I'm new to car audio, and I have no idea which brands are "good" and "bad"...

Jonny K · 07-30-2003, 12:50 AM

Kenwood? Pioneer? Alpine? Rockford Fosgate? Pheonix Gold? MTX? Etc etc...

I don't know what's good and what's bad. When I look at car audio advertisements, I see parts from different manufacturers mixed together in different combinations. Can I simply concentrate on one company and find everything I'm looking for, or must I mix and match?

I don't know much about this stuff, but I think Kenwood and Pioneer are both decent. Any suggestions? I'm hoping to build an affordable system with outstanding bass. (and great sound in general). I'm thinking of spending maybe $1500 Canadian (about $1000 US).

Thanks,

Jonny K.

Jason Merrick · 07-30-2003, 09:35 AM

Jonny,

I am not an expert, but I'll try to help you get pointed in the right direction. First of all, what kind of car do you have, and more importantly how is the stock stereo? Is the sound quality good, but just not loud enough or not enough bass? I ask this, because for $1000 US, you probably shouldn't expect to get a new deck, amp, door speakers and sub including installation. Installation is the killer, but is also almost as important as what equipment you buy.

I'll use my car as an example: I have a 2002 Acura RSX base model (without Bose audio system) with 4-6 1/2" door speakers and 2 tweeters on the dash. The sound was actually pretty decent with the stock system, but not loud enough and certainly not enough bass. One of the big things I wanted in any upgrade was MP3/WMA capability which narrows down the choices considerably, there are lots of MP3 players, but not so many WMA players. I ended up with the Pioneer DEH-P8400MP which I paid $500 for. Since the stock speakers sounded fairly clear, I decided to wait on replacing those and spent the remainder of my budget on a low-end MTX 150W RMS amp and a Kenwood Excelon 10" sub in an MTX box. The price for everything, including installation, at my local GoodGuys store was right at $1000. GoodGuys certainly isn't the cheapest store around and I could have probably got better deals elsewhere, but I have had good past experiences with this store's installers and wanted to use them again. I think the sound is tremendously improved. Even with the stock speakers, it really sounds phenomenal. On the other hand, in my Ford Expedition I replaced the deck with a Sony, the front speakers with Clarions, the back speakers with Alpines and added a JL-audio micro sub, all being powered by a 5-channel Alpine amp sending 40W RMS to each of the doors and 150W RMS to the sub. My budget Acura system sounds WAY better than the Expedition, and also goes louder... this with the head unit powering everything but the sub. Some of this is attributable to the hatchback design of the car vs. the cavernous interior of the Expedition though.

My point is, you may be able to save some money on certain areas depending on what kind of equipment you are starting with. While you can get decent sound by amplifying your stock head unit, I personally would always start any audio system by replacing the factory deck with a good quality aftermarket head unit. My personal next step would be to add a sub/amp combo. You may be happy with the sound at this point and be able to stop, but you also may not be happy and may eventually need to replace your speakers and add another amp to power them.

As far as the brands you mentioned, I think Alpine is probably the most highly regarded in the car audio world and they make everything you would need. In my personal opinion, Pioneer is right up there with Alpine, and I like the looks of their decks better, so I went with them. They, along with Kenwood, also make every component you would need. Rockford Fosgate I don't know so much about, I think they make head units now, but I'm not sure of their quality... but I think their subs and amps are both decent. MTX doesn't make head units, and I think their amps/subs are probably considered middle-of-the-pack, but are fine in my opinion. Phoenix Gold is highly regarded in the amp circles, but that's all I know about them.

You might check the internet for a forum for your car... I read www.clubRSX.com pretty regularly and they have a good audio forum. It's always good to see what other people are doing to improve their audio in the same type of vehicle you have. You might see what is the priority for immediate replacement and what can wait awhile.

Well, I think I've said enough (for this post at least!) to get you started.

Good luck!

JessPrice · 07-30-2003, 11:06 AM

Jason is right about a few things, but I'll shed some more light. Yes, Alpine is a good brand, but they are overpriced. When you buy alpine, you are really just buying the name. Kenwood is a very low line. Pioneer, depending on what products, is eigther a low line or a great headunit value.

One thing I have learned - You CANNOT have GREAT sound in your car. I don't care what other people say. There are too many vibrations, bad speaker placements, road noise, car noise, and just other stuff in general. You can have really good music, but it will never be GREAT, imo.

For $1000 you are pretty limited. Car Audio gets expensive fast. For that amount you can expect to get some decent component speakers, a nice headunit, and the installation of these products, or you can go with a good (mid-priced) sub, a good (150-300 watts RMS) amp, a custom sized box to match your sub and power handeling, and the installation of these things.

Frank Grimes · 07-30-2003, 11:23 AM

To me, Alpine and Phoenix Gold stant out as being two of the best mainstream brands, JL probably being the best. But I would definitely recommend mixing brands, though, as few brands get everything right. All JL amps will really work your budget, Alpine makes subpar subs (and their 'flagship' components use fairly cheap SEAS drivers).

Does your vehicle have a stock CD player? If so, I would recommend spending the full $1000 on speakers and amps, as you can definitely get by with the stock HU and a line output convertor. For the sub, I'm sure you're familiar with Adire. The Shiva is just as capable a driver in car audio as in your home, as is the Stryke AV12.

