Getting back in car audio after a brief hiatus
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 24
Getting back in car audio after a brief hiatus
Once upon a time (about 15 years ago) I was really into car audio. Had a 1990 Mustang, 4 x 12" kicker solobaric subs, an Alpine 3545, 3548 (and i actually still have that amp), Phoenix Gold EQ, Clarion deck with a 12 disc changer (or maybe 10 disc..hmmm) all diy speakers (Seas and Vifa) and at the time i believe it sounded pretty good. Fast forward to today. I'm 40, have a 7 year old son, mortgage and all that good stuff. Recently bought a 2009 civic coupe for my commuter car and the stock stereo S U C K S.
I'm looking for a head unit with bluetooth, cd/mp3/usb/aux input and ideally time alignment and some form of parametric EQ. Amplifier-wise I had planned on reusing my old alpine 3548 (60W x2 plus some bizarre bridged feature which allows you to run sub(s) at 160W (i think)). Not sure if it's really up to the task though. Front speakers with be in-door 6.5's and 1" with other tweeters in the stock dash location crossed over very high for "sparkle". Not entirely sure i'll bother with rears.
Subs could be a pair of 8's or 10's in the trunk on either side behind the rear wheel wells (fiberglass enclosures).
I guess i'm wondering if there's anything i'm missing or if there's any other stuff out there that people are using now that might suit and install like this.
Thanks for reading!
Scott
I'm looking for a head unit with bluetooth, cd/mp3/usb/aux input and ideally time alignment and some form of parametric EQ. Amplifier-wise I had planned on reusing my old alpine 3548 (60W x2 plus some bizarre bridged feature which allows you to run sub(s) at 160W (i think)). Not sure if it's really up to the task though. Front speakers with be in-door 6.5's and 1" with other tweeters in the stock dash location crossed over very high for "sparkle". Not entirely sure i'll bother with rears.
Subs could be a pair of 8's or 10's in the trunk on either side behind the rear wheel wells (fiberglass enclosures).
I guess i'm wondering if there's anything i'm missing or if there's any other stuff out there that people are using now that might suit and install like this.
Thanks for reading!
Scott
Welcome back!.....Sounds like you have things covered fairly well.
Also welcome to the 40 y/o into audio club...lol
the old amp is probably up to the task of running the fronts at least(IMO)
As for decks, Clarion has some nice offerings lately with lots of features and wont kill the wallet.....there's a million decks to choose from, find one with the features you want/need at the price you're willing to pay and you really can't go very wrong.
I agree with the not bothering with rears
Also welcome to the 40 y/o into audio club...lol
the old amp is probably up to the task of running the fronts at least(IMO)
As for decks, Clarion has some nice offerings lately with lots of features and wont kill the wallet.....there's a million decks to choose from, find one with the features you want/need at the price you're willing to pay and you really can't go very wrong.
I agree with the not bothering with rears
sound deadning for your doors and that rear deck that rattles like no tomorow. worked on an 08 and it just rattles lol
amp kit, dash kit, harness, antena adapter
deck wize alpine, eclipse, pioneer premier...
amp kit, dash kit, harness, antena adapter
deck wize alpine, eclipse, pioneer premier...
That makes another in the 40+ club.... been at this since I was 16, I remember all those model you once had. Keep the 3548, it was a great amp! Short list the Eclipse CD5030 for a top notch head unit. ECLIPSE Car Navigation and Audio Systems | Fujitsu Ten (their component SC6500 speakers are great as well) or if you really want to up the ante on speakers, look to Morel. Morel Loudspeakers
Some deadener as is pointed out above is going to be a must in this car. I stock it by the 50sq.ft. roll or you can buy it by the sq.ft. from me as well. A single sub in the proper slot port box is going to satisfy the requirements for bass that you need at this time. As you do not have the typical huge amps of the time to use right now, there is no need to go into big monster subs. One sub with the adequate power is more than likely all you are going to need so as not to overwhelm the rest of the system.
The crazy way of hooking up the amp that you mentioned is called a simultaneous stereo mono mode. While it can indeed work, it will not work with the advanced capabilities of the new decks that all use built in crossovers. The method of use for the amps of this era all used custom passive crossovers. Not exactly what you would want to do but if you do, it can still be done. Best bet is to add a dedicated amp to power the subs and use that nice old clean made in Japan Alpine on the front speakers.
Some deadener as is pointed out above is going to be a must in this car. I stock it by the 50sq.ft. roll or you can buy it by the sq.ft. from me as well. A single sub in the proper slot port box is going to satisfy the requirements for bass that you need at this time. As you do not have the typical huge amps of the time to use right now, there is no need to go into big monster subs. One sub with the adequate power is more than likely all you are going to need so as not to overwhelm the rest of the system.
The crazy way of hooking up the amp that you mentioned is called a simultaneous stereo mono mode. While it can indeed work, it will not work with the advanced capabilities of the new decks that all use built in crossovers. The method of use for the amps of this era all used custom passive crossovers. Not exactly what you would want to do but if you do, it can still be done. Best bet is to add a dedicated amp to power the subs and use that nice old clean made in Japan Alpine on the front speakers.
Still the oldest......
There should be a prize.....
I would like to add the Kenwood Excelon line to your list of decks.....I put a KDC-X993 in my van last week and it is doing a great job for me.
HTH
There should be a prize.....
I would like to add the Kenwood Excelon line to your list of decks.....I put a KDC-X993 in my van last week and it is doing a great job for me.
HTH
Last edited by BigRedGuy; Sep 15, 2009 at 07:44 PM.
x2 on the Eclipse CD5030
I have it and its the best deck for under $379.99.
-Bluetooth (built in)
-7 Band parametric EQ
-Fully adj 3 way Xover up to 24db slope
-Time Allignment
-USB with Ipod control
-5 volt 6ch preouts
Awsome deck!
I have it and its the best deck for under $379.99.
-Bluetooth (built in)
-7 Band parametric EQ
-Fully adj 3 way Xover up to 24db slope
-Time Allignment
-USB with Ipod control
-5 volt 6ch preouts
Awsome deck!
Last edited by johnw; Sep 15, 2009 at 07:47 PM.
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 24
I had a look at the Eclipse and Kenwood offerings online last night. They look like they cover pretty much everything i'm after. Now...where in Ontario are good dealers located? I'm in Kitchener but I drive to Mississauga daily so dealers in Mississauga or Toronto are within driving distance for me. Internet works too but i'd prefer to keep it in Canada if possible.
Scott
Scott
