Sub/Amp Suggestions - $500 budget

[Amoeba]

Hey gang,

I'l admit I know dick about modern car audio. Back in 1991 I was intimately famiiar with it (senior in high school -was a social necessity) but have no clue when it comes to current manufacturers and setups.

I saw the $1000 thread but have special needs for what I want and figured I'd throw this out to you guys and see what input/suggestions I could get. I'm looking for a sub and amp for my 2002 P5. Current install is completely stock. SQ is priority though some decent SPL would be nice... I can't *stand* muddy/distorted sound. I listen to a lot of ambient/drum n bass/house with some jazz and downtempo thrown in so crisp response and stuff is key.

When I say special needs here's the deal: I got a kid on the way which means the sub solution has to be compact so I can fit the stroller in the back. Any solution where the sub speaker is open or uncovered on the box/enclosure would not be good cause I *know* it'd get whacked. I'm looking for excellent SQ, small form factor, and ruggedness. I plan on replacing the HU and front speakers on the next go round

So.. here's the needs, please offer some suggestions:

Budget of ~$500
Amp
Sub
compact/rugged sub enclosure
SQ is top priority

Friend of mine has the Infinity Basslink which is nice but an all-in-one package is not for me. I'd like to be able to expand or play around with other components in the future.

 

[traitorhound]

small. . .well you could do a single re 8 in a small ported box (only .5cu) and remove it whenever necessary when .5 cu of storage spage is too much

that and the box should cost you around 100 usd if you build the box

then for the front speakers everyone has has had good results with the 150 dollar cdt 6.5 components from thezeb.com

so that puts you at 200 dollars that you can put towards a 4 channel amp (pretty easy to find one ifyou ask me, im usinng a 100 dollar power acoustik 4 channel, for only mids and highs mind you but you would use it to amp the fronts and bridge the rears for the sub)

then your last 50 would go towards an amp kit, wiring harness

you may also need a Line Out Converter if the amp you chose doesnt' have high level inputs and only rca inputs (this shouldn't be more than 50 bux too for a decent one, Navonne LOC?)

and there you have it


EDIT, oh i didnh't really read that this was just for a sub/amp. well 500 will get you even farther but with what i suggested would already sound really good for a budget system

 

[Amoeba]

Thanks for the reply TH.. but I can handle the install/wiring etc and see you already edited in regards to not including the front speakers in this. I seriously meant just the sub, sub amp, and enclosure for that budget

Model #'s, manufacturer lines to look into, that kind of thing would be good.

 

[NoRotorNoMotor]

if your feeling nastalgic i have some subs from the early 90's for sale cheap in the for sale section

 

[traitorhound]

well i mean you would incur those costs for wiring. . .well the setup that im doing now runs around 500 dollars, im using an power acoustik a1800db (~ 300) and 5 re 8's (got for 222 from their group buy)

 

[Poseur]

5 RE 8's?? wow, you got those in yet? I'm quite curious to see...

threadjack over..

As far as space goes, Notsur eif you've got much freetime/enthusiasm to spare, but you canalways fiberglass in a box. Mine for a 12 wiht 1.2 cubic feet of volume tucks behind my pass side rear wheelwell and barely consumes any useable space. I've alway sliked single 12's, I'd recommend a single larger speaker over a pair of smaller anyday for many reasons. Asfar as models, etc. Checkout GotWake's thread on adire, the new models aren't out for another couple weeks, but they seem quite promising. Their Koda 10's quite nice, and there's a couple nw models in teh mix, I'm hopefully gonna go over and listen to a few towards the end of next week. Apart from that, Image Dynamics IDQ-10 I belive isa proven inexpensive sq-oriented performer. And then there's always the vanilla of the 12v audioworld. JL.

 

[Rider69]

You say that SQ is a top priority, yet you do not want to replace the front speakers? How can you expect to get good SQ out of the factory setup? It is quite honestly a bad setup. Take TH suggestions to heart.

MY suggestion:
Front Speakers: Kicker K57.2 $130 HERE
4 Channel amp: Hifonics ZX6400 $210 HERE
Sub: Kicker 10" COmpVR Dual2 $67 HERE

Use the rest for wires, box, LOC, etc

 

[1sty]

This should be around $170, that includes the box and sub and grill. http://www.jlaudio.com/enclosures/CS110RGW0.html
It may be even cheaper as the W0 is discontinued and the W1 will soon replace it. Any JL dealer should have it and maybe even the w1 boxes are avaialble.

This is a nice little amp that puts out alot more power then it specs to and is small enough to fit most anywhere. http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/e1200.html

If you don't mind breaking the budget a little, then this is my newest favorite amp to pimp.
http://www.jlaudio.com/amps/e6450.html

It will power the hole system and with ALOT more power then its rated too. Plus its only $450. So it can power all 4 door speakers and the sub now and you can add a second sub later or even a single more powerful one and add components later at which time you can bridge channels 1+2, 3+4 for a great amount of juice.

Hey gang,

I'l admit I know dick about modern car audio. Back in 1991 I was intimately famiiar with it (senior in high school -was a social necessity) but have no clue when it comes to current manufacturers and setups.