I've always loved Oz Audio's Matrix components. Along with JL XR's, they're IMO the best premade component set under $400. If you're a DIYer, then you have way too many options. $100 worth of drivers can be made to sound better than sets selling for four times that. Most of your time and money should go into the front speakers. I see far too many car audio enthusiests running 1000+ watts to 4 subs all the while running cheap coaxials off of the HU.

For amplifiers, US Acoustics, Hifonics, JBL, and Avionixx (they seem to be the 'hot' product as of late) make quality products that are very easy on the wallet. I've had my share of 'high end' amplifiers (Arc Audio), and there really is no audible difference.

JessPrice · 07-30-2003, 11:33 AM

Yes, JBL makes GREAT amps for the price. So does Cadence. I have a Cadence A7+HC amp that produces 1,400 watts RMS into 1 ohm (1,200 into 2 ohm) that I got for $420. JBL has a 300 watt amp for around $150 online.

**HTF Ads**

Khoa Tran · 07-30-2003, 01:44 PM

Focal, Dynaudio, Diamond, Eclipse, Earthquake, Nakamichi, Clarion(high models only), and Adire Audio....if you do your research on these brands and actually find out what you want, go to small specialty shops and find the best deals, then you'll be able to get quality equipment for way less than other stores like the good guys for mediocre equipment.

Jonny K · 07-30-2003, 09:15 PM

Ok, here's some more details:

I'm driving a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan with a "Premium" factory sound system (Infinity). It's not bad...but nothing like what I expect from a sound system. A couple things I really want are MP3 capability and bass. I'm thinking I could spend all my money on just a new head unit and a decent bass setup. Is install all that big a deal? Are there guides on the internet that would walk me through an install? The current system has a CD player (so I could skip the MP3 support if I really needed to), and the speakers seem ok (although they crap out at high volume).

At home I have an Adire Tempest driver running off a 250W amp for my home theater. It's pretty good. Can I simply use this thing for car audio? What kind of amplifier should I use? I'm also concerned that the Tempest or Shiva is kinda a HT sub driver and not a car sub...or does it matter?

And regarding price, I have a car audio advertisement here from one of the local electronics stores. Some of the packages are $1200 and $1700...just cheap crap?

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/kord/ad

Thanks,

Jonny K.

Khoa Tran · 07-31-2003, 01:03 AM

http://www.eclipse-web.com/
here get the CD3403, find your local dealers and find the ABSOLUTE lowest price, haggle with them i think you'll be able to get it for around 200...try to get it installed if you don't want to do it yourself...it's easy but tedious work....you could upgrade your speakers to coxials something like MB quarts or more infinity, for around 100 a pair? now if you want a subwoofer, then you could use something from adire and a pheonix gold amplifier...this system could run well under 1k, if you play your cards right...

Frank Grimes · 07-31-2003, 07:47 AM

"The current system has a CD player (so I could skip the MP3 support if I really needed to), and the speakers seem ok (although they crap out at high volume)."

Think about it. If your stock speakers are crapping out at high volume (probably around 10 watts, and a good chance it's a clipped 10 watts), then how do you think they'll handle up against a Shiva powered with ~300watts? It will barely be breaking a sweat before it begins to drown out your distorted vocals.

Purchasing an Eclipse HU will most certainly take a good chunk out of your budget, especially considered their lack of availability online. As for those packages, I wouldn't exactly say that they're crap, so much as significantly overpriced and lackluster. As I said before, you can get a very impressive setup for $1000USD if you simply use an LOC as opposed to purchasing a new HU. My recommendation:

-SS-600.4 $250 (mmxpress.com)
-SS-350.2 $150 (mmxpress.com)
-Adire Shiva/Stryke AV12 ~$125
-Oz Matrix $305 (http://www.carstereotime.com/default...RIX%20180%20CS)

This should leave about $100USD for wiring/enclosure. Again, if you would rather spend the money on just a head unit and subs, then do such. I just hope your not expecting to have anything resembling a flat FR...

brentl · 07-31-2003, 02:55 PM

My current upgrade path goes like this

2003 civic LX coupe with six speakers

1: headunit .... DONE. Sony 5050x ES,a Couple years old but sounds good. Too bad about the bad angle in the dash make it unreadable in daylight.

2: Sub amp ... Sept 2003. Probably an existing Sony 4520, about 10 years old but works great and sounds good. When it dies I'll upgrade with a JBL monoblock sub since they're great values.

3: Sub ... I currently have an old Pioneer IMPP 12" in a 2Cuft sealed enclosure that goes pretty deep. It doesn't hit like a Shiva would in car, but it blends well and sounded good in my last three cars

I'll probably look at Audiobahn or a Shiva as an upgrade, but I only want a small box in my trunk so I'm not sure which is better.

4: Front speakers ... I'll be looking at Infinity CSs or a lower end Boston Acoustics. I've heard some good things about a Canadian speaker company but even the name eludes so I won't include them

5: Rear speakers ... I WON't be changing the rears since 90% comes from the front and the rears are for fill only.

Just giving you an idea of my path AND the best way to spread out the costs.

You'll be amazed with how much the SQ improves when you upgrade your head unit..... I agree totally with Jason on that.

Brent
p.s. still not sure about throwing my crossover into the mix(xec-1000). I may just get something simple for the sub, and use the included passive with the fronts.