Sound Setup
- Thread starter Kikkomann
- Start date
imported_SouthernZ71
New member
Most would say go with a multi amp set-up, but I'm running a Kicker 700.5 with a Audio Control passive X-over (allows me to adjust mids/highs) on 2 JL W0 12's and my stock highs. Sounds damn nice and I don't have to deal with finding other places for amps, running caps, changing the Alt out or getting a bigger/better batt.
Lowejackson
New member
Dont worry about brands. It is the installation and setup that really makes the difference.
imported_dl9589
New member
You still have to worry about the brand. You aren't going to get a Pyle/Pyramid sub to sound as good as a JL, RE, ED, Adire. Although 90% is in installation.
If your looking for a great sounding sub that will go low and get loud if you so choose then look into Elemental Designs , and check out their K series sub woofers. If you want their top of the line "A" series, which I'm running and HIGHLY recommend, then they have a packaged deal running now that would give you one 12" A and a matching amp for 450 I believe...awesome, awesome deal.
If your looking for a great sounding sub that will go low and get loud if you so choose then look into Elemental Designs , and check out their K series sub woofers. If you want their top of the line "A" series, which I'm running and HIGHLY recommend, then they have a packaged deal running now that would give you one 12" A and a matching amp for 450 I believe...awesome, awesome deal.
How about Kicker, Rockford Fosgate and Blaupunkt? What can you say about these three? Is it OK to buy all the sound components in one brand (say, all the speakers, subs, amps, etc. all from Kicker)? Or I should buy from different manufacturers (say subs= blaupunkt, head unit= pioneer, speakers= kicker)? Tnx!
SickOfItAll
New member
Blaupunkt is decent, Rockford and Kicker are both bottom of the barrel. I'm kind of an extremist when it comes to car audio, but:
Imade Dynamics IDQ series for subs - the only way to go, if you're on a budget. Plenty loud, great response, great sound.
Focal for mids and highs - there are other options, but only more expensive ones for not as good of a sound.
For amps...
Zapco
Helix
Brax
Any of those three are fantastic. The new JL amps are pretty nice too, but stay away from JL speakers.
Imade Dynamics IDQ series for subs - the only way to go, if you're on a budget. Plenty loud, great response, great sound.
Focal for mids and highs - there are other options, but only more expensive ones for not as good of a sound.
For amps...
Zapco
Helix
Brax
Any of those three are fantastic. The new JL amps are pretty nice too, but stay away from JL speakers.
imported_dl9589
New member
Not the only way to go. eD's A series sub, RE XXX, Magnum...there are plenty of choices other than ID. The eD A series has just as good SQ and more SPL, I know this much first hand as I've listened to both an awful lot and decided on the eD sub for over all quality and price.:up
imported_Greg1
New member
Source Components:
I am quite picky when it comes to audio components. However, Blaupunkt is not one of my personal faves because, IMHO, their head units have a great deal of distortion. I would look at Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine, Eclipse, and Clarion
Amplifiers:
Look at a/d/s, JL Audio, Orion, Precision Power, Rockford Fosgate (Power Series, not Punch), Phoenix Gold, Soundstream, Zapco, and Crossfire
Speakers:
Boston Acoustics, JL Audio, a/d/s, Eclipse, CDT, Dynaudio, Diamond Audio, Polk Audio, JBL
Subwoofers:
MA Audio, Image Dynamics, JL Audio, a/d/s, Alpine (R Series), Eclipse (Ti Series), JBL
If you want an idea, check out the plans for mine
I am quite picky when it comes to audio components. However, Blaupunkt is not one of my personal faves because, IMHO, their head units have a great deal of distortion. I would look at Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine, Eclipse, and Clarion
Amplifiers:
Look at a/d/s, JL Audio, Orion, Precision Power, Rockford Fosgate (Power Series, not Punch), Phoenix Gold, Soundstream, Zapco, and Crossfire
Speakers:
Boston Acoustics, JL Audio, a/d/s, Eclipse, CDT, Dynaudio, Diamond Audio, Polk Audio, JBL
Subwoofers:
MA Audio, Image Dynamics, JL Audio, a/d/s, Alpine (R Series), Eclipse (Ti Series), JBL
If you want an idea, check out the plans for mine
imported_dl9589
New member
PrinzII said:
For subs you may want to add edesign Audio, Resonant engineering, Adire, Magnum, etc...all are on par with the ones you listed. Not sure if Alpine belongs in there with the rest though.
