budget car audio

[LanceS13]

Does anybody know about or have any experience with this?  It looks pretty decent.  I don't need something to blow my eardrums to smitherenes, but I do need something besides blown rear speakers (unhooked) and crappy factory 4" door panel speakers.  I have two 7 yr. old 8" Blues (belly up Kicker spinoff) and a Linear Millenium 95W amp...the amp blew but the speakers are in surprisingly good working order for their age; however, I have no idea what the specs on them are so it's almost impossible to correctly match an amp for them.  So I figured I'd start over with new stuff...but keep it simple and cheap.  So....how does it look?  Any suggestions?

[misnomer]

Never heard it to be entirely honest, but if you're looking budget, you're best off building your own around an 8 or 10 inch sub and a 100 or so watt amp. "Budget" system means many different things. I am ~$700 into my system ( that is new head unit, component 6.5" Kappas on custom baffles, Kappa 4x6 plate speakers,  10" sub and 150 watt amp), and I am done (except for maybe a four channel amp). If your looking at a cheap step up from factory, get a moderate sized sub and amp, and replace all your 4x6s with some decent aftermarkets.

[DuffMan]

I dont know anything about that hidious looking thing, but my educated guess would be that it sounds like complete crap. For that kind of money you could get an infinity basslink (same idea integrated sub and amp).

[idunit]

Well it's been my experience that small speakers just can't reproduce the low notes.  Even with a passive ratiator it's not go to have much punch.  The radiator will help to move more air but the actual sound won't be there.  Budget is a rather broad word.  My system is several thousand dollars.  Just my amp retails for over 3K

[LanceS13]

Thanks for the input guys...I'm clueless when it comes to car audio. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
I guess to give you a better idea, I have about $300 that I'm willing to spend right now...the rest is being saved for my engine swap this summer. &nbsp;So I guess I'm looking for something like misnomer said...8-10&quot; sub with about 100W amp--and I can upgrade the factory speakers later. &nbsp;I already have a head unit...not installed yet. &nbsp;So is $300 or less realistic for a decent sub, box, and amp?

Duffman, aren't those infinity basslinks upwards of $400?

idunit...thanks for input on the passive radiator. &nbsp;I figured it sounded too good to be true...especially with a sub-6&quot; speaker.

[gregshin]

Well for $300 it's kinda hard getting some good stuff...but i looked around quick for ya....If you own a S13 Hatchback then you'll get an awesome sound with this setup.

RF Fosgate Punch 160.2 Amp $149.00
12inch Nakamichi SPW120 Aluminum Sub $94.99
Subzone sub box .88cf $49.00

Combined they come out to a lil over $300.00
That amp is more then enough for a casual music listener and that Sub is awesome for Sound Quality bass...you will hear each bass note accurately is it is supposed to be heard...IMO that is the best bang per buck SQ sub. You wont be heard coming down the street but sitting in your car will be heaven to your ears.

[bing]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from DuffMan on 2:45 am on Jan. 16, 2002
I dont know anything about that hidious looking thing, but my educated guess would be that it sounds like complete crap. For that kind of money you could get an infinity basslink (same idea integrated sub and amp).

</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

yeah get the basslink i hear those are good...

i was on thezeb the other day and they have Audiobahn 10's for 69.99 and they are 600 watts rms, they only require very small enclosures, so it might be good, they sell the enclosures as well but they dont have a price you have to email them


(Edited by bing at 10:45 am on Jan. 16, 2002)

[bing]

Lances13............

i just checked &nbsp;www.thezeb.com for you... the basslink by infinity is only $249.99, thats in your budget and it'll sound pretty good, plus you can say you have an infinity stereo... better than most i'd say

[gregshin]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from bing on 10:42 am on Jan. 16, 2002
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from DuffMan on 2:45 am on Jan. 16, 2002
I dont know anything about that hidious looking thing, but my educated guess would be that it sounds like complete crap. For that kind of money you could get an infinity basslink (same idea integrated sub and amp).

