What's your budget? What do you want out of the car?

It's easy for me to list off my favorite gear, but if I could I'd blow 20 grand just getting started.

For me personally, I still like the same names that I started out with in 1986. They have served me very well over the years and I have no complaints. I have nothing against trying new products, but I've realized recently that I have better things to do with my money, and as such I stick with the tried and true. The names I still use are; Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, MTX, Infinity, JBL, Hifonics (this one is a little iffy these days, though I have had stellar performance from my amp). There are obviously many more excellent brands available, but those are my main choices for friends, family, and myself.

As mentioned in my other thread I'm leaning towards using this amp (unless someone has alternate suggestions but I've always LOVED Alpine's sound and quality):

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/images/pro...s/mrp-f450.jpg

I'll have that running off the stock deck into th 4X 5.25" mids and 1" tweets in the front and rear doors. (Might see if I can cram some 6.5"'s in too). Like to keep the compents in the $200-$250/pair range +/-. Su

I currently have a 91 Civic SI HB with MTX 2 ways up front, Pioneer 6"x9" rear powered by an older (40x4?) Alpine amp and Clarion CDP/deck. (Used to have an Alpine deck that I LOVED but went on the fritz after 7'ish years and Clarion was what was on sale when replacement came due :( ) I've got a 12" Xtant sub in a sealed box (can't remember amp though....?)

I'm not sure what I want to do for subs in the new car yet....likely figure that out down the line but I don't want to to a sub box. I'm thinking something along the lines of two 8"s if I can find somewhere inconspicuous to mount them. Likely powered by another of the same Alpine amp bridged to 350w x 2.

Mostly I just want a clear, quality sound system with a decent, clean bottom end that doesn't need to rattle fillings loose. More concerned with overall sound quality than being the loudest or deepest.

Thanks Veeman, good to know some of the quality companies from my past are still considered amongst the top performers.

Good sounding system on a budget can be done.

If you're happy with your Clarion deck keep it. If you feel you need more signal processing you can add that later.

If you can fit a 6.5 comp set up front use one set up there and spend a bit more and get a good set that sounds great and can take some power. Forget about rear-fill. Give them a good amount of power. You could get that Alpine and either go active with it or bridge it to two channels or save yourself some money that could be used to buy better comps and go with an amp from Infinity or JBL GTO-series that can be found for cheap all over. FS even has a big Infinity 4ch refurb for flea-market pricing.

Buy a single nice 10" or 12". It'll be cheaper than buying two 8's and a good 12" can usually spank two 8's easily enough in output. Buy one and give it a healthy dose of power. You could pick up an OZ Matrix Elite 12" (can be had for ~$250USD), put it in a 1.2net sealed enclosure and run a matching GTO601 amp to it.

Simple, won't break the bank, won't kill your electrical system, and with excellent sound possibilities.

The Clarion deck's in my existing car, the new car I'll just use the stock head unit with an Alpine (or other) amp. I'll have a look at the Infiniti/JBL amps you mentioned as well, thanks ;)

I was already thinking of using better fronts/lesser rears if applicable with the brand/models I end up picking.

I won't be using a sub box though so I pretty much won't be able to do anything over 8" I'd wager. I want a discrete, integrated system in this car. Something that sounds good but at a glance looks damn near stock. I realize I may have to either a) spend more money or b) not get the output/depth I currently have....or some combination of the two.

Eclipse and Pioneer also have stellar ICEpower class D amps that match the Alpine's you are looking at. Price is definitely lower on them by comparison. The ICEpower circuit is a patented technology, the circuit design between the different brands of amplifiers that use this patent should not be too different.

Morel and Eclipse can be added to the short list of speakers. Adding a sub does not need to be a painful experience. A good installer can take even a modest sub and make it both perform and fit into the vehicle like it was originally intended to be there. This is the abilities of the installer that you decide to go with. Pioneer makes a great shallow mount driver of just over 2.5" deep and they work in a super tiny sealed box. Consider one of these in a purpose built box that can be either hidden away in a spot away from prying eyes or can be built into a spot in a way that makes it look stock.

I am not a digital amp fan, none of the ones I have heard are very good compared to a class a/b amp -- just my 2 cents

I agree. They're great for subs but not for mids/highs IMO.

MR2NR, I agree the installer can make a huge difference ;) There's doesn't seem to be a ton of people representing my part of BC on here though either.....

I think after doing some listening to speakers on the weekend I'm likely going with a pair of these for the fronts:

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/images/pro...s/spx-177r.jpg

and these for the rears:

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

http://www.alpine-usa.com/images/pro...s/sps-171a.jpg

My only problem will be if I can't easily fit 6.5" speakers in to the 5.25" spaces. The "X's" come in a 5.25" component set but neither the "R's" or "S's" do.... If I have to I suppose I could go with the "S" 5.25" coaxials in the rear though :ohwell:

I figure if I can get a decent discount I should be able to get them for around $600'ish total plus instal (or put them in myself)l. Now I need to figure out what amp to get...also whether I should run the rears off the deck and just amp the fronts or not.... Still thinking about that Alpine amp.....

I think the speakers in question look bad ass.....

looks to me like adire probably builds em (email and ask?).... anyway there is a good chance I would take those over some mainstream crap.... but that just my $.02