Need help Choosing and Adding aftermarket Amp and Subs

[Mace Windu]

I'm going into this sort of blindly. I'd like to get some input from everyone about adding an aftermarket Amp and Subs to the 3. I have an 05 S sedan with M/T and I was just wondering if there is a consensus among the board pertaining to the best sounding equipment. I like the stock system, but I am looking for crisper highs and deeper lows. Also, when does dampening become an issue? Could I put a couple of 10s in and not have rattle be an issue?

So the questions are:

1. What's the best brand amp/sub for the 3? if there is one.
2. When would I need to install dynamats or something similar?

Thanks all.

 

[mobomelter]

if you put any subs in the car you are going to need dynamat. my car rattles already and i'm using all the stock audio equipment.

 

[Mace Windu]

What did your dealer have to say about that? That sounds like a manufacturing problem, I don't notice any rattles on my stock system.

Wouldn't an enclosure go far to reduce the need for dampening?

 

[tsunami]

nope you need to dampen trust me... i dampened before i did my door speaker upgrade and it made a ton of difference... no rattles and cleaner sound.... with the amp and speakers hooked up it is soundin so sweet.... as far as what brands... its all up to you and your music choice for speakers and $$ for amplifiers... 4ch vs 2 ch for the fronts... or buy one 6ch amp and run all your speakers off of it... there is a ton of stuff out there... i personally am a fan of jl amps... first one i bought and have been buyin em since... they are great quality and the sound is top notch... as for speakers and subs like i said that is up to you.... go to a mobile audio store and listen to certian speakers and subs...(all off of the same amp) with your own music to see what your ears like... personaly i have become very fond of my boston accoustics, i listen to a wide range of things from metal/hard rock-hip hop-techno-funk-jazz..... do some home work and good luck....

 

[Mz3_4u2nv]

Jl Jl Jl Jl!!!

i do not think any other sub out there on the market can compete with the quality that JL Audio produces. Amps and of course subs. i have just one 12 inch JL sub, and thats all i need. but JL can be expensive, Alpine also has great Amps which is what i chose to run my JL sub from an Alpine amp.

also when you listen to a JL Audio sub, especially in a car, you will notice an exceptional quality of clarity. Again JL's can be expensive and if you really want that quality sound, spend the loot.

 

[dtlmunkey]

I have always been an Alpine fan, so that is what I picked. I replaced the head unit, front and rear speakers, and added an amp and sub. I went with the Alpine 9825 head unit that I found on crutchfield.com for only $150(clearance) and it's crystal clear. Crutchfield also includes a free dash mount kit and wiring harness, so it looks pretty close to stock(minus clock and without use of steering wheel controls) I also got my amp from the same place-a 200wRMS mono amp for the sub. I have one 10"" JL in the back and everything sounds nice. The hatch rattles a bit when I turn it way up, but at normal listening levels there is no problem. Another plus is that the license plate isn't mounted on the hatch, so it doesn't rattle louder than the music.

 

[tsunami]

oh yeah as far us a hu goes i prefer the stock look... since everything is integrated a simple LOC (line out converter) gives the stock hu a line out and you have your rca's to run to any amp... it was simple as hell and i have everything lookin stock so you can't tell i have a sweet set up just walkin buy and seein it parked....plus i didn't want to deal with all that other crap to keep my steering wheel controls and alcs is nice plus i think it looks sexy the way it is...