So I broke down and bought a new carpet for my car. The old one, dry or not, is crap. My wife and I have saved the money, and the new carpet is going to make the car look so much better. While everything is out (everything except the driver's seat), I was thinking about replacing the stereo. I've wanted to for a while now, and the after-Christmas money is still around.

Here's the deal. I already have a JL Audio PowerWedge 10" 150W Subwoofer and a Pioneer 240W 2-Channel Bridgeable Amp. I'm up for replacing all of the factory speakers and the receiver. My questions are:

1) Do I buy an amp or let the stereo drive the speakers?
2) If I buy an amp for the speakers, can I hook that one and the subwoofer amp up, or should I buy an amp that can do both?
3) Are there recommendations anyone has regarding the deck? I would like an aux input on the front and maybe some RCAs in the back (for the amp/amps/sub).

Thanks for the help again!

1/5/2009 1:06:54 PM

1)Depends on the quality of sound you're looking for. If you buy a new component and you're not feeding it the power that it was designed to run, you're not going to get the sound it's capable of producing.

2)You can have 2 amps...just depends on if the head unit has seperate subwoofer/component RCA outs. Even if it has only one, you can still use crossovers to make it all work.

3)Depends on your price range. How much are you looking to spend overall on this project?

1/5/2009 1:12:04 PM

probably willing to spend...$500-600 on the equipment

1/5/2009 1:20:52 PM

One of the best decisions I made the last time I installed a stereo was to buy a huge 5 channel Kicker amp. I think it was 4x80 + 290x1. It made for clean install, less wires, and it sounded great. It was actually two separate amps in one casing, but the end result was the same. So much better than running multiple amps, distribution blocks, etc.

1/5/2009 1:24:21 PM

What kinda car?

Are you wanting to replace all factory speakers?

I'd budget ~$400 for speakers & ~$200 for a head unit.

If you're going to put an amp on all speakers anyway, just find a head unit that meets your basic requirements (component/sub preouts), aux input...power rating doesnt really mean much here.

1/5/2009 1:26:54 PM

2002 honda accord 4-dr

1/5/2009 4:25:45 PM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=554009

1/5/2009 7:12:48 PM

your answer is as follows:

Alpine PDX-5

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=6395

1/5/2009 8:56:41 PM

So if you had a total budget of $600 as stated, you want him to spend $450 on an amp? Especially when he already has a decent (relatively speaking) sub/amp combo?

I mean, I agree that it'd be nice to have that amp, but that's a budget buster from the start. There are much more economical ways to achieve good sound than with that amp.

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 11:47 PM. Reason : .]

1/5/2009 11:45:37 PM

there's already some of that sound dampening stuff on the car (a lot of it, actually), so I'm not touching it...

tnezami thanks for all of the help so far.

1/6/2009 1:17:40 AM

just to verify, I want two preouts, right? one for the main amp and one for the sub?

I'm guessing I wouldn't need too big of a main amp, simply because I won't be hooking my sub up to it...i'll have my sub amp already, right?

1/6/2009 1:35:36 AM

Yeah, that'd be preferable.

Something like this would be nice and easy on the wallet.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDA9884/Alpine-CDA-9884.html?tp=5684

It has 3 sets of preamps, and a bass level control on the sub output.

But anything with at least 2 sets of outputs should work fine.

1/6/2009 7:51:52 AM

Quote :

"So if you had a total budget of $600 as stated, you want him to spend $450 on an amp? Especially when he already has a decent (relatively speaking) sub/amp combo? "

well that's the response an idiot would give when said idiot barely skims through the posts.

okay, now that i've read through (at least better this time) i'd make the following recommendations:

radio:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDE9872/Alpine-CDE-9872.html?tp=5684

add-on power pack:
this is a total plug-n-play "micro-amp" that boosts the internal radio amp from 18x4 to 45x4 rms.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTP445/Alpine-KTP-445-Power-Pack.html?tp=115
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/company/pr/pr.php?prid=168&year=2008

and then the speakers of your choice. this setup should be plenty loud with the add-on amp. this way you can have that knock when you want it and the rest of your speakers can keep up.

the radio comes with a free ipod adapter in case you already own one or plan on getting one, has a pre-out for the sub amp signal, and alpine's quality. crutchfield also offers free installation kit, wiring harness, and shipping. total is $250 so that leaves plenty left over for speakers and to pay someone to install it if you'd like.

