Is this a decent system (will it all work well together)?

then00b said:
-I thought there wasnt AUX inputs on the 05 stock HU's?
Also, I dont want that iPod connectivity where you control through the HU...way too messy.
I just wanna connect the RCA cable to the AUX input and play it that way.
thats ok, if you want it that way.
-I still see no problem with my original system...It's got decent wattage.
not to be rude, but no way dude. wattage ratings of cheap (read crappy) amps are made up. they throw darts at a board and get a number
-I dont need any fancy crap for the head unit, just the Aux input, preferably in front (which this has), and ability to adjust the sub(s). Ive read reviews on the HU and they say its a decent head unit with nothing fancy. Feel free to suggest a HU though that has an Aux Input.
fair enough, I dont know anything about that HU though, so I wont comment
-As for install, my friend can install it all except for the amp, which I figured is about $55.
its not hard, but if you want to pay someone then you know it will be done right.
-The subs have gotten great reviews, as has the amp I selected (although it is a no name brand I think, it has gotten great positive reviews and offers the most amount of wattage for the price, although it is a 2 channel amp).
the sub and amp I lised will ABSOLUTELY KILL the combo you listed... both in SPL and SQ. trust me
-Do 4-Channel amps make the system sound much better than a 2-Chan amp? Basically, is it worth it to spend the bucks to get the 4-Chan?
Thanks.
yes yes yes (indirectly), power the front speakers with real power and you can actually turn them up with oput distortion
 
I am using the iTrip now with the stock HU so I am used to changing the songs in the car via iPod. I usually just make a playlist of songs I like for the car and let it run through so I dont have to get in an accident. If I want to change a song, I wait till I can come to a stop to do it, so an accident is not a big issue.
So what youre saying about the 4-channel amp is that the sub will only play the low notes and wont play the whole song (lyrics, other notes, etc)? My friend has a system and all you can hear when he pumps his system is the bass, which is not what I want. I want to be able to understand whats going on in the song, which, if I understand you correctly, is available to me with a 4-Channel amp.
Thanks.
 
The sub you listed previously is out of stock until Xmas and I would like to buy the system ASAP.
Will that single 12" sub kill the dual 12" Kenwood subs I listed before?
The amp you are suggesting is the Hifonics Zeus ZX4400 (4 channel) correct?
Thanks all.
 
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That is correct. The deck really puts out about 10-15 watts RMS (I know it says 45 or whatever but that is max power). Most aftermarket speakers can handle at least 50-100 watts RMS.

If you buy a 4 channel amp that puts out 50 watts per channel you can send 50 watts to a set of speakers up front and bridge the rear channels to send 200 watts to a subwoofer. With most amps you also get the benefit of a crossover. The crossover makes sure that only high frequencies go to the speakers and low frequencies go to the subwoofer.

You'll have less of a chance of blowing the front speakers sending them 50 watts crossed over at 80-100Hz than powering them full range with the 10-15 watts from the head unit. Why? because distortion kills speakers and distortion occurs when you 1) overwork an amplifer (such as the one in the head unit) to the point where it clips or 2) you send the speakers frequencies they cannot produce (such as teh full range signal put out by the head unit).
 
then00b said:
The sub you listed previously is out of stock until Xmas and I would like to buy the system ASAP.
Will that single 12" sub kill the dual 12" Kenwood subs I listed before?
The amp you are suggesting is the Hifonics Zeus ZX4400 (4 channel) correct?
Thanks all.

hmm, it sucks its out of stock. the Hifonics amp is good bang for the $, but I'm not positive that it can take a 2ohm load (bridged). I'll try to find out.

here are some other good options for the $
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=295-404
http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cart_id=2895155.1678&pid=823
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=2034 (though you might want the dual 4ohm coils, depending on what the amp you decide on can take)
 
Does the stock head unit have an AUX input? I thought it did not. If it does, I might as well just connect it to the stock head unit. Can the stock HU run everything I want to buy well?
Can anyone pick out a sub (1 or 2, whatevers better for the $$$) and amp combo that would fit together and would sound good together? I can allow around ~$300 if I dont get a new head unit.
-Is this the same sub that you suggested except that it is in dual 4s?
Thanks.
 
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then00b said:
-Is this the same sub that you suggested except that it is in dual 4s?
Thanks.

yes, and its absolutely a fantastic SQ sub. and I think with that Hifonics amp this would work better than the dual 2 ohm, because you could run this sub's coils in series for an 8ohm load, then bridge that amp for the 220W at 4ohm (bridged)
 
So you suggest I purchase that sub with the 4-Channel Hifonics amp you previously selected?
Will this single sub sound better than another dual sub combo costing the same amount?

