Hi everyone. Need some help spec'ing a new system out for my '01 Corolla.
**Little Background**Corolla is not my main car. With gas prices going up, I need to park the Durango for awhile. However, I need to bring the Corolla up to standards for my daily commute (45mins one way). Plus, the typical running around.
My music tastes are mostly rock. Linkin Park, Tool, Metallica, etc..., and the occasional "80s hair band". I'm looking for a head unit that I can use a IPOD (via IPOD cable) and a XM Skyfi2 (via an AUX jack) with.
As for sound, I want something that has some punch to it. Doesn't have to raddle the windows, but something that just comes through with the bass drums and bass guitar. I guess some good examples would be the beginning of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" or even "One" and feeling that punch of the drums/bass drums building up. Or, Filter"s "Nice Shot", and feeling that opening bass line in clarity. There's probably other examples I can give, but I hope that gets my idea of what I'd like my speakers to do.
***So, it seems, I don't have a problem finding a head unit to meet my needs. I think the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X492, Pioneer DEH-P4000UB, or the JVC KD-PDR50 would fit. Or, maybe I could go cheaper.
But, after that.. I get lost in spec'ing speakers...2/3/4way,component or mix it up?...do I need an amp?.., or should I add a powered sub to the package (no enclosed)? It gets confusing after awhile. Especially, when you read all the reviews, and message boards.
I know this all boils down to a budget. Up front, I think it would be a bad investment to spend a lot of money on a system for this car. I'm trying to keep it reasonable, and still come out with a nice sounding system (if that's possible with a humble budget). Anything has to be better than, what's in there now.
I'd say ball park figure, I'd like to stay in the $300 range (including any additional cables, wiring, etc..), but at the most $500.
Thanks in advance, with any help on this.
Hey vox, join the fray of those who park their larger vehicles for a while.
Depending on the speakers you get you may or may not need an amplifier. There are certaintly plenty of aftermarket speakers that can do very well with just a good head unit giving them power. If you're concerned about it not being loud enough find speakers with good sensitivity, and for a little bass, frequency response should go pretty low.
Check out this comparison of specifications of 6 1/2" speakers for a good example of how it can vary, and price is not always a determining factor.http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/ProdComp.asp?g=52000&s=0&c=3&cc=01&compareItems=023GTX652&compareItems=113KFC1661&compareItems=158GT1625A&compareItems=107DB651S&compareItems=065S65RCAll of those should be fine running on just the head units power but some of them you won't be getting the full potential out of them without one, so unless you plan on adding one to your system down the road you might not want to spend the money on speakers that can accept more power.
As far as getting a powered sub, they are a great addition to any system. You get more low frequency "oomph" and give your music more depth, but this is usually the most expensive part of a sound system. So, while you may or may not get one, you could get just the head unit and speakers for now and then see if you would like to add a subwoofer to your system.
Music is subjective. Everyone's ears are different. The best way to tell what you would like is to listen to everything you can. Any friends/co-workers/family members that have a system, ask if you can listen in and make your own judgements (sometimes better left to yourself too! ). At the very least, pop by your local retail store that carries car audio gear and listen to the differences of manufacturers, speaker material, 2-way vs. 3-way and so on. Good luck with your project :)
You might see my Don't Overbuy thread as well.
The music you picked out is pretty bass-heavy and for that to sound good you will really want either an external amp or a powered (or non-powered and amped) subwoofer.
However, most of the powered subs are going to be around $150, most of the HU's are going to be around $130-$150, and then you still need speakers.
I would recommend first listening to as much as possible and listen to speakers at retail off an aftermarket HU and turn them up as much as you can (without distortion) and see how that sounds.
From there, you could either go with a HU and 4-speakers and maybe add an amp down the line, or you might be able to work a less expensive HU, four speakers and a two-channel amp for the front running the rears off the HU. (Or two speakers and an amp and the HU and add rear speakers off the HU for "fill" later.)
The other caution(s) are to not cut corners on the HU - I really like being able to run USB off a thumb drive (but then again, I don't have an iPod) - but ... The HU is the focal point of the system and you will use it everytime you get in the car. If the speakers you decide on don't sound quite as good as the $150 more/pair ones that were in the store, you won't be listening to the other ones and it probably won't bother you. If you are really used to pre-set pushbuttons and you pick a $20 less expensive HU that doesn't have pushbuttons, it will irk you every time you change stations (just an example).
Also, you have to use the specs as a guideline - they can help, but trust your ears more than a 5 Hz difference in frequency response.
2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs
Thanks Silver Storm and Tigerheli for the replies. Thanks for the link to your write up, also.
