New to audio: what to get?

[OmegaBoost]

okay here's the deal; I know next to nothing about audio but I just started getting interested in it. Maybe its because I have only 1 factory working speaker in my 89 Z lol.

Anyhow, I'm definitely looking for something good, REAL good. Asked one of my work collegue that actually built a showcar, he tells me to go with MB quart and Phoenix gold for amplifier. Doing some research, I kinda got my eye on JL HD amp and ZR650s.

How much should I be looking to spend for a top sound system?? $2000+???

Any inputs will be greatly appreciated!!

[OziriS]

Sound system have no price limit. You can spend 2000 only on the deck! If you want something good, 2000$ is fair enough.

300$ for deck ( if you need ipod/bluetooth/ect... go kenwood excelon, if you need a big voltage pre-out(for amp) go JVC arsenal.)
300$ sub ( 10 or 12, at 300 you usualy got something prety thigt.)
150$each pair of speaker. this is coaxial. if you want better, you will need component wich is more like 250-300/pair.
350$ amp for sub (minimum the same rms of your sub)
120-140 instalation stuff, wire, fuse, ect..

THe list is the minimum price for a good system.
But aye, im not a pro so take advise from other to!!

Richard.

[Aleckxss]

if you want something "real good", with 2000$ you'll only get a head unit, one stereo amplifier, and a front component set. I'm not even sure it'll cover the cost of the wiring. You will need a sound processor or a high end unit with one that's integrated (ex: Pioneer DEH-880PRS)

keep in mind that 99% of showcars have the worst components and they are the worst sounding systems I've heard. All the money goes to show, with no go.

A real top of the line system will cost you at least 5000$, if you install it yourself.

If you can write in french and want good advice from people that actually do sound quality competitions, try www.quebecautoson.com.

The best bang for the buck I know for speakers is RossWRX (member here on MR) with CDT speakers, he's hard to reach but his prices beat anything I know (even online).

Keep in mind that about 80% of the results are in the quality of the installation and adjustment of the system. Each component in your system must be researched. Getting something that is to your taste may take a few tries. There's a meet at orange julep on may 19th (people from quebecautoson.com) so you could listen to a few systems and decide what you like. There's going to be everything from SPL cars to low budget but good sounding cars. With a small budget and a lot of time you can achieve miracles.

High end systems often use brands that you probably never heard of, so you'll need good advice from people with competition experience.

For the head unit (most important part of a system) you should take a look at the Pioneer DEH-880PRS. It's a high end unit with onboard sound processor. If you can find an Eclipse 7200mk2 it's one of the best head units (sound wise), but it's been discontinued since eclipse stopped production.

[logik23]

Go see CSC, Donald knows everything.

[OmegaBoost]

if you want something "real good", with 2000$ you'll only get a head unit, one stereo amplifier, and a front component set. I'm not even sure it'll cover the cost of the wiring. You will need a sound processor or a high end unit with one that's integrated (ex: Pioneer DEH-880PRS)

keep in mind that 99% of showcars have the worst components and they are the worst sounding systems I've heard. All the money goes to show, with no go.

A real top of the line system will cost you at least 5000$, if you install it yourself.

If you can write in french and want good advice from people that actually do sound quality competitions, try www.quebecautoson.com.

The best bang for the buck I know for speakers is RossWRX (member here on MR) with CDT speakers, he's hard to reach but his prices beat anything I know (even online).

Keep in mind that about 80% of the results are in the quality of the installation and adjustment of the system. Each component in your system must be researched. Getting something that is to your taste may take a few tries. There's a meet at orange julep on may 19th (people from quebecautoson.com) so you could listen to a few systems and decide what you like. There's going to be everything from SPL cars to low budget but good sounding cars. With a small budget and a lot of time you can achieve miracles.

High end systems often use brands that you probably never heard of, so you'll need good advice from people with competition experience.

For the head unit (most important part of a system) you should take a look at the Pioneer DEH-880PRS. It's a high end unit with onboard sound processor. If you can find an Eclipse 7200mk2 it's one of the best head units (sound wise), but it's been discontinued since eclipse stopped production.

actually I work with a guy that worked at autoson lol. Been asking him a lot but at the same time I do my research on the side.