[Edited on January 6, 2009 at 10:56 AM. Reason : -]

1/6/2009 10:49:34 AM

great...i'm looking at those now...

what about power? the last time i had my sub/amp hooked up, I connected it right to the battery via a fuse...will I have to do that with both amps? if so, would i need a different battery other than the standard one in the car now?

1/6/2009 5:55:23 PM

You would get a fused distrobution block and a non-fused distrobution block.
The power will still come from the fused line at the battery, then split at the fused distro block and go to each amp. The grounds of each amp will go to the non-fused dirsto block and then ground at the same point that it is currently grounded. It depends on what size wire is currently run on if you will need to upgrade. With your goals, 8 guage wire will be sufficient. You will not need a different battery then what you already have.

1/6/2009 6:11:55 PM

*distribution

1/6/2009 6:48:32 PM

^yeah, that.

1/6/2009 7:54:15 PM

the amp i gave a link to doesn't require any wiring. it's a plug-n-play module that installs behind the cd player. you would install the amp you have now just like you did before. i tried to make it easy for ya.

1/6/2009 8:15:48 PM

okay...so it looks like this picture best represents what I am looking for...save the capacitor




[Edited on January 7, 2009 at 2:30 AM. Reason : larger]

1/7/2009 2:20:41 AM

okay...this is what I'm THINKING about getting...

Alpine CDA-9884 Receiver
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDA9884/Alpine-CDA-9884.html?tp=5684

Kicker KS690 - 6x9's
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_2068KS690/Kicker-KS690.html?tp=91

Polk Audio db651s - 6.5's
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB651S/Polk-Audio-db651s.html?tp=95

Profile HA1040 - 80W x 4ch amp
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_489HA1040/Profile-HA1040.html?tp=115

guys...please let me know if I'm unbalanced (e.g., high end A component with crappy B component, etc.)

I thought about getting this amp:

Blaupunkt THA475PnP
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_023THA475P/Blaupunkt-THA475PnP.html?tp=115

but I wasn't sure if all of those extra cables were worth it...

[Edited on January 7, 2009 at 5:59 AM. Reason : others]

1/7/2009 5:55:30 AM

i personally feel that amp is garbage. it all depends on how loud you want your stereo to play. the amp i recommended is a lot cleaner, easier to install, and will play plenty loud.

1/7/2009 9:59:47 PM

man, that thing is SO expensive and seems overpowered to the speakers I'm looking at getting...

and some things I read online say that "power is just power"...so does that amp just make it easier to install?

1/8/2009 12:02:56 AM

Man, you have picked some really oddball stuff there.


How about:

Nakamichi CD-500
MB Quart or Memphis speakers

1/8/2009 1:37:08 AM

Quote :

"probably willing to spend...$500-600 on the equipment"

that means all of the equipment...not just the deck

1/8/2009 1:58:53 AM

sorry ... I'm a little tired ... I didn't mean to sound ungrateful for the advice, but I'm trying to keep my costs as practical as possible ... and I want a balanced system, and I'm trying to find things on crutchfield because i trust the company, and I'm in Hawaii and don't want to hassle with a company I'm not sure about ... I know alpine, kicker, polk ... the only question is the amp ... just comparing price vs power ... and I still have to figure out what wires I will need that aren't included ... this is a big headache and I usually second guess myself and I really want to get this right.

1/8/2009 2:22:32 AM

Quote :

"kicker, polk"

I have nothing against these brands, but if I went out today to buy some quality speakers, I would not come home with these brands.


Likewise, if I went out to find some good deals, I would not buy these brands, I would rather spend the same amount on some higher end stuff and feel like I got a great deal.

That nakamichi can be had for 3-400 bucks if you are patient. I get the feeling you arent though, perhaps you need to just drop your car off at a reputable local car audio shop and tell them your budget.

1/8/2009 3:06:33 AM

^^i think you need to re-read my 2nd post in this thread.

Quote :

"I have nothing against these brands, but if I went out today to buy some quality speakers, I would not come home with these brands."

okay, i'll let you listen to my truck when i get done installing all my shit. i think you'll come to realize that memphis doesn't have shit when it comes to the sq of my polk SR6500's.

1/8/2009 9:33:17 AM

Yeah, I really like most Memphis Audio products. I used to work with a guy named Erik Reid who was sponsored by Memphis Audio and he competed in DB Drag. Always had really good experiences with that equipment.

I do realize that DB drag is completely different from this application though.

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 2:29 PM. Reason : .]

1/8/2009 2:24:41 PM

underPSI, you are saying I don't even need the main amp then, right?

