Starting System Guidance Needed please
02-04-2005, 11:55 AM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Hey guys, just joined your forum and I have learned a ton by reading through it. I am looking for some advice, I have a new truck (2004 Dodge Durango) that I specifically got with the base radio knowing I would put in an aftermarket system. I've had it for 3 days now and can't wait to start putting in new parts so I am looking for some general help in starting a system in it. The truck is for daily driving and I have kids in the rear seats. I need trunk space (3 hockey bags) So no big enclosures. Not looking at competition, just having great sound.
With a starting budget of $1000 Cdn that I can expand on later what advice can you guys offer for starting components?
Should I focus on a top end head unit and expand later? I have found the Alpine CDA-9835 and Sony CDX-M9900 both for under $500 at a local (Calgary) shop. The sony is a big sales price for the fancy screen, but is it a good head unit?
According to crutchfield both 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 fit my door panels, is bigger better?
Should I use the factory speaker wiring or replace it?
Finally, I need a new antenna as my current fixed one hits both my gargage door and all the piping in my underground garage. Any recomendations, as I can't find a lot of info online about aftermarket antennas.
Thanks Guys.
With a starting budget of $1000 Cdn that I can expand on later what advice can you guys offer for starting components?
Should I focus on a top end head unit and expand later? I have found the Alpine CDA-9835 and Sony CDX-M9900 both for under $500 at a local (Calgary) shop. The sony is a big sales price for the fancy screen, but is it a good head unit?
According to crutchfield both 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 fit my door panels, is bigger better?
Should I use the factory speaker wiring or replace it?
Finally, I need a new antenna as my current fixed one hits both my gargage door and all the piping in my underground garage. Any recomendations, as I can't find a lot of info online about aftermarket antennas.
Thanks Guys.
02-05-2005, 04:11 PM
#2
Leave Sony where it lies, Alpine and Eclipse (the latter I prefer) both make stellar head units. The Eclipse is a little more plain jane with no guys snowboarding across the screen. It also carries a 3 year warranty and one year theft guarantee. It is designed to be a simple easy to use very good cd player.
www.alpine-usa.com
www.eclipse-web.com
www.mbquart.com
For speakers you do want the largest that you can fit. IIRC the door speakers are an oversize 6.5", making the MB Quart or similar speakers a great choice. Make sure that when you do the door speakers you add some sound deadening to those massive caverns, they tend to rattle. If you are not amplifying the new speakers, the stock wiring will be fine.
For your antenna issue, the shorter you make the antenna the less the ability to receive a signal. The simple solution is the short little rubber ducky antenna that comes with a universal mount.
A sub system is usually the most expensive part of a system. With your budget I would not comprimise the system by going with a el-cheapo cd player and speakers to get a sub. It is better to buy the correct gear and expand as the $ allow. Get a good cd player and 4 speakers. then attack the sub system.
www.alpine-usa.com
www.eclipse-web.com
www.mbquart.com
For speakers you do want the largest that you can fit. IIRC the door speakers are an oversize 6.5", making the MB Quart or similar speakers a great choice. Make sure that when you do the door speakers you add some sound deadening to those massive caverns, they tend to rattle. If you are not amplifying the new speakers, the stock wiring will be fine.
For your antenna issue, the shorter you make the antenna the less the ability to receive a signal. The simple solution is the short little rubber ducky antenna that comes with a universal mount.
A sub system is usually the most expensive part of a system. With your budget I would not comprimise the system by going with a el-cheapo cd player and speakers to get a sub. It is better to buy the correct gear and expand as the $ allow. Get a good cd player and 4 speakers. then attack the sub system.
02-05-2005, 08:45 PM
#3
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Thanks Rob, appreciate the help. I'll shop around a bit and maybe replace the wiring for when I add an amplifier later.
I read the topic on deadening here and will definitly look into it. It seems like the most affordable part of the project anyways.
