Opinions on gear wanted

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

Hey guys,

After having a 2002 Blazer with a pair of 12" Type-R's in a not great box (it would still knock the breath out of you at the right frequency), the truck was sold and I am looking to get back into the hobby. Probably going to get a 2003 Blazer, my questions are on gear and I'm looking for your personal opinions. I want mostly SQ with some thump (the great paradox).

Here's what I'm thinking:

Head Unit: McIntosh MX406 http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=CarAudioSource&ProductId=MX406

Subwoofer's: (2) RE SX 12 http://www.audiosavings.com/products/12-Inch-Car-Subwoofer/NEW-RE-AUDIO-SX12D2-SX-12-2000w-CAR-SUBWOOFER-SX12-D2/SX12D2.aspx (the older ones not the SXX or whatever)

Front Stage: Alpine SPR-60C http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/spr-60c

Rear Stage: Alpine SPR-60C http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/spr-60c

Amp for High's and Mid's: I have http://www.soundqubed.com/AQ-1204_p_150.html

Amp for Subwoofer's: Either http://www.soundqubed.com/AQ3500D1-Amplifier_p_32.html or http://www.sundownaudio.com/index.php/products/amplifiers/item/saz-3500d.html?category_id=3

Batteries: Either Kinetik http://kinetikaudio.com/2009/default.asp or XS Power http://4xspower.com/shop/product-category/12v-agm/

Capacitor: Not sure who makes good caps

Sound Deadening: SDS (not really sure I never used it although I knew I should)

Equalizer: Audio Control EQS (http://www.audiocontrol.com/t34/5248/14160/Trunk-Mount-Equalizers/EQS-Six-Channel-Trunk-Mount-Equalizer.html)

Crossover: Audio Control 6XS (http://www.audiocontrol.com/t34/5251/18487/Car-Audio-Electronic-Crossovers/6XS-6-Channel-Electronic-Crossover.html)

Wiring: I have a bunch of 1/0 Knu wire so I should be ok

Alternator: Mechman (perhaps)

Would appreciate anybody’s .02 cents on any of the gear or suggestions where you see fit. I know I could get Focal Utopia but my budget isn't that large. Thanks fellas.

[shizzzon 461]

Nobody makes a good capacitor advertising-wise

Why do you need rear stage?

Why do you need an equalizer?

Why do you need an external crossover?

Batts- XS Power over Kinetik. For daily, you can go with XS XP line, Deka Intimidator, Diehard AGM Platinum Marine Line, Carquest NGT Xtreme.

Alternator- DC Power= bulletproof performance, long wait ; Mike Singer= Nice alts, cheaper price.

[Impious 1,476]

What is your budget? More details on your goals?

Just off the cuff.....ditch the Audiocontrol gear. Significantly better single package digital processor solutions to mess around with the outdated analog Audiocontrol gear. Depending on your goals and needs it might even be a wise decision for simplification to replace the HU with something that as features built in. Ditch the rear fill....if you absolutely must have something back there, just keep the stock speakers ran at a greatly attenuated level.

Personally I'm a Kinetik guy.

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

So any cap will do... I see a lot of Stinger caps being used.

I generally have people in the back so I want there ears to bleed along with mine.

I don't "need" an EQ or external x/o but always thought they were items that were needed that I just never bought.

I figured the Alpine's already had x/o's so I didn't need the other one but I wasn't sure.

As far as use it will be a daily maybe some mild comp but I wont get crazy. Budget isn't really a problem I would just have to save up for better products.

What may you be suggesting as far as "Significantly better single package digital processor solutions to mess around with the outdated analog Audiocontrol gear."

[reelfish92 54]

Have you checked out Arc or Focal? They are some quality speakers.

http://www.wooferset...ufacturerid=122

http://www.crutchfie...l_speakers.html

Edited September 8, 2012 by reelfish92

[ricksi30 923]

There are better options for your speakers and subs. What is your budget? What are your goals?

[ricksi30 923]

How much does that McIntosh run? 1000+ I'm guessing, why did you choose that head unit?

[reelfish92 54]

The Pioneer DEH-880PRS is an awesome headunit, 16 band eq, 5v preouts. Those Alpine 6.5s cost a lot ($299.99), there are components out there with better quality in that price range.

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

The last line of my OP says if I could I would eventually go Focal but thats not in the budget. The budget is in the 300 range for the components and maybe 200 for cap the HU is really the only area atm that I am willing to splurg since that is where all the audio quality really starts. The only reason for that unit is because I hear it is the best (so why not). I do like Pioneer's HU my last one was and I loved it. If you have suggstions for the components let me know so I can do some research along with any other item especially the sound deadening since I'm not sure on that. Thanks for all the posts so far. The goal like I wrote earlier is to have some really good SQ from my front stage and a good amount of bass from my RE's.

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

I think I'm leaning toward that AudioQue for the sub amp that sundown is amazing but the price tag is pretty steep.

