i am starting to look into an audio system for my SCrew and i think i have everything pretty close to what I want, but i would like a little help on what is best for my situation.

My main goal(s) is sound quality, and functionality. Being the loudest on the block just isnt important to me anymore. I have a complete stock system (non audiofile 6 d-mp3) right now.

The head units i am thinking about is the ever so popular pioneer avic-d3, and the eclipse AVN5500. I want the Navi, dvd playback, sirus, and bluetooth compatibility. Those are a must. Ipod connection would be nice, if i ever decide to get one, but not required. I like the looks of the eclipse much better and IMO looks like a cleaner install. Also, the 2 slots for media is leaning me more twords the eclipse. I will be listening to cd's and mp3 cd's 95% of the time, and I will also want use of my navi...and from what I have read, the 2 slots would be better for this.

Speakers: I have read and read about componets, and it seems like the best choice is rainbow componets. I have never heard how rainbows sound, actually never heard the name untill reading up on this site. Or, JL audio componets installed from a local shop. Price is about the same.

Bass: I have decided 100% on a JL stealth box, 10w3 (ported) - i have heard that JL is only offering the box in sealed now but my shop still has ported box's they can install.

so...

1) which headunit? I know they are similar...price is about the same. im leaning tword the eclipse, anything i should be worried about this unit? Is it user-friendly? How is it compared to the D3?

2) Go for rainbows? if not, what other componets sound good at low and med-hi volume without distortion? Should I opt for componets for all 4 doors, or just the front? i know most will say 2...but is it really that big of a difference?

3) I want to use 2 JL amps...but the price is kind of high on the amps...would a 500/5 amp work for 4 componets and my 10w3, or should i just get 2 amps (500/1) and (300/2) for just front componets?

4) sub, i think this is the best way to go for clean sound....anybody have any experience with this sub? should I go sealed or ported?

thanks

 

you said you wanted sound quality...so FOR SURE a sealed enclosure for your sub. ported will be louder, and not nearly as tight and responsive, and all frequencies below your tuning frequency (probably around 35hz in a small box) wont be heard much at all. sealed wont be quite as loud but will be very accurate and allow a smooth, low frequency extension.

i just sold my 2000w 10" sub in a ported box to my friend. sure it was fun, i could blast around town and set off car alarms no problem and got 2 tickets for bass over 135dB, but it wasnt that clean and the sound of air traveling through the box wasnt too pleasant. im getting a new sub in a sealed box this week.

 

1. Cant really comment on the HU's, Im not much of a nav. unit person, or all that other stuff thats on them...but Eclipse still makes one of the best sound quality head units out there if you ask me. Kenwood and Pioneer dont have ***** on Eclipse when it comes to SQ. Alpine is also another good brand as far as SQ.

2. Id say go for the 'Bows, unless you have listened to something else that you like...that way you know what your getting at least since you havent ever heard a set of bows.
Front doors only in my opinion. Rear fill just pulls the sound stage to the back which bothers the heck out of me...but some people like it. More a matter of personal preference here. If you want rear fill, I would just keep the stock speakers in, or a nice set of coaxials, and run them off the HU power. If you stick a set of comps back there, you have the extra cost of the comps, an amp, all the wiring, and all the trouble and extra work of sticking them back there.

3. If your set on two amps, I would get a two channel for the front, and a mono for the sub. If your only running one 10w3, a 250/1 is a better match than the 500/1, isnt it?
Or else you can go with a 4 channel. Run the comps off the front two channels, and bridge the back channels to run the sub.

4. If your all about SQ, forget about the ported box. Sure it might be a little louder, but a sealed box sounds so much better if you ask me, plus you actually have some lows. Sealed is the only way if you ask me, unless your wanting to get loud.

Thats my 2 cents anywho