Also, another set of componants to look at are Focal.
Other HU's to look at are Nakamichi, and Denon. If your going to be running an external amplifier, which I would highly recommend, then distortion in the HU won't matter.
Aurora, The reason I didn't list Focal and the other brands you mentioned is that he's working with $1,000.
I will admit that you have good taste in components like I do.
But the Alpine Type R series subs are pretty good.
What do you think of the system I am going to throw in the '03 Max?
I will admit that you have good taste in components like I do.
But the Alpine Type R series subs are pretty good.
What do you think of the system I am going to throw in the '03 Max?
imported_dl9589
New member
Looks good to me. The only suggestion I'd offer is looking into different subs...there's so many other companies out there that make subs that will outperform (or keep up with) the W6 for half the price, but if you listened to them and they sounded good to you then go for it!
Elemental Designs Look into their "A" series line of subs. I'm running the 12" A and it's as loud as the JL W7 and sounds just as good if your into SQ, which is what I bought it for...and it's about 1/3 the price of the W7
Stereo Integrity Look at the Magnum D2 sub...again, will compete with the W7 in all aspects at about half the price.
But, like I said...if you listened to all of what you picked out and it sounds good to you then that's what counts. Just wanted to let you know there are cheaper (money wise) options available.:xyxthumbs
Elemental Designs Look into their "A" series line of subs. I'm running the 12" A and it's as loud as the JL W7 and sounds just as good if your into SQ, which is what I bought it for...and it's about 1/3 the price of the W7
Stereo Integrity Look at the Magnum D2 sub...again, will compete with the W7 in all aspects at about half the price.
But, like I said...if you listened to all of what you picked out and it sounds good to you then that's what counts. Just wanted to let you know there are cheaper (money wise) options available.:xyxthumbs
imported_dl9589
New member
Both the ones I listed will get loud and sound good with less wattage. The Magnum can handle more than 1000+ watts, but doesn't need it.
With the eD A, you could run two off 1000+ watts if needed, and it would still be incredibly loud.
I have an Avionixx AXT 800.2 going to my e12a. It's about 900 watts to it.
So both can handle that much but don't need it.
With the eD A, you could run two off 1000+ watts if needed, and it would still be incredibly loud.
I have an Avionixx AXT 800.2 going to my e12a. It's about 900 watts to it.
So both can handle that much but don't need it.
If you only have $1k to work with, you pretty much have to go for some value equipment. If you are truly holding it to under this amount I would recommend the Avionixx 600.4 amp (110W x 4 for $280), the Elemental Designs E10K sub ($125) which is a great sounding sub that does not require a ton of power, and then go the .theZeb.com and get the CDT Audio CL-61a components for $150. This amp will do a great job of running all of this and this would only cost you around $600 with shipping. I would spend the rest on a good quality installation and soundproofing your car.
My biggest recommendation is to get a professional to do the installation. It really makes a huge difference.
System in my 2003 Accord LX Coupe:
Eclipse 8443 H/U
Avionixx 600.4 amp
CDT Audio Eurosport ES-620 components
Elemental Designs E10K sub w/box by Mr. Marv
I got a 3 yr warranty on everything except the Euro's which come with a 5 year warranty. All of this including installation by a guy with more than 19 years experience was right at $1,900 and I would not change a single thing if I had it to do over again.
My biggest recommendation is to get a professional to do the installation. It really makes a huge difference.
System in my 2003 Accord LX Coupe:
Eclipse 8443 H/U
Avionixx 600.4 amp
CDT Audio Eurosport ES-620 components
Elemental Designs E10K sub w/box by Mr. Marv
I got a 3 yr warranty on everything except the Euro's which come with a 5 year warranty. All of this including installation by a guy with more than 19 years experience was right at $1,900 and I would not change a single thing if I had it to do over again.
2000_EBP_civic
New member
OutlawTitan said:
Unfortunately its not that easy to find a professional. Of all the shops i've visited, all i've seen are people that make an install look nice. Simply carpenters and people who are good with fiberglass and bondo.
imported_dl9589
New member
PrinzII said:
Doubt you'll find anywhere locally to listen to either of those subs...yet.
If it were my choice I'd get the Magnum D2, put it in a smaller (i.e. 1.5^3) sealed box and give it between 500-1000 watts...it will be louder than you'll ever want it to be, but sound very, very clean...can hit any beat you want it to without missing anything....just an awesome sub, and it will save you some money.