Go see CSC, Donald knows everything.

CSC???

[Toze]

CSC???

http://www.centralstationcustoms.com/

[cobrAAA]

actually I work with a guy that worked at autoson lol. Been asking him a lot but at the same time I do my research on the side.



CSC???

toze answered and quebecautoson is a forum not a shop. so you didnt talk with the people Alecks is refering too.

I agree with what Alecks said.

[gti1.8t]

Thats not exactly true, a "good" or "really good" stereo can range from 2000-10,000 dollars. Everyone has a different pair of ears. Something might sound good to 1 person, might sound like shit to others. Personally, I have a DEH-P9400BH Pioneer & couldnt be happier. Also, my front stage consists of Soundstream RF-60c's which sound amazing to me. Great midbass with a very crisp tweeter. Check out JD Car Stereo, Central Station Customs, AudioFuzion.. these are all local shops that are quite knowledgeable in this field. If you want to learn more about products, you can speak to those in QuebecAutoSon, www.caraudioclassifieds.org, www.soundsolutionsaudio.com.

Theres TONS of good brands out there, all depends on your budget (2000). Check out companies like Hertz, JL, JBL, etc. They all offer great products, some better than others. Personally, for the price of the JBL components P660c are a great bargain & can be had locally. They also offer higher end components but they can add up fairly quickly ($$).

But hey, what do I know... I'm an SPL guy

Cheers,
Andrew

ps - Cobraaaa, he could mean Dynamic Autoson... never know :P

[OmegaBoost]

toze answered and quebecautoson is a forum not a shop. so you didnt talk with the people Alecks is refering too.

I agree with what Alecks said.

lol then actually I work with someone who used to to work at a shop called autoson :P. My bad.

anyhow, I might go to the meet on the 19 and check out other ppl's systems. Hopefully It'll clear up a few things for me.

[Aleckxss]

anyhow, I might go to the meet on the 19 and check out other ppl's systems. Hopefully It'll clear up a few things for me.

Come see me if you're there, I should be there in an 02 dark grey maxima (see avatar), my name's Alex!

[OmegaBoost]

Come see me if you're there, I should be there in an 02 dark grey maxima (see avatar), my name's Alex!

kk. If I do pass by, definitely will do!! I gotta learn more about audio. If you see my audio right now in my Z, you'll cry lol.

[Aleckxss]

[gti1.8t]

If my schedule co-operates, I'll be there too...

And don't worry about ur stereo now, we all started somewhere at some point

[OmegaBoost]

at what time will the meet take place??

[Aleckxss]

The event says around 4:30pm. We're normally parked next to the mercedes dealer, bunch of stock looking cars with some open trunks

[OmegaBoost]

Quick update:

So actually I ended up getting quite a few things and now all thats left is a good head unit and a sub box. I know its far from being the best system out there but I got all this FOR FREE lol. Uncle had it laying around in his garage so he gave it to me. Now my question is, what head unit should I go for? Any recommendations?

10" MTX audio sub, 2x 6.5 rockford fosgate coaxial speakers (???), MTX audio amp......?? lol dont know anything about 'em

[Aleckxss]

That's just above flea market quality. It'll play some bass, but that's about it. It may be enough for you, you have to try it to know.

That package is worth about 150-200$. That amplifier will only power the sub, and not the speakers.

[Aleckxss]

That's just above flea market quality. It'll play some bass, but that's about it. It may be enough for you, you have to try it to know.

That package is worth about 150-200$. That amplifier will only power the sub, and not the speakers.

[Aleckxss]

That's just above flea market quality. It'll play some bass, but that's about it. It may be enough for you, you have to try it to know.

That package is worth about 150-200$. That amplifier will only power the sub, and not the speakers.

[UrbanCowboy]

Any quality head unit, whether it be Pioneer, Kenwood, Clarion etc will enhance your stock audio's performance. I'm running a pioneer double din (X710BT) in my RX-8 with the stock Bose sound system, but I also have a 10" Pioneer Sub and amp in a custom Zenclosures box. Bought all the audio equipment online and did the install myself. Ended up saving about $1000 by buying the same parts for less and doing the labor.