Car Audio Upgrades - Are these any good?

[Smitty2k1]

Alright, Im trying to upgrade my car audio on a decently priced budget, I listen to rock and classic rock mostly, so Im not looking for heavy bass, just clean quality sound.

I did a bit of reasearch, how do these look?

For the rear:
Infinity Kappa 692.5i 6"x9", $199.99

Up front:
Infinity Reference 60025i 6-1/2" $79.99

As for subs and an amp, I really have no clue whatsoever, if Im just getting them for sound quality, not loudness, should I get two 10"s or a single 12"? What kind of a box should I get? (I think sealed, right?)

I already have a Pioneer DEH-1500 for the head unit, I dont really plan on replacing it.

Thanks in advance for the input.
(Really, any input at all would be VERY appriciated)

[speeddemon]

Well, generally if you are going for a sound quality type of system, you don't spend much on the rear speakers (not to mention oval speakers generally don't resist distortion as well as round, and therefore don't sound as good). The front speakers are where the sound should come from, and the rear speakers just confuse that and mess up the imaging of the speakers. I would get a good set of components for the front, and then just a decent set of speakers for the back to give the back seat some sound. And turn the fade settings up towards the front, so the back speakers aren't loud.

As far as subs go, first what size speakers will fit, how many would you like, and how much money do you have. There are plenty of 10s that are louder than most anything you can buy from places like crutchfield, circuit city, and best buy. Check out Resonant Engineering for some great subs www.respl.com .

[Miscue]

Alright, Im trying to upgrade my car audio on a decently priced budget, I listen to rock and classic rock mostly, so Im not looking for heavy bass, just clean quality sound.

I did a bit of reasearch, how do these look?

For the rear:
Infinity Kappa 692.5i 6"x9", $199.99

Up front:
Infinity Reference 60025i 6-1/2" $79.99

As for subs and an amp, I really have no clue whatsoever, if Im just getting them for sound quality, not loudness, should I get two 10"s or a single 12"? What kind of a box should I get? (I think sealed, right?)

I already have a Pioneer DEH-1500 for the head unit, I dont really plan on replacing it.

Thanks in advance for the input.
(Really, any input at all would be VERY appriciated)

You're wasting money on the rear speakers. Personally, I'd rather get $300 fronts (your $200+$100 total) and leave the stock rears. Replacing rear speakers is like the very last thing I would do.

You'll probably be good with a sealed 10" or 12". I wouldn't get dual subs, unless you're looking for really strong SPL.

[pputkowski]

Have you ever been in a car with a 10" or 12" sub?

If no, then I reccomend that you do before buying iof possible.

Unless you want annoyingly loud bass then just go with one 10".

[Miscue]

Have you ever been in a car with a 10" or 12" sub?

If no, then I reccomend that you do before buying iof possible.

Unless you want annoyingly loud bass then just go with one 10".

That's why you have volume control. 12" tend to be boomier, 10" tighter bass. A sealed enclosure will tone down a 12" some.

Also make sure you get an appropriate amp - don't skimp in this department. Everyone worries about what speakers and stuff to get first - I think about them last. Amps I put higher up the list of priorities.

[CaptaiN_JacK]

I can't stress enough to check different stores for prices before you buy. I recommend online stores, because they seem to be the cheapest, and only buy from Crutchfield if absolutely nessesary since Crutchfield is so overpriced it's sickening.

Dual subs are for competition and showing off. Anybody that needs dual subs to hear the bass must be deaf. A single quality sub is all you need to hear good bass, and I'd rather listen to a quality single sub than cheap dual subs that make your trunk rattle and make it so you can barely hear the words.

My advice is my opinion, not fact.

If you want to save a couple bucks, either get plans to make a sub box or have someone make one for you. Homemade sub boxes can be jsut as good of quality as store bought ones.

