need some car audio suggestions...

[vi edit]

I'm totally and completely car audio dumb. All that I know is that the stock system in my car is horrendous.

I own a '95 Mercury Mystique and I want to upgrade the sound system in it.

The current audio setup consists of a factory installed tape deck, and four door mounted 5" crappy speakers. I know that my car will take a custom sized 6"x8" in the doors.

So, I'm probably looking at 4 of those, a CD deck, and possible some small (read 6&quot subs to place in the back deck above the back seat. If I go for a couple subs, and I can't mount them in the back deck, I won't get them. I don't want a sub box messing up my pass through seats, and consuming some of my trunk space. Also, I'm assuming that if I go for a couple subs, I'm going to need an amp too correct?

I'm looking for strong, and quality sound. Not loud and "thumpy". I'm not the type of person who shares my sound with the neighbors.

Max budget is probably $700. It'll probably be a multi-step upgrade going along as $$ allows.

Does anybody have any brands that they recommend over another, both speaker and head unit wise?

Thanks.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

I don't even think they make 6" subs. For some oomph at least get 10's or possibly 12's. (They do make hatchback or truck boxes, take up very little room but they usually aren't the right cu. feet for subs)

For speakers, don't go with odd sizes (6x8, 5x7, 6x9) - go for all 5 1/4 or 6 1/2. Example, why is there no oval shaped speakers on subwoofers or home theater system speakers? Because sound quality SUCKS. Thats why subs/home theater speakers are shaped in a circle. And yes, you'll need an amp to power your subs (unless you dont mind weak weak bass, then you can hook it up direct to your head unit, preferably a Pioneer w/ Mosfet45).

 

[Spoooon]

As far as head units go, you can't go wrong with Pioneer. I have a DEH-P5200. It was about 250 with install. For speakers, Pioneer is good and relatively cheap. I wouldn't bother with trying to put subs in the back. If I were you, I'd probably end up getting a decent head unit, and 2 pairs of 6x8s. You can probably get away with just using the head unit on there. I'm sure there are people here with more experiance than I that can give you better advice.

My system consists of the DEH-P5200, Rockford Fosgate Fanatic X comps, Polk EX 6X9s, Aria 10' woofer, Crossfire 2x100, and Aura 4x100.

edit: Pioneer has a 6x8 "plate" where the woofer is round and has a seperate tweeter.

 

[vi edit]

I was looking at head unitst the other day and saw that most of them were putting out 40-45w x 4

Is this enough juice to power a 6x8 or a straight 5" speaker. How much sound quality would I see adding another 25-50w per speaker via an amp?

Also, can you even get a decent amount of bass from a 5" door mounted speaker?

Like I said, I'm not trying to wake the neighbors, or rattle my car apart, I'm just looking for some rich, and full sound...if that makes any sense

 

[IBhacknU]

You really need more than 5" for full bass

 

[Zucchini]

Hmm, well from my experience i can say powering speakers off a headunit isn't that great. I have 2 3way 6x9 and 2 2way 6 1/2 infinity reference speakers and a panasonic 160watt head unit. It just pisses me off that my computer speakers sound better I've been told that an amp might help since head units are rated peak power, not real in otherwords Oh yea, as for the amplifier, i don't think its cumulative.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

A head unit from Sony's Xplod series released earlier this year should suit you well. I bought the C8050x ES model over the summer for $400 including installation and sound quality has been amazing. You can get a dumb down model (many of the features it seems you won't need, like DSP) for $250.

Oh and about the subs, I'm with everybody else here. I have four 5 1/4" (each with 3/4" tweeter) in the doors and above the rear seat and they don't put out too much bass. The mid-high range is very clear and balanced. I then have a pair of 10" subs in my trunk and for my little MX-3 hatchback that's all I need. I've gotten many, many comments from my friends saying how great it sounds. I'd also like to mention that with the volume turned up very high (including subs), you can barely hear it outside my car over 10 yards away.

If you really don't want any subs, you can look into 6" component speakers for the doors. You'll get more bass then the 5" speakers, but you may sacrifice high frequency sound quality (depending on the speakers, this problem should be non-existent).

 

[Doodoo]

700...definately enough for what you want. First off...if you want sound quality, your gonna need an amp to run those speaks. They don't make 6" subs....they do make 6" mids though. So you want 4 speakers and some subs?? Most head units only have 4 channels...so either way your gonna need an amp. Those decks do not put out 40 watts...they're most likely putting out 20 or so watts. Get an amp...you'll definatly notice a difference. It'll play louder and cleaner. As for speakers...check out the infinity's...they're a decent price and sound great.

 

[Zucchini]

Hmm i have a question thats kind works for him too. How much amp power does one need for those infinities?

 

[Angrymarshmello]

I think References run around $99 for a pair, Kappas about $150~$200, depending on where you buy them

 

[vi edit]

I don't know if it helps you guys out much, but my music pretty much consists of hard rock, heavy metal, and some techno. I'll want something that will reproduce the sound pretty well for that type of music.

