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CAR AUDIO...need advise--all opinions welcome!!

M

MasterHoss

Platinum Member
OK...it's time to get a real system in my '97 Explorer. I was thinking about the following. Please review and tell me what needs to be changed.

2 pair: Kenwood KFC-6808C (3-way speakers)
Rockford Fosgate Punch 200.4 amp (2-channel amp)
Pioneer DEH-P6300

OR

2 pair: Infinity Kappa 572.3 (2-way speakers) OR 2 pair: Infinity Reference 5752CF (2-way)
MTX Amplified Thunderform 100W sub (to fit inside cargo utility area of my Explorer)
Rockford Fosgate Punch 200.4 amp
Pioneer DEH-P6300

What do you guys think? I have no idea what the hell I'm doing either so I'd probably go retail style and have the installation boys do this all. Would they slap everything together or you think they'll "properly install and set everything up?"

Trying to get good sound but save money--I know I didn't do a good job saving money with those components though. :frown: I need easy set up (so the installers can't screw me) but with a good sound and low price.

Thanks for all that help!!
 
I have been into car audio for a while now and what I would recommend is visiting some car audio forums to find out more information before purchasing a whole system. I personally don't agree with much of your choices, although they are decent products, you can get better for cheaper. With pretty much every hobby, each time you get something new or change something you will more then likely get something better then the last time because people learn from their mistakes. I have changed my stereo around a couple of times and now i'm satisfied with it. Your picking out brand name products, but that does not necessarily mean they are great products.

If it were me, I would get the Infinity reference speakers, ditch the MTX sub and get an Adire Audio Shiva (www.adireaudio.com) for $115 or an Image Dynamics IDQ and an amp that pushes around 300-400 watts RMS. That rockford amp wouldn't be all that bad of a choice. Also, you can run the speakers off the head unit although they will sound much better off an amp, I would recommend something 75x2 @ 4 ohm's or so.

Like I said, I can't choose your stereo for you, and you may want something totally different. I look for sound quality when buying stereo equipment. Anyways, I would recommend that you do a lot of reading, and visit something of the following forums for more information:

forum.elitecaraudio.com
www.termpro.com
www.caraudioforum.com
forum.sounddomain.com

Good Luck!
 
I would check Crutchfield to review the specs on everything. You can find better deals than them on the net, but they have a decent selection and a comparison engine to help you at least make your decision.

The infinity looks like it comes with the crossovers, but it is more expensive. They have the 572.1cf's for $50 off, and those might be another alternative. You HAVE to go and listen to them to really be able to make a call on it. I would go the the powered sub for sure, and don't know if you really need the Punch amp if you get a good enough head unit. Leaving the amp out would also make installation a lot easier.

If you aren't dedicated to the Pioneer head unit, I would look at other units that include MP3 capability. They have some that are in about the same price range, and it would be a lot less CD's falling around in your car if you could fit 10 CD's worth of MP3's on ONE CD.

I would also recommend you do it yourself. I had one unit installed (they always tout "free" installation at these places), and it was pretty much a hack job. With the cable adapters and mounting kits that are available, you can do it yourself, and not leave it to a guy making a buck over minimum who doesn't really care if he cuts up your wiring harness or scratches your dash...

Hope this helps...
 
jfall....thanks a lot for your opinion!! Thanks for the websites too. I'll give them a definate read. One more question though--if bass insn't too big of a deal for me in my car, you think just getting the Kenwood speakers would suffice??
 
Damage--hahahaha...thanks.

Yeah, I'd like to install myself but I don't trust myself cutting wires...I wish I could hear those speakers myself...just don't know if I can drive around across town to find them in a store (know any good places to go to for speakers in Austin??)

 
I just got a pair of Infinity Reference 605CS (6.5" Components) upfront and Infinity Reference 652i (6.5" two-ways rear). Based on reviews these are the cheapest and best sounding Infinity's you can get hold of right now.

If you have Amex Blue you can easily buy from a reputable online retailer and PM it for some lower priced stores or you can buy them directly at SmilePhotoVideo.com.

I got mine on E-Bay used but it performs well. 🙂

 
The Kenwoods have a frequency response of 30 - 30,000 hz. Not bad but i wouldn't count on good bass from that unit. I have Rockford 6x9's previously and replaced it with Cerwin Vega (Stealth Series) and the CV's coupled with a good headunit (I had a Kenwood eXcelon X815) can hit some pretty good lows - good enough to shake your rear windows and mirrors. It's not as good as having a subwoofer but it's more than capable of good lows.

As for installation, i know it's daunting at first but you can really save a good amount of money installing speakers yourself. The amp and headunit may be a bit more of a hassle so i normally won't recommend a newbie to install it. But speakers? You're looking at saving anywhere from $100-up if you do it yourself.

If all else fails, buy the install guide from Crutchfield. It's very straight forward 🙂



<< jfall....thanks a lot for your opinion!! Thanks for the websites too. I'll give them a definate read. One more question though--if bass insn't too big of a deal for me in my car, you think just getting the Kenwood speakers would suffice?? >>

 
Trust me, I heard both sets of speakers and the Infinity Reference's are far superior to the Kenwoods. The Infinity Reference set is a really good set for the money. A lot of people like them better then the Infinity Kappa line which is more expensive. Also, a set of front component speakers is one of the most important parts of the stereo, you want to have a nice smooth silk dome tweeter with some 5 1/2 or 6 1/2 door speakers that produce good mid-bass. It really depends on how the equipment is installed, you could have the best stereo equipment money can buy and be beat out by someone with equipment that cost 1/10 of the price.
 
