New Car Audio

[arizcats9987]

First off, im new to this board and am liking what Ive seen so far. I recently bought a 2002 4runner limited. I would like to upgrade all the audio in the car and had some questions.

1) Which head unit should i get? I have some in mind and would like to know if anyone else has them and likes them. I am thinking about the JVC KD-AVX33 or the Pioneer DEH-P780MP. I like the look on both of them and there arent buttons up the wazzoo. However if anyone has other suggestions please be my guest.

2) Im looking to get component speakers for the front and maybe the rear as well. I listen to all types of music and want something that is clear and doesnt get distorted. I have many in mind from brands like eclipse, alpine, pioneer, diamond audio and JL but dont know which to get since I cant listen to them all. As of now I am looking at the Eclipse SC8365 or the Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 unless someone says otherwise. I would get the same thing but in 5.25 for the rear.

3) Im looking for a good pair of subwoofers. I was thinking about getting 2-12" to complete the whole system. I want something that will sound good with all types of music and can also be loud with other types. I was considering the Rockford Fosgate T112D4 however other people say go with other brands like JL.

4) I obviously need a set of amps to go with all of this. Eclipse looks like a good set but then again so does rockford fosgate amps

Sorry this post was long. I just want to make sure I get something I wont regret and being the rookie that I am I thought I could use some help. Thanks for all your help in advance.

 

[4Runner1371]

I can answer #3 for you. You can't go wrong with JL. I love how their High Output box look (block box with red oval slanted speaker port). It's mad hot, plus performs well. Only bad thing about JL is of course the moolah. Don't know much about Rockford, but my friend said Audiobahn's decent if you want to save some money for other billion mods you can do to 4runner, but then again...that mofo has 12"w7 JL ($800 sub) that thumps like no other. Damn magnet itself weighs like 50lbs!!...lol..

 

[alaskanboi]

For number 1, I am a fan of Pioneer. They usually are really quick with getting add on features with the latest technology since they use the IP-Bus system. Heck, they already have a USB adapter for nearly any MP3 player now.....

For number 2, I am partial to the Infinity's. I actually have the 6.5" in the front and 5.25" in the rear, and am very happy with the end result.

I only have 1 10" in my system, so I haven't looked into what amps you would need to power 2 12"s....

 

[arizcats9987]

do the infinities have any bass to them at all? Also are the highs and mids really crisp? what amp do you use to power your component speakers?

 

[tarheeltp17]

1. Pioneer all day long... and the model you listed in the Premier version... single 0 = premier, 00 = pioneer... (780 vs 7800)

2. Speaker choice is preference... but I suggest Memphis.

3. RF blows. Their old stuff was nice, but there new stuff should be used as a boat anchor. JL subs are clean and can get loud. Yea they cost, but JL also cares about their product. I have personal experience with their customer service and dealer tech support and never again will i question their prices.

4. Should I repeat #3 and just change it from subs to amps? No really, JL's slash series are incredible. Any impedance from 1.5-4 ohms and their amps put out the same amount of wattage. Even their A-series are solid amps. I put them on boats every day of the year and rarely do I have a problem. Solid product line.

STAY AWAY FROM AUDIOBAHN. Who ever told you they are decent lacks Mobile Electronics experience, and intelligence.

 

[nserpa9248]

tarheeltp17, is there a "chain store" that sells memphis?

Ive heard alot about them, but ive never heard them.

Have you heard of hertz audio?
They have been getting big in my area latley.


Oh btw, i agree with rockford fosgate stuff sucking, them and MTX have gone wayy downhill in quality since their old-school ways...

 

[tarheeltp17]

Memphis only deals to the single retailer... or shops with no more than 2-3 stores total. You can search online at memphiscaraudio.com.

No I haven't heard of "hertz audio"... But I disagree about MTX. MTX is still quality stuff, I'm just disappointed they sold to Circuit City.

Companies that stick to the custom shops are the ones who honestly care that their product makes it into the hands of people who know about it... not some joe off the street trying to sell at Best Buy.

Sure Kenwood, Pioneer, etc sell their units at big box stores... but there is a difference. Big box stores can't get Excelon and Premier...which is what you see at custom/speciality shops and these are better products with better warranties that you don't have to sign up for when buying.

 

[nserpa9248]

all they give CC is their low-end stuff..

no thunder elites, or thunder TA stuff in CC's

My grudge with MTX is just personal. i had some MTX stuff that went bad (Some thunder TA amps)..they overheated and my four-channel always had some annoying noise in the higher frequency's(which swapping the amp / trying different decks didnt fix...).

Circuit is slowly running their car-audio departments down the tube.

I have 3 16 year olds working with me who care more about how many LED's something has then what the hell is sounds like

All i have to say is, thank god i dont sell pyle, boss, or audiobahn.

Just wish this jensen shit would just, disappear.

I wish we did carry premier, momo, and the eclipse "aluminum" series...

Will it ever happen? No.



I need to get into the custom shop in my town, id love to sink my teeth in some real SQ setups, and the customers interested in buying them...