 

[Doodoo]

I would give the references round 50 watts each and the kappas round 75 or so. Vi_edit...sounds like you might like a 10" in ur car. Get an amp and give it round 200 watts and u'll be happy.

 

[andrey]

ok, here is the setup I have in my '99 Chevy Monte Carlo:

deck: Pioneer Premier DEH-P720
front speakers (components): Premier TS-C503 5.25"
rear speakers: Premier TS-E6990 6"x9"
amplifier:
Kenwood KAC-648S 4-channel

This setup simply sounds incredible in my car. And the best thing about it is that I could get everything for under $600 ($250 for deck + $120 front components + $110 rear speakers + $115 amplifier)

 

[navap]

bump

 

[Zucchini]

STOP BUMPING YOU STUPID NEF!

 

[perry]

Unless you have had 5" speakers put in the doors, then you have 6x8s in there now. I've taken the door panels off my Contour more times than I care to count (same car as the Mystique).

You can fit an 8" open air sub on that rear deck, cut a hole in the deck, and then put a grill on the deck to make it look pretty. I've seen it on a 95 Mystique, turned out pretty nice.

You can get 6x8 plates to put in the doors, and mount a 5.25" component set on those plates (just a 6x8 piece of plastic with a 5.25" hole in it). I have that in my front doors, works pretty well. Metra makes the plate, and I think that Crutchfield sells something similar.

Got questions about the Mystique.. PM me and I can hook you up..

 

[Impact55]

You don't really need a subwoofer for your music needs... I suggest checking out crutchfield.com, in the meantime a Pionner DEH-P4100 is a great buy, and so are 4 5 1/4 speakers made by pionner, I have the set up and without the subs + amp I get PLENTY of bass, you don't need more unless you want to wake up the neighbors . Even this can go real loud, my friend can hear the music 7 suburban houses down, with no distortion at all. Try to go with one brand, and most people will suggest going to a small car audio place, however they tend to "rape" you on install so I would go to Circuit City, I've had great support from them.

 

[Impact55]

PLEASE stay away from Sony... dear god!

 

[sd]

I have a MTX Blue Thunder 10" That came in a box, and it doesn't take up much trunk space at all. Then again I have a 2000 Nissan Altima, which has a good size trunk. I have a Kenwood KAC-628 Amp kickin 150 to the sub with my Alpine deck. Sounds really good. Thats with stock speakers. My car is a lease, so I'm not puttin new speaks in it.

 

[Mucman]

I would just like to point something out...

All speakers are woofers; 'sub-woofer' has just become slang for a large woofer. A 10" woofer is a speaker that can play lower than an 6" speaker. bass,mid is just a level of frequency you are hearing. 6" speakers are better for mid-bass while 10" speakers are better for lower bass. To conclude this pointless post. a 'sub' is really no different than any other speaker except for the size.

Oh, for that amount of cash here is what I would do.

A deck with 4v preouts
component set
1 multi-channel amp
1 10"

I didn't bother with brands because that's such a subjective thing. Here is what I have it cost me ~$800cdn (I found some good deals and I got my amp for free,but brand new at a chain store it would be ~$1200-1300cdn)

Clarion DRX6675z
MB Quart DSD-216
Kenwood KAC646X
MTX 10" RT1040
stinger wiring

This system is only rated at 120WRMS (2x25W to Quarts 1x70W to MTX 10&quot, yes it is no boom system, but the sound quality blows me away! I have heard pricier systems that don't sound as good. The 10" puts enough low end to shake the mirrors, but it's not going to annoy the neighbors (often ). I am no expert on car audio but I am just sharing my experience. I would reccomend going to friendly car audio forum since they are pretty much non biased and they are an extremely friendly bunch.

Anyways, good luck and let me know how it turns out!

 

[Doodoo]

So you would call a tweeter a woofer?

 

[Mucman]

Hehe, thise does not include tweeters. I should have said all cone speakers are woofers.

 

[SuperSix]

Whatever you decide on, Crutchfield has been great for me. Here's what you get when you buy from them: Cruthfield benefits

They are not the cheapest, but their service is amazing. I bought a set of Pioneer 6x9's, and blew one a week later, they OVERNIGHTED me a replacement, and paid for the return shipping of the defective unit. The included factory wiring harness adapters make it a snap, and the documentation was perfect. I only buy from them now. Sure, I pay a lttle more, but it's worth it. (Geez, I must be getting old. )

 

Get a nice head unit. Clarions are mad cool.

Component speakers, yes. Subwoofer (incapable of producing sound above 1.5kHz, fine), something cheap, if you even go that route... I don't even have a box in my car, I just got out the jigsaw and cut two more holes in the rear deck of the Prelude so I had 4 JBL 6.5"s (component woofers) cranking in the back. Very nice.

You won't be able to get a "sub" without having it in a box, or at least it won't sound very good without one, so if space is a concern, no sub. Just spend all the extra money from not buying a sub on high-quality speakers and head unit!

 

[Viperoni]

Kicker makes Free Air 6X9's, so those will use your trunk well.
Also, I've seen a few 6.5inch to 8inch free air subs around too.