Hey everyone,

I'm new to the forum and looking forward to meeting new people, talking about audio and learning tons from the masters here.

I've been given a 1997 Honda Prelude VTech for free and its going to be a project car over the next few years. It only has 215,000 KM's on it and runs great mechanically. It's a fun car to drive at 200 hp with tiptronic (an automatic that can be shifted like a manual without a clutch).

My first project is of course the custom installation of my first aftermarket stereo which I've been researching the heck out of the last two weeks. I've been reading countless articles, pro reviews and customer reviews of products and am slowly narrowing the list of what I'd like to include.

Nearly every customer review that I've read about Polk Audio speakers has been incredibly positive and they sound like they would be right for me. I listen mostly to metal and rock but also have a love for some electronic, industrial, rap, orchestral, 80's and oldies so I want a very rounded system that has clean sound, tight kicks, and really brings out the best of the music as opposed to just having a ground pounder. Of course I'll be cranking it, so low distortion and lots of wattage is desirable. :P No interest in competition here.

If anyone uses Polk Audio components or have in the past, could you let me know if there is a substantial difference in sound between the db series and the MM series?

I'm trying to get the best sound I can without spending too much money. Here is my list so far:

1x Kenwood KDC-MP345U Head Unit (2 pairs outputs) $149.99

1x Kenwood KAC-9105D (900W RMS x1 @ 2 ohms) $329.99

1x Kenwood KAC-8405 (60w RMS x4 @4ohms, 90w @2ohms) $279.99

2x Rockford Fosgate P3D210 10 inch Subs Each: $149.99 Total: $299.98
With Dual 2 ohm Voice Coils; 50-400 watts RMS (800 watts peak) (Trunk)
(29-250 Hz, 83 dB)

2x Polk Audio db6501 components (4x 6.5" woofer, 4x 1" tweeter)
Each: $219.99, Total: $439.98
10-100 watts RMS (300 watts peak)
35-23,000 Hz (92 dB)
(Rear deck and front doors)

Total: $1,499.93 CDN
Wiring, fuses, capacitor, battery or alternator upgrades, taxes, etc, extra.

It's a pretty small car inside so I imagine this would all sound real good. Currently the rear deck has a pair of 6"x9"'s and the front doors have a 6.5" mid in the lower portion and a 1" tweeter up high, just beside and above the door handle. So I would be splitting up the components in the front.

Does anyone see anything wrong with this setup that I'm missing due to my lack of experience? Do you have any other product suggestions? I would really love some input.

Thanks!!

 

Since it looks like you are amplifying the front and rear speakers as well as subs, I would consider a different head unit. Step up to one that has front, rear and a dedicated sub output.

It is not a necessity, but it will make it much more convenient. This way you will be able to adjust the balance/fade/sub from the head unit itself.

I've got to give you props for planning your first system. Most "newbie's" consider a system complete when they add subs to a factory stereo. Very nice start for your first system!

Later,
Brad

 

List looks solid. What are you doing for amplification? PistonHead is right, imo, about the head. You can certainly get away with not having 3 sets of preouts, but it is much easier to work with, and you can generally do more with dedicated channels

 

Thanks for the props Brad, and big thanks for suggesting the 3 sets of outputs cause being new to this I never would have considered that, but I definitely want that option. I found basically the same deck but with 3 sets of outputs in the Kenwood KDC-MP445U at only $50 more.

Been doing tons more research this week and I have a couple of questions. How important are amplifiers 1.) in acheiving a clean sound and 2.) in maximizing the wattage being used while keeping the amps cool?

I've been looking at some Arc Audio amplifiers and reading some reviews and while they have a much higher ticket price the reviewers all suggest that they create superior sound while maximizing wattage (H Class). Not to mention they are also nice and small.

I am interested in the KS300.4 and the KS500.1 however the KS500.1 is rated as a lower rms wattage amp then the Kenwood KAC-9105D at nearly twice the price.

So I guess my first question is given that its just running a pair of woofers does the type of amp really matter?

I'm thinking of going with the Arc Audio KS300.4 to run the rear deck and door speakers, and then the Kenwood KAC-9105D to run the subs. What do you guys think?

Much of my choice for speakers has come down to finding them available in Canada...lol. It's been an extremely frustrating search however I've found the Arc amplifiers and more Polk Audio options at a place in Mississauga called 'Selective Sound'. I wonder if anyone here has dealt with them before?

I was originally going through Crutchfield Canada but they have a very limited selection of Polk gear or anything else higher end. Selective Sound has the box I originally wanted. The Polk Audio db1222 which is two 12 inch subs in an enclosure. I've heard them and like them very much.

Been looking at Hertz speakers but again I can't find a Canadian dealer for them. Anyone know of one? I'd like to check them out in person before I decide on the Polk's.

So here is my updated list:

1x Kenwood KDC-MP445U Head Unit (front/rear/sub outputs)
$199.99 CDN

1x Kenwood KAC-9105D Class D Mono Block
900W RMS x1 @ 2 ohms, 1 ohm stable
$329.99 CDN

1x Arc Audio KS300.4 4-channel Amplifier
Non digital switching, Class H
4x 90W RMS @ 4 ohms
4x 175W RMS @ 2 ohms
2x 350W RMS @ 4 ohms bridged
Transient Distortion @ 100W = 0.02%
Frequency Response = 10hz to 50Khz
Bass Boost: +18 dB @45 hz
11.25"L x 8"W x 2 3/8"H
$634.33 CDN

1x Polk Audio db1222
Dual 12 inch dvc subs inside enclosure
500W RMS @ 2 ohms per sub
$494.95 CDN (trunk)


2x DB6501 6.5 inch woofer + 1 inch tweeter components
10-100 watts RMS @ 4 ohms (300 watts peak)
35-23,000 Hz (92 dB)
$219.99 ea, Total: $439.98 CDN (rear deck & front doors)


Total: $2099.24 CDN before taxes


Also, anyone happen to know what else I'm going to need (i.e. wiring, external fuses, capacitor, updated battery or alternator, etc)?

Being a 1997 I don't know how stable the current battery, etc might be.

Thanks for all of your help by the way.