Car Audio questions

[RectangularBox]

I am getting a car for my upcoming 16th birthday, and I am in the market for some car audio components. I honestly have no idea what is good and what isn't... I understand headphones, but car audio is a brand new thing to me. If you have any suggestions as to what I should look into I would greatly appreciate it. 

[helping]

What are you looking for exactly?

[Hans Christian | Teri]

Are we talking regular car audio here? In that case JL Audio is definitely one of my favorites out there, they make some of the best products on the market. Especially their low profile subwoofers are nothing short of amazing.

[Recon-UK]

Personally...

 

Hertz.

JL Audio

Focal

[OmanGS]

Well, I'm not too sure what your price range is, but I'll let you know what I have.

 

• JL Audio 12W7AE-3 with custom ported box that fits snug in my car's hatch (12", 3 Ohm, 1000W max subwoofer + 1.75 cu ft. enclosure)
• JL Audio HD1200 Monoblock Wide-Range Amplified (1200W with a 1.5-4 Ohm impedance range)

All in all, my system would retail for around $2500 - so it's a bit more expensive than I'd like to admit. The system itself is tuned down so that I won't blow out my subwoofer. That's not a good time.

 

What kind of a system are you going for? Total price?

[RectangularBox]

What are you looking for exactly?

What kind of a system are you going for? Total price?

What would be a good price range? I imagine something like $1500 for the whole setup would be reasonable... I guess I want something that is good at bass and electronic music.

[helping]

What would be a good price range? I imagine something like $1500 for the whole setup would be reasonable... I guess I want something that is good at bass and electronic music.

1500 is more than enough. What make, model, and year? 

 

Are you going to be putting this together yourself because throwing everything in is going to require some handiwork. 

[Lord Pantaloons]

Do this

[dizmo]

So much more information is needed.

Are you replacing or even able to replace the source unit?
Are you replacing all the speakers and adding a subwoofer?

Do you want to run the speakers off of an amp or the source unit?
What size speakers does your vehicle take?

There are some really good niche brands. Rainbow and Diamond Audio come to mind.

[RectangularBox]

1500 is more than enough. What make, model, and year? 

 

Are you going to be putting this together yourself because throwing everything in is going to require some handiwork. 

Mitsubishi Eclipse.... probably in the 2000-2006 year range. As for putting it together, I think I can manage... Although if it doesn't save that much money it probably wouldn't be worth it, right?

[Turkatron]

I am getting a car for my upcoming 16th birthday, and I am in the market for some car audio components. I honestly have no idea what is good and what isn't... I understand headphones, but car audio is a brand new thing to me. If you have any suggestions as to what I should look into I would greatly appreciate it. 

You need a deck with RCA inputs. For bass you need a subwoofer, enclousure, an amplifier, and all the wires. Cars usuallay have speakers preinstalled and you can upgrade those and hook them up to an amp as well.

[MayflowerElectronics]

It all depends on what car you are getting. Some of the newer cars it's nearly impossible to do ANYTHING to them. Especially audio/electrical upgrades. Older cars (like pre 2006) are a lot easier to work on.

 

I've noticed upgrading the head unit, and get some nice clean power sounds better then replacing just the speakers.

 

And there's a thing as too much bass, so upgrading the speakers/headunit/maybe an amp, is probably enough.

 

I know in my 2003 Saab 9-3, if you replace the headunit, the car won't start... :rolleyes:

[Hans Christian | Teri]

1500 is more than enough. What make, model, and year? 

 

Are you going to be putting this together yourself because throwing everything in is going to require some handiwork. 

 

It does take a good deal of time but actually doing it is not rocket science (of course depending on the car). There are usually already several holes and panels to run cables through and behind. It definitely is something I think you should do yourself, it's a very enjoyable process to go through with your car and maybe a friend.

[helping]

Mitsubishi Eclipse.... probably in the 2000-2006 year range. As for putting it together, I think I can manage... Although if it doesn't save that much money it probably wouldn't be worth it, right?