Thanks a bunch man.
 
sound better? without a doubt... the IDQ subs are some of the best SQ subs you can buy for thr $ though 2 cheap ass subs might play louder they would sound like crap.

and there are other amps out there that would work too. the Hifonics is just one suggestion because it is good for the $, but there are plenty others.
 
Are there any other 4-Chan amp options that would sound better or as good as the Hifonics for a slightly cheaper price (around $25-50 less)?
I want my subs to pound as well and not just be loud speakers with good SQ. Will this sub bump at all?
Thanks.
 
Ive confirmed that the stock radio does not have AUX inputs so I either have to buy a PIE adapter for 89 or buy a new head unit for $89 + $35 for the meta dash kit.
 
So...sexy...
I think we've found a winner.
Is that brand a reputable brand though? It has more power than the Hifonics correct?
Thanks.
 
then00b said:
So...sexy...
I think we've found a winner.
Is that brand a reputable brand though? It has more power than the Hifonics correct?
Thanks.

Phoenix Gold is decent... its not DLS, Zapco, or US Amps, but hey, what is?

and it certainly has more power than the Hifonics, even if it puts out less than rated (which it probably does)

it helps that its on sale
 
Lets total this up here:
Amp-$170
Sub-$150
Wiring-$75
Install-$55
Head Unit-$85
Total:$535

Am I pricing anything wrong?
 
Well you are forgetting shipping, which will be expensive if you buy from several different places. I personally have had very good luck with sounddomain so I always recommend them. Here are some good prices (some are closeouts on last year's model).

Kicker 4-channel amp for $152.95
http://www.cardomain.com/item/KIC04KX35042

Image Dynamics IDQ10D2 for $149.95 (add $40 for a 12")
http://www.cardomain.com/item/IDSIDQ10D2V2

Stinger 4ga wiring kit for $46.95
http://www.cardomain.com/item/STISWK4

Infinity Kappa 5x7 speakers for $78.95
http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFKAPPA5725CF

I couldn't find a head unit on sounddomain's site that had the aux input in the front, however there were a few with rear aux input that I liked better than the one you chose. Again, I still recommend buying a 4-channel amp and a set of speakers to round out the system. The speakers I selected for you are much better than stock but you can always spend more on speakers.

152.95 (Amp)
149.95 (Sub)
46.95 (Wiring)
78.95 (Speakers)
Total: 428.80

Add in the head unit and install...
428.80
55
85
Total: 568.80
 
I've never heard a single good thing about those HU's, if you really like it for one reason or another, by all means go ahead, but you'll likely be hurting alot of that good sound you're gaining with the other parts...

I KNOW the oney thing is tight, but seriously, look into perhaps peicing things together or whatever it takes sothat you don't have to re-buy. because that's one of ht ebiggests wastes of money ever. the rest of everything's looking great for you right now, but those HU's honestly belong as replacements for dead old geo metro decks and little more.
 
Poseur, which HU would you recommend then? As you know I am on a strict budget and do require the AUX input (rear or front).
Sorry all, I forgot to mention all of the above prices include shipping (buying it all from eBay)(I know what youre saying: eBay sucks! Its so unreliable! My friend bought his whole $1000 system off eBay with not one problem so I am going to be going the eBay mainly because of the savings).

Forgot to mention:
Amp= Phoenix Gold (mentioned above)
Sub= Image Dynamics 12" 4 ohm coils (mentioned above)
Speakers= Pioneer TS-A6880R 6 x 8" 4 Way speakers
 
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Yep, we're all gonna say somethign about ebay, mainly that if you're on a budget now, what happens when something doesn't work? soundomain is a VERY reliable, and incredibly inexpensive place to go through. Best off, AUTHORISED DEALER. meaning that firstoff you get real product, second, you get real warranty. it's a broekn record in here really, but a good price goes right to hell as soon as you pay that "low price" for something that's not even worth that.

I understand that this is all in one ear and out the other, but PLEASE atleast consider the fact taht about 40% of those I'm aware of who've e-bay stereo shopped have lived to regret it. I'm on that list myself. It'sa whole learning process, that I'm hoping you can skip the first step of. I'm not trying to nag, and in the end, please feel free to do whatever you want, I'm just laying out the facts. if/when something goes bad, there's most of the time no recourse, you're stuck spending your well rationed cash on somethign that's no good as a paperweight. YES it always looks the same, and alot of times it's nearly impossible to tell the difference, but there is one. Perhaps you'llget lucky, but what if you don't?
 
Thanks for the advice. I will consider and see if I can find the same prices elsewhere, but I doubt that.
Any recommendations for that head unit?
 
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