Hey just wondering, why isn't Audiobahn ever mentioned here. If you have read my posts, you know I am all about this company. Although I really, sincerely, DON'T work for them--I am in the military. Maybe someone can give me some experiences with them or whatever--good or bad. I mean my system in my car is all Audiobahn, and it rocks. I have gotten many compliments on not only the the style of Audiobahn amps, but most importantly, the sound screaming through my speakers.
HAM

 

Brand names aside, the way a system "sounds" to a person is a relative thing. By that I mean that if someone is 16 years old and has little or no experience LISTENING to a wide variety of equipment, they may think a factory system is awesome. Maybe the best thing they've ever heard is a Sony Walkman with cheap headphones, or a boombox with little 3" speakers. So this type of person would think a full blown Audiobahn system was unbelievable. On the other hand, someone with 25 or 30 years of listening to all kinds of high end sound equipment may not be so impressed. You will find that Audiobahn is a common whipping boy on car audio forums. Don't take it personally. Audiobahn is NOT anything more than average, in terms of quality. As far as the quality level of Audiobahn, there are dozens and dozens of companies just like them, maybe not so "in your face" with the chrome and all, though. If you like your system, that's all that matters.

 

I agree with 97f250 in that they are not widely regarded as high end equipment. They are known as more bling than anything else. I have not had any personal experience with them so I will not say more except that I like to stay with companies that have a good track record of quality.

 

Well, I know you are a senior member, so I will respect your comments. Also I DID ask for it so I appreciate it. I will also try not to take offense at the assumption that all I am young with no audio experience and have heard mostly substandard systems, at least that seemed like the assertion.
No I haven't heard a lot of systems out there in a competitive setting, as I am relatively new to installing car stereos. But I have heard a lot of systems touted as "good" or "awesome", and in my opinion they were muddy and too bass heavy--but hey, maybe someone wants to hear just bass and just cares about raw power, ie: noise. Not me or, I would assume, yourself.
I HAVE actually been in a music studio with local bands recording music. I have talked to engineers about sound quality and what to look for in an album. I know the difference between loud noise and quality of reproduction. I also test rock, country, acoustic, rap and a cd with nothing but audio tones on it I use to test on my stereos.
Could it be most that people that you have heard that have Audiobahn, didn't know how to set up their system (tuning the freqs as per the sub box, output of amps to mid and high speakers)?
Hey this isn't meant to get ourselves into a pissing contest. I know I asked for an honest opinion about Audiobahn, but it seemed like you were making some assumptions as far as who I was. You also didn't really cite any real reasons for why they aren't good in most people's opinions, because all you basically said was, "because they suck...".
Now I know sometimes there are products that are just the butt of every joke. Like a Ford Pinto. Wow, who would still drive one of those POS's. But you know what, someone somewhere probably sees something in those that the majority of people don't or won't see because of the ongoing hole the Pinto has been kept in. Maybe this is the same situation here, and I am one of the few, and proud Pinto lovers.
All I would ask of you, is maybe you should try and hear an Audiobahn system--or a few--that is touted as "great" and make an opinion about it then. If you decide it is not up to your personal standards, and someone asks, give the person some real data on why it isn't any good as compared to to other brands. An opinion goes part of the way, but without any technical back up, it is unbased, and comes across as biased.
Respectfully,
HAM

 

PS--You ever come out to central valley in CA, I would be more than happy to show you my Audiobahn system(s) and maybe learn a few things from you... shoot, teach me something I am all ears

 

I dont think 97f250 was assuming or trying to say your like a 16 year old that hasnt heard many stereos, just kind of using that for something to relate too. I dont believe Ive ever heard him make an offensive comment ('cept that one time Hehehe), so I wouldnt take it to personal

On to the subject, I would agree with these two..Audiobahn is just mediocre average-with a lot of blingage on the side. I PERSONALLY have never thought highly of A-bahn (just from a 'look at me' standpoint), nor has any Abahn equipment Ive listened to ever impressed me. That does include a few properly installed/setup ones.

