Intro to systems

[buickid 0]

Ok, so as the description describes... I've never built a car system before, and I don't know whats good and whats not. I do have some experience with home audio, so I'm not completely clueless when it comes to the technical.

I ask your assistance in helping me choose audio components that sound pretty good, and are mid-range in price.

System will probably be built into a 2nd Gen Scion xB. I'm quite the SPL lover, I get a crazy grin when the mirrors start vibrating. SQ isn't so much important to me, but I want to be able to hear the words, just a little at least.

The xB has a 8 1/32" deep, double din factory headunit. The front and rear speakers are both 6 1/2".

Given that, I'm on a limited budget, and will probably buying one piece at a time, and slowly building it.

I'm thinking that since I'm on a budget, and the car being audio'd isn't the biggest in the world, it would be good to just have one good subwoofer that can slam. If I ever get a bigger car, or more money, I can always add another sub and more amps. I'm all about expandability.

To start, I will need the following, feel free to correct me if I leave something out.

HU -

iPod Connectivity -

Tweeters -

Mid-ranges -

Subwoofer -

Sub Box -

Tweet/Mid amplifier -

Sub amplifier -

Power Cable - Something from KnuKonceptz?

RCA Cable -

Dash kit -

Maybe a battery -

If something isn't there, let me know! I'll be updating this list as I select components.

I'll start with the HU

I don't need DVD or Nav, just something that will play CDs and have an iPod hookup, optional or standard. One of those attenuator buttons would probably save my rear... And from what I've read, the higher the Preout Voltage, the better. I'm guessing most HU can play MP3 CDs, so I won't worry about that. The xB is a Double DIN, but there are adapters for that, correct? Also, I don't want a really fancy looking HU, I don't know how well it will blend in with the interior.

Tweeters - I have no idea who makes good tweeters. The MB Quarts in my friend's ride (Two DD 15"s, hes nuts too) sound pretty good, but again, I don't know who makes good stuff. Suggestions?

Mid-ranges - Again, no idea who makes good ones. A couple people I've talked to said that Polk made good budget speakers, but you guys are the experts!

Subwoofer - The good stuff here. I've looked at the Fi Audio, but people say they're overpriced. I've heard DD subs, and they rock, but I would think they're pricy. I'm looking at 1500W, and later, 3000W bridged to another amp, so the sub should be pretty beefy. A 15" would be good sized for the xB I would think. The most bump for the buck, so if that means one good DD or Fi, I'm not adverse to that.

Sub Box - I might be able to fab something, or have a local shop build something. I have no idea what calculations to do, but I'm willing to learn.

Tweet/Mid amp - I'm not sure who makes good amps for this purpose, but I'm thinking that I'm not going to need too much power.

Sub amp - Now pretty much all I've read about is the SD 1500d. From what I've read, its pretty much awesome. If I get one, I could always strap it with another later for 3000W. But if theres other amps out there that do the same job for a better price, then I'm open to that.

Cable - I don't know how big of a cable I need, but I'm guessing 4G would do the trick to the sub amp, and something a little smaller to the high/mid amp.

Dash kit, not sure who makes good ones, or where to get em...

And battery... Will 1500W need a new battery? I wouldn't mind having an optima or some other heavy duty battery under there just for reliability's sake.

Thanks for helping me out. I love bass, and I have some serious boom in my room, but would love to have some on the road too. If you could also let me know the best places to buy these things, that'd be spectacular too.

Mahalo,

Trevor

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Aloha Trevor!

Lets take it one step at a time. Welcome to SSA. As for head unit, the more experienced members here on SSA, who have been through a good number of head units, tend to learn towards Pioneer/Eclipse/Alpine. I personally prefer Eclipse, but also have a Pioneer. And yes there are adapters for double din openings, unless you wanted to move to an double din head unit.

I will comment on one thing, who ever said Fi subs are over priced, does not have a clue at all. They are factory direct.

[dem beats 1,223]

Aloha Trevor!

Lets take it one step at a time. Welcome to SSA. As for head unit, the more experienced members here on SSA, who have been through a good number of head units, tend to learn towards Pioneer/Eclipse/Alpine. I personally prefer Eclipse, but also have a Pioneer. And yes there are adapters for double din openings, unless you wanted to move to an double din head unit.

I will comment on one thing, who ever said Fi subs are over priced, does not have a clue at all. They are factory direct.

I agree on the Fi statement. They sell a great product for the price. You haven't heard anything in a brick in mortar store that comes to their quality unless it's a verry special install shop, but the big box stores have nothing that can come close.

[buickid 0]

Hmm, looks like a Fi it is. I'm thinking Ill just go with a single SD 1500d for now, and when I can afford another one, strap it. Whats the optimal box for a BTL15?

[johnecon2001 82]

I can comment all day long on your electrical needs.

If you plan on running 3000w later in life the minimum gauge wire you need to run is 1/0awg. Since you want to run 2 Sundown SAZ-1500D's I add more of the same gauge when you buy the second amp (read 2-3 runs total).

For your first simple setup with just one amp, you should look at the Big 3 upgrade and a slightly bigger/better battery under the hood to replace the stocker. Nothing crazy, just something with a little more reserve and a higher capacity.

[amatt85 0]

when u decide on ur sub and other stuff...pm me and i will be more than happy to help u out with ur enclosure and tuning...

[sqguy 0]

If you want the boom, then I'd get your good sub/amp combo and get/build a nice ported box or what it needs....get your wiring and battery in there. But then if you don't care about SQ much why not use some good coax 6.5s? They can sound plenty nice enough, you would save the hassle of more amps/crossover/install. Unless you just want comps anyway, nothing wrong with that of course just thinking you could save money or get more boom and have the system in faster that way.

[buickid 0]

Thanks for the replies. I might just go with some coax 6.5s. I think I've settled on the BTL12 or 15, depending on how much space an enclosure would take. As far as the amp, I think I've got it down to a Sundown 1500d.