Are component speakers that much better than the normal ones?
I read the topic on deadening here and will definitly look into it. It seems like the most affordable part of the project anyways.
Are component speakers that much better than the normal ones?
02-06-2005, 11:57 AM
#4
4000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 4,655
Blantant I started my first system off with a new cd player & rear 6x9's (cuz I would either blow the factory ones the first time testing the cd player or I had already blew them with the factory deck)
If I could go back and had the cash to spare I would start with the head unit, front & rear speakers and then goto a sub & amplifier upon $$$ allowing.
I absolutely love Alpine gear and my goal is to get all my gear as alpine. I have an Alpine CDA 9827 MP3 Head Unit installed running 2 rear 6x9 Blaupunkt speakers (love them) and 2 random fronts I got for free because my other stock ones just weren't cutting it. I have 2 10" Type R SVC Alpine subwoofers collecting dust right now until I can get them installed when I find the right amplifier for the right price.
I would go with Alpine as a headunit and definately make sure it's an mp3 headunit especially if you have a cd burner in your home computer or know someone close to do you the favors as its a lot easier to listen to one cd with over 100 songs vs 10 cds with 21 songs each wouldn't you think? [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
Remember it's also down to personal Preference too [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] Goodluck
If I could go back and had the cash to spare I would start with the head unit, front & rear speakers and then goto a sub & amplifier upon $$$ allowing.
I absolutely love Alpine gear and my goal is to get all my gear as alpine. I have an Alpine CDA 9827 MP3 Head Unit installed running 2 rear 6x9 Blaupunkt speakers (love them) and 2 random fronts I got for free because my other stock ones just weren't cutting it. I have 2 10" Type R SVC Alpine subwoofers collecting dust right now until I can get them installed when I find the right amplifier for the right price.
I would go with Alpine as a headunit and definately make sure it's an mp3 headunit especially if you have a cd burner in your home computer or know someone close to do you the favors as its a lot easier to listen to one cd with over 100 songs vs 10 cds with 21 songs each wouldn't you think? [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
Remember it's also down to personal Preference too [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] Goodluck
02-06-2005, 01:32 PM
#5
YIKES !!!
Dude... this part is imperitive for good sound... concentrate more on install then gear
If you have a stock CD player, you might be better off staying with it (unless there is some specific feature you are looking for in an aftermarket unit- like EQ or MP3)
If I had one large to spend on gear and I had a good stock head Id buy:
Decen't pair of 6.5s (coaxial is fine)and kickpanels.... a single 10" or 12"... and a 4channel 500wrms amp to run it all... Edit, no a 200-300w and a 400-500w amp!
I know I could do this for under $1k... but it will depend where you shop and if it has to be installed....
Other then that... my buddy just picked up a extended cab truck last week and wants some bass... he also needs room for his dog and tools in the back...
The back seat is split into one small seat and one large seat... either the small one is comming out to make room for a 15" or Iam glassing a sealed box for 6 8s that will fit under the seat...
Maybe that helps you with some ideas... ??
[ February 06, 2005, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: Haunz ]
Dude... this part is imperitive for good sound... concentrate more on install then gear
If you have a stock CD player, you might be better off staying with it (unless there is some specific feature you are looking for in an aftermarket unit- like EQ or MP3)
If I had one large to spend on gear and I had a good stock head Id buy:
Decen't pair of 6.5s (coaxial is fine)and kickpanels.... a single 10" or 12"... and a 4channel 500wrms amp to run it all... Edit, no a 200-300w and a 400-500w amp!
I know I could do this for under $1k... but it will depend where you shop and if it has to be installed....
Other then that... my buddy just picked up a extended cab truck last week and wants some bass... he also needs room for his dog and tools in the back...
The back seat is split into one small seat and one large seat... either the small one is comming out to make room for a 15" or Iam glassing a sealed box for 6 8s that will fit under the seat...
Maybe that helps you with some ideas... ??
