You can get one at www.davidnavone.com for $20-30.

 

[carsandguitars5]

Wow. That's really awesome. My next question was going to be about wiring kits, like what kind of gauge I should get, but you answered that too. I was looking at components, and I know I could put the crossovers in the little cubby hole in the door, but where would I put the tweeters? Could I go to the junk yard and get that little sail panel(?) off of a wrecked 03 P5? Thanks again! Don't be surprised if I go with that set up, but I'd like to buy it in person.

 

[smo0f]

as an car audio installer, i would recommend that you focus on getting good interior speakers + a good amp to power them, then worry about bass. makes a hell of a difference

 

[chuyler1]

An 8ga wiring kit will be sufficient for you.

You could get the 03 sail panels or you could just drill a hole in the panels you have (and worry about replacing them later if you take the stereo equipment out of the car).

There is some dead space behind the door panel just under the window switches where you can mount the crossover. It will make a cleaner install if passengers can't see the crossovers hanging out in the cubby hole.

I don't think you can get this much equipment for $500 at a local shop. In fact I'm willing to bet it will cost you almost double. SoundDomain has some great deals if you know how to mix and match equipment (which I seem to be pretty good at).

You should go to a few shops with a demo CD and a notebook. Talk to the sales people and tell them what you want. Write down the equipment they recommend and the prices of everything. Listen to some speakers and get a feel for what you like. Then go home and do some research online. Ask a few more questions here, and then you'll be good to go.