I'll work on a build. And it will save money, definitely. Having a car shop do it for you is costly and sometimes they do some really shoddy work.

 

It all depends on what car you are getting. Some of the newer cars it's nearly impossible to do ANYTHING to them. Especially audio/electrical upgrades. Older cars (like pre 2006) are a lot easier to work on.

 

I've noticed upgrading the head unit, and get some nice clean power sounds better then replacing just the speakers.

 

And there's a thing as too much bass, so upgrading the speakers/headunit/maybe an amp, is probably enough.

QFT, 2007 Mazda and I had to get an entire new front dash just to change my stereo since there was a buttload of motherboards and HVAC panels underneath the face of the stock radio. 

 

250$ dash nbd right?

 

It does take a good deal of time but actually doing it is not rocket science (of course depending on the car). There are usually already several holes and panels to run cables through and behind. It definitely is something I think you should do yourself, it's a very enjoyable process to go through with your car and maybe a friend.

It's not difficult but you should be comfortable working with the car and improvising in some situations.

[OmanGS]

What would be a good price range? I imagine something like $1500 for the whole setup would be reasonable... I guess I want something that is good at bass and electronic music.

 

Alright, let's figure this out here. I'm going to say that you're not into insane audio and more so a listening experience...so no crazy ported boxes that will rattle five or six cars back.

 

So...this list that I would recommend in a pinch would be:

 

• JL Audio CP212-W0v3 Ported BassWedge  - ~$500, will get you the enclosure with 2x 12" 12W0v3-4 Drivers @ 600W and 2 Ohm imp.
• -amplifiers-98263'>JL Audio XD600 Monoblock 600W Amplifier - ~$500, will serve the CP212-W0v3 just fine
• Installation - ~$500, this just leaves you room to play. If you're looking for some other speakers and tweeters, you can probably get a deal anyhow (I'm just leaving the last $500 for installation and other goodies)

That's what I'd say would be a nice setup. Definitely would kick and be cost effective at the same time.

 

Edit: With that extra $500, you'll easily be able to buy a decent deck and wire kit and do it yourself. I'm guessing the car already has a decent deck, because most Mitsubishi owners are crazy and upgrade their audio deck but leave the audio alone - hah.

[helping]

Alright, let's figure this out here. I'm going to say that you're not into insane audio and more so a listening experience...so no crazy ported boxes that will rattle five or six cars back.

 

So...this list that I would recommend in a pinch would be:

• JL Audio CP212-W0v3 Ported BassWedge  - ~$500, will get you the enclosure with 2x 12" 12W0v3-4 Drivers @ 600W and 2 Ohm imp.
• -amplifiers-98263'>JL Audio XD600 Monoblock 600W Amplifier - ~$500, will serve the CP212-W0v3 just fine
• Installation - ~$500, this just leaves you room to play. If you're looking for some other speakers and tweeters, you can probably get a deal anyhow (I'm just leaving the last $500 for installation and other goodies)

That's what I'd say would be a nice setup. Definitely would kick and be cost effective at the same time.

500$ for a 600w monoblock is blasphemous  :unsure:

[RectangularBox]

Are you replacing or even able to replace the source unit?

Are you replacing all the speakers and adding a subwoofer?

Do you want to run the speakers off of an amp or the source unit?

What size speakers does your vehicle take?

By source unit I assume you mean radio... If so yes, I would plan to replace it... Other than that I'm not exactly sure.

It all depends on what car you are getting. Some of the newer cars it's nearly impossible to do ANYTHING to them. Especially audio/electrical upgrades. Older cars (like pre 2006) are a lot easier to work on.

I'm looking for a 2000-2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse if that helps at all. 

[MayflowerElectronics]

By source unit I assume you mean radio... If so yes, I would plan to replace it... Other than that I'm not exactly sure.

I'm looking for a 2000-2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse if that helps at all. 

 

Grab a 2006 GT if you can. That's about as much power as my Nissan makes and it's probably half a ton lighter.

