2 things

jvc = garbage

140 db in one car does not = 140 db in another car. your buddy should have explained that to you. i think he's just trying to push his old stuff onto you.

 

So I finally got the deck, I ended up going for the Alpine CDE-102. It's Alpine's entry level deck however my friend who works at Future Shop hooked me up on the iPod cable (he gave it to me for like $10), and gave me free installation as well as half off on parts. Had I paid full price, it could have ran me something close to $400 with taxes. It has most of the features I wanted which were good sound quality, iPhone compatability, and subwoofer control with one of the preouts. I lost out on the switchable illumination however my decks looks freaking amazing at night so no complaints there. Furthermore, this thing can read ID3 tags on my burned audio CDs which is absolutely a plus that JVC did not have. I have done a bit of testing around with the sound quality and it is amazing compared to my Caravan's stock deck. The bass is stronger, the mids and highs sound more fleshed out and now I can push the volume even louder (I'm afraid of blowing my speakers now with this much power).

And I know about the whole dB being different in different cars. However, my friend who is selling me the amp, sub, and box (who happens to be Browntown_07) has an open-space vehicle like my own meaning if everything is installed and placed right, the sub should have the same or very similar output in terms of dB. I have heard of the car audio competitions he won with the Type-R he is selling me so if he can win competitions with this sub, then clearly it can kick a lot of ***. I myself am not really looking to get hardcore into competitions however I just like to have the power to wake up the neighbours whenever I feel like it (yes, I am an but they have dogs that bark 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so it's eye for an eye now).

Anyways, I would just like to thank everyone who gave me their advice, and from the looks of it I am quite relieved I did not go with the JVC deck I originally was going to purchase. I plan to remain active here on CCA mainly because I am just now getting into car audio as a hobby. Thanks a lot! Cheers!

P.S. The neighbours comment was a joke. I just like sound systems that pound.

 

Nice, congrats on the new purchase. Can't go wrong with Alpine, even the entry level. Overpowering speakers does not blow them, sending a distorted signal to them will though. Be careful with the volume if you hear any turn it down. Any plans to replace the factory speakers? Also when buying a sub that has been used to compete you really don't know what you are getting into. It might work just fine for years, it could also blow in a week as it has already been used and abused. As long as you keep that in mind and don't get too pissed when it happens go for it. Just remember though competing does abuse gear, usually way past what it was designed for. You planning on coming out to some shows? If you make it out look for the blue Cavalier and introduce yourself.
Nick

 

George knows the set up performance depends on many things, what may have worked for me may not work the exact same for him... that being said the type r was only used for 129.9 bassrace and under 600 watt classes at private shows early this season... it was all for daily ground pound last year, nothing redic...

 

Yeah, I had initial regrets because of the lack of extras that JVC offered however one quick stroll through Wal-Mart's car audio section lined with JVC products convinced me otherwise. I am glad I stuck with Alpine. The stock speakers will remain the same for the time being mainly because my Caravan is still my dad's so I don't want to make too many modifications on it. However, the next investment like I mentioned previously will be a sub and amp so I can actually pound. I may replace the stock speakers in the future but for the time being, I can use them for mids and highs. And I don't think I will be competing however I am definitely interested in coming out to a few and seeing others' setups.

And thanks for the pro-tip, Ashley.

 

Cool, I've been doing 129.9 too and know with my setup I actually listen to it louder most of the time just cruising. Sounds like it should last for a while, if it had been used for all out SPL is when you might have to worry.

 

Nick, in all cases of thermal failure of a coil, it is too much power that is the root cause of the problem. You can underpower a speaker all day long and as long as you do not breach the thermal limits of the speaker, all will be fine. Too much power, be it a fully clipped signal or a unclipped signal that breaks the thermal limits of the speaker, you are going to be buying a new speaker. Yes a clipped signal will speed the process and most people use too small a amp to try and compensate, crank up the ol' gains. Want louder, get a bigger amp.

 

Yup, I will have to agree with you there Rob. Had a car full of magic speaker smoke in my car after forgetting to turn off my fronts for dbDrag today. Brand new set of Clarion components. They are rated for 100 and are getting 230+ HP @ 70hz 12db slope. Used a 30 - 65 hz sweep and as it got up there with the volume full the smoke was pouring out. Right wont move at all, left works but the scratching is louder than the music.

 

Ouch! :P What next? LoL.

 

Forced to upgrade. Gotta love it!!!!!!