New SQ-aimed system in the Audi
 

Hey
So I'm looking to put a new stereo in my car. The stock one (bose) was dying, and it was known that the amps had a faulty capacitor that had a tendency to catch fire. Anyways, I'm wondering if anybody could suggest what i should be looking at.

I've always been into audio, and can't stand low quality music. I'm also on a little bit of a budget($600-$800), but am not planning on a sub/sub amp in the first go. I need to choose 4 speakers: two 6x9's in the rear deck.. upward firing, sound bounces off of rear windshield and travels forward, and two 5.25" in the front doors way down low by the feet. I have also shopped around for head units, and have pretty much settled on the Eclipse CD3200. From what I've read, it is a very sound (haha.....) unit. I also am in need of a 4 channel amp.

I was thinking of somewhere around 60-70W per channel. But I dont really know where to start. I am familiar with many of the big name brands, and was actually looking at JL speakers for a while, but after doing some research a whole bunch of other respectable companies came up. So right now I am clueless as to what speakers/amp I should be looking at. I'm not necessarily looking for the 6x9's to fill the punch a sub would have, as I'll probably add that later.

If anyone has any recommendations for the speakers/amp, or any tips for the install (which I am planning on doing myself... stock stereo is pretty much stripped out already) they would be extremely welcome.

Thanks!
-Mike

if you're open to used equipment, you can get some killer stuff for cheap in the for sale section. I'd be looking at a decent brand name 4channel amp...pioneer, kenwood, Alpine, etc... that delivers 50x4 rms. As far as speakers, you have to listen for yourself, as they are very personal in their appeal. That said, again good brand name is what you want. You don't need a very expensive rear speaker, so concentrate most of the money to front components(separate mid/tweeter/cross over). I like to keep the speaker brand, and model the same if possible...allows for similar tonality (they sound similar to each other). You could also go with a mixed approach, used 4channel amp, and new speakers. I would spend 200.00 on an amp, 300.00 front comp, 100.00 on rear 6x9, and 200.00 on the deck...or close to that.

Right. I meant to ask about the components. How would I actually go about installing that?

Yeah, the money breakdown is basically what i had in mind. I was planning on more money invested in the 5.25's. As for listening, I dont really like how the pioneers sound. Kenwood / Alpine i haven't listened to as much, but i know a few people that have done the complete Pioneer/Premier setup, and IMHO they're not very balanced. I have to find somewhere in Ottawa to actually go listen. I'm not a big fan of Futureshop/Bestbuy, but I have been in and out of there listening to the different speakers. I have also looked around for the smaller stores (Autotrendz), but I didn't have very much success actually listening to specific speakers there.
-Mike

You should difinitly go check out shamus customz on Bank St. south.

If you like true sound don`t do any rear fill some nice 6.5" and tweets up front and nice bass out back is what you want.The Eclipse is a killer grab for any system.You want clean sound right or do you need the best as I could suggest a few things.Veeman has the right idea and more so with your budget you have.I would spend a good $250-$400 on amp and components for the front and spend around $400 for a SQ sub that stays in control no mater the volume(I have a custom 15" in the FS ads if you need an idea on a sub like I talk about).Then I would find an amp to push the sub to the level you want.

I just looked and Veeman has a set of comps to do well for you.Kappas have always sounded nice for the range in price and can be better then other way more up the line.
As for your question on how to install the comps I am not 100% sure what you are asking.You can drop the mids in the stock location and tweets where they sound best to you.Crossovers can go anywhere you wish from in the doors to on them,Under the dash to under the seats to all the way in the back.Hope this helps with that question

Am I the only one who finds this funny? hehehe why not walk us through the other paths that sound takes for the other speakers? hehehe

I would suggest just sticking with the eclipse brand for speakers, they make good gear, and all matching is always "cool" ;)

What do you want to spend on Comps and a 4 channel Amp ?? I can get you a good price on Massive stuff and if you want to hear it I'm not to far away.

as far as rear speakers go...it's a personal taste thing. I can't do without them, but as mentioned, if you really don't want them or like them, then remove them from the budget and put the funds towards a bass system.

So i could put 6.5's in the back rather than the 6x9's. From an actual SQ point of view, listening to 6x9's is not nearly as enjoyable than the round components. The rear speakers are a big part of the sound for the car though, so i dont think i'd do away with them.

As for amplifiers, could somebody point me in the right direction? I know that just running 4 components wont give much bass, but the plan would be put a HPF on it and wait till more money shows up for a sub/sub amp.

I never really looked into Infinity, but after having done so they sound quite appealing. Come to think of it one of my buddies actually has an infinity system and I believe it sounded very nice. Any suggestions for an amp that might do well with kappas?

Does anybody have opinions on Massive? I've never actually heard of them until now, and there really isn't very much information about them. Listening could be nice....

How do you figure that? Was expecting to budget more than 400 for good quality low freq response? Or am I extremely uninformed..

You guys are a great help though. I actually feel like i'm making progress in the planning this =D. Thanks!
-Mike