[helping]

By source unit I assume you mean radio... If so yes, I would plan to replace it... Other than that I'm not exactly sure.

I'm looking for a 2000-2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse if that helps at all. 

What kind of listening experience do you have? Some people (myself included, I won't lie on the internet) like a bass heavy experience in the car. Feeling the music when you drive makes driving a whole new experience p:

 

or are you looking for something more accurate and balanced?

[OmanGS]

500$ for a 600w monoblock is blasphemous  :unsure:

 

But the warranty is beautiful with JL. I was thinking after tax extremes. The pricing on the JL site is often a lot more than what you can buy them for at audio shops.

 

My local shop, for instances, usually prices $100-150 under JL's website pricing.

 

But I mean - let's keep it easy for him. You don't want to go crazy on the first system, hah.

 

A good substitute might be this amplifier - the -amplifiers-98263'>JX500.

[dizmo]

By source unit I assume you mean radio... If so yes, I would plan to replace it... Other than that I'm not exactly sure.

I'm looking for a 2000-2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse if that helps at all. 

Are you looking for a basic single DIN unit, or are you going to go for a double DIN with gps, touch screen, etc built into it?

You'd have to buy an adapter kit for either one, so that's something to factor into the cost as well.

Honestly, unless you have the car already it's best to hold off on buying anything. Speaker sizes vary vastly from car to car. So does source unit selection.

 

Just please don't make a super bass heavy car. Driving around causing tremors just makes you look like a douche.

[RectangularBox]

What kind of listening experience do you have? Some people (myself included, I won't lie on the internet) like a bass heavy experience in the car. Feeling the music when you drive makes driving a whole new experience p:

Bring on the bass! I always like a large amount of bass in the car.

[RectangularBox]

Just please don't make a super bass heavy car. Driving around causing tremors just makes you look like a douche.

I won't... I don't want to be "that guy"

[helping]

Bring on the bass! I always like a large amount of bass in the car.

Well, we can help you decide on a pair of subwoofers but as for door speakers, it's kind of hard to recommend a pair when you don't have a car yet. Like said before, the sizes will vary from car to year for the door speakers. A lot of japanese import cars support 5" and other variations where some cards will support up to 6x9. 5 1/4 is usually a safe choice, but I would wait until you get your car.

 

The dash kit you buy will also logically vary depending on year. 

 

You'll want something ported, and for the love of god don't get a sony Xplod, Dual, Jenson, Pyramid, Boss, or one of those stupid square Kicker L(x) series subwoofers. Sound waves are not generated well by a square cone. 

 

Ported usually gives deeper "shakier" tremor bass, where sealed will give you more punchy bass. Which are you looking for? Often the sealed subwoofers can be more accurate and some ported subwoofers at high volumes have trouble with bottoming out and "slow" out of sync bass notes. 

[dizmo]

Well, we can help you decide on a pair of subwoofers but as for door speakers, it's kind of hard to recommend a pair when you don't have a car yet. Like said before, the sizes will vary from car to year for the door speakers. A lot of japanese import cars support 5" and other variations where some cards will support up to 6x9. 5 1/4 is usually a safe choice, but I would wait until you get your car.

 

The dash kit you buy will also logically vary depending on year. 

 

You'll want something ported, and for the love of god don't get a sony Xplod, Dual, Jenson, Pyramid, Boss, or one of those stupid square Kicker L(x) series subwoofers. Music waves are not generated well by a square cone. 

 

Ported usually gives deeper "shakier" tremor bass, where sealed will give you more punchy bass. Which are you looking for? 

6 1/2 is a pretty common size as well. I'd really hold off on speakers until the car is in hand.

 

I'd also think about waiting on the subwoofer enclosure, as depending on the space available and the hatch there may be issues with height restrictions. It happens. Sometimes the parcel shelf is too low in the rear and it doesn't fit properly either.

Or, if you get a car with a really small trunk it might be more useful to go with a slim subwoofer to safe space. Some people like to have a little usable space in their trunk left haha