1/8/2009 2:45:10 PM

I think he's saying you should look at the Alpine Power Pack mini amp. That'll be the cleanest install (fewer wires) and will give you decent power for the speakers you're looking at.

1/8/2009 2:55:22 PM

^thank you. i was about to choke myself.

and did erik used to work at the old best buy in pleasant valley? that name sounds really familiar. i think he started working there right before i quit.

1/8/2009 7:16:27 PM

sorry for being a noob about this, guys...I just don't want to screw it up and I second guess myself a lot...and I trust your advice

Is Boston Acoustic a good brand? the crutchfield guy I'm chatting with is trying to sell these to me...but they are a lower wattage and higher price than comparable models

1/8/2009 7:35:38 PM

boston is a decent speaker but with that being said a lot of brands sell a decent speaker if you are just going by the specs. you really need to spend some time visiting retail shops to determine what speaker sounds best to you. one thing to keep in mind is a pair of speakers will sound different on a sound board compared to when they are actually installed in your car. i've always found them to sound better once installed in a car.

1/8/2009 9:40:16 PM

I worked with Erik at the Best Buy in Cary (Crossroads).

I think I worked there late 2003/early 2004? We both worked back in the install bay.

1/9/2009 12:18:53 AM

Quote :

"sq of my polk SR6500's"

I think high end SQ is a waste on me. Years of AIR TOOLS MIGHT HAVE DAMAGED MY HEARING

that and those 14ft grinders I used to run at the saw shop.

Ive never had a Polk, Memphis, MB Quart or any fancier speaker than some old 4x6 Infinity Reference I had in my grey pickup.

I want to get a killer system in my new truck though, might need your help. First problem is all the stock speakers are 4in. I did put some nice Boston tweeters in the a-pillars though, that helps some but the bass is non existant. 4in are not good for bass at all.

1/9/2009 3:24:41 AM

size matters
How bout a nice 10" for lower mids & bass?


[Edited on January 9, 2009 at 11:19 AM. Reason : .]

1/9/2009 11:14:52 AM

^That's not what your mom said....

wait.

1/9/2009 11:17:56 AM

I went to Circuit City today and listened the the Polks i was considering...they sounded a lot clearer than the other speakers there. I think I'm going to go with them and the kickers for the 6x9s. I'll get all of that stuff on crutchfield and see how it sounds without the mini-amp. If not satisfied, I willl most likely get the mini-amp.

Thanks for all of the help, guys. i hope your own stereo adventures turn out well.

1/10/2009 12:11:48 AM

HIJACK

Quote :

"How bout a nice 10" for lower mids & bass? "

Great idea, but I while I want big sound, I am very limited on space. Would likely need to be a custom box made and space is somewhat limited. Also I would need to find a good strong metal grill to keep stuff from ruining the speaker while offroading, etc.

1/10/2009 10:35:36 AM

http://www.subthump.com/toyota.htm

1/10/2009 2:13:09 PM

I mean for the 95 discovery

[Edited on January 11, 2009 at 2:20 AM. Reason : huh]

1/11/2009 2:18:37 AM

hey....unhijack....what size wire should I use for the rca from the pre-out of the head unit to the amp?

1/12/2009 3:58:52 PM

Are you asking what gauge RCA cable to use? They're pretty standard size across the board...some brands have "higher end" cables, such as Rockford's "Twisted pair" technology, but unless you're a hardcore audiophile, you're prolly not gonna hear much of a difference.

1/12/2009 4:18:51 PM

nm....i had a 16 gage wire that I thought had the proper ends to it for the amp...turns out I was wrong....so i went to Walmart and bought a stupid amp kit with the RCA cable in it because they didn't have just the cable....

1/12/2009 5:30:23 PM

^yeah, that'll definitely work. Scosche brand i'm guessing? Should work like a champ.

1/12/2009 6:35:29 PM

hey...schoshecesece or whatever....stereo comes on the 20th....carpet comes on the 13th...so I'm getting all of the wires pre-installed myself now so I can just lay the carpet down and be done with ripping it up when i get the HU and spkrs

1/12/2009 6:41:18 PM

Quote :

"some brands have "higher end" cables, such as Rockford's "Twisted pair" technology"

haha

1/12/2009 9:43:22 PM

so is a nakamichi deck really worth it

not the 700, the 500

1/12/2009 10:48:22 PM

so I just figured out that the head unit doesn't come with KCE-422i iPod cable...so I'll have to go get one...probably at BB...ah well

1/13/2009 1:20:03 AM

^^^Notice I put "higher end" in quotes....it's all BS

1/13/2009 9:16:15 AM