Thinking of some stuff

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

I was thinking of upgrading the speakers (just the speakers, I don't need a ghetto bassbox). So I have a few questions:
I know I need an amp to get the full potential of higher wattage speakers, but do I need an upgrade amp from our stock 6-speaker amp for 500w 6x9's (1000w total)? (just to at least hear music loud, not necessarily loudest possible)
If I do need an amp, what brands are recommended, and what brands should I stay away from? What should I expect to pay for a *decent* one?

Sorry if my search wasn't thorough enough. Links for answers would be cool if it's easy. ;)

[BLK03GXS]

Ok... so do we have a stock deck? or aftermarket?
Refrence using the stock monsoon amp to power GOOD aftermarket speaks.. i wouldnt bother
Get a good deck, with front and rear pre-outs
If you want GOOD speakers go with something like kappa perfects, or Alpine R-types
Get a 4chanel that will lay down 40-50 watts rms at 4 ohms per chanel
wire it all up.. and enjoy... should have enuff bass to keep ya happy as well as crispass sound, loud and clear all the way up :thumbsup:

[Pacho]

Some good amps I have heard from many people are alpines, orions, audiobahns, and mtx.

[niral622]

A friend and I were playing around with the stereo and hooked up Pioneer 6980's to a stock Sunfire Cassette Deck. They played pretty loud and had superb low notes, but there was not enough power going to the speakers and the radio display dimmed everytime the bass dropped. Either you can use your stock deck with higher powered speakers and turn the bass down and get only midrange and highs or you can get a 50w x 4 amp like blk03gxs said and get good bass and treble. Personally, I couldn't sacrifice my bass if I had to :D

[Screamin eagle]

I have had really good experience with memphis amps. The studio series is one of the best sounding amps I've owned.......

[BLK03GXS]

I forgot about the amp brand thing...lol
my prefered brands in order.. this is IMO ppl...
1:Alpine (not the MOST powerfull amps out there.. but they are clean, stable, and long lasting)
2:JL Audio (more powerfull, JL's, clean, allmost overpriced then alpine.. woofers are deffenatly)
3:Concept/Clarion/RF/Kenwood/Soundstream/Audiobahn All these are also good brands, not allways the most relaible (at least my experance with the last 4)
Then we have Sony, (insert cheep internet brand here) and any other amp that clames to put out 1000watts for 200 bucks.... :rolleyes:

[niral622]

I think when he says *decent* he means an amp that isn't going to cost a poopload :P

And in that case, any well-known brandname is almost out of the question since 50W x 4 for a typical brandname amp would cost around $200.

Albino: do you have a budget for the amp?

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

I have stock audio right now.
Decent = Really good, but not necessarily expensive

Budget: Right now, I don't have much $$, but I just switched to full-time, so I think I should have around $500-$700 saved for audio upgrades by mid-June.

Oh, and about the bass: I love bass, but I don't want so much that I'll need SPL braces for the windows. :P

[Illarin]

I replaced my front and rear speakers and they're ear-piercing just being powered by an aftermarket deck. Of course, they'd probably sound even better with an amp.

I have Alpine Type-R 6x9's.. if you go with them be aware that you're going to have to modify your rear deck. I had to cut the hell out of it to get those to fit. ;)

[niral622]

wow, nevermind then....brandname away :D

btw, does anyone have a cheap non-brandname amp? does it work well?

[BLK03GXS]

There are no NON namebrand amps...
Their are lesser known brand amps... and really unknown brands that suck.. .but no noname brand...
Their are lots of Cheepo amps out there, just look on the web... i dont know of anyone that has used one perosonaly, but thats me
I have used a sony (or as i call it Sorny) 4chl.. worked fine, powering alpine s series all the way around... got kinda hot.. and didnt like anything other than 4ohm per chanel.. but its a sony...lol
Btw type R's are an exelent choice for both good crisp midbass and treble :thumbsup:

[BLK03GXS]

whoops repost.....

