Setup

[firstson]

I'd like some opinions on this sub combo keeping in mind that i'm not lookin at anything too extreme and i'm on a budget (small) as i'm only 16.

Subs
Kenwood Subwoofers (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SMsnZBOBJlY/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=520&I=113W3010)

Amp
Profile 1200 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SMsnZBOBJlY/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=Profile+Ap1200&i=489AP1200)

[FormulaNERD]

i'm not a big fan of profile amps, and there are better subs out there for 100 bucks, but i'm no audiophile, maybe someone else will chime in.

[acold7dusta]

you got pm

[violentrapture]

If you're on a budget check out the RE SE subs or eD kv line

[firstson]

Well i'm not on a super tight budget. but i guess i'm not very educated on what a budget would be when it comes to audio. right now i'm lookin at spending no more than between $400 and $450. is there any good feedback about rockford fosgate, cuz i have seen some bargains on their subs.

[violentrapture]

like every company, there's good and not so good from them. I've heard really good things about their T2 subs.

As far as a budget - $400-$450 will get you some decent starter subs and an amp
You also have to figure in enclosure costs, wiring, install (unless you do it yourself, this is the big hit).

So far I think I've spent about $4k getting to a setup than I'm semi-happy with. Still have about half that again to go I think before it's all said and done.

If you look at sort of an overall cost for basic upgrades, you can break it down like:

Head unit: ~$200
Upgrade stock speakers: ~$200 (if you spend $100 for 4x6 and $100 for 6x9, or $50/$150, etc.)
4 channel amp for fronts: $~150
Mono amp for sub: ~$150-300
Subs: ~$200-300
Enclosure: ~$100-150
Wiring: ~$50

That's $1,200 not including any install fees, using the low numbers.
So... even a beginner budget stereo can be a tad costly - start talking $500 head unit, $400 components, couple hundred for fiberglass/paint, $500+ amps, bigger wiring, upgraded alternator, more batteries, $300 subs... it adds up really fast and can get out of control easily. ;)

~vR

[firstson]

Wow...maybe someday (when i have a job) i can get into all that. Right now its a little above the base of basic. I have already replaced my head unit (kenwood) and all 4 interior speakers (pioneer) which was basically under the prices violent listed. I have yet to replace the tweeters but its comin. i was wondering if anyone had ever heard anything good about boss amps.

[FormulaNERD]

well he could easily start with subs/amp and get some LOCs and spend less than 450

it wont satisfy an audiophile, but it's not going to sound poopty.

i have 300 into my current setup and i get compliments all the time

(though i'm not saying my system is any good, it's decent :)

[firstson]

And again, i'm not planning on entering any major competitions, or any at all for that matter. i believe one one the best systems at my school now is a friend of mine whos pushing 2 12" sony's in like an 80 somethin mercury tracer. i'm not really trying to satisfy anyone but myself.

[violentrapture]

heh, the prices I was guestimating were even based on buying used forum gear - like the Eclipse 8053 going for $200 shipped right now that's such an awesome deal. :P

Boss amps are complete crap - don't even look at them twice.

I suppose though if 2 Sony 12s are the benchmark here, then $450 should get you a wangin' system. I'd check out the Alpine Type R subs - I've never heard one personally, but over at CA there is a *lot* of talk about how loud them suckers'll get and they're cheeeap.

~vR

[FormulaNERD]

right, i get you

i'm running 2 10" polk momo's and a rockford amp

stock blaupunkt headunit w/ monsoon audio (not an alero) and LOC's

[violentrapture]

Ooh, I just bought a 12" Polk MOMO to try out (oldschool with the yellow lettering) - should be in next week.

The GTI come with a Blaupunkt HU? That's pretty cool!

[FormulaNERD]

yea, blaupunkt manufatured all the newer stock HU's in the vw/audi's

i like my momo's but i also got those eclipse dvc's to play with, eventually i'll sell it all and go with some g5's i think.

[FormulaNERD]

but yea, for this guys budget, if he goes new, there are a lot of choices, for under a hundred per woofer he can go with phoenix gold, cerwin vega, polk, diamond, alpine, etc.

then he'll have around 300 for amp/box/wiring.

[FormulaNERD]

i like kenwoods HU's (well some of them) but i dont really like their subs.

how much are the type-r's running at circuit city? sometimes you can get good deals.

[violentrapture]

No idea about circuit city, but the 12" Type Rs can be had new in the $100-$120 range, even less if you forum buy.

I'm not a huge fan of Kenwood either, for head units unless looking at the higher end stuff like Nakamichi, McIntosh, Denon, Clarion, etc. I still the best bang for the buck is Eclipse - got my 8445 for $400, and I've seen them now for around $350.

