Everything you need to know about sound systems.

Chowder Head · 07-14-2003

Ok guys and gals, I'm a man on a mission. I have a pocket full of money and I'm not afraid to use it!!!!

OK, I'll get to the point.

My car has a STOCK sound system and I've been doing a lot of researching of parts.

I need suggestions on a reciever, speakes, subs and amps.(Anything I leave out?)

For the reciever I was thinking about getting the Panasonic "Ghost Display" It's at http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...fo&i=133HR1003 What do you guys think about it?

Also for the speakers I was thinking about getting a pair of Infinity Kappas but they seem almost TOO good. Any suggestions on that?

As for the subs, I was thinking about getting 2 10' Audiobahn subs. Or a pre-made box of a set of MTX ThunderForms. Is it worth getting the pre-kit?

As for the amp, I have NO clue

on what to get. So any suggestions would mean A LOT!!!

My stang doesn't have the mach 460 sound system but my friend does and were both in need of some advise so please help out!!

Sorry for the long post, It's just I want to know what to get.

Thanks in advance.

Acooljt · 07-14-2003

I've never heard that specific receiver before, but I've had good experience with Panasonic, so I would go ahead and give you the go ahead on that.

Infinity makes a good speaker, and I've heard wonders about the Kappa, so I'd have to give you the thumbs up on that too.

Also, it is worth getting a pre-made kit depending on the kit. I wouldn't go with the Audiobahn's if I were you. MTX makes a good speaker though. But if you got the money and want a better sound than that, go with Rockford Fosgate, or my personal favorite(for good reason), Cerwin-Vega. Note: If you decide on Fosgate, don't get some of their subs that have an incredibly cheap price, because you'll get cheap quality too. I've seen it happen time and time again.

As for an amp, go with Orion, or for a great amp at a cheaper price, go with Pioneer.

hmarv347 · 07-14-2003

I would seriously consider getting the MP3 capability.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...1083&s=0&wm=su

I installed one in my wifes expedition and burned her a cd with around 300 songs on it in folders so she can page through and still find what she wants to listen too. It also has Auxillary input so I was able to hookup a dvd player to watch movies on long trips.

tipad23 · 07-14-2003

for the money i would go with pioneer reciever can get a real good one for $500.and from my experience they will play the cheapest CD-R you can find with no problem have had Panasonic and Alpine in the past and they will only play the higher quality CD-R that cost alot more
Audiobahn subs are best bang for the buck there r better subs but they cost alot more with amps you get what u pay for im not saying go out ang get the highest priced amp you can find but get a name brand and you will be happy i use ppi amps http://www.precisionpower.com/ they r not cheap mine were $800 each brand new but i have had them almost 4 years with not one problem

Acooljt · 07-15-2003

You can get a nice Pioneer deck for under $500. Our business carries Pioneer.

X1Lightning · 07-15-2003

Panisonic makes a good deck my wife has had one in her car for the last 2 years and it has worked great.

I would definitly go with the kappa's they are sweet

i have the 5 1/4 's midranges and tweets.
And for the sub's i have 2 15" dvc Infinity Beta's

Infinity subs are awsome.. they are the tightest subs i have ever heard, they dont get sloppy like most 15's,
i really like infinity's amps... but i went with precision power for my amp nobody around here sold the infinity amps and i couldnt wait for mail order...

..

anyways.. i got that all in my jeep...

in my mustang.. lol.. i just have a pioneer 2 knober... and a kracko 140 amp and then eclipse 6X9's... i rarely even turn it on... my exhaust is the sound system in the pony

Chowder Head · 07-16-2003

Thanks for all the input guys, but I need some more opinions (yeah i'm like that

)

Can anybody else steer me in the right direction? Anybody?

Chowder Head · 07-16-2003

BTW, Acooljt, what type of Pioneer do you carry? I'm looking for the flat-screen type with remote (kinda like exactly what I posted with the link) do you have anything like that?

Thanks.

