Sound system help?

[c2ypt1c]

When I had my 5.0 stang, I was running two 12's in a bandpass box wired to a 2x1000w amp, two 6x9's wired to a 400w amp, and front speakers running off head power. Shit sounded ssiiiick. All my friends were jealous and kept trying to out-do me, they never could though. I moved out of state for a couple years, came back and everything was stolen...havn't had a system since Long story short, I'm a big fan of 12's and 6x9's...

 

[maxddr19]

What I'm working on now is getting a new headunit and when I get that, should a get a sub and amp? Or should I get new front speakers and an amp, or just speakers?

 

[MistrMackey]

get your speakers dialed in first and then add the sub

 

[maxddr19]

Okay I'm thinking about getting alpine component speakers.

 

[MistrMackey]

nice what model?

 

[rocketrapson]

Okay I'm thinking about getting alpine component speakers.

Alpine is imo over rated. A buddy of mine had alpine and my car had pioneer. Pioneer sounded better to me. In my gsx right now im using infinity reference speakers.

 

[2gnt99]

Anyone recommend good non-component speakers for the doors?

The rear 6x9s have a great sound, but the door speakers don't really output a great amount of clean sound.

My current head unit is 45w X 4. I'm looking into buying one that's 50w X 4.

 

[MistrMackey]

depends on how much you want to spend , infinity isn't bad, I've got JL 6.5" 3 ways in the front and they sounds great

 

[2gnt99]

depends on how much you want to spend , infinity isn't bad, I've got JL 6.5" 3 ways in the front and they sounds great

Right now I don't care for spending too much. About $40 per speaker at most.
The previous owner actually had spliced in tweeters and surface mounted them on the door panels, I need to replace those though.

 

[AnthonyRounds]

bump what noavgjoe said - I'm an audio engineer - This is correct ... sort of, An amplifier sends distorted signal when you turn it up all the way yes... BUT the OP didn't say his system was distorting he says he is experiencing too much high freq which would be an EQ issue.

NOW the reason your getting so much high freq is because of the Fletcher Munson Curve - basically this states how loudness effects frequency , when you turn your system up it sends more high end freq to the speakers , try listening to your stereo at a lower volume with the car off so you can hear it then turn it up all the way you will see what i'm talking about (if you don't have subs)

You need to provide enough power to the speakers with the head unit mid to three quarters of the way up to get around the curve, I would suggest getting a head unit with a better eq or an external eq.

EQ EQ EQ EQ is EVERYTHING this is the biggest tool we have to shape sound the more bands you have on your eq the more you can dial in your sound personally I have a 7 band eq in my car kenwood makes an 11 I believe but its pricey, an external wouldn't be bad but its extra wiring

Speakers - components are great, but more of a pain in the $$$ than anything a good set of 3 way speakers in the front are fine I run JL 3 ways in the front and 6x9s in the back but if you want to raise the sound stage replace the tweeters in the dash with components.

Subs - depends on your preference 12s have a wider frequency range 10s are punchier if you listen to rock i'd say go with 10s MAKE SURE YOU PUT DOWN SOUND DAMPENER!!! You won't believe all the overtone frequencies that are created from rattling plastic in our cars, I went crazy fixing rattles when I got mine and finally fixed them all and the Sound Quality is AMAZING I even took the headliner down and did the roof.

AMP - a good head unit with run 55watts per channel which is close to the output of most 4 channel amps , I wouldn't go with a 5 channel simply because I don't like dealing with crossovers on my amps and depending on the quality of amp you get the preciseness of the crossover can be iffy i'd run the sub on its own amp and the speakers on an amp or to the head unit

I do apologize for the long winded reply but I felt it was necessary to line this out, also if anyone has any questions about audio feel free to hit me up

Also what NEKID says about amps BUMP clean signal is clutch

You nalied that on the head. i do audio competively, im sponsored and travel the state, and hopefully soon the country.
if anyone has any questions just pm me or something along those lines.

if you wanna know what im running ill be more than happy to tell.

 

[maxddr19]

I'm going to best buy this weekend to buy my head unit and I think I'm going to buy my front speakers also. Any suggestions on what I should get? My front speakers and rear are all pioneer but all I can ever hear is the rear unless you put your ear up to the front speakers. I'm not looking for something REALLY expensive but I do want something that sounds better.

