idunno1987

Alright well im biting the bullet and putting a sub n amp combo, two new front speakers and possibly two new rear speakers

I just recently (6 months ago)
installed a kenwood mp345u deck into my car (2002 mazda protege)...this was my first expericence with car audio

I should point out that I listen to alot of metal..SO I would be more orieneted to nice "tight" bass vs boomy rap bass

Anyways I had a few questions

WHat are good choices to buy online I currently use crutchfield..but I have heard they're overpriced?

Would I need to install a new car battery or alternator for just the sub and amp?

I've narrowed down my choices for sub to these:
12" alpine type r swr-122d 149$ at best buy
12" alpine type s SWS-1223D 70$ at best buy
12" Polk Audio db1240DVC 130$ at crutchfield
12" infinity reference 1262w 130$ at crutchfield
Im leaning towards the type r or infinity but havn't been able to find many reviews
Also speakers
I was looking at polk db 571 for 110 at crutchfield 6x8 front door
or infinity kappa 682.9 for 150 at crutchfield 6x8 front door
If I did replace the rear deck speakers it would be these (depending if I can afford)
kenwoodKFC-6983PS 90 at best buy
or Alpine SPR-69C 150 crutchfield

I was also wondering would I need an amp for my speakers,or is the 22w rms output on my kenwood deck "good enough"


WHat would be a decently priced amp to power the sub?

and how is this wiring kit?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-AMP-INSTALL-KIT-1500-WATT-8-GA-GAUGE-AWG-WIRING-HOT-/130441314929?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item1e5ee8 8271


SOrry for all the questions..but any help would be appreciated

look forward to this project

BigRedGuy

iTrader: (11)

No problem.....questions are what we do best.....

Glad to hear after 4 years of lurking on the board you've finally been bitten by the bug....

My usual suggestion for first systems goes as follows:

1: Set a realistic budget for all the gear you need to get.....front speakers, a sub or two, a 4 channel amp(I'll tell you why shortly) and wiring to tie it all together. Count on $100-200 for front speakers, $50-$80 for sound deadener for your doors, $100-200 for a sub(or 2), $100 minimum for an enclosure for the sub(s), $200-$400 for the amp and $100 for power and ground wire along with RCAs and connectors etc.

If you can install this equipment yourself or with a friends help you can save a fair bit of $$, if you are unsure of what you are doing you may want to take it to a shop and get them to do the install for you.

2: Grab a CD you know really well, music you have listened to many times over on various systems including home stereo systems. It's important to do this because the front speakers in your car are going to be making most of the sound you hear and they must sound good to your ears. Other people's opinions on different brands and models are handy for cross-referencing but ultimately it's just going to be you and your tunes rolling down the road and those speakers had better sound right to you.....

3: Next up to bat is the sub(s).....for a first time system I would look for 1 decent quality 10" or 12" sub.....your vehicle does not have a huge amount of cabin space to fill with sound and a decently powered sub should do the trick. Enclosure type and size is critical to getting the most out of the sub, if the only box offered where you buy it is a generic, 1 size fits all type of deal you will not get all the sub has to offer. The sub should come with a spec sheet with info on the maker's suggested enclosure sizes and types, they are a good starting point if you want to make your own. For your situation I would suggest a ported box, you get all that free output from the port but you will have to give up a little more trunk space.

4: A 4 channel amp is a good starting point, you can use the front 2 channels for your fronts and bridge the rear channels to run your sub(s) for now. Any sub load of 4ohms will work with virtually any 4 channel amp out there and down the road when you want to upgrade (and trust me you will.... ) you can use the 4 channel to run a better front stage or all 4 corners in the car after you get a dedicated sub amp.

You shouldn't need to get a new battery or alternator for this setup, if you encounter a lot of dimming headlight problems after installing this get them tested and if they are OK you should do the legendary Big 3 before you start replacing the expensive bits.

Don't worry too much about brand names....stick with the better known ones and you should be fine. Pretty much all of them have models of the stuff you need at various price points and as long as you don't abuse what you get you will be able to sell off what you have to help finance upgrades later.....