Acooljt · 07-16-2003

We can get any Pioneer product out there. Some we stock, some we don't. Just go to Pioneer's site, www.pioneerelectronics.com and find what you want and give me the model number. Also, we don't carry, but we might be able to order some of the other products, so let me know what you're getting and I'll check with my dad on if we can get it.

Chowder Head · 07-16-2003

OK thanks acooljt, BTW hmarv347, when you said that you installed that reciever in your wifes suv, how was the quality of it?

Please share all the details.

Thanks a lot.

Mad Max · 07-16-2003

Go with Alpine head unit. They are the best for what you pay for. Being a car audo tech. I've delt with and repaired most of the major brands. IMO. They make the best deck for the money. Most of the repairs from alpine are RTFM (read the f****** manual) error.

I don't like there amps though. Very over rated

Acooljt · 07-16-2003

I can't say I whole-heartedly agree with Mad Max. I also am a car stereo tech, salesperson, etc. etc. And I know for a fact that you can get a good Pioneer deck cheap. Pioneer doesn't make a bad deck, so even if you bought their cheapest deck you'd still be getting quality. And if you are really hurtin for money, I'd go with JVC before Alpine.

darkside515xx · 08-31-2003

What I've learned in car audio is that certain brands are good for certain things while they suck in other areas. So here's a guide for putting an audio system in your car:

For the head unit I would go with- Alpine, Nakamichi, Eclipse, or higher model Pioneers. These 4 brands offer the best sound quality over any other brand.

For subwoofers stay away from name brand stuff. JL Audio, is good don't get me wrong, but they're stuff is way overpriced. Check out www.edesignaudio.com, www.reaudio.com, www.ddaudio.com. These are just some of the subwoofer companies that a lot of car audio competitors use in dB drag racing. I bought my a-series 12" woofer off of edesignaudio.com and it's the best sounding subwoofer I've heard. It compares/beats the JL W7 in my book, and costs a lot less.

For speakers stay away from sony, pioneer, rockford fosgate, etc. They're speakers may sound decent to you when you buy them, but it's really not possible for them to sound awesome. I'd go with CDT Audio, Dynaudio, Image Dynamics, Focal, or build a set from www.partsexpress.com and have www.madisonsound.com build the crossovers. Also get a component set, they offer much more detail then just replacing the stock speaker in your car.

Amplifiers, I have no clue, I'm still researching on this subject, from what I know so far go with PPI, Directed, Viper, www.ddaudio.com, Avionixx, Tsunami, and stay away from name brands. Again JL Audio is good but they're **** is overpriced.

Hope this helps.

94GTStang · 08-31-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Acooljt
I've never heard that specific receiver before, but I've had good experience with Panasonic, so I would go ahead and give you the go ahead on that.

Infinity makes a good speaker, and I've heard wonders about the Kappa, so I'd have to give you the thumbs up on that too.

Also, it is worth getting a pre-made kit depending on the kit. I wouldn't go with the Audiobahn's if I were you. MTX makes a good speaker though. But if you got the money and want a better sound than that, go with Rockford Fosgate, or my personal favorite(for good reason), Cerwin-Vega. Note: If you decide on Fosgate, don't get some of their subs that have an incredibly cheap price, because you'll get cheap quality too. I've seen it happen time and time again.

As for an amp, go with Orion, or for a great amp at a cheaper price, go with Pioneer.

If you're looking for a sub, I got just the answer. The Alumapro Alchemy . Not well known, but the audiophiles are very well aware of what this sub is. In a Mustang you will be better off with a single 12' rather than take up all your space with dual 10's. Here's a pci of the sub and box in the back of my 94 GT Convertible.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...133_2_full.jpg

I say the Panasonic headunit and the Kappas would be fine with this setup, and I would recommend JL Audio amp for the sub, like the JLAudio 250/1 or the 500/1. Good luck and let me know if you're interested in the sub and box. $130.00 plus shipping.

Sargin · 09-04-2003

Well when i had a stereo I had a Panasonic deck, Kappa speakers, and 2 Infinity Perfects in a custom box. All was powered by 2 JL 500/1 amps. My stereo pounded hard. I also reccomend an Equalizer if ya got the cash, I had a cheapy one and I still liked it alot.