</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

yeah get the basslink i hear those are good...

i was on thezeb the other day and they have Audiobahn 10's for 69.99 and they are 600 watts rms, they only require very small enclosures, so it might be good, they sell the enclosures as well but they dont have a price you have to email them


(Edited by bing at 10:45 am on Jan. 16, 2002)
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

that's an incredible deal on those audiobahns, i was gonna pick em up but then i found out they were more for PURE Bass SPL subs....i'm more a sound quality sub guy

[bing]

<a href="http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/infinity.html

there" target="_blank">http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/infinity.html

there</a> you go....

[LanceS13]

That looks pretty good bing...and $50 under budget too.:) &nbsp;Would you say that some good quality replacement door speakers later on and the BassLink would make a fairly balanced system?



Thanks everybody for spoon feeding me on this...I'm seriously completely clueless on this stuff.:)

[Takumi]

Well, I drive a hatchback 'teg. &nbsp;My stock speakers had static as soon as I turned up the volume on my Pioneer deck. &nbsp;So I replaced them with aftermarket Polk EX speakers all around. &nbsp;They sounded much cleaner. &nbsp;They had a good thump, but there's only so much you can do with rear panel and door speakers. &nbsp;So I hooked up my Polk db 12&quot; sub that I've had for the longest time. &nbsp;It was in a sealed box. &nbsp;I also got a 100-watt BOSS amp that I got for $100 online. &nbsp;Then I also had to buy $40 worth of Streetwires to hook that thing up as well as a few small things from a hardware shop. &nbsp;Here's the cost of my setup.

Pioneer deck $300 (now they're like..under $200)
Polk EX speakers $110 (2 pairs)
Polk 12&quot; sub in a sealed box $150 (from a friend a LONG LONG TIME ago back when I was in my freshman year in high school in 96)
Boss amp $100
Streetwires $40

Total: $810

The stereo has nice clean deep tones and you can hear the highs from down the street. &nbsp;There's no crackling sound anymore. &nbsp;I don't have to crank up my stereo that high for it to sound loud. &nbsp;I used to crank it up to 20, but now even 13 is really loud. &nbsp;However, if I used Dynomat (sound dampening material to reduce road noise and stuff), that would reduce the friggin' vibration from my rear bumper.

[bing]

yeah i'd say you'd wanna upgrade your speaks...

even if you just spent like 30-50 on some new pioneers you'll notice the difference,

i'll check for some 4x6's (you got a hatch right???)

give me a few minutes....

[LanceS13]

yeah, I have a '92 Fastback

[bing]

okay...... at the zeb....

infinity 4x6's start at 54.99

i think they are the ones i have, but i dont know the codes for mine.... but they sound good...

fosgate and MB Quart have 4x6's for 79.99...but go for the MB's if either....

i say basslink, infinity 4x6's all around... hatches have 4x6's all around dont they... i dont know i have a coupe. i got infinity 4x6's up front, and boston 6.5's in the back... i want to upgrade my rears to a 6.5 component set, mount the tweets on the a-pillar then mount a second set in the dash...

thinking nak or mac, but $$$ will probably force alpine

[LanceS13]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from bing on 1:41 pm on Jan. 16, 2002
okay...... at the zeb....

infinity 4x6's start at 54.99
i say basslink, infinity 4x6's all aroun</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

sounds good
thanks

[gregshin]

BAH! dont get the basslink!!! trust me sealed box with that nakamichi 12inch...that 12 well play a wider vareity of notes and it will hit harder with a smooth tight punch.

[DJ Machine]

Jesus man, don't blow your money on that basstube crap...they're all wastes of money, you're better off spending 300 on some small enclosure box/sub and a &nbsp;budget amp...maybe buy something used. Really, if i were you, i'd replace the front/rear speakers first...especially if 2 are blown and the 2 working ones left suck.

[LanceS13]

hmmm...have we a debate brewing?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
I'm thinking the BassLink would fit me better for the following reasons:
-already assembled/matched components (for the electronic idiot)
-takes up little space
-47% off list price--a.k.a. cheap
-easy removal/re-installation for my once-a-month autoX ventures

Is there anything just absolutely horrible about the BassLink? &nbsp;

gregshin...what makes the setup you proposed better?