Trust me on this if you want the best component speakers get the ones below. I have them and they are without a doubt the best I have ever heard. I took first place in the only stereo competition I ever entered, and I was the highest scoring person at the show for overall sound quality, with a 9 out of 10 score. I know about car audio so anything you need to know I am more then happy to help. The downside to these speakers is they arent cheap. As for your amp the Fosgate will do fine, as for head unit pioneer and alpine are the only 2 i would reccomend.


Diamond Audio Hex series component speakers
 
good idea with the heat unit. nothing less than a pioneer is what i recommend. blaupunkt makes some nice speakers that won't kill you on price. subs... 2 12" polk momos for you my friend.
 
Diamond does sell some pretty good drivers!

As for subs, the 12inch Dayton DVC can't be beat by ANY sub for the money. 32mm of linear excursion (yes, the magnet pushes the cone that far), 600watts RMS and a 5 year warranty. I LOVE my 15inch Dayton DVC 😀
 
Thanks for that informative and interesting post, Moonbeam.


I have the the Infinitys - they're a good deal, but spend the extra $50 and get the 3ways.
 
Wow...came back from work and saw all the responses. Thanks guys.

Yeah--I was thinking Infinity Reference--not too sure about the component speakers though--don't know how much damage I could do drilling holes on my dash. I was researching some more as well--I may go for an Alpine head unit. I'm most definately going to stay away from the sub for now--most likely add 1 or 2 later.

Here's a damn stupid, inexperienced--every day Joe question: How come the Infinity Reference speakers sound better than the Kenwood speakers when the Reference are 2-way and the Kenwoods are 3-way?
 
Its simple one is Kenwood and the other is a good speaker. As for difference between 2 way and 3 way its not really about wether or not its a 2 way or a 3 way, speakers just sound better then others period. When your talking a 3 way setup usually the third piece of the system is a midbass driver along with the midrange and tweeter. Infinity just make better sounding speakers then Kenwood does. Dont worry about a 2 way or a 3 way configuration, you can add a midbass speaker later if you want midbass, just get the best possible midrange and tweeter setup you can afford even if you go with a coaxial speaker. Since those speakers are going to be your main source for clean sound worry about quality in that area. I have another suggestion if you want to go with a coaxial setup for easy of installation, then take a look at MBQuart coaxial speakers. With those you get a great midrange and tweeter all in one just put them in the stock front speaker location of your car that will remove the worry about you messing up your dash trying to add seperates.
 
Check out Crystal stuff. Buddy of mine put the 5x7's into his Contour and LOVES them. $175 for two pair. AWESOME deal.

If you want components, go to Zalytron, click on "Car Audio" under "On Sale" and check out the Focals, and look at the special near the top of the page, right under the animated gif of the guy in a car. $129... The 6.5" Crystals at $118/pair is also a helluva deal!

You can get plates at Autotoys that adapt a 5x7 opening to allow a 5.25 or 6.5 driver to be dropped in, and then mount the tweeter on the extra space on the plate. That's what I have done..

These Audiobahns would also make a nice choice.

This amp would be good to power the entire system. 6 channels. 1 for each speaker, bridge two for the sub.

I'll have to agree on the Dayton DVC as a sub choice..

Deal on MB Quart 5x7's..

Hehe. Lots of info there! Have fun!

Oh, Q Logic makes a nifty little enclosure for the Explorer that goes in the back. But it only takes a 10" sub. I'll be back with a nice 10".

Here we go.. 10" Lambda Acousitcs PB10 for $80. The Blue Print 1001 is also a nice choice. This Titanic MKII would also be good.
 
I will agree with you on the Crystal subs they are very good, as for the Audiobahn yukky, stinky, poo poo be afraid be very afraid.
 
Ah, a fellow DIY'er perry 🙂

Lambda also makes VERY high quality drivers, they know what they're doing.
Wasn't it the TD series that's the sweet midbass driver....or was it the TAD or TL or something like that series?
Too bad they're like $200 a piece 🙁
 
Diamond Audio Components will blow away ANYTHING you can by at Best Buy/Circuit City or any other mainstream store. I have two pair in my Civic right now being run by a Alpine V12 amp (50x4 very conservatively rated). They are worth the money!

My PERSONAL OPINION is that one should spend the most money (implying quality...hopefully) on (in order of importance):

1. Speakers
2. Amplification
3. Head unit
4. Wiring (keeping in mind some common sense stuff 🙂)
5. Customization

Upgrading your speakers can have the largest (usually) impact on sound quality (duh!).

Amplification is almost equal to speakers as far as importance/impact on system.

Don't buy a head unit because of useless features (again...this depends on your taste)

For the love of GOD....DO NOT pay rediculous prices for wiring. Buy MID-END wiring and don't mix and match gauges.

Don't let installers talk you into something you don't want done. For you needs...a straightforward install is all you need. No fancy crap. (That's where the install shops make their money so they push it the hardest)

SDC
 
Ain't no sense in paying for name brand audio stuff, when the DIY stuff costs a fraction of the price and sounds waaay better. Too bad Lambda is gettin out of the DIY business. If I had the $$ laying around I'd pick up a couple drivers. One of those 12" Dayton DVC's would blow away anything triple it's price.. boom boom boom!

It's too bad I didn't know about the DIY market when I was building my car system. I keep trying to blow my MTX sub so I have an excuse to pickup one of those Daytons, darn thing just won't blow, and I don't wanna throw away a perfectly good [working] sub.
 
Here's my final set up...

1.) Apline (CDA7875) head unit
2.) Infinity Reference (5752CF) speakers [2 pair]
3.) MTX Thunder4244 (4 Channel Amplifier)
4.) MTX FEX10U (Unloaded Enclosure for '97 Ford Explorer)
5.) MTX T6104 (10" Subwoofer)

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions. The reason why I went with the choices I did was because of the really, really great deals I can get on all of the above components.

I'll probably get all this stuff by next week.
 
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