Amps? Cables? Decks? Speakers? Boxes? Deadening?

What makes a difference to sound? Sure, this is a hotly contested topic. Most people will agree that speakers and boxes make differences, but does deadening really improve your sound? Does that $999 deck really SOUND better than the $149 one? Amps and Cables are probably the source of the biggest "discussions".

My OPINIONS:
Amps - no but I admit I often think 'maybe'
Cables - no way, never, just no.
Decks - possible but not as much as people think
Speakers - #1 way to alter your sound
Box - #1 way to alter your bass response and output
Deadening - yes but people go overboard.

Maybe this is too much to ask people to opine on ALL of these topics in one thread, but then at least we keep the arguing to one thread Remember though please, we are all entitled to an opinion - even the morons that don't agree with ME (j/k)

I have had many of these saved on my computer for years. Luckily I found them online:

Amp Showdown

lol an article that talks about ^that article: HTF on the Amp Showdown

Not just mobile audio, but a good read: Lies Lies Lies

A good one from Tom N.: Break-In BS

Post up what interesting stuff you have in your library.

 

This from the guy who said we already had to many of these, well at least you added a twist to it ...not only focusing on amplifiers.

Amps - yes because more volume usually = more SQ (as long as it is not cliped\high distortion) More power = more better

Cables - no

Decks - either no or a lot: Processing power would be 2nd on my list of what affects the sound and some decks have a lot of this... others might have some
processing that is not really by-passable and would affect the sound.

Speakers - I would put these as my #3

Box - #of course

Deadening - lowers noise floor

The number one thing that affects the sound would be the environment where it is played in. No speaker or amp or pure signal can compensate for what reflections\path legnths and such can do. This is why processing is so important; to restore what "damage" the car environment inflicts on the music we are trying to listen to.

 

HEY - I'm consolidating...

For the amps I assumed 'of equal power' although truly since none are 'of equal power' your point is more valid, real world, than it first appears.

 

i think music content makes the biggest difference.... if your playing rap.. well that aint music, if country well who the hell cares, if celin dion, ill shoot you.. but if playing 80 hair bands.. now were talking quality sound difference..lol... couldnt resist brother paul.

 

1-Speakers
2-Enclosures, includes doors, pods etc.
3-Deck, if it can fix environmental issues and smooth poor MP3 sampling
4-Damping, but only a little

Cables, no, did not place
Amp, not unless played outside it's linear region, but that's not the amp's fault.

 

The problem is that some may not know that SQ and accurate reproduction are different. So in the context of SQ then volume should be considered.
In the context of accurate reproduction then volume has no bearing.

 

humm i think music content makes a huge difference... clair marlo makes for an awful damn good sounding recording, the black crows adds distortion to there music to make it more edjie, any thing by telarc labs or sheffield are awsome but any rap or hevy mtl.. might not sound to good... so recording material ,i feel, is the biggest influence on sq..

 

Amps - Yep - I hear a difference - I must be gifted
Cables - Yes way, Always, just Yeah EH! -
Decks - Possible but not as much as people think - Agreed - but my P01 sounded less hash then my current kenwood. But not on the highway
Speakers - #1 way to alter your sound - Agreed - but one could argue the fact that a Raw speaker is a Raw speaker. It works on the same designs as other speakers. A 6-1/2" polypropylene cone vs. a 6-1/2" polypropylene cone, 3/4" titanium cone vs. 3/4" titanium cone, 4" paper cone vs. 4" paper should sound the same out of all speakers.
^^ This is my exact outlook on why amps don't sound the same, parts from amp to amp aren't the same.
Box - #1 way to alter your bass response and output - Agreed
Deadening - yes but people go overboard. -Overboard on floors and roofs sure but the door outer skin, inner skin and card should be covered with one layer at min on each.

 

Yes but you have no control over that. I think Dukk is questioning what gear is worth spending money on.

 

Amps: Umm this has been done to death recently, if you can see dead people you probably can hear differences in amps also.

Cables: This really is not worth even talking about, unless of course you love "Monster" interconnects, than we really have nothing to talk about.

Decks: Not so much for SQ but for the high Voltage pre-outs, 24 bit Dacs, quality cd mechanism, 3-4 way active capability, these are the things that normally separate the $1000 from the $200 decks.

Speakers: The biggest difference maker in sound bar none. Amps are electrical only components, speakers are electro mechanical components which produce sound. All mechanical things can be made to sound different, such as tapping on a piece of paper as opposed to tapping on a piece of kevlar or a thin piece of plastic, each item will sound differently. This is a crude comparison but a simple one nontheless. On the other hand, electricity does not make sound, unless of course you like standing under high power Hydro lines

Box - #1 way to alter your bass response and output - Agreed.

Sound Deadening: Again "knowledge" will save you money in this avenue as Dukk is perhaps trying to insinuate. I think this becomes a variable of how deep your pockets may be, as can be clearly seen by those who line their entire car in aluminum foil. This may be could marketing for sound deadening companies, but does little when taken to extremes. I would suggest closing off all gaps and holes and using deadening strategically instead with a fairly heavy dose of closed cell foam and mass loaded vinyl.