HTH

idunno1987

thanks for the help..I have bought a sub...now just need to help with the rest

I ended up buying an alpine type s sws-1223D because it was a steal of a price (70$ vs 150 on crutchfield)

Will this put out decent sq for metal...Also it being a 2 ohm DVC sub what kind of amp will I need

Now On to speakers im set on either polk db571's or
Infinity Kappa 682.9cf ..leaning more towards the kappas

I unfortunately need to go sealed box because of space constraints (this car is also our family car )

any more recommendations for amp and such....I see that with 4 channel amps I will get less power to the sub...and the sub is 300 watts RMS..but the max I can push with a 4 channel bridged seems to be 200 watts..will this be enough power?

thanks again

RomanticMoments

Depending on the 4 channel, I think you'll find they will drive the Type S quiet well. They actually have decent sensitivity if I remember, so I think you'll be very impressed with it in a sealed box. Pantera-double-kicks that will rattle your skull kinda impressive lol I haven't heard the Polks, but I can say that you can find better drivers than the Infinity. Harman spec'd out their JBL product much better than they did the Infinity. I know Future Shop used to sell both those brands and models at one point (dunno if they still do) so you should pop in there and actually listen to what you are planning on listening to daily. Your ears are what you need to please, the wallet will follow

idunno1987

I can get jbls for about 20$ cheaper on bestbuy.ca..but they only handle 60 w rms....which leaves me at 120watts for a sub if I get a 4 channel correct?

I dont know if this would be enough power for the sub?

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/jbl-6-x-8-5-x-7-2-way-car-speaker-gto8628/10122105.aspx?path=743b0315f520eace0a859fe983a8ab5 1en02

there is a better version but they're 300 on bestbuy..a little out of my price range

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/jbl-jbl-6-x-8-5-x-7-2-way-loud-speaker-p8662-p8662/10147682.aspx?path=27174bdf644fe49beaa1f137eb0e038 8en02

more recommendations please

BigRedGuy

iTrader: (11)

Pick your door speakers with your ears.....you will be happier down the road if you do.....

For the fronts, get the biggest ones that will fit in the factory holes....If you are installing these yourself and want to keep it simple, a coax is an easier fit. Get at least enough deadener to surround the driver and cover some of the inside door skin to reduce vibration. If you get enough to cover all the holes in the door it will help the sound quality.

Since you seem to like BestBuy.ca, the best 4 channel I see there is this JBL GTO1004.....I put in the link to JBL instead of BB because I don't like how BB lists power ratings.....

If you wire the coils on your sub in series and bridge the 2 rear channels on the amp you will be right in the zone power-wise......100W/channel for the fronts will drive any of the speakers you are looking at just fine. The 300W you will get for the sub will suit it as well.

Any brand name comparably rated 4 channel will do the job for you.....don't skimp out on it or your results may be disappointing....

HTH

ryls

iTrader: (1)

Or if size is an issue you can spend a little more on something like a Arc Audio KS 300.4 which will put out the sameish power.. 100 a side for the fronts and 350 for the rear channels bridged for the sub. Larry at sound solution( a forum vendor) will give you better constumer service then any website or big box store will. The new models are like 11x8 and produce over rated power.

idunno1987

ok sounds good ..unfotunately I wont be able to listen to the speakersunless I drive 2 hours...what would you guys say for the infinity kappas vs the jbl gtos or power series?

also..Only using bestbuy as an example..I will more than likely use ebay

it seems that ia a nice amp..but the jbl gto speakers only handle 60 watts rms each..so would I blow these speakers with this amp?

it also seems like the infinity has betetr specs....but again...anyone have experience?

RomanticMoments

Prove it

RomanticMoments

If you have access to power series through BB that is the only line of products they have access to that you should look at. Check out what ryls was saying about some Sound Solution products tho, they will have higher end product I'm sure, and I wouldn't be surprised if their prices are more realistic as well