 

[MistrMackey]

You get what you pay for bro , $40 a speaker will get you factory replacements and thats about it. Basic entry level kenwood , pioneer, rockford, kicker are all going to have about the same sq but have different freq response (which means some will sound brighter some will sound bassier) it's all up to your personal preference your just gonna have to go and see what sounds good to you, no one can tell you the "best speaker to buy" because honestly every speaker sounds different, and it really depends on the music your going to be listening to. If you can hear the back more then the front then you need to balance your speakers.

 

[maxddr19]

These are the speakers I bought.
Rockford Fosgate Prime R1653 6-3/4" 3-way car speakers at Crutchfield.com
and this is the radio I'm going to buy this weekend.
Best Buy - Computers, Video Games, TVs, Cameras, Appliances, Phones
Is this a good match or should I get a different headunit?

 

[jmartinez1228]

Alpine headunit, Polk db speakers front and back, 10" kicker L7 subwoofer. Sounds nice in my 1g. Don't need to go spending tons of money and buying amps for everything and putting more weight on your car. Keep it simple.

 

[maxddr19]

I'm not getting a sub or anything. I'm only interested in if my speakers and my head unit are a good match.

 

[northernawd]

check out Onlinecarstereo.com - Wholesale Car Audio/Stereo Deals At Bargain Prices they have good deals. are you looking for a single din or double din headunit?

 

[maxddr19]

Are already know what head unit I'm going to buy.

 

[noavgjoe]

I'm with JMartinez on the Polk speakers. They are moderately priced and sound great. I love quality equipment on a budget so I do craigslist sometimes and car audio.com classifieds. CA has a classifieds section with great equipment and everything is categorized to make your search easy. I've purchased several items without a hitch. You would come out better buying quality used if the budget is tight and you don't mind second hand stuff.

 

[maxddr19]

These are the speakers I bought.
Rockford Fosgate Prime R1653 6-3/4" 3-way car speakers at Crutchfield.com
and this is the radio I'm going to buy this weekend.
Best Buy - Computers, Video Games, TVs, Cameras, Appliances, Phones
Is this a good match or should I get a different headunit?

Is the question I'm asking. I already have speakers.

 

[MistrMackey]

DUDE no, no, no , look at the specs, no custom eq... no sub outs... no remote control... no hd radio this is a basic stripped down head unit that IS NOT going to solve your problem. You are still going to be cranking up the head unit to max , still getting the curve, and you won't even have an eq to TRY and correct it.

p.s You don't want a sub now but you might once you get the speakers dialed in even if you just get one there just isn't enough bass in the mix with the coaxial speakers trust me.

 

[maxddr19]

Which head unit should I get then? My budget is under 100. I don't mind if it's not that great but I would like something better than my crappy jvc unit.

 

[maxddr19]

I guess no one knows

 

[greydelta38]

The loud high treble with no bass is likely either blown speakers or your HPF mode is turned on in the head unit. I have no idea what the purpose of that setting is, but it removes all the low end frequencies and boosts the highs.
As for a subwoofer, if you want something cheap and easy, get something JL or Sony. Higher end with bigger sound will cost alot more, i.e. Rockford Fosgate subs. Also, with that model of JVC head, they tend to have subwoofer wiring problems in the back of the unit, so if your amp doesn't get any signal for some reason, try plugging the audio wires into the Rear component in the unit instead of the Subwoofer component.
Speakers, you're probably gonna want a good set of Pioneer tweeters and speakers. Pioneer are cheap but perform like they're expensive.
Hope this helps.

Also, if you're looking for a good head unit for under $100, all I can say is good luck. JVC makes the best headers for under $100. Sony and Kenwood have options available in your budget, but as for sound quality and features, they're a bit... lacking.

 

[KYNDL7]

That hu choice is decent, good sound quality basic features like one set of pre outs and basic 3 band eq. Kenwood in the same price range may have a better 7 band eq and sub pre outs with good sound quality also if your shopping at best buy.

 

[maxddr19]

Which one should I get?
Kenwood KDC-152 (KDC152) In-Dash Car CD/MP3/WMA Stereo Receiver
or
Kenwood KDC-248U (KDC248U) CD, MP3 Car Stereo w/ Front AUX & USB