Advice for a beginner

[NZHawk 0]

Hey,

Im fairly new to all this Car Audio stuff, and have no idea what is 'good'. There is so much choice nowadays with all the brands (Alpine, Memphis, FUSION, etc, etc) and would like help on choosing my first set up.

I have about 1,000 $NZ (About 700-800 US$) to spend on Speaker's, Sub(s), and amp(s). I dont need a head unit as I am building a CarPC for the music.

So what would you recommend?

NZHawk,

[jcarter1885 995]

What vehicle will this go in, what electrical upgrades have you done or will you do? How much room is available for an enclosure, do you have a general idea of what you want? What type of music do you listen to, any goals?

[Argent Audio 54]

Jay-Cee asked all the correct questions I will check back later.

Andrew

[NZHawk 0]

This will hopefully be going into an Audi A4 Quattro 1997 or 1998.

I have not thought about any electrical upgrades, should I? (I know the carp pc will run fine on the standard battery 12v circuitry)

Aims:

• Dont make it look crap, must look proffesional (Even though its my first project)
  
• Dont fill the boot.
  
• Decent sound quality with minimal distorion when LOUD
  

I listen to anything tbh, just would like it to be capable of great bass (techno, electro etc) and capable of a ranges of frequecies (rock, pop, etc).

Thanks.

[lithium 358]

two more questions-

since your building a car pc are we talking active or passive xovers?

how would you like to budget this money? focus on subs? front end? somewhere in between?

[thebiggmann12 14]

also, how much room are u willing to dedicate in ur trunk to put a box in? actual demensions would b great.

[NZHawk 0]

@ lithium

Im not sure about the active and passive x overs. I would hope to be able to use coax from the mobo to the amp, like I do on my home theater, although I think im dreaming with this in a car? The mobo has 5.1 out, I would use splitters to convert the 3.5mm speaker outputs to RCA (Front L+R, Back L+R, SUB).

I would also like a good overal system, so somewhere in between.

@ Brandom Daily

Erm, as I dont have the car currently, I cannot give actual dimensions. Although Ive a few photos:

The boot is 460 Litre.

[thebiggmann12 14]

yea ur gonna have to get the diameters of the trunk but i would say a single 12 setup would b fine...looks like plunty of space...check out the ssa subs, i.e. the dcon icon and xcon...they are supposed to sound great and get loud if u want them to. hook em up to the appropriate sundown amplifier (on sale right now in the ssa store) and then u should b good to go.

[JASON123 1]

SSA Dcon 12D4 (2) + Sundown Audio SAX-125.2 Combo not a bad deal .Look in the ssa store.

[NZHawk 0]

SSA Dcon 12D4 (2) + Sundown Audio SAX-125.2 Combo not a bad deal .Look in the ssa store.

I understand that this would be subs only, What about actual speakers?

[Notorious97200 339]

With this budget, you could just buy a powerful and "cheap" 4 channels amplifier and a sub.

You would use 2 channels for your front speakers and bridge the 2 other to run a sub.

Look at the Cadence amps, or Alpine pdx, or Sundown.

A 4 x 100 watts at 4 ohms amp should be enough.

You need a component set for your front speakers.

Which one have you listened to? What do you like?

Don't forget shipping costs ! You're in NZ! Damn !

[NZHawk 0]

With this budget, you could just buy a powerful and "cheap" 4 channels amplifier and a sub.

You would use 2 channels for your front speakers and bridge the 2 other to run a sub.

Look at the Cadence amps, or Alpine pdx, or Sundown.

A 4 x 100 watts at 4 ohms amp should be enough.

You need a component set for your front speakers.

Which one have you listened to? What do you like?

Don't forget shipping costs ! You're in NZ! Damn !

Ok, Sounds alright lol, Cheap but good

Ive had a look at the amps you suggested, Looks wise, the Alpine PDX is great lol. Looks arnt everything though.. Which model of the Alpine PDX would you reccomend to power everything? (I presume we are talking 2 speakers (front) and one or two subs here), I take it the price will be more if I would get 2 front, 2 rear + sub? If so, again, which model would you recoomend?

I understand that my question may be boring and nothing new to you guys, but its all way over my head lol.

Thanks.

EDIT: About shipping, yea its a pain sometimes , Ill hopefully try and find a cheap retailer here.

Edited March 7, 2010 by NZHawk

[kjones 2]

What about Kicker?

[NZHawk 0]

What about Kicker?

I didnt think people generaly rated them here?

[Notorious97200 339]

With this budget, you could just buy a powerful and "cheap" 4 channels amplifier and a sub.

You would use 2 channels for your front speakers and bridge the 2 other to run a sub.

Look at the Cadence amps, or Alpine pdx, or Sundown.

A 4 x 100 watts at 4 ohms amp should be enough.

You need a component set for your front speakers.

Which one have you listened to? What do you like?

Don't forget shipping costs ! You're in NZ! Damn !

Ok, Sounds alright lol, Cheap but good

Ive had a look at the amps you suggested, Looks wise, the Alpine PDX is great lol. Looks arnt everything though.. Which model of the Alpine PDX would you reccomend to power everything? (I presume we are talking 2 speakers (front) and one or two subs here), I take it the price will be more if I would get 2 front, 2 rear + sub? If so, again, which model would you recoomend?

I understand that my question may be boring and nothing new to you guys, but its all way over my head lol.

Thanks.

EDIT: About shipping, yea its a pain sometimes , Ill hopefully try and find a cheap retailer here.

pdx 4 x 150 or 4 x 100, or the Cadence 175 x 4

Forget about the rear speakers, you don't need them !