Guys, I need your input. I am upgrading my complete system for my 04 Supercab. It currently has 6 disc/MP3 player. My budget is $1,500. This is what I am thinking I'm going to do. I went to a car audio retailer and this is the set up they recomended. I am looking for excellent sound quality. Not to necessarily thump the hardest....
Alpine CPA- 9851 H/U
Set of 4 Boston S85's 6X8
JL Audio's Stealthbox (includes the 10W3v2, I believe)
JL Slash Series Amp 250/1
What do you guys think of this setup....The Boston 6X8's won't be powered. I have seen different opinions about not powering these....
Your input would be greatly appreciated.

 

For 1500 you can get into some really nice stuff, if you go with smaller companys. I would go with a high power set of components, no rear fill, and then whatever size subs you want. I would keep the 9851, for components you could make/ or get made 6.5 adapters and go with alpine type x, edi 6500s www.edesignaudio.com, or these http://www.alteraudiousa.com/categor...?categoryID=22 , then get a 4 channel amp similar to this http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/3350, and for subs i would suggest http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2032 X 2. Then really it would be best to get a custom box made for the subs, and adpaters made for the components and plenty of sound deadening in the doors for the comps. That system i suggested would be around 1000 plus shipping, plus wires and installs.

If your set on that set up, then i would suggest 6.5 component speakers up front and a 4 channel amp, that will cover the comps and the subs.

 

I do think that I would like to stay with the stealthbox. What do the component speakers give you versus the traditional 6X8's?

 

With that kind of cash I would suggest going with a 6 channel amp for the components. Put a midrange and tweeter combination up front and a good 2 way in the back for rear fill. Run each speaker on it's own channel. Seperate amp for the sub and put in an electronic crossover to controll everything with. example

As far as what components to use for maximum benefit, I've been out of the loop too long. I know JL subs are still good for SQ. The Boston Aqustics stuff used to be top notch. The real key is the electronic crossover and the cleaness of the power you're giving the system (good quality amp). The electronic crossover allows you to tweak the system to sound EXACTLY how you want it. If you look at any big pro competition rig that focuses on SQ (not the how much db can you push stuff) they'll have crosovers that allow control over every aspect of the system. A basic crossover would do for what you want though. I'm sure you're not trying to duplicate an audio curve on a computer sensing microphone.

See what you audio shop advises. I would try and pick up what you can on the net, or do a price comparison and see if the place will give you a break on the entire system. Save some $ anyway.

Edit: the coponents advantage is the speaker is designed specifically to duplicate a range of sound instead of the entire spectrum. Allows for more controll.

 

oh, one other thing to note about the crossover....

It devides up the sound frequencies BEFORE they get to the amps, therefore allowing the amp to devote MAXIMUM power to the speakers. Example, If an amp is putting out BASS to tweeters it is wasting power creating that frequency range for a speaker that isn't going to use it. It's the same thing for subs, you don't want to hear mid range voice coming out of a sub so sub amps have crossovers to block out that sound allowing more power to go into the low frequencies. The electronic crossover network allows you to put an amp that doesn't have a built in crossover also since it does the work beforehand.

 

Viper..Thanks for your input. I have swithed from the 6X8 in front and going to components. Will use a crossover and then power them all with amp.