ok guys...just bought a screw...need sound advice on the audio setup here

this is what I want:

CD/MP3 player
XM radio setup
component speakers (if that will sound the best)
subwoofer


now...Im a total retard when it comes to speakers and audio stuff...especially for automobiles. what Im looking for here is some brand name/models of excellent sounding stuff here to make the best sound system for my money.

for the whole setup Im looking to spend between 1500-2000 dollars....so what can I get for that kind of money?

specific help would be greatly appreciated so Ill know what to ask for when I hit the audio shop

thanks in advance

 

CoachP -

I just bought an Alpine 9813 Head Unit. Plays MP3's, WMA's, etc. Also can be connected to an Alpine XM receiver.

HU is available online for $320 US. XM receiver is $149.

Here in my area (Florida) we have a chain called Sound Advice. They are part of Tweeter (up north chain??) and have MB Quart components on sale.

Usually they are $550 / pair, but are on sale for $ 289 / pair.

Of course, you'll need an amp to drive them.

As far as the sub, are you going to build a box? If not, subbox.net makes one for the SuperCrew, but I've seen mixed reviews on their customer service here on F150Online.

Either way, you have a lot of components to choose from. If you review past threads in the subwoofer section, you'll see plenty referring to installing subs in 'Screws.

Good luck and let us know what you build...

 

thanks...


any good references for particular types of sub/speaker/amp models?

the MB quarts are good I take it?


appreciate the help

 

IMO:::
Subs
Eclipse
Kicker Solobaric
JL W3
Memphis audio
Elemental Designs <-2trucks1wife recommends them

Those are good subs. I have heard them all except the elemental designs. To me eclipse are cleanest i have ever heard, but you want find an online retailer for eclipse products.

As for amps I like rockford fosgate, phoenix gold, and JL audio amps. I think those are some on the best on the market.

If it were me and i had that much to spend on a system i would definitely want an indash dvd player. They look really cool.

 

anymore opinions on good brands for the money?

I just dont want to depend on the suggestions of some saleskid in an audio shop trying to get a kickback

educate me guys!

 

First...if you like, buy things on eBay.com. Things are *alot* cheaper, but the downside may be less service if you need it.

Second...Nakamichi makes an indash 6 CD player (model MB-75) that negates the need for a separate changer. Excellent sound and quality. If you have the $$$ later, then add the MB-70 separate 6 disc changer and have a 12 disc total capacity!!

Third...I just bought and installed Infinity Kappas in my truck. Personally, I think they're too harsh in the high end but sound great otherwise. I heard MB quartz components and they were very very sweet sounding. That would be my pick if I could do it again.

Fourth...Go with quality over quantity with regards to external amps if you're going that direction. 300 watts of crappy sound is just alot of crappy sound. If you get even 50 watts of great sound, it's going to be alot better sounding than those crappy 300 watts.

Have fun building it...

 

1500-2000 will buy you a really good quality system.. that's how much I spent on mine (see signature).

If you're wanting MP3.. stick with Kenwood*, Alpine, or Pioneer I'd say.
* Kenwood started the in-dash MP3 player craze.. they've worked out all the kinks that others are still straightening out. BUT they have Sirius not XM.

Definitely get components.. MB Quart, Focal, Dynaudio are all big name brands. As aforementioned the MB Quarts are "sweet" sounding. The Focals (what I have) can get somewhat harsh on the tweets.. though they are very clear, clean sounding speakers. The Dynaudio's.. haven't heard them but I hear VERY good things about them.. wish I could find a place close by to test them out.

Amps.. I went with Phoenix Gold.. they're always good quality (stay away from the older model QX series though). It's really your pic.. there are lots of quality amps out there.. Xtant, Precision Power, Hifonics, JBL is good for sub amps.. and blah blah blah I'm running out of names.


Subs.. I've got an Audiomobile EVO 10". Awesome speaker.. great SQ and gets pretty loud too.. only problem right now is that they're merging with Eclipse so some people are hesitant to buy them. As mentioned.. Eclipse.. great subs. I'm thinking about trying some Elemental Designs.


If you're looking to buy online.. let me know I can give you some websites that I've had success buying from. Ebay.com is great pricing but 99% of the time you get no warranty.. so if that's an issue for you I'd stay away from there. (though I bought 1 amp and my head unit {was a refurb} off of ebay and they both work like a champ)

 

Id love to buy online b/c Im sure I could save money...but the only thing is I absolutely can NOT install anything to save my life. At least if I get it from an auto audio store theyll install for me. Is it possible to buy the things online and take it to an audio shop and get it installed for a fee?

 

Yea. Most places are glad to install your stuff for a fee. I am sure best buy, tweeter, and circuit city do it.

 

I have the Alpine 9813 too and it is a great deck.

I just replaced my JL Audio Co-ax speekers with a set of Boston Acoustic NX87, they are a little pricy for Co-ax's but they sound much better than the JL Audio Co-ax speakers. Plus they work awesome with the Alpine head unit power, so you won't need a amp to power them.

 

You'll run into some issues with trying to buy it online and then bringing into a shop to install it.. I THINK. I'm sure there are shops out there that do that and may not have a problem with it.. but you'll find that the dealers and shops may not be as helpful or outgoing if you didnt buy the stuff from them

Had a shop tell me they wouldn't simply build me a sub box.. I had to also buy a sub from them. That would have been fine but they didn't carry the sub I wanted so.. sorry for them.

 

Installation isn't hard...we can walk you through it.

You probably will have a hard time getting it installed from a shop you didn't buy it from. A lot of shops won't warranty the installation & they will charge you a fee on top of the normal installation cost.

 

seeing as how I dont know anything about what various subs sound like....can anyone give me an opinion on what this sub would sound like...and if this is a good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=39771


thanks

 

You want be happy with that sub. What kinda amp you are getting. That is a 8 ohm sub. It can't hold very much power or the voice coils will burn up. I toasted 3 of them with a punch 360 a2. So i should know unless you really have a small amp you are gonna run into problems. You can't run it at four ohm without two of them. If you hook it up wrong and present it with a two ohm load that sub is gonna be a paper weight really quickly. You need to stick with two 4 ohm woofer at least. You could present two four ohm woofers with a 2 ohm load. Which will be much better in my opinion. IMO..

 

will be adding a complete overhaul of the audio system including mp3 player and XM radio, Matching tint on the front windows, Smoke Headlight covers, slotted taillight covers, sylvania silverstars, chrome grill, and an onboard computer like knight rider (okay, okay, jk on the computer)
BTW: We can hook up a computer in our trucks. With no problems.