As for the "Could it be most that people that you have heard that have Audiobahn, didn't know how to set up their system" comment-yes and no.
The local Abahn stereos Ive heard were NOT set up properly, and the installer pretty much had no clue what they were doing-or much about the sub/equipment. They were pretty much like "Wow, look at that sub CHROME FLAMES, and look at that surround and magnet, THEY'RE HUGE, so you know its gotta be an awsome sub", and the installs were all ghetto Those ones sucked big time.
But I have heard a few properly setup one, with pretty nice installs-and although much better than the ghetto ones, they were still nothing to impress me much.

The next person that listens to it may think it totally kicks a$$. As stated before me, sounding good is all a personal deal.

Bottom line (for me)-Abahn is all about trying to look good, and thats about it. All bling-and no concern for the quality of the product. Thats why I never have and never will suggest Abahn to anyone.

No hard feelings against you or your stereo though man.

 

natom2ball, I've read a couple of your posts about Audiobahn and it seems pretty obvious that you like the equipment. Like I mentioned, if you like it, that's what is important. And, as Bartak mentioned, I wasn't saying anything about you specifically, just making a statement about how each person's perspective on what sounds "good" is different.

 

Bartak/97f250---
Hey first I want to say thanks for the comments. It is true, I haven't actually had anything but A-bahn. But I think it does sound pretty good. I guess I should check out some other stuff as well. And you're right Bartak, unless you have a faint idea what you are doing with the system you can make the best system in the world sounds like $#1t. But on the other hand, if you know what your are doing you can make a crap system sound good too. I think we have an understanding. I would like to hear some other brands and stuff though to get a better idea.
The one reason I really like Abahn, is that it is cheap, and for what I have heard and my experience level, I think it sounds great. I have had part of the system in my car for almost two years and it has given me no problems since I installed it. The only problems I have had were self induced.
Anyway thanks again,
HAM

 

I know who ownes Audiobahn, i know how they are made, i know how cheap they make them. All they are is flash. Like every other brand that goes to Circuit city and best buy, flash sells to general public. Now to me, since i know whats going on, and to help you out, go listen to Adire, RE, Sound Splinter, Stereo Integrity, Cadence, MMats, etc... You will hear a HUGE difference in sound quality. ANY sub will make bass. But its how well it sounds. When Audiobahn first came out they were decent. then 2 money hungrey mexicans took them over and it went to *****. I went through 4 10's and 3 12's in a month. If you like it thats fine, but listen to an actual system and you will know what i am talking about.

 

My friend has two audiobahn amps, honestly you could propablly fry an egg on each one after 10 minutes of play. To me stuff like audiobahn, is an entry level, get people into the hobby of car audio, product. Like you said it appeals to most people because of the flash and low costs. Its decent stuff to learn with. Most people who own a-bahn subs usually blow them anyways and then figure out what the gain is for, and buy something a little better. Just my general observation and experience.

 

Yeah, well I actually had someone help me with this, so even if I knew what the gain was, I still had that person to double check my work...
And yes, it is cheap entry level stuff, but I guess it is what I am happy with thus far, read the thread and you'll know my experience level. I have been thinking about another brand... maybe I'll start a new thread.... hmmmm
monopolize the forums?

 

Some people are happy with equipment that is "less than" state-of-the-art. Like I mentioned before, if someone is happy with their system, that's all that matters. Some people are happy with $50 Pioneer 4-ways, some of the absolute poorest speakers anywhere, for any amount of money, relatively speaking. That's living proof we're all different in how much we "value" our audio enjoyment. Also, like mentioned before, all this "what sounds great" BS depends on a person's experience, what they deem as important, etc. Let's face it, some people would rather have a so so audio system and spend their big bucks on other mods. Others are the opposite. Some can afford to do anything they please. So, we're all different. So if some guy loves his system and some peabrain down the way thinks it is low end, what does it matter? I mean really. And if a young guy is learning the ropes, he will realize at a point, with experience, whether he wants to go to the next level, in regards to the quality of his gear. That's what I did. I've been involved in this car audio hobby for over 30 years and I still want to upgrade.

 

Dude, thank you. Not just for me but for everyone. I think that last post captured the "team player" attitude. Instead of bashing (not that I am butt-hurt at all the slagging A-bahn gets), let's help each other out here. Tell people some experiences.
At the same time it is good to see the passion some people have for, or against some products, but let's keep this helpful. There are probably are a bunch of people here that have little experience (as I do), let's not alienate the noobs... Anyone can say, "that ***** sucks..."