View Full Version : What to buy for my System?
hello, i dont know anything about Audio on cars, what kind of subs, amp and what ever else i need should i get for the cougar?
There might be many, but maybe good systems that you guys have you recomend? and that kick bass like no other mother ****er?....
Thanks guys!!! :)
there are going to be so many combinations and so many opinions... so you will have to narrow your parameters...
(price range would be a great start.)
my personal opinion would be a Eclipse HU, Focal components, (maybe MB quart.... you can get reasonably priced Focal and or MB Quart components)
Memphis amps for the components, ported box with a whatever brand sub you would like, with a memphis mono driving it...
like i said, its pretty general, and this is my setup... theres going to be million more so get ready.
oh aight thats cool though, the more i read the more i know what to get i dont know about how much people usually spend on their systems but im looking for around 300$ or so
Sabio
10-02-2006, 02:32 PM
Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/) is a good place to start looking. The great thing about them is that they will throw in all the wiring harnesses and instruction for free.
Currently, I have:
Pioneer deh 7800 HU
Stock speakers (for the moment)
Power Acoutik 1920 W amp
2 12" Eclipse subs in a slot ported box
But this probably isn't the setup you considering my HU alone goes for around $320-$400.
Excelcier
10-03-2006, 11:29 PM
Yup, same kind of thing I was telling him in PMs. For about $300, you might get a crappy radio and a tiny cheesy "sub" box and a 6" for that. For a system that does what he's looking for, I'm guessing at least $1500 - $2000
BigBalledOX
10-03-2006, 11:41 PM
oh aight thats cool though, the more i read the more i know what to get i dont know about how much people usually spend on their systems but im looking for around 300$ or so
BUY MY ****!!!!! I have two Pioneer 12's with a 760 watt amp going for $250 and shipping. You throw me $300 shipped and they are YOURS.
I would reccomend going around to different pawn shops and checking out the stuff they have there, I got a somewhat crappy system, but it works great for only being about $150. I got a 900 watt(dunno the rms but thats max.. lol) sony xplod 12 in a box for $70, which they go for that or more for just the speaker, then got some random amp for $90, its been working just fine for over 5 months now. Just take a friend with you that might know a bit more about car audio so you dont get taken advantage of at a pawn shop. :)
Oh, and most important thing, have them hook up the sub and if possible hook up the amp so you can be positive it works before you buy it, because usually theres no refunds.
Asymmetric
10-04-2006, 06:38 PM
I just had 4 Diamond 5x7 speakers installed and a diamond amp (im keeping weight down by not putting subs) and I absolutely love them
If you're looking for TOP NOTCH sound I would put Diamond and Infinity Kappa Perfect's on the top of the list
STAY AWAY FROM THE 4/5 Way speakers...they sound like ass!
AnthonyP
10-05-2006, 01:36 PM
Basically what you want to do is go to Best Buy and HHGregg, look at the products they sell, then go online and buy ANYTHING but what was in the stores.
Ok, so that may be a bit overdramatic but basically true. I will say hands down that Eclipse makes some badass headunits and you should check them out especially if you plan to add amplifiers for your components. They also support HD Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.
If you want to check out some bangin subs look at Memphis Car Audio (http://www.memphiscaraudio.com/)
I just had 4 Diamond 5x7 speakers installed and a diamond amp (im keeping weight down by not putting subs) and I absolutely love them
If you're looking for TOP NOTCH sound I would put Diamond and Infinity Kappa Perfect's on the top of the list
STAY AWAY FROM THE 4/5 Way speakers...they sound like ass!
i didnt know they made 4/5 way speakers.
AnthonyP
10-05-2006, 07:04 PM
Not in our size (4x6/5x7) but they do in 6x9s
4-way (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069904_167642573,00.html)
5-way (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069904_168472238,00.html)
I just used Pioneer for an example, I'm sure they make suckplodes in the same flavor
world-insight
10-06-2006, 08:11 PM
Try the new line of Metrik Car audio. Not the ones found on ebay though. like what I have in my car. good price and great sound. plus they are durable. i have had my amps running in 95 degree weather in the sun they hit 169degrees. and still didn't shut off. still pump just as hard as when cool.
