eaks77

Hey Everyone.

This is my first post on here... so go easy!

I'm currently in the process of buying a vehicle, but i'm primarily looking into a older vehicle so I can drop some change on the audio.

First question:.... If i were to purchase a vehicle simply on acoustics and the potential of an incredible audio system.. which should it be and why? 2003+ Civic SIR HB, 2002 Integra, 2003+ Mini Cooper S...?

My history: I once had a 1994 Civic HB with alpine head unit (i think 9887) Nakamichi 6.5" Components in front, Alpine type S 6x9 in rear, 10" Nakamichi sub powered by an alpine mono amp, and i also had a Nakamichi 4 channel amp bridged and feeding the front components. To me the car sounded AMAZING! I want to duplicate this or get even better! I'm not looking for the crazy, pounding bass that everyone can hear down the block. I'm looking for a system that when I put a good quality jazz track (not that i listen to jazz, but good test base i find) on then I should hear everything! I thought i was able to do this with my previous set up.... end result.. that car was stolen and written off This was 4 years ago.

Now time for a new car!... kinda haha. Sooo for the new stereo... i want it it to sound rich! I like highs and lows, but i wanna concentrate more on the mids! I like to think i have a highly developed ear

As of now i'm partially biased and more drawn to Nak and Alpine because of my previous set up..... but what are some other suggestions?

What i was currently thinking:
-Nak head unit for the sound quality..... however their functionality isnt the greatest from what i can see... for example IPOD connectivity or bluetooth.
-Focal components in front, possible 3 way speaker (is this worth it?)
-A inexpensive speaker like alpine type s in rear, just for filler
-10 inch in rear, focal?
-and amps.. i have no idea!

Bottom line, quality... quality...QUALITY! Within reason! I'd like to keep my budget around $5000CDN What are your suggestions/opinions? The equipment doesnt have to be found locally (Calgary) and to be honest when I hear the word sony, MTX, pioneer... etc... i cringe. I can't explain it, but i just feel its too mas-produced and in some cases low quality.... but prove me wrong!

Thanks!

djwagner

Welcome!!! I alway seem to like car audio in a HB enviroment. Nak CD700 is a SQ deck along with many other brands but they come with a hefty price tag. If you are into Ipod and USB connectivity then look no further then pioneer. They are abit better for navigating folders and files. Other respectable brand are just needing getting use to. If you can live without mp3 my advice is find yourself a Clarion DRZ9255 or DRX9255.
Believe it or not all those brand that make you cringe can also amazed by you. I know for a fact every brand have their flagship and they obviously are pretty good. Take SONY for example so you think they suck well there product has change thru out the years and being in the industry for countless year they realize that not a whole lot of people would throw money in the CAR AUDIO. So they target a different type of consumer. If you look at some of the old school stuff they produce ( til this day) people can't stop raving about them SONY C90, Sony C910. Yes they are so out dated looking but yet produce one of the most SQ deck comparable to clarion, eclipse, pioneer brands.

Sony also have one of the most expensive deck in the world SONY XES Z50 $8000 deck lol
anywayz FOCAL components are excellent choice but there are similar product for lesser price. Ex. DLS, CDT, Image dynamics, Hertz, Audison VOCE, Dynaudio, MB Quartz.

Amps there are tons of them, if you are set on FOCAL components then you people generally go with Audison to be paired with. I personally like old school amps such as Zapco AG or Studios, US amps, Linear Power, PPI and Soundstream.
But if you can find Tru Technology TO3s give that a try. I pair my K2Ps with that amp and it was BADASS.

All other brand I didn't mention doesn't mean they are not great, Audio product comes down to your own preference and taste. So feel free to use the search.

djwagner

and most important is that in CAR AUDIO is mainly INSTALL!!!

jalat

iTrader: (6)

just buy nothing but JL Audio and you will have the best sound in Alberta

JohnVroom

^ sigh.... JL is a fine brand, but one of many available to the user

There are numerous ways to get where you want to go but lets start with the car. Listen to the stock radio of the cars you are considering, and see how well it does at presenting you with a nice overall presentation of space and placement in the stereo. I guess the ideal height for your stereo image is eye height with the instruments seemingly laid out like they would be on stage. The center vocals should be centered around the rear view mirror.

The Mini Cooper tends to put speakers on the left side of the car a little too close to the driver so the left side draws your interest and the center is generally missing in some models. Hondas in general do quite well as SQ cars (accords, CRX, civics, acura TL) for image placement but a lot of the civics lock you into thin mount speakers. About all Accords, Impalas, the new Malibu, Altima, Camry, scions all image pretty well and have good opportunities to upgrade speakers. The next cars are those that sound pretty good but need just a little help from aftermarket equipment like my wife's Ford Edge, it is pretty good but could use tweeters in the A pillar. Heck there is SO much room in the corners of the dash I could put tweeters and 4" drivers up there.

Trust me when I say this, it is easier and cheaper to start with a good sounding car than to start with a stinker with a poor stock system to build up from.

eaks77

JohnVroom,

I totally agree! Altho... i'm leaning towards the civic.

Jalat, i have no doubt that JL makes good stuff.... just for me, if FutureShop or BestBuy sell it... i dont want it! I know my reasoning is garbage, but I wanna stay away from the stuff "The Man" tells you to buy. Altho.. i'll keep JL in mind.

madwarrior

iTrader: (3)

Why is there a deckmade that is worth more then my whole system?

Dude the truth is its all gonna come down to what you like. Its very hard to preview something that isnt sold from BestBuy or Futureshop cause they are the only place your able to hear what it sounds like.

Stick to what you know and like and it sounds like you have a system in mind already. So go with it and be happy. Taking other peoples advice will just send you down a path you may regret in the end.

PS You say you dont like stuff from Futureshop and Bestbuy but you like Alpine? lol

PSS Never heard of Nakamichi until now lol. Currently looking at thier site. Its always cool to hear of a different brand and research them lol

PSSS If you really need a starting point check out JBL. They have good quality.

eaks77

I like alpine simply because it was the best after market deck i've ever bought... and to be honest it was from A&B sound... haha. And the deck was bought in 2001... so even now i'm skeptical.

I'm shocked to hear that there's not to many people out there that have heard Nakamichi. I think for the price, it's amazing! I started with their 10"sub. I bought it back in 2002 and it was put into a SMALL box. I dont have the dimensions, but the sound it put out was incredible! I often wonder if sound can get any better than what i used to have... but i'm sure it can! haha.. i'm hoping so!