Need Help Choosing System
 

Hi there,

I am currently looking at installing a new car audio system in my 2004 Honda Civic (4-door). I have approached two local retailers here in Winnipeg (Brian Reimer Audio and Vision on Pembina), and they have quoted me on the systems they would recommend given my budget (about $4,500). The two systems are as follows:

Brian Reimer Audio Recommended Package

Deck
-Pioneer AVH4200 ($599)

Component Speakers
-Boston PRO60SE Components (just front, no back) ($600)

Amplifiers
-Boston GT475 75x4 ($629)
-MTX TA91002 1500 Watt Sub Amp ($899)

Subs
-MTX TR7512-22 500 Watt Subs (two of them) ($658)
-Factory Dual 12" Sealed Box ($125)

Wiring
-Streetwire ZN5K00 0 gauge amp kit ($199)
-Streetwire ZN7250 5M RCA ($55)
-Streetwire ZN5250 5M RCA ($22)
-Speaker Wire ($30)

Labor
-Amps: $300
-Speakers: $150
-Deck: $55

Total Labor: $505

Total Quote: $4,834 (including tax) (but was willing to come down $200 after seeing Visions' quote)


Visions Electronics Recommended Package

Deck
-JVC KWADV793 ($600)

Component Speakers
-JL C5650 (just front, no back) ($930)

Amplifiers
-JL J2 320.4 ($400)
-Kicker 08ZX1000.1 (1000 watt) ($1,200)

Subs
-JL 12W3V34 500 Watt Subs (two of them) ($410)
-Custom Dual 12" Sealed Box (see price in labor section below)

Wiring
-Stinger SPC021 1 Farat Capacitor ($100)
-Stinger SPEL4 ($150)
-Stinger SPI2217 ($22)
-Stinger EL1317 ($70)

Total Equipment: $4292 less package discount: $3060

Labor
-Double Din Install: $89
-JUC Video Bypass: $32
-Mono Amp Ins: $87
-4 Channel Ins: $97
-Component Ins: $122
-Constructing Custom Box: $350

Total Labor: $777

Total Quote: $4,297 (including tax)


I know next to nothing about car audio, so I do not know which one to go with. I want the best sounding system, and both of them are within my $4,500 budget. Obviously, both sales guys are saying their system is the best.

So... I have two questions:

1. Which of these systems will sound better?
2. Are these systems fairly priced?

Thanks in advance very much for any help/advice you can offer.

Regards,

Mark

System # 2 sounds good, plus they intent to build a custom box, which I think should be better than a prefab.

Mark, are you interested in some other great options and would you consider a small drive out of town to the metropolis of Morden for one of the best installers in your flat lands? Given the two packages, I would choose option 1, the salesperson has put more thought into the system and shown some great equipment. A custom box can always be thrown into the mix for a marginal upgrade.

$930 for a JL C5650 comp set? IMHO i would do some research into the prices they quoted you.

exactly, first thing I checked from your list and I gotta say you got some money to loose :) lemme check the rest. I'm sure you'd have them to your door at around $400-500 brand new, even less if you look for used.

MR2NR,

You bet... always open to new options. I actually live in St-Pierre-Jolys, so Morden is not far for me at all. Who were you thinking of?

Is it worth it switching from prefab to custom on the box? The guys from Brian Reimer said it was pointless, provided the prefab was built for the subs.

Mark

This is why I am coming to you guys... I have no way of knowing whether I'm getting screwed on what I am being quoted.

If I don't end up going with a local supplier to source the equipment, who should I get it from?

Mark

I am a site authorized vendor and hold 100% + feedback here on the forum. Please click my i-trader link under my avatar (red 59 number) and feel free to contact anyone who has left me feedback. My goals are not to experiment with your $ and to provide you a highly predictable outcome.

Looks interesting. How do you conduct business? Do you have a website? Do I buy the equipment from you and then get it installed by a local installer (since you are in BC)? Who is the guy in Morden, and why is he good? What is the advantage of working through you rather than purchasing either local or online?

What kind of package would you recommend, and what would it cost me?

In case you want to contact me via email, I can be reached at MarkDuddridge@gmail.com.

Cheers.

Mark

Mark, if you have msn, please add me and message me once you have added me. My msn is forbidden at telus dot net. It is way easier to talk in real time via msn or if you prefer, pm me your phone number and I will call you.

Brian is correct on one level. If the prefab box is a close enough match to the subs needs, then it is pointless to spend the $ to have one built. Exceptions to this though could be, the prefab box may not be of the same quality of build (read as poor glue joints, a little low on the thickness etc), it may not allow you to maximize the area in your vehicle by building the box to suit both the needs of the sub(s) and the trunk. Lets say that you wanted to rip your ears off with bass response, a prefab box just is not going to cut it. If we dropped a big sub in there and gave it the power it needed to do it's job, there would be no way that the prefab would be able to hold up on a continual basis without some added reinforcement right from the start. Are there good prefabs out there, yes there are and we sometimes use them as well. That said though, the box is a highly important part of the equation when it comes to bass, I would recommend that you spend a little extra on the box and have one built.

Why Morden, I have worked with Jeff before. I have sent business to him before as well. Being outside of the city he is a little easier on the pocketbook as well. Nothing against Brian Reimer, he has pulled together a great package for you and I am sure it would do just fine. I am going to start to work up a system for you as well. Let me know what your goals in the system are, that is the place to start. Things you do or do not want.