I am in the middle of picking out pieces to build a new system. My opinion is to start with the best speakers I can afford that work with my car, then decide on which amp to power them and then finally pick out my H/U.

Should I rethink this?

Thanks.

1) Sound Deadening - It has to go in before everything else.
2) Head Unit - you may find one that has lots of toys like high power preouts, crossovers, eq, so any of those devices you purchased prior would now be useless.
3) Processors/Crossovers/Line Drivers (if needed)
4)Either speakers or amps - you have to worry about impedence here so if you are dead set on a certain speaker or amp buy that first then the other to match impedence.
4)Wiring - Most people don't realize how expensive this part is and therefor don't budget for it.

It depends on what you are trying to plan out...

If it's budget, then speaker selection is paramount, followed by amps and head unit together.

It it's installation, then it's still speakers number one (ensure they get the location they deserve) and then on down the food chain.

Unfortunatly when you are married with children it all starts with a budget. Right now I'm looking at a complete Focal package. That's as far as I've gotten so far.

Dave, were you one of the Subaru owners I met in the Falls a few weeks ago?

What kind of budget ?

I am a scooby owner, but I haven't been 'out' with the gang for months.. Too busy making magazines.

Speakers are always a good place to start. Even on a crappy chain store demo board every one can hear the differences in speakers. Then there is placement in the vehicle. If you can nail those the rest is easy. Lets face it Gary Biggs or Mark Eldridge could use almost any deck and amps and their systems would till be better than 90% out there.

Somewhere between $2000-2500 for speakers, amps and H/U. Wiring and install would be extra.

I agree with Dave Mac: Speakers, then amps and deck and WAY last in importance is wiring and sound deadening. ;)


When it comes to amplifiers, if you are the kind of guy that needs his stuff to be flexible in case plans change or whatever then I suggest sticking to multiple 4channel amps rather than something like a mono amp for subs and a 2ch for the front end. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]