[niral622]

There are no NON namebrand amps...

lol, you know what I meant...I have to agree with the alpine type r's, I heard them at CC...a couple months ago I was soo close to getting some Infinity Kappa 693.5i's but I decided I didnt have enough money to buy the speakers and the good amp that they would need :( (Actually I had the money, but spent it on a radar detector....I figure I only wanted to upgrade the 6x9's for low bass but since I have an Alpine 12" type r, I think I have enough bass for my needs :))

so back on topic: bottom line, if you're going to buy good speakers, better count on getting a good quality amp :thumbsup:

Good Speakers IMO: Alpine Type S's, Infinity Reference and Infinity Kappas (693.5i or 692.5i), Pioneers (TS-6980R). All of those

Pioneer 6980: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/c...ch=pioneer+6980 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=130TSA6980&search=pioneer+6980) (need 2-80W RMS)

Infinity Kappa 693.5i: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/c...search=infinity (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=52300&I=1086935I&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=infinity) (need 2-110W RMS)

Alpine SPS-690A: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/c...0&search=alpine (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?s=0&cc=01&i=500SPS690A&g=52300&search=alpine) (need 2-50W RMS)

Good Amps for those speakers: Ask anyone else :blink: lol
The only amp I have with is a Bazooka El1500 and thats a subwoofer amp - I will say that I have had no problems with it (no overheating or repairs) and got it for $70. Pretty good for an amp that puts out about 350W RMS @ 4 ohms. When I was looking for amps, I thought about Alpine or MTX amps, I dont know why, I was a noob tho even now, I would still consider them (never heard anything bad). Good price too...MTX thunder 404 is 50W x 4 RMS at 4 ohms and is only $250 at SoundDomain.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/c..._info&i=236T404 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zgJ6Aiw3F1i/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?a=0&s=0&cc=01&g=120&id=essential_info&i=236T404)

I have seen that amp for $150 before, doesn't seem like too many people carry it anymore, maybe a model change coming out soon? or maybe they suck, idk lol

Everyone chime in because I dont know which way is up with amps and I would like to know which ones are good too :)

[Illarin]

I didn't really like the Type-S's.. in fact I just replaced my 4x6 plates today because I blew one of them. As for amps, I'm running a 2Ch Crunch to power my subwoofers.. haven't really had any problems with it, cept overheating once in a while. That's only in 80+ degree heat, tho. I think I got it for around 100$ on ebay.

[niral622]

yeah, the Type S's seem low-powered....I would go for the pioneers if I was on a budget and the kappas if I wanted high-quality :D

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

Okay, it's looking like that I would be going with the Pioneer 6980's for 6x9's. What would go well with them for the doors' 4x6's? Has anybody upgraded the tweeters inside the mirrors? (what would you suggest on those too?)

As for the amp, I still haven't heard anything negative about Alpine. What is your recommended model, given that I'll be getting Pioneers, and upgraded 4x6's? (I am really dumb on this...)

[niral622]

The front 4x6's are tricky. Either you can get normal 4x6's like so:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SoN8uThogJK/c...search=infinity (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SoN8uThogJK/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=1086402CF&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=infinity)

Or you can get 4x6 plate speakers which give cleaner midrange:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SoN8uThogJK/c...search=infinity (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SoN8uThogJK/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=1084625CFP&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=infinity)

Better yet, you can custom mount some 5.25 or 6.5 inchers easily in the doors, but I think you need an adaptor or something like that, but you'll get really nice results.
http://invision.aleromod.com/index.php?showtopic=531&st=20

Some people even get kick panels:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SoN8uThogJK/c...y=XL#morephotos (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SoN8uThogJK/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&cc=01&g=182850&id=morephotos&pi=2&i=044K10131&display=XL#morephotos)

[BLK03GXS]

You could run 5 1/4's or 6 1/2's in the front doors... i just put some old alpine s type 6.5's in my doors, better than stock, but you could put sonme GOOD 4x6's in the door's...
If you dont want to go about modfying the doors, or makin kustom shat go with some good 4x6's
No i havent upgraded the front tweets... but it could easly be done if you were to say get some componants :thumbsup:

Refrence the mtx amps... i beleave their power ratings are at 14.4v's or more... so at 12 or less your not getting that much power... the diff between 12, and 14 could be as much as 15-20 watts rms per chanel... so be carefull, check w.e amp you get out and get one that matches your speakers at 12.5v's as close as u can.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-80QwLtJdVwR/c...fo&i=500MRVF340 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-80QwLtJdVwR/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?a=0&s=0&cc=01&g=120&id=detailed_info&i=500MRVF340)
that amp would be good for any midrange speaks that you may get (rtype, perfects etc)
take a look at the power ratings at 14 and at 12 volts... and thats not just alpine amps that happens with all amps, not everyone knows that.

IF you want u can pm me and i'll awnser any questions that you may have

[niral622]

The Alpine is a good choice, makes the MTX look terrible which now that I look at it, I think the only reason I liked it was probably the bridged power since I wanted it to run two subs, but then I just got a mono amp:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ttoxBWKstW6/c...x=34&IMAGE4.y=3 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ttoxBWKstW6/cgi-bin/ProdComp.asp?g=120&c=3&s=0&cc=01&pt2=0&ITM236T404=on&ITM500MRVF340=on&IMAGE4.x=34&IMAGE4.y=3)

^^btw BLK03, what would you define as good 4x6's? because i'm thinking of an upgrade also :)

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

for 4x6's, I was looking at the Pioneer 4640. What do you guys think?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-D2QXf19OvNQ/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-D2QXf19OvNQ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=130TSG4640&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)

[Illarin]

Originally posted by AlbinoMonkeyRat@May 1 2004, 05:40 AM
for 4x6's, I was looking at the Pioneer 4640. What do you guys think?
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-D2QXf19OvNQ/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-D2QXf19OvNQ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=130TSG4640&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)
I dunno about the 4640's, but I just bought a set of 4670's and they sound nice. :)

[niral622]

yeah, the pioneers have really crisp highs, but the problem is if you get a four channel amp which runs 55W rms for each channel, then you will blow the pioneer 4x6's in no time because they only handle up to 25W rms. For the power ratings you're looking for, I would recommend one of the following:

(cheap)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yAjPIMIVVPT/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yAjPIMIVVPT/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=1086402CF&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)

or (medium cost)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yAjPIMIVVPT/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yAjPIMIVVPT/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=1086402CFP&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)

or even better yet (expensive)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yAjPIMIVVPT/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-yAjPIMIVVPT/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=1084625CFP&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)

[BLK03GXS]

Originally posted by niral622@May 1 2004, 06:17 AM
The Alpine is a good choice, makes the MTX look terrible which now that I look at it, I think the only reason I liked it was probably the bridged power since I wanted it to run two subs, but then I just got a mono amp:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ttoxBWKstW6/c...x=34&IMAGE4.y=3 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ttoxBWKstW6/cgi-bin/ProdComp.asp?g=120&c=3&s=0&cc=01&pt2=0&ITM236T404=on&ITM500MRVF340=on&IMAGE4.x=34&IMAGE4.y=3)

^^btw BLK03, what would you define as good 4x6's? because i'm thinking of an upgrade also :)
Im not quite sure... most 4x6's just cant get as loud and clear as like say.. a 6.5, or 5.25...
Im a BIG fan of alpine... but in this case i would go with the Infinitys
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EnUDia2rsG9/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EnUDia2rsG9/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=1084625CFP&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)
But Just browsing on Crutchfield, I could live with the JBL's
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EnUDia2rsG9/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EnUDia2rsG9/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=109P6452&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)
For plates or...
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EnUDia2rsG9/c...1&avf=N&search= (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EnUDia2rsG9/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=51400&I=109GTO6426&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=)
The last ones are good for 40watts rms.. should be good for the amp i listed B4

Also i would hunt for some JL's... they make some awsome speakers, if your not looking for bass from your mids :thumbsup: