Help me design my stereo setup

[90MTXSHO]

Ok - here's the deal. I'm looking to upgrade my stereo over the next few months. Here's what I've got currently:

Rear Deck: Eclipse SP8972 Point Source 5x7s (50 watt RMS)
Rear Amp: Alpine MRP-T220 50Wx2
Front Deck: Stock JBLs
Front Amp: JBL 40Wx2 L&C amplifier
Subwoofers: 2 10" JBL LCS1000 in a sealed enclosure
Sub Amp: Jensen 300x1

Here's my battle plan: The Rear deck is pretty much done. Those have been upgraded and I plan on keeping them the same. The front I'd like to put in Eclipse SC8352 Component Series (5 1/4 driver and 3/4 tweeter w/passive crossovers, 85watt RMS) as well as a matching Alpine amp similar to that on the rear deck. Subwoofers will in time be replaced by Eclipse subs, probably SW6103.4 powered by either an Alpine MRD-300 V12 or MRP-350.

So, what would you stereo guys do? I want clarity - I listen to all types of music, and want the best sound w/out breaking the bank. Volume is not so much a priority, but would be nice to have on demand if I should want it.

Let's hear 'em, folks

 

[SHOguy 92]

DEFINEATLY get a pioneer with a built in Mosfet amp those are so awsome for the price they crush anything out there. try and find that cool one where it has rally cars racing through africa and dust flying everywhere that plays on the faceplate. thats the one i wanna get evenutally it sounds really nice also.

 

[quadmasta]

SHOguy11:
DEFINEATLY get a pioneer with a built in Mosfet amp those are so awsome for the price they crush anything out there. try and find that cool one where it has rally cars racing through africa and dust flying everywhere that plays on the faceplate. thats the one i wanna get evenutally it sounds really nice also.

he said he'd be using outboard amplifiers thus making the internal amp useless and trivial at that point.

I'd recommend an Alpine radio. They've got the best reliability on the market, not to mention they do about 85% of the OE systems on the market.

 

[SHOguy 92]

oh yeah sorry about that lol i'd still go with pioneer and that ralley deck its awsome

 

[thebigjimsho]

90MTXSHO:
So, what would you stereo guys do? I want clarity - I listen to all types of music, and want the best sound w/out breaking the bank.

Well, I'd invest in a deck with no internal amp. Actually, I'd IM kaotic on the Eclipse head unit he got early this year. High quality digital to analog converters and a few toys built in. Although.........I do have a Clarion drx-9255 head with no internal amp and no bells or whistles. All it does is basic sound control and changer controls. And some wonderful 20bit Burr Brown digital to analog converters.(Just remember the Italian Job)

I was to install this into my '92 but that won't be happening as I'll probably be selling soon. Neither my Accord or Town Car will be able to use the din sized unit, so I may sell it.

How about some Focal Utopias for the front?

 

[K-Dawg]

For quality/dollar, you really can't beat the CDT Classic components on sale at TheZeb for $150. I bought a set and they are very nice pieces, although I haven't installed them yet. Another component set in this range is one by Kicker, but I don't remember the model.
Get a decent amp to go with the components. You can find good deals on really nice older/discontinued amps on ebay. You don't need anything crazy or over the top, but you want a quality amp that can give the speakers close to as much power as they can handle.
As for the headunit, I've had good experiences with Alpine. I've heard and read good things about Eclipse heads, but there's no dealers around here so I have no first hand experience. Since you can get Eclipse, seriously look into their heads.
All in all, what matters is that you like what you get. Just go out and listen, listen, listen.

Big Jim, check your PM.

 

[RickieFrat]

Clint. Nice topic. thumb


Now ..... here is what I would do. First get a head unit that has sub-woofer controls. It must have 3 sets of RCA's coming out the back (front/rear speakers & sub). Who cares what the name brand it. Its all the same inside. Now for speakers. Components are good .... But depending on the amp you won't need a crossover. Get speakers that are rated 93db or higher and can handle 100 watts rms or higher. As for the amp. 4-channel or 6 (tell ya lata bout that). Make shure is has built in crossovers to set all interior speakers on HIGH pass. If you get a 6-channel .... The last 2 outputs control your sub box on LOW pass filter. If no 6-channel, you need a MONO block amp for the subs. It sends only low pass frequencey for heart pumping bass.

Now with a nice head unit w/ 3 sets of RCAs, you send 3 RCA plugs to the rear amps for a signal. Weather its 1 or 2 amps. Now here is a trick of the trade. I never messed w/ GENI SHO. But on the GEN II you can use the amp bypass cable to your advantage. What you do is cut off the plug that comes from the head unit. Leaving you plenty of wire to connect to the amp sending a singal to the speakers. Check that out ..... No new wires to run. You utilize the factory wires saving you time on installation.

And of course you want your trunk to look nice w/ a amp install kit, some neon, and a cap. If you take your time and use some imagination ..... you can personalize the trunk area to your own liking.

Good Luck and post picks. If you want any tips or have any questions send me a email.

thumb

mailto:[email protected][email protected]</a>

 

[90MTXSHO]

Thanks for the suggestion, all

I figured as much concerning the head - my current deck only has rear RCA outs, so that's gotta change. My only real requirements in that dept is that it has the appropriate RCA jacks, is MP3/WMA compatible, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Any goodies added in are nice, but if it costs $500, then fuggettaboutit!

So far, I'm using the stock front JBLs using stock wiring (previous owner got the same hint you gave me, apparently!) ... but I'm thinking they are just getting old, as over the years I've noticed less and less on the high end, and especially after installing the Eclipses in the back a fair amount of clarity gone.

On an impulse, I bought a new Alpine MRV-T320 (400 Wx2) of Ebay (hey, $150 shipped vs $300 retail is hard to turn down ). I'm figuring I'll swap that into the 6x9's position and have the current amp powering the fronts for the time being. If/when I get the Eclipse components, I'll move the bigger amp to the front - the components seem to need more juice anyway to run.

I've been debating how I want to make everything look ... since I still use my trunk for a fair amount of stuff, I figure everything'll be consealed behind the sub cabinet and attached to the rear seat support. At least there it'll be easy to mount, even if it is hidden. I'm open for suggestions there as well (and send pics!)

I gotta say, I've been humbled by all this stuff. I'm good at installing equipment and tuning it to sound good (I managed to make a jensen amp, jbl amp, and 'optimum' amp sound decent), but setting up everything to have the correct power levels, etc., is a **** of a task. Still, well worth it in the end, imo, and pretty damn fun.

 

[SHODOGG]

As far as the head unit is concerned, I'd go with something like Alpine, Eclipse, or Clarion. Clarion is what I have but its hard as **** to learn how to use. My friend has an Alpine which, in all honesty, I wish I had bought instead of my Clarion. Eclipse just f'n rules on everything they make so you just can't go wrong with them. If you can afford it, get an Eclipse.
As far as amps go, you can't go wrong with Alpine. Alpine will do great to power your front speakers, your rear speakers, and your subs. It would probably have been more costworthy and space-efficient to get one 4-channel amp to power your interiors and then one 2 channel for your subs. But either way you can work it just fine. One thing to remember is, its just as bad if not worse to underpower your speakers as it is to overpower them. I have 2 350w RMS Alpine Amps to power my 2 JL Subs and they're powered PERFECTLY and sound BAD ASS. One 350X2 amp might not be enough for 2 good Eclipse subs depending on what model you get and size. Just make sure you match up wattage accordingly

 

[3.8Lwagon]

i love my clarion and percision power amp

the polk ex2 are ok but lack low end but they have put up to my abuse for the past 2-3 years even with over powering them

<small>[ October 09, 2003, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: 3.8Lwagon ]</small>

 

[Speedy_91_SHO]

The current H/U i have is a panasonic. It is one of the MXE series. It has 3 RCA outputs, subwoofer controls and a remote(gotta have that hehe) It did wonders to my sound quality over my old 30wX4 H/U(the panasonic is 45wX4). Price for all this you say....156 bucks out the door. I am about to add 2 12" sony Xplod subs in a sealed box and an 800W amp. OMG does it pound in the current car it is in. Right now I have a modest set of sub's...they are just not enough.

 

[haydenm315]

quadmasta
I'd recommend an Alpine radio. They've got the best reliability on the market, not to mention they do about 85% of the OE systems on the market.

WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING?!?!? I've had nothing but problems with alpine head units. I've heard of many others problems to boot. My friend and I will never buy another alpine head unit. When it's cold the buttons dont' seem to work on a lot of them. They skip when you go over big bumps. They also like to develop a condition that causes them to power cycle when you push a button. They make an attractive product, but reliability is not one of their strongpoints from what I've seen. I will NEVER buy another Alpine head unit. I wouldn't buy an Alpine if it was the only head unit left on the planet. I'd rather listen to the tunes of my yamahammer. Alpine sucks. I hate Alpine. I'm going with Kenwood for my next receiver like my friend. I've never seen them miss a beat, reset themselves, or not respond to the pushing of a button.

That's interesting they do 85% of OE systems. Which manufacturers use them?

 

[haydenm315]

SHODOG220
As far as the head unit is concerned, I'd go with something like Alpine, Eclipse, or Clarion.

You don't have an Alpine, yet you're recommending them? I've had nothing but problems with Alpine head units. A friend of mine has the same issues. Another friend bought the highest end Alpine head unit and hasn't had a single problem but it cost him a truckload of money.

As far as amps go, you can't go wrong with Alpine.

I have an Alpine MRD-300 V12 amplifier. It's rated at 330w x 1 @ 4ohms. I do like the design of the amp and think it's a decent product even though Alpine makes it. I'm a computer kind of guy and the computer controls make me get all kinds of excited. On the other hand, my amp likes to cut out under power. I'm pretty sure it's a voltage issue due to a small battery, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[quadmasta]

Honda/Acura uses Alpine, most Euro cars use alpine: Volvo, VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes and there's a lot of domestics that use them too. Ford used to, I'm not sure if they still do, Chevy uses them sometimes on "premium" systems. Less than 1% of Alpine's yearly income is from aftermarket sales.

Alpine is awesome. I wouldn't touch a Kenwood with a 10 foot pole (well, maybe if I was bashing it with the pole). Kenwood eXcelon, on the other hand, is good. Alpine used to have major problems with motorization. They've fixed a lot of those issues. Everybody had problems with intermittent buttons when detachable faceplates started coming onto the scene. It wasn't until within the past year or so that people figured out how to do it reliably.

 

[shoRunner]

i've had my alpine for about 2 years through 2 different cars and have had no problems. i like it quite well.

<small>[ October 13, 2003, 12:59 AM: Message edited by: shoRunner ]</small>