[ February 06, 2005, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: Haunz ]
02-06-2005, 03:03 PM
#6
Good sound is in the "ear of the beholder" (I like that - maybe I should patent it and sell it to Monster Cable - haha). Component speakers usually deliver better SQ and offer differing mounting locations. They do it at a cost however, this cost is an increase in install pricing and a lower overall output level when compared to a coax speaker. This is due to the difference in efficency between the two types of speakers. If the ultimate goal is a great SQ system that you ae going to build upon, then do a good set of components and amplify them at a later date.
Do the system a step at a time if you must. A good source unit and good front speakers is the palce to start. As you have kids, rear speakers should be necessary but the factory ones can be used for now. They can be replaced later. NExt you may want to add the sub into the picture. Finally an amp for the front speakers and maybe for the rear if the budget allows. You don't need tons of power to get good sound. What you do need is the proper matching together of equipment and a good install.
Teri (Blind d(-_-)b) for BlatantMike) , the issue that I have with your reply is how you use your system. A speaker, factory or not does not just blow on it's own, you caused it to blow. To post what you did is somewhat misleading to a person who does not know the difference.
Do the system a step at a time if you must. A good source unit and good front speakers is the palce to start. As you have kids, rear speakers should be necessary but the factory ones can be used for now. They can be replaced later. NExt you may want to add the sub into the picture. Finally an amp for the front speakers and maybe for the rear if the budget allows. You don't need tons of power to get good sound. What you do need is the proper matching together of equipment and a good install.
Teri (Blind d(-_-)b) for BlatantMike) , the issue that I have with your reply is how you use your system. A speaker, factory or not does not just blow on it's own, you caused it to blow. To post what you did is somewhat misleading to a person who does not know the difference.
02-06-2005, 04:28 PM
#7
My 0.02$
Get a head unit first [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] Rob gave some great brand ideas.
Install it with youre factory speakers and see how it sounds.
If you dont like the way it sounds then get some decent speakers,If its acceptable to you for awile then go for some bass and upgrade the stockers l8ter.
[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Get a head unit first [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] Rob gave some great brand ideas.
Install it with youre factory speakers and see how it sounds.
If you dont like the way it sounds then get some decent speakers,If its acceptable to you for awile then go for some bass and upgrade the stockers l8ter.
[img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
02-07-2005, 03:32 AM
#8
Lol... Id consider this carefully...
FYI the major difference between coax and component is a highpass for the mid (many HUs and amps have active crossovers so this may be redundant) and usually a 12db/octave slope for the tweeter instead of 6db/octave.....
Since you usually want to mount your tweeter next to the mid, the ability to put it somewhere else is also kind of redundant......
If you ask any knowledgeable installer I think they will tend to agree with the advice in my last post.... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
FYI the major difference between coax and component is a highpass for the mid (many HUs and amps have active crossovers so this may be redundant) and usually a 12db/octave slope for the tweeter instead of 6db/octave.....
Since you usually want to mount your tweeter next to the mid, the ability to put it somewhere else is also kind of redundant......
If you ask any knowledgeable installer I think they will tend to agree with the advice in my last post.... [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
02-07-2005, 06:09 AM
#9
Originally posted by BlatantMike:
I have a new truck (2004 Dodge Durango) that I specifically got with the base radio knowing I would put in an aftermarket system.
I have a new truck (2004 Dodge Durango) that I specifically got with the base radio knowing I would put in an aftermarket system.
02-07-2005, 09:05 AM
#10
The base radio is probably fine for most people if it can read CDs.. a built in EQ would be nice though...
Is everyone is aware that stock units are of better quality then 99.9% of aftermarket decks ??? D.Navone sent me a really interesting paper outlining the differences a couple years ago...
Is everyone is aware that stock units are of better quality then 99.9% of aftermarket decks ??? D.Navone sent me a really interesting paper outlining the differences a couple years ago...