I've been out to Best Buy and Circuit City (limited on places that sell car audio) to try out the speakers. However, some models/brands are not to be found. So far, only the Polk Audio db651s seem to have a good sound to me. However, I'm curious about the Infinity Reference 6022si. I went out to some mom and pop stores today to see, if I could find the 6022si's. But, a majority of them carried brands I've never heard of or can't find on here.
I might just get a HU and 4 speakers, and then add an amp and a sub later. Maybe the HU and 4 speakers will do just fine.
Leaning towards the Kenwood HU. Kenwood Excelon KDC-X4Then decide between the Polk and Infinity speakers.
If I did decide on an amp, I figured I would go with a 4 channel amp. Maybe something out of this group. The Profile HA1040 seems like a simple solution for some added power and price (not sure on the brand's rep though). I saw that a 2 channel amp might be another solution by just powering the front speakers.
vox:However, I'm curious about the Infinity Reference 6022si. I went out to some mom and pop stores today to see, if I could find the 6022si's. But, a majority of them carried brands I've never heard of or can't find on here.
Infinity will tend to have crisper, brighter highs, while Polk will tend to have a more natural sound. Also some people feel Infinity is lacking in the low frequency response if you don't have a subwoofer.
Yellow Tag store often carries Infinity - tip - they often don't have the same display items at all stores, so the one five miles away might have speakers that the local one does not.
I hate buying without hearing items first, but CF will take any items back with free shipping if they aren't what you want.
If I did decide on an amp, I figured I would go with a 4 channel amp. Maybe something out of this group. The Profile HA1040 seems like a simple solution for some added power and price (not sure on the brand's rep though).
It really comes down to matching the amp to what the speakers you pick can handle. Profile is a good brand. They are somewhat more entry-level quality, but they would not be at CF if they weren't good (if that makes sense). I somewhat like the AP series (AP740) over the HA1040 for the longer warranty and a few other features, but it comes down to whether you need 80W, 60W, or 40W. Alpine is a very good brand, as is Kicker and Rockford Fosgate. I personally don't care for Pioneer amps and not crazy about Kenwood, but that's somewhat personal preference.
The 4-channel amp gives you some good options - for example, you can amp all four speakers with it, or you can amp only the front speakers with it and bridge the rear channels to drive a subwoofer.
I saw that a 2 channel amp might be another solution by just powering the front speakers.
You could do that also ...
I might just go with Polk then. Just because, I've been able to see them in person. But, I might venture out tomorrow to look some more. Want to make this the last week I drive my Durango, and get everything ordered and installed by next weekend. That $75+ at the pump is killing me, lol.
On a side note, forgot to mention the reason I'm leaning towards the Kenwood HU is due to the Pioneer in person was a bit meh.. The reviews for that one, or pretty much dead on in regards to the controls. I haven't seen the specific Kenwood model I've listed, but I did see the KDC-MP338, which is pretty close. Like I said, hopefully tomorrow, I'll come across some more selection to compare with. Any other recommendations on HUs are welcomed also.
vox:I might just go with Polk then. Just because, I've been able to see them in person. But, I might venture out tomorrow to look some more.
Just to throw another wrench in the works .
If your car takes 6.5's you might want to read the reviews and see what you think of the SPS-17C2's. $60 dollars a pair instead of $100, and CF generally recommends amping the Polks, but the Alpines will work off the HU or could handle 50-60W RMS if you did amp them.
Any other recommendations on HUs are welcomed also.
Threw out some more options for you to look at. Personally, I'm a big fan of Pioneer, but it has to be a deck that you like. I already mentioned that USB input is a plus.
One thing you might consider (and I somewhat wish I had with my radio) - the Kenwood MP-438U has a front USB and Aux input jack - that is convenient if you plug in a USB flash drive or the XM tuner when you get in the car and take it with you when you leave (I think the iPod connection is separate, not sure). If you want to get a USB hard drive or leave the SkyFi in the car permanently, you have a bunch of cables hanging out of the radio and it looks a bit sloppy as well as telling potential thieves there is a bunch of wiring in here (and maybe something worth stealing connected to it). If I had it to do over (and if it bothered me enough, I guess I do), I would rather have those in the rear (and you can always run an extension cable around to the front in a convenient location for incidental usage). The Pioneers have that (and the DEH-P5000 looks a bit better), as does the KDC-X792 which adds a three-line display for the iPod and is on sale for $180 now (I know I'm going the wrong direction on price for you, but I knocked $80 off your speakers and added $20 to your deck, so overall you're $60 ahead.)
HTH!!!