CougarGuy1802
10-06-2006, 09:58 PM
www.woofersetc.com
Drewmanfu0
10-07-2006, 12:34 AM
I have a really good amp to power your subs in the FS section. The opti100 plus or the opti 100. Get a DECENT set of subs though. Rockfords are good for the money. JL's are great for the money and Memphis audio is really good. stay away from sony suckplodes. Infinity components are really good for the money but alpine type r's will far outperform infinity if you want low end sound, infinity's are really "bright" and really need a midwoofer.
The possibilities are endless in an audio system, a simple set of subs and a good amp and headunit will set you back about $300-500 component speakers and amps can run anywhere from $200-1500 for a good setup.
thanx for the replys guys, i will look around to see what im gonna get =D
Sorry to bump.
But i think im going to RC willey this weekend and seeing what im gonna get, the thing is i heard its possible to keep the stock 6cd changer on the trunk and to make it work with subs/amp i will get without having to buy a deck.
So... wat wires would i have to get and some tips to get this to work?
Thankx
vix~
darksleeper123
12-08-2006, 02:33 AM
Basic 4-gauge wiring kit $30 Mejiers, walmart
Line-out converter $20 Mejiers
10' of 12-14 Gauge speaker wire. For the sub to amp
20' of 14-16 Gauge speaker wire. For the +/- leads to the line-out converter
Your amp kit will probably come with a 50-60 amp fuse. I always go to a car audio place and buy the 80 amp. That is to avoid blowing the relay fuse by the batt.
4 crimp connectors
Electical tape
If you want, buy a good set of RCA's. The one's in those kits a for s**t
And a six pack to make the work go by.
Happy thumping
P.S. Make sure you run the rca's on the pass side and the power and remote on the driver.
I ran my leads from the rear speakers to the line-out converter.
extremeVFT03
12-08-2006, 12:05 PM
good subs and amps for sale
http://www.newcougar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=104755
20COUG00
12-08-2006, 01:30 PM
YOu probably just get a sub/amp combo from a store for 200, and get a wiring kit and install will bring yea to 300. Or buy used and you can probably get a better deal but then there's the way of it being broken/broke, and no warranty.
LostRacer
12-08-2006, 01:46 PM
Your amp kit will probably come with a 50-60 amp fuse. I always go to a car audio place and buy the 80 amp. That is to avoid blowing the relay fuse by the batt.
There is another thread on using the right amperage fuse for your set up. Please don't just go throw a larger fuse in there without knowing what you need.
This isn't directed at darksleeper directly. Just in general because of the above quote.
darksleeper123
12-08-2006, 03:46 PM
No S**t. Never knew that. Thanks for the tip lost racer. I never knew that made a difference.
Drewmanfu0
12-08-2006, 04:57 PM
Yup. I have a 200 amp main fuse and 2 80 amp maxi fuses for the amp and fried all the ground traces on the board. shoulda used 2 60 amp. fuses are there for a reason.
well yesterday i got Subs/AMP/wires
RockFord Punch (2) ohm 300watts RMS/600 Peak
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q188/CougarGT/audio1.jpg
Rockfordfosgate AMP
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q188/CougarGT/audio4.jpg
Wires
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q188/CougarGT/audio3.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q188/CougarGT/audio2.jpg
all for about 600$ is this a good deal?
just wanna know what ya'll think, Thanks.
scrupul0us
12-11-2006, 09:44 AM
My Setup:
Alpine HU ~$300
Apline Infini Reference Fronts -$100
Pioneer 3-Way Reference Rears -$120
(2) JL 12w0-8 subs bandpass/ported -FREE
Bazooka 600:1 mono block -$50
Jensen 300:4 mosfet, blah blah blah -FREE
scrupul0us
12-14-2006, 04:30 PM
you got your stuff, why the bump?
