BIG System Question...

[v6SHOinVA]

Alright, the SHO I have now is my first car and I'm only 16. Therefore, I don't know much about Audio...only minor things. Here's what I'm getting...

Pioneer Head unit
Pioneer Equalizer
Replace all speakers with Rockford Fosgates
2 10" Alpine Type-S subs

Now here are my questions...

What kind of amp (mono, 2 way..blah blah) should I get?
Is it possible to install the equalizer right below the head unit since it seems to be big enough space?
Also, should I or is it necc. to replace all the wires and such or can I just leave the stock ones?

 

[jelloslug]

You best bet it to ditch the entire stock system. You can reuse the stock speaker wiring using a amp bypass adapter. You can also use a power adapter to power the headunit and the EQ. If the EQ is a standard DIN size it should fit just fine below the stock opening (they are the same size). A nice 4 way amp for the door and rear deck speaker and a mono block should be fine dor the subs.

 

[stevemainian]

Lets say you wanted to change the sub amp, does it have to be a mono one, or could you get a 2 channel amp and only use it for one sub. bridging?

 

[jelloslug]

The bridging really depends on the amp itself, some can do it some cannot. When you choose you sub amp you also need to look at how your going to send the signal to it. Is it from the head unit, from the EQ, or from a seperate crossover? With you have a stereo, single mono, or duel mono sub output. Once you know this you can make a better choice on what kind of sub amp to get. The last big system I built (it's been a while) I actuall used a high quality 6/5/3 channel amp (a class "A" Soundstream amp) that had a really high quality internal low pass crossover for the sub channel and had the ability to bridge the sub channel. That was an $800 amp 10 years ago, I don't know how much it would cost now.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

For the sub amp you could get either a mono or 2 channel amp. You just need to make sure to match watts and ohms. Class D amps are good for subs. With the new amp you will need new wiring. I would recomend installing a 4channel amp for the speakers as well.

 

[v6SHOinVA]

Okay, so I need a 2-way amp for my 2 10" subs and then a 4-way amp for my speakers?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

You dont have to get the 4-channel amp but it would be better if you can.

 

[v6SHOinVA]

I want my system to be really good so what exactly would a 4-channel amp do?


EDIT:

i mean i know what an amp does but would it really enhance the sound by a large amount?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

The 4-channel would be for the speakers. It will allow you to get more out of the speakers. With the head unit you can only go so loud without distortion. The amp will allow you to go more. Also it can allow you to "tune" your system more. Especially with the subs it is needed so you can hear the music as well as the base.

I wouldnt get Fosgate speakers, I would go more for Infinity, Kenwood, or Pioneer. For the Subs the Alpines seem kind of weak to me I would go Kicker, MTX, or JL.

 

[stevemainian]

Why couldnt he just use the stock 4 channel amp?

 

[40BelowSummer]

He can! But why. If he does and replaces his head unit to he'll have to do some custom wiring or get an adapter. A nicely powered 4 channel amp can be had for cheap.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

The stock 4 channel does not work well with an aftermarket head unit. Usually it causes them to sound terrible. Also i think some head units might be more powerfull then the stock anyways (It is rated at 15watts rms). You can get an a 4channel amp at 60watts rms for around $200-$300 usually. For this I would recomend an Alpine or Kenwood amp as the quality is usually better.

 

[SteedaSVT]

heres what i would do/did.. I do this for a living soo here goes

Headunit. Doesn't really matter umm I like Eclipse and alpine but i have a Pioneer Indash DVD player.
Eq. Pioneer Deq-9200 (din sized and one of the best out there) get off of ebay for about 150-200 msrp is around 400
Crossovers. I use a soundstream SVX 4 you don't have to use one with the Pioneer DEQ it will seperate it internally.
4 channel amp. I have a Pioneer primier Class A 4 channel. If you want really good repoduction i would try to get a class a amp, like a soundstream picasso Class A not the generic ones they produce now.
Sub amps any class D sould give you what your looking for.
Fronts and rears? ADS, infinity perfects, yada yada theres many.
now the important subject..

what do you want loud? RE ***, JLw7, Stroker, ID max, RF powers, Soundstream SPL's
you want SQ sub? Re ***, JLw7, Infinity Perfect, ID MAx, Soundstream Exacttheres a few others
You want both i would go with a RE ***.. just go to the webpage. www.reaudio.com its an amazing work of art!

anyother questions fire away

 

[SteedaSVT]

Also Im not a huge Kenwood Fan especially in a full range repoduction application. Unless its a Excelon.. The Primiers are good if you can get a Class a. I could always sell mine and get a Picasso

 

[SuperHO]

Pioneer Head unit
Pioneer Equalizer
Replace all speakers with Rockford Fosgates
2 10" Alpine Type-S subs

Okay, going from a lot of experience, Pioneer ain't bad for head units. However, I just replaced mine with an Eclipse, and couldn't be happier. The sound quality is SOOOOO much better. With Infiniti Reference replacment speakers in all 4 holes, I can crank the deck up to full volume without a spot of audible distortion. I will soon throw a Rockford Fosgate Power 551x 4 channel just for fun, but for now, it's plenty loud.

As far as Rockford Fosgate's mids and highs, I strongly recommend against them. Their amps and subs are awesome, but their mids and highs and even head units I've heard are questionable. I'd personally stay away from them.

As far as the Alpine subs, go for the Type Rs over the Type S's. Much better sound. My Fosgate Power 501bd cooked one of em, but I imagine with the right amp, they'd sound wonderful.

But it's all in the sound you're looking for, and in the music you listen to. Everyone's taste is different, and everyone's gonna have their own opinion on equipment to use. So take your pick. How loud can you afford to be?

 

[SteedaSVT]

I recommend against RF anything unless you want a loud sub then get powers. RF hasn't impressed me in a long time.

Get a RE audio SUB!!!

 

[sideSHO]

I'd also say stay away from RF mids and highs.Even though I have their old school amps in my system.Infinity makes some nice stuff for cheap(er).
Go to some local audio shops and have a listen to what they have.You'll get an idea of what you like.
BTW,what part of VA are you from?

 

[v6SHOinVA]

This is going to be a process so I really can get anything. But I'd like to stay away from the EXTREMELY expensive stuff considering I'm just getting started out and it's not like im going to enter comps or anything.

Also, I live in Roanoke, Virginia..