Im wanting to upgrade my factory am/fm cassette and factory speakers into somethin with a little more kick. gonna go with a JVC 50x4 head unit all new door speakers(JL Audio) installing tweeters in doors with jl 6's and a set of JL Audio 10w6's with one JL 12w6 but i need an amp... what should i go with im a totally clueless here!! HELP
JJ

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97 4x4 Off Road Package 4.6l, Flareside S/C Dark Toreador Red
www.f150world.com/southernthunder

 

Not sure everything your getting at, so let me know if I get this.

Your replacing all regular speakers and putting tweeters in the door. Are you refering to 2 sets of components, or 2 pairs of 5x7 + tweeters?

And why do you want a pair of 10w6's and a single 12w6?
If your gonna use the 10's for midbass, why not go w/ just 8's, they are more of a midbass then 10's. 10's + are better for subwoofers.

As for amps, if your gonna do midbass, I suggest either a really good 4 channel amp w/ 2 channels bridged for the sub, and each of the other channels to a mid. Or two seperate amps.

 

I agree with cap on this. I wouldn't power the jl doors with the JVC deck. 50x4 is max power and the jl's want and need more power than that. I wouldn't mix the subs either. Stay with one size. 3 10's will do much better than mixing. As for amp, I would look at the MemphisBelle 75x4 and 300x1(1100wx1 @1ohm) or Cadence A6

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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

Thanks guys like i said i am totally clueless when it comes to these sort of things..........so heres my list im gonnag o with
Jensen 240 watt (60x4)Head unit
2 MTX thunder6000 15's
jensen 1/2in tweeters
Jensen 4 channel 600 watt amp


sound good to you guys?


[This message has been edited by Jimmy Lee (edited 06-25-2001).]

 

I was reading your post and I have to throw my .02 in the hat. If you are only running 2 subs, you may want to look at getting a 2 channel amp vs. a 4 channel amp. Also, don't be fooled by the 60x4 output on the head unit. Look into it and you will find it may produce 60w's at like 14.8 volts and most trucks or car for that matter do not sit idle at 14.8v. Also, look and see what the distortion rating is at the higher output levels. Even though it says 60x4, you are only going to really see about 20x4 RMS. The 60x4 is a max rating and like I said that is considering that all factors all optimum. I do not claim to be an expert, but in all the years I have been selling, installing and repping car audio, I have learned a little something and that something is....I forget what I learned?!?!?!?! Anyway, good luck and have fun.

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98 F150 XLT
4.2 V6/5 Speed Trans.

Mods and Upgrades

Pioneer FHP8800 HU
Pioneer TSA6895 Compression horn 6x8's
Pioneer TSA6865
GMX542
MTX Stealth Box w/ 2 8in. subs... mild bass
Compustar SHF-2W-AS
alarm/remote start
Clear corners
Xtang soft cover
Airaid Intake System
Switched the 16 in. XLT
wheels for the 17 in' ORP's
35% Window Tint
Weather Tek Window Visors

 

I agree with 12Vrep. Jensen will not give you clean sound at all. Very dirty amps compared to other stuff out there. Even good ol' RF will give you better numbers and MUCH cleaner sound and still not break your budget. Jensen makes OK stuff, but if you look around, I don't think you're gonna find many guys who who prefer it over, say, RF, Memphis, Orion, or others. Try this site, Jimmy:
http://clubknowledge.com/forums/Car_...eractive_Help/
(go to "The Forum") A lot of Install pros lurk and answer questions. Anyone can post, too.
You might also check some reviews here:
http://www.carreview.com/reviews/

 

The power of the deck becomes neglible when you add the amp. The RCAs that hook-up to the amp provide a low level ouput compared to the speaker outputs. Also as the others have said, Jensen isn't known for high-end sound. The 600watt amp is more like 300watts when run bridged. The big number is music+distortion+wind at your back+engine reving at3500, etc,etc.

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97 F-150XL 4.2V6, 5 spd, 2wdlb, Kenwood cd, MTX 4ch amp, MTX 12"sub, MTX components in doors

Future 16x8 Daytona wheels, 265/75 tires, rhinoliner, perf stuff

 

Listen, for your explaining you want decent sound on a budget. If you want to do it on budget, you'll get a decent sound but if you do it properly you can spend a little more and get better. Do everything in steps, not all at once:

1. if you want to replace your H/U do that first.

2. replace the stock speakers, if you want components, regular Pioneer comps or the Infinity reference comps both sound good on H/U power and aren't expensive. Most other comps need much more power then a H/U provides which you will need to spend $$$ on another amp.
Or you could just replace the stock speakers with aftermarket 5x7/6x8's. Most companies make them. And alot of people like Polk, Pioneer, and JL 5x7's. And none of those are really expensive either.

3. Now for your subs, personal choice find what you like. I would advise against 15's. You have a S/C, 2 15's will require a huge box that will take up most of the rear, which you may not want to give up, unless you want to just pull out the rear seat all together. Also alot of people nowadays are more into 'stealth' installs to prevent breakins.
Amp for subs: look into the budget amps, numerous people use them and if you don't push them beyond their limits they will suit just fine. Budget amps inlcude Crunch, US ACoustics, Lightning Audio (those are 3 of the better). I've used Crunch for years and it has suited me well.
Or you could follow the other good suggestion and look for a used amp.


There is alot you can do. Search for what people have done, go out and listen yourself, and don't rush, rushing will cost you more in the long run.

 

Alright, everyone has an opinion, but here's what I recommend:

1. get a new head unit! First, decide what you want to do, how much you want to spend, etc. For example- If you're going to be running seperate amps, so make sure you get one with 3 sets of preamp/RCA outputs @4v. Have a lot of MP3s? there are a lot of HUs out there now that play recordable CDs burned with up to 10 hours of MP3s. Digital satellite radio? Yeah you can do that too. Just look around... crutchfield.com is a good place to look at diff models.

2. New speakers- a must! Put simply, the factory speaks blow. Here, you need to decide if you want to go w/ seperate components or a 2 or 3-way multirange setup. You'll get better sound imaging with seperate components, but the multis will be easier to setup. Any way you look at it, it will sound better than factory. Take a look at Polk (momos!) or infinity (kappas!) here.


3. Subs and amps-
get your 4-channel amp to drive your seperates (above), then decide what you want to do as far as subs. 15's? hmm... thats a bit much for anything outside an expedition or excursion! honestly, if you want that much sound, I'd go with 2 polk momo 12's.... less impact and they'll sound as good, if not better! To drive them, I would recommend an MTX Thunder 8100D. Wire the subs in parallel (both speakers wired to the same terminals on the amp, with their own sets of wires), which will kick resistance down to 2ohms (two 4ohm speaks wired in parallel = 2ohms). You'll be bumpin' in no time.

....as far as boxes, that'll depend on the size/type of your subs.

T