[DJ Machine]

You pay a lot of extra movie to have it all included..there's no extra wiring to do, well, nothing &nbsp;awful...plus your traditional setup is just as easy to remove if the amp is bolted to the box. Let me go look up some prices for something comparable..

[DJ Machine]

Hrm, you can get a Rockford 250.2 amp for like $180...theres various 10 inch subwoofers (depending on your brand preference) that you can get from $60-$80...leaves about 40 or 50 left over for a sealed box...tada, done, under 300...might be a bit more after shipping though, but you're getting something MUCH better.

[idunit]

alright I usually don't do this stuff for free but I'm going to find you some good equipment here. I'll edit this post with what I find.

Wiring for amp
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1323341107

Amp" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi....7

Amp</a>
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1322913906

Sub" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi....6

Sub</a> the first is the place the second shows a pic and better specs. &nbsp;Just scroll down to the 1251.
<a href="http://shop.sslonline.com/cgi-sz4/webc/sz41/accounts/a0011065/st_prod.html?p_prodid=116&p_catid=13&sid=8jw30t0VR FAmCbk-15102615485.01

http://www.nexxon.com/audiobahn/subs.htm

components" target="_blank">http://shop.sslonline.com/cgi-sz4....

http</a> for the front. &nbsp;you can modify the 4x6 opening to hold these.
https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/caraudi....(Edited by idunit at 10:15 pm on Jan. 16, 2002)

[Nismos14]

SuB OnE
SuB TwO
BoX
AmP KiT
AmP OnE
AmP TwO
AmP ThReE
AmP FoUr

these should do... i hope u find a suitable combination.... i think that you would be happy with any of these setups and i think that it would be just what ur looking for...... not too much but not to little... and not what everyone else is trying to get u to buy.



(Edited by Nismos14 at 11:11 pm on Jan. 16, 2002)

[LanceS13]

aahhhh....so many choices....I'm overwhelmed. &nbsp;
Thanks, Nismo but one of those auctions has already ended and at least two more have less than 3 hours to go...can't make a decision that fast.
Let's see what idunit can come up with.

[Nismos14]

no problem, u can find those deals on a regular basis on there tho so dont worry and if u would like if u decide on any of those let me kno i will find the near same prices on them for u on e-bay, its my pleasure to help out.

[Nismos14]

oh and by the way, the total cost would have been like 300 on the dot with all the shipping and all factored in.

[fridexter]

................

[idunit]

On a side note I'm selling some of my extra equipment. &nbsp;I have a pioneer deh-8000r which is the one with built in eq and crossovers and has screen savers and all them there goodies. &nbsp;$215 shipped. &nbsp;I also have a pair of polk db 10's. &nbsp;These are a few years old but have just been sitting in my shop. &nbsp;600 watt power handling and use a .66 sealed box. &nbsp;$125 shipped for the pair. &nbsp;I also have a memphis pbc 200 amp in my truck. &nbsp;If I ever get the ambition I'll take out my wall and reclaim it put it back together and sell for like $100. &nbsp;No it's not all apart I just took the top plate off so it didn't take up a lot of room. &nbsp;If you've ever seen the pbc series you'll know what I mean.

[JeffNJ]

I actually happened to read a rave review regarding the WooX subwoofer, so I grabbed on from eBay for cheap. &nbsp;It was like $150, I seem to recall. &nbsp;Anyway, it's still sitting in a box on my apartment floor. &nbsp;But, when I hookit up, I'll have to let you know what I think.

If it bites, maybe I'll throw it right back on eBay and try to get one of those Inifinity BassLinks. &nbsp;The only reason I didn't at first was cost. &nbsp;But, then again, they are Inifinitys. &nbsp;They probably wail.

[LanceS13]

Well...I ordered them. &nbsp;I decided to go with Greg's proposed setup:
'michi 12&quot;
RF 160.2
.88 sealed enclosure

thanks Greg and everybody else
I'll let y'all know how it sounds when I &nbsp;get it installed &nbsp;next weekend.