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Car Audio Systems?

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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
Just talk to me. i know fucking nothing, except the speakers in my 98' Jeep Cherokee sound like shit.

I just want a basic upgrade to get some decent sounding music and bass out of my car.


And before someone posts a LMGTFY link, i already did, but i like hearing responses from people that might have been in the same situation as me, or some lame ass excuse like that.
Apr 13 2010 9:25PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
me too, and i dont want to spend 3 months and 5 grand on a system.
Apr 13 2010 9:27PM
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turtles
Posts: 410 - Karma: 30
just get a cheap alpine system
Apr 13 2010 9:27PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
ok so im on there website, looking at the configure your system thing, and i have some questions.

do i want speaker/amp or sub/amp?
which will produce better sound?
halp
Apr 13 2010 9:35PM
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dbstar
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 20
well sub/amp without speakers won't make the sound much better... get some quality speakers and an amp, thats what i have and the sound is almost as good as my buddies cars that also have subs.
Apr 13 2010 9:38PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
so should i try to get better speakers vs. a better amp? or vis versa? or try to balance the two?
Apr 13 2010 9:40PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
do i have to buy all the same brand or can i mix n' match?

i found a good deal on alpine speakers/amp, and a kenwood sub. can i combine the kenwood with the apline?
Apr 13 2010 9:49PM
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RICK_ROSS
Posts: 6983 - Karma: 3,343
you can mix n mach. i have infinity perfect 6.1 speakers, kenwood head unite, a jl amp, and a alpine sub...

http://www.crutchfield.com/app/car/carselector.aspx?lp=%2fapp%2fCar%2fMyCar.aspx
Apr 13 2010 9:56PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
Is a head unit nessecary?
Apr 13 2010 9:58PM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
head unit is acualy the fist thing that most people will recommend. that out of the box is going to make you speakers sound better, although new speakers will improve it too. your stock head unit isnt going to put out enough power to use new speakers t what they should be used. plus gthen your ipod will be able to play with higher quaity (eg though usb instead of itrip). just my 2 sense, btw i have a high end kenwood head unit and everything else stock in my 1999 f150.
Apr 13 2010 10:11PM
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ShredTheGnarnia
Posts: 2544 - Karma: 79
no, but highly recommended, since your stock hu wont have the RCA outputs you want to connect to your amp
Apr 13 2010 10:13PM
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blong131
Posts: 2193 - Karma: 59
threadjack cuz ya got me reminiscing

my car before the whole system got jacked:

Apr 13 2010 10:13PM
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rickety_cricket
Posts: 909 - Karma: 34
Definitely get a head unit first. Even a cheaper one like $120 will do wonders for your stock speakers. Then from there pick a decent brand of speakers I'm pretty partial to Polk audio but alpines are sick too. An amp will make your speakers hit harder and better all you'll need is a cheaper 4 channel they go from 50-upwards of 300. IMO you really do not need a sub I have amped 6x9 Polks and they put out enough bass for me to be satisfied with. For a decent set up you'll be looking around $400-$600.
Apr 13 2010 10:19PM
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worldwideweapon
Posts: 248 - Karma: 11
get some P3s and some alpine amps and you will be blastin nikka shit all day
Apr 13 2010 10:41PM
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ianz2
Posts: 412 - Karma: 50
what is the difference between mono amps, 2 channel amps, and multi amps?
Apr 13 2010 11:03PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
Perfect. 400 to 600 is exactly my price range and I may just not get a sub.
Apr 14 2010 12:43PM
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skibikeclambake
Posts: 2346 - Karma: 27

Opinions on Kicker?

Just curious, I dont actually have the spending power to buy anything, but im curious to see what others think.

Apr 14 2010 12:51PM
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ninjea
Posts: 2083 - Karma: 28
I have 4 Focal 16'' speakers, splits in the front, a 400w amp and and Infinity sub. All i need now is a new head unit. Definitly get a good head unit first because if your head unit sucks, then it dosen't matter how good your speakers are. I would suggest looking into alpine, I personally want to buy a alpine ida x305. I am also really happy with the Focal sounds system, you should check out their website. If you want good sound you shouldn't overlook a subwoofer, adds a lot to the sound.
Apr 14 2010 1:04PM
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zachimo
Posts: 159 - Karma: 10
Kicker products are unreal
my buddy has a 15" L6 i think it is and it absolutely pounds (like a 15" is expected to)
As long as you have the right amps powering the sub, it's all good. Also, he's got his car layered twice in dynamat to reduce rattle

Personally, i'm an infiniti guy. Component speakers, Perfect 12" sub, 600W amp. (alpine deck)
And it all sounds really good
Apr 14 2010 1:24PM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
i have a 98 cherokee. and with a little bit of cutting and folding the metal in the front doors you can get 6.5 speakers to fit easily up there, i have a set of polk components in the front, 6.5 alpine type R components in the rear paired with an old alpine amp i had laying around, and i have a 10" alpine type R sub matched with an alpine amp. and alpine headunit. i spent about 350-400$ total on the entire system.

look on craigslist for deals. i traded my stock headunit straight up for the alpine one. got the two alpine speakers for 50 bucks on craigslist, sub i got for 100 on ebay... just look around and piece together your system its easier than you think
Apr 14 2010 1:40PM
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ECB
Posts: 6991 - Karma: 622
I had a 99 grand cheorkee before it died (over 200k miles). I just ebayed some speakers, subs, sub box, and it sounded as good as my friends who spent lots of time and money. I think my subs were like 30 a piece (got 2), a sub box for 40 dollars, and then my dad helped me with wiring (we used telephone wire because it was cheaper) The amp is the really expensive part that i spent 120 on but wish I spent more to get a nicer one.......
Apr 14 2010 1:45PM
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hellomynameisjef
Posts: 5794 - Karma: 167
ok right now i have narrowed it down to some options

Head Unit - Alpine CDE-100
Amp - Alpine 500W Class D
Speakers - Alpine Type S 6-1/2" (Pair)

and if i get an Sub
Sub - Kenwood 10" 4-Ohm
Apr 14 2010 3:48PM
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vincepru
Posts: 5474 - Karma: 17
i like where your going except for the kenwood sub. imo if your gonna get a sub get something quality and top of the line. my friend had a kenwood and it sounded like shit. save up a little more dough and get a 10" alpine type R. it sounds great, nice and crisp depending on what music your listening to. and it can bump just as hard as the big subs. either that or a 10" JL sub.
Apr 14 2010 5:42PM
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antwone
Posts: 1352 - Karma: 157
they should be both as good or if u want one to be better, it should be the amp imo
Apr 14 2010 5:45PM
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andersteeze
Posts: 1047 - Karma: 30
threads
Apr 14 2010 7:09PM
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*Koolaid*
Posts: 1242 - Karma: 16
Im in the same boat...Except I think im going for a double din Nav unit for the headunit...I think...
Apr 14 2010 7:13PM
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repthe301
Posts: 47 - Karma: 11
thread
Apr 14 2010 7:22PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
I have a 99 cherokee my system is getting kind of old but still sounds good.

Alpine CDA-9813 head unit, you can probably get the equivalent for about 120.00

Went to a disount audio place and got a set of 4 infinity perfects for pretty cheap, long time ago so I can't recall the price though but they sound great.

Then 2 JL W3v2's 12" in the back with a JL 500/1 amp and to be honest, in a jeep this is much more than I needed, I have everything set pretty low, but on certain wavelengths the car still rattles, espevially the dome light. Take the cover off the center light and that helps, but its right near your head when driving so you can still hear it. 1 10" W3v2 would have been better probably. So just a heads up on that.
Apr 14 2010 7:27PM
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