[acold7dusta]

i would highly recomend making your own box- just go to home depot and buy a 4 ft X 8 ft sheet of 3/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard) itll cost about 20 bucks, buy a speaker terminal, and if ur on a tight budget buy one sub around 4-500 RMS and feed it the correct wattage and you'll be more than satisfied. also, if you're into kenwood stuff on ebay you can find a nice class D amp (http://cgi.ebay.com/KENWOOD-EXCELON-KAC-X812D-CLASS-D-MONO-AMPLIFIER-1600W_W0QQitemZ9717505822QQcategoryZ79828QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) for 240 and then you can get a sub that takes about 500 RMS on ebay for $190 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-T112D4-12-SUBWOOFER-T112D4FR_W0QQitemZ9727075704QQcategoryZ39779QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem)
you can buy cheaper subs, but there ya go 430 bucks + $20 MDF +wiring and fuses ~$50 and youll have a satisfying system that you probably wont grow out of

-kev

[firstson]

I've considered all that but with the box i'm think i'm just gonna get one from best buy cuz i have several gift cards from there that'll get me one for about $40 bucks. and that rockford fosgate is a ridiculous deal, those run for $400 on crutchfield, you sure those guys are good?

[jwth2005]

Man 2 sony 12's as a best system at ur school?? Manthe guy at myschool had one HELL of a system. He had 2 12 inch Audiobahn flame compression series.. Mounted basket out.. 3000 watts total for the subs alone... Memphis audio sub amd and a menphis audio amo for the other speakers... optima red top(that he fried twice) and an alpine headunit...all in a 2003 VW Jetta... And get this... His dad bought all his stuff.. lucky lil freak.... Probably the loudest system in town as well.

[FormulaNERD]

my school had a kid sponsored by orion, there was no way to compete with 6 18's in an extended cab S-10.

LMAO

[jwth2005]

HAHA Holy crap... That had to POUND! Bet you could hear him more than a mile away

[firstson]

Would a mono amp rated at 220W x 1 @ 4ohms/ 400W x 1 @ 2ohms be enough to push 2 12" 4ohms subs rated at 50-250 RMS?

[sound_xtreme]

Originally posted by FormulaNERD@May 20 2006, 01:49 PM
my school had a kid sponsored by orion, there was no way to compete with 6 18's in an extended cab S-10.

LMAO
Quoted post


ya, buddy of mine had 6 12s in his extended cab also, only all JL. forget what series, one of the higher ends. was a breath taker for sure.

and violentrapture, i will NEVER buy a clarion deck again. one i had i paid like 400 for and it was pure JUNK.

[violentrapture]

That's what you get for buying cheap crap. :P
The DRZ-9255 is an outstanding head unit, bar none.

[TribalAlero2000GL3]

No one on heres mentioned any MTX, i've got 2 MTX 4500 DVC Thunders in my daily driver and they're pretty decent for 100 bucks each. As far as amps i ran a power acoustic gothic until i gave it to my buddy to start his system now i threw in a Sony 1200W Both $150 amps that work just fine. so for a starter kit think bout sumtin like
Wiring- 50 (stinger wiring) Stinger wiring (ebay) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Stinger-4-Gauge-Multi-Amp-Wiring-Wire-Kit-AWG-SWK4D_W0QQitemZ9729758507QQcategoryZ71528QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem)
Subs 200 Ebay Pair of MTX 5500 for 190 shipped (http://cgi.ebay.com/2-MTX-T5512-44-12-1200W-THUNDER-5500-SUBWOOFERS-PAIR_W0QQitemZ280000051766QQcategoryZ39778QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem)
Amps 150-200- New ebay Sony amp for 130 (http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-XM-2200GTX-XPLOD-1200W-AMPLIFIER-NEW-CAR-AMP-2CH_W0QQitemZ9727714913QQcategoryZ39738QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem)

System total- 370
I'm not a big audiophile or SPL person i just wanted some decent bass. Thats the equipment i've used and im very happy with. I've heard those kenwood subs they're ok i prefer my MTX much more but thats kind of a biased opnion. Do what you'd like with that starter system i posted you'd have extra money left over (assuming you can install yourself) for a new pair of 6X9s or have money left to cover installation.

[sound_xtreme]

Originally posted by violentrapture@May 21 2006, 03:17 PM
That's what you get for buying cheap crap. :P
The DRZ-9255 is an outstanding head unit, bar none.
Quoted post


for 400+ i shouldnt have to send it in 4 times in 2 years for repairs.

[battistoni21]

^i haerd the same thing, clarion is poop

[violentrapture]

Look up the DRZ-9255 and DRX-9255 - pretty much the definition of not poop. :P