02gsxr600
12-15-2006, 06:04 AM
Ok, I haven't read all of the posts but I'm just going to jump in and say what I feel I need to say. I have been a USAC competitor for years, set records, and have been to world finals several times...
First of all decide what you want. There are 2 ways to design a system either SQ (sound quality) or SPL (Sound Pressure Level - LOUD). You can go one extreme or the other, or try to blend the two together which is often referred to as SQL...
After you decide that, start planning on what components you are going to buy and how much money you are going to spend. For $300, you aren't going to get a system you will be happy with. My suggestion when people tell me that's what they want to spend is to purchase one item at a time as you have money. You have to be patient or you will end up spending 5x as much in the end.
Start off with a good head unit - this is the most important part of the system IMO because that's where all of your D/A and sound processing is coming from. Try to find a high end HU such as a good Eclipse or Pioneer P1R or P9R, these HU's are the most sought after HU's in the competition market! Good news is, you can find a good used one on Ebay for about $300.
Then save up a little and buy your speakers down the road, Focal is my personal favorite along with DLS, but there are tons of great speakers out there! Focal is mostly used for SQ, where DLS is the same, but you can get a good mix out of them for a decent SQL car.
Once you have the money plan on your amplifiers. Figure out which amplifier meets your needs for the speakers you have purchased, and which subwoofer you will be purchasing. The amplifiers are the most important thing once you get to this point - if you buy the best sub in the world, but a cheap amp it's going to sound horrible, clip, and eventually you'll ruin the voice coils. So DO NOT go cheap on your amp. Zapco is excellent, along with Eclipse's older PA series amps, or my favorite US Amps!
By this point you pretty much know what you want and which sub you will be buying. Make sure you have a box built that is designed for that sub! The greatest sub in the world can sound horrible if you put it in the wrong box! In some cases, you can actually damage your sub by bottoming it out because there is not enough accoustical suspension. A sealed box is always your safest bet and very clean, but you do sacrifice lower frequencies and SPL. Bandpass's just sound horrible and should not be used IMO - The best two are a ported or "vented" box, or a transmittion line however they must be "tuned" perfectly or you will damage your sub. The box size, port area, and port length all determine the "tuning" and are different for every sub and car. My best advice is to find a high end shop in your area and have them build it for you. If you choose a sub you can PM me the specs and I can get you the dimensions for a good sounding and safe box.
The best way to learn is to ask as many questions as possible, and check out your local shops (not best buy, circuit city, etc) and see what you like. Everyone has their own preference's! Remember though, what you hear in a sound room is not what you will hear in the car - every box, car, amp combo, tuning, HU, etc is going to sound different. There is no such thing as one size fits all in car audio! A car has the WORST conditions for sound recreation - staging, imaging, etc!!
well i bumped this becuz i wanted to know if you guys considered this a good buy, i havent installed it yet a friend is gona help me do it tomorrow... i juz to see if any of u had experience with the products i bought.
02gsxr600
12-17-2006, 08:59 AM
I'd say for that pricerange it's an ok setup. I'm not sure how that box is designed or what frequency it is tuned to, but it seems to be designed for those subs... You won't be winning SPL comp's but it will definately sound pretty good, especially for the price you paid.
Car audio is like a drug, once you're into it you just can't stop. Over the years you'll learn more and more and what's what. I remember my first stereo I was so anxious I bought everything all at once, but sacrificed the equipment I really wanted. A few years later I ended up buying the stuff I wanted piece by piece. Basically what I'm trying to say is make sure that that's really the stuff you want. Determine what kind of sound you're trying to achieve and whether or not this setup meets those demands. If not, I'd say hold off as hard as it is and buy what you really want. The last thing you want to do is install it and be unhappy with your $600 purchase after it's no longer returnable!
Don't take this the wrong way - I'm not saying it's a bad stereo or anything I'm just saying to be careful that it's what you really want first. Read my first post on this page, I think it's pretty good advice for anyone buying a system who is just getting into it...