I saw the $1000 thread but have special needs for what I want and figured I'd throw this out to you guys and see what input/suggestions I could get. I'm looking for a sub and amp for my 2002 P5. Current install is completely stock. SQ is priority though some decent SPL would be nice... I can't *stand* muddy/distorted sound. I listen to a lot of ambient/drum n bass/house with some jazz and downtempo thrown in so crisp response and stuff is key.

When I say special needs here's the deal: I got a kid on the way which means the sub solution has to be compact so I can fit the stroller in the back. Any solution where the sub speaker is open or uncovered on the box/enclosure would not be good cause I *know* it'd get whacked. I'm looking for excellent SQ, small form factor, and ruggedness. I plan on replacing the HU and front speakers on the next go round

So.. here's the needs, please offer some suggestions:

Budget of ~$500
Amp
Sub
compact/rugged sub enclosure
SQ is top priority

Friend of mine has the Infinity Basslink which is nice but an all-in-one package is not for me. I'd like to be able to expand or play around with other components in the future.

 

[Scott D.]

* Flame Suit On *

http://www.elementaldesigns.com/

 

[1sty]

* Flame Suit On *

http://www.elementaldesigns.com/

Atleast give the man a sub and amp model reccomendation.

 

[Amoeba]

You say that SQ is a top priority, yet you do not want to replace the front speakers? How can you expect to get good SQ out of the factory setup? It is quite honestly a bad setup. Take TH suggestions to heart.

I will be replacing the front speakers in the near future as well as the HU. I'm just trying to keep the budget to a low roar so the woman doesn't castrate me. Plus, HU and fronts I can figure out well enough for my needs but there are so many subs to choose from out there.. and so little experience with them on my part.

I'm a ubergeek by profession and am used to building things from scratch. I thought by choosing high quality components and integrating them as I go along would let me get exactly what I want with no compromises and let me learn some s*** along the way. Correct me if it's different in this regard.

1sty: I had bad experiences with JL in the (distant) past. I take it they've improved their quality lately? Frankly, I'd expected a sub solution to be a little more expensive than the W0/W1 you suggest but I'll definitely check into it. Should I put most of my fundage into the amp choice then? I know I've seen posts from you in the past which suggest matching your amp specs to the sub specs for optimal sound. This the case with the W0/W1 and E1200? Would assume so since both are JL

 

[1sty]

The e1200 and a W0/W1 is close enough in power output. If you want a more powerful sub in the combo, then You can go with a 10W3 in a JL box and an alpine MRp-M350 to power it. Its a perfect match power wise.

I usualy don't like going to a higher powered sub with the stock speakers in the mix but if you are going to be upgrading in the future then its cool. The Jl w3 in a box is around $275 and the amp is only $199.

For a total system amp the Jl e6450 is an outstanding value and performer. Its basicly going to comsume your entire budget on its own though.

JL is proably the most popular car audio company in the game right now. There quality the best I have come across and the products are outstanding. The reality of the industry is that everyone may think there better then JL, but its JL everyone is comparing themselves too.

 

[Amoeba]

As far as space goes, Notsur eif you've got much freetime/enthusiasm to spare, but you canalways fiberglass in a box.

(boom01)

I think I would rather have drunken midgets kick me in the nuts than try my hand at fiberglassin'.

I'd recommend a single larger speaker over a pair of smaller anyday for many reasons. Asfar as models, etc. Checkout GotWake's thread on adire, the new models aren't out for another couple weeks, but they seem quite promising. Their Koda 10's quite nice, and there's a couple nw models in teh mix, I'm hopefully gonna go over and listen to a few towards the end of next week. Apart from that, Image Dynamics IDQ-10 I belive isa proven inexpensive sq-oriented performer. And then there's always the vanilla of the 12v audioworld. JL.

I am intrigued by your information and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. (cabpatch)

I agree with the single speaker solution myself.. will look into the IDQ-10 and Koda's.

Thanks for the assist.

 

[1sty]

Adire and Image dynamics are both worth a serious look.

 

[Amoeba]

Adire and Image dynamics are both worth a serious look.

Heh. Thought Adire was a poster and not a company.

Duh.

 

[Amoeba]

After some PMs with the 1st-meister I think I'm gonna go with the Alpine MRP-M350 and the JL CVS110G-W3v2. Well within my budget and should suit my needs perfectly.

You guys rock.

 

[Amoeba]

Oh. Hey. where the heck should I buy the bastards from? Any hookups out there?

 

[traitorhound]

im pretty sure you can only get JL stuff from an authorized dealer unless its second hand or grey market

 

[1sty]

You can find JL online from time to time for a deal of sorts but you are correct Traitor, you have to buy from an authorized dealer to get any warrenty or support from JL and there are no online JL dealers. This means for someone to actualy have it for sale online it does have to be grey market in that its not actualy purchased from JL.

 

[DeadAir]

Lots of good info in this thread. I picked up the Bazooka tube off eBay for a stupid cheap price, but it's starting to wear a bit thin since it seems (to me, at least) that it gets muddy. I pulled the MTX 10 a while ago when I needed a bit more room and haven't put it back...

thanks for the info kids

(bow)