 

[nserpa9248]

arizcats9987 sorry for going all off-topic on you.

The DEH-P780MP would be a better bet IMO then the JVC..unless you really want that 3.5" screen

Also, i like the kappa's (speakers and/or subs) theyre not bad.

As far as subs i havent heard a T1 rockford in a while, i cant remember how they were compared to the stuff of equal value at the place i heard them.

I really like my kappa perfect 12.1d sub...its in a cheapo pre-fab box and it still works fairly well (even though the airspace / tuning frequency of the box is almost perfect for the box i bought)

Best bet is to just go to places that have the gear your looking at, take a listen. Everyone has different hearing traits.

 

[DonnyB]

I'm partial towards Alpine myself especially for their line of Headunits and touchscreens. I'd recommend Alpine's Speakers, Subs, and Amps as well. Memphis Amps and Pioneer Headunits are also great quality. All, of course, IMHO

 

[arizcats9987]

I have gone to many big chain stores to listen to different speakers and subs. I havent seen either of the decks im interested in at any store so far. The reason i liked the rockford fosgate T2s was because i went to an Ultimate Electronics and was interested in the Alpine R series subs which they happened to have two 12" on display. However, the one fosgate 12" blew the two alpines away. thats how i first became interested in the fosgate line. I like my SQ but at times I just wanna be loud. Another thing with stores is that it sounds different all out in the open compared to actually being in a car.

I have read lots of reviews on lots of subs and speakers and when everyone says that each is amazing and blows away all the rest its hard for me to decide. I want something that wont get distorted at high volumes but will still sounds clear and crisp. I appreciate all the help ive gotten so far.

 

[tarheeltp17]

Something to consider is picking out the amp you want... then have the shop put in the different subs until you pick what you like best.

Speaking from over 4 years experience, I've never had a customer not be satisfied with JL product. Bitch about the price all you want, but at the end of the day you are happy with what you got.

Car audio is one of the industries where for the most part you get what you pay for, and the market is designed that way too.

Consider this.....
How many people go into Best Buy or Circuit City looking to build a true sound competition car? 0, unless they don't speak english.
Thats why custom shops are the only ones who get this high end better quality product... its usless in a store where people just want something and something cheap.

Don't get me wrong... some of the stuff at big bix stores isn't all that bad...but comparing their product to custom shop product is like comparing keystone light to Sam Adams....

 

[arizcats9987]

I have never heard of anyone having a shop install different subs into the car so that people can listen to them. However I do like that plan. The only problem is that I cant seem to find any high quality shops. I know there must be MANY since I live in Phoenix, Az but I must not know what to look for or the names of any shops. JL is kind of expensive but sometimes you can find really good deals on ebay or what not. And Im not really wanting to build a competition stereo, just something that will sound really good to me while im driving around to places.

I keep reading more and more customer reviews and basically no matter what the product is, everyone gives good reviews on many sites. Not Helping!!!

 

[1999cutiger]

I sent you a PM.

 

[tarheeltp17]

We've done it at my shop before.... as long as the subs are in a prefab box already. I refuse to take subs out of the box and remount new ones untill someone is satisfied... at some point you just need to listen to your salesman.

I suggest JL subs regardless. I don't suggest ebay. ebay = no warranty and JL will not budge if you call them looking for a deal because you bought some defective product. They have it on their website about internet sales.

 

[atomic punk]

I have the grandfather of that JVC headunit - the model that first came out about 2 years ago. It's a nice little HU. Great conversation piece with that small - but very detailed - screen.

I vote for Infinity Kappa speakers. $120 tops on ebay.

You won't be disappointed with JL subs. They are simply the best subs for the money.

Guys - see my new post regarding that head unit. I have questions for those in the know....

 

[arizcats9987]

Thanks for everyones help. I have decided to go with JL but now i have one more question... Would 3 10" be better than 2 12"?
Any difference in sound quality or loudness?

Also atomic what do you think of your JVC HU? Does it have good features and sound quality? and cons to the unit?

 

[nserpa9248]

you will have more displacement and the 10's may be tighter.

Some find that 10's are not good for some types of music, such as rap, hip-hop etc...however, with a good box and a good sub, your bass should sound good with most any music you can pick up, especially with using 3 of them.

 

[atomic punk]

Pros: great price for a DVD player, neat little HU and turns heads with the sharp clarity of the screen. Sound is good from it. No problems with it thus far (2 years).

Cons: not enough buttons on the HU. You have to scroll through too many menus to get what you want. I especially don't like that they didn't have 6 buttons for FM stations. Conversely, the remote control has too many buttons, they should have included 2 remotes: 1 for everyday use where you need only 4-6 main controls, and 1 for DVD use,which has about 30.

That's about it. For $400 at the time, I thought it was a no-brainer for all the features it had in that small size. I like it and won't be trading it in for anything else in the future.

 

[arizcats9987]

well after talking to a guy at "The Specialists" I have decided to go with focal components in the front and coaxials in the rear. I listened to the JL W6 and W7 and both are great subs. as far as the amps alpine has some new models which are really compact so that I can fir them under the seats.