[Smitty2k1]

Ok so this is what im getting:

Get quality front speakers, leave rears stock or cheap upgrades...
One 10" or 12" sub, quality amp
Components are def. better than regulars, but are there any that are VERY VERY easy to instal?

And finally, any recomendations for a total sytem (or close to one) that I could get for about $500-$700?

[pputkowski]

What kind of car is this going into?

I would probably go with this set-up...

Boston Acoustics SL95 6" x 9" 2-Way Component System
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_2404.html - $149

Boston Acoustics SL65 6-1/2" 2-Way
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_2412.html - $179

Alpine MRV-F340 V12 Series
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_26.html - $239

Total: $567

This would be plenty to get great quality sound but if you want a sub...

Audiobahn ALUM10Q Aluminum Sound Q 10"
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_106.html - $99

Audiobahn A8000T Intake Series
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_72.html - $199

Grand Total: $865

It's going to end up more than that with the sub box, wiring, and intallation costs (if you don't do it urself). I highly recomend the audiobahn sub/amp. I built that exact same set-up in my friend's mustang and it sounds incredible.

BTW a good "oh my god this new stereo sounds incredible song" is Money, by Pink Floyd.

Rock on,

[Smitty2k1]

Its going in a '93 Camry, they were actully very large cars that year.
Oh, and do I really need an amp if im just replacing stock speakers and not adding subs?

[Miscue]

Its going in a '93 Camry, they were actully very large cars that year.
Oh, and do I really need an amp if im just replacing stock speakers and not adding subs?

Technically, no. However... unless your stock speakers are total crap, you will not get a huge performance/sound quality increase - don't get your expectations too high. Good amp + good speakers =

Those audiobahn alums are excellent SQ subs, but not big SPL. It all depends on your tastes.

The BA recommendations... and amp... eh. I'd go a different route, but that's just me.

[thereal_JT]

i say get some nice fronts with a good tweeter, get some decent middle of the road rears...get a 4 channel amp to run the component speakers, and find a nice 10 inch sub in an enclosed box and a good amp. and if you do decide to go with the dual amps...make sure you get a capacitor.

i had all kicker components fronts and rears, and a pioneer 10 (the gel cooled one) you could hear the actual music wiht no problem and then hear/feel the bass along with it.i think it was the best sounding car i had been in.

also with buying electronics and speakers i suggest have a professional install them and buying the warranty (it can be cheaper than buying new subs).

anyways good luck and let us know what you decide...
oh one more thing...dynomat is not too expensive!!!

JT

[JuggaloDave]

your honest to god best bet, is find a local audio store and look around. talk to the people who work there, and if you can, bring in some cds of yours so you can here your tunes on them. from what i hear, infinity makes great speakers, i had some rockford 6.5 3-ways that were really nice, and i also had some alpine 6x9s that honestly ruined the sound in my old neon. they were flat, and are the reason i say bring in a cd or so of your own in to hear the speakers. when i heard the alpines, they were playing hootie and the blow fish, that was alright sounding, when i put in some heaven shall burn or icp, they floped on they face like a fat kid with asthma trying to hopscotch while eating icecream after running a mile. also, amping the speakers is a good idea, even more so if you plan on running componets from what i am told; the hu usually cannot supply enough power to the componets, and that can cause the speakers to over heat.

me personaly, i am going for eclipse everything in my car, should be fun. the suggested route from custom sounds is to get nice hu, then amp, then the componets and rears, then the subs. i have seen people put small subs inplace of the rears, but depending on the car, that is prolly alot of custom work.

[Smitty2k1]

Truely how much work is it to upgrade to component speakers... more work than its worth?

[Miscue]

Truely how much work is it to upgrade to component speakers... more work than its worth?

Components are better - potentially way better. The issue is that they don't drop in as easy as a regular 2/3-way coaxial.

[Smitty2k1]

Thats what I mean by are the worth it... are there any sets out there that WILL drop in easily, as in no cutting of metal required? (I can do most anything short of cutting metal I believe)