[ricksi30 923]

I would HIGHLY suggest you look at a cheaper head unit and use the extra money on speakers. Look at the pioneer 800, 880, or 80prs.

[SS Teacher 177]

The vast majority of people on this forum will tell you that caps provide very little to no benifits at all. If you have a great front stage, you really don't need much (if any) rear stage. I drive a Challenger, not an SUV, but no one has ever complained it wasn't loud enough from the back seat.

[ricksi30 923]

And yes ditch the cap. Seriously you budgeted 200 for a cap and only 300 for speakers?

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

Thats why you guys are here..to suade me away from bad investments. I will ditch the 1300 dollar McIntosh it is gorgeous but the Pioneer DEH-80PRS is also technically sound. And from one to the next some say cap others say not so I will probably just invest in a better secondary battery. I see people with multiple "runs of 1/0" from the context a run is bringing the negative from the rear battery to the front battery?

[ssh 924]

The last line of my OP says if I could I would eventually go Focal but thats not in the budget. The budget is in the 300 range for the components and maybe 200 for cap the HU is really the only area atm that I am willing to splurg since that is where all the audio quality really starts. The only reason for that unit is because I hear it is the best (so why not). I do like Pioneer's HU my last one was and I loved it. If you have suggstions for the components let me know so I can do some research along with any other item especially the sound deadening since I'm not sure on that. Thanks for all the posts so far. The goal like I wrote earlier is to have some really good SQ from my front stage and a good amount of bass from my RE's.

Your distribution of funds are highly misplaced.

Spending an incredibly large portion for a fancy head-unit isn't going to yield some supreme SQ. There isn't any reason why any other decent head-unit won't do everything you need for less, and without any discernible difference.

Personally I wouldn't bother with rear speakers as any decent front stage will be plenty loud for listeners in the rear. If you feel you must, then I would attenuate the rear speakers in regards to the front.

As previously mentioned you don't need a capacitor, and it WILL NOT help. The current draw from any one of those amplifiers is more then enough to instantaneously discharge the capacitor of all it's reserve. All it would be doing is drawing power from the batteries/alt, discharging, and drawing again, etc. The high output alternator and battery reserve will be all you need. I've never used mechman, so no comment. I've used DC Power, and their alternators are awesome, but their customer service is severely lacking at times, and I wouldn't be surprised if it took them several months to get you your alternator.

Sound deadening: SDS. That is a no brainer.

Why would you buy that crossover for a component set? Sure you could use the speakers in an active setup, but if your planning doing an active setup then why not pick some drivers geared towards your goals instead of compromising.

Why do you feel you need an EQ? I'm not saying you don't need it, but don't buy it for all the wrong reasons. The processor I currently have is awfully fancy with tons of flexibility, and I only have two slight EQ adjustments.

The idea of having to spend a billion dollars on a McIntosh headunit and Focal Utopia set for SQ is pretty damn far from the truth. The end result will primarily depend on the installation, although that's not to say you can make any drivers work either.

[ssh 924]

Thats why you guys are here..to suade me away from bad investments. I will ditch the 1300 dollar McIntosh it is gorgeous but the Pioneer DEH-80PRS is also technically sound. And from one to the next some say cap others say not so I will probably just invest in a better secondary battery. I see people with multiple "runs of 1/0" from the context a run is bringing the negative from the rear battery to the front battery?

+ is power, - is ground.

Alternator case is grounded to engine, and frame. (-)

Output stud on alternator is connected to front starting battery at positive post. (+)

If you do upgrade to a high output alternator, your going to want to add larger wire from the output stud on the alternator to the positive battery terminal. You'll likely also want to add larger wire from the negative battery post to the frame, and engine ground.

A run of 1/0 would most likely imply one 1/0 wire going from the front starting battery's positive post / terminal to the rear of the vehicle for powering an amp, or another battery(s).

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

Any suggestions then for front stage components.

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

Are the Focal PS 165 good enough they are in that same price range and I figure they are a boost in SQ but the max imp. on those is 160 and my amp will do 170 at 2 ohm. It wont damage them will it?

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

Scratch that the KRX2 seems a better fit. But give me some suggstions.

[ricksi30 923]

Any suggestions then for front stage components.

What is your budget if you ditch the cap and McIntosh?

[ssh 924]

Are the Focal PS 165 good enough they are in that same price range and I figure they are a boost in SQ but the max imp. on those is 160 and my amp will do 170 at 2 ohm. It wont damage them will it?

Max power 160watts?

Either way, your fine. There isn't any such thing as under powering.

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

True true, bonus question what kind of wire are you guys running im going to use 0 awg thats for sure but what brands are you guys using. There seems to be a great discrepency about who likes what. I have some Knu 1/0 but when it comes to 8 awg and such I could use some help.

[SS Teacher 177]

There is a fairly thurough review on wire on this forum. Have you tried the search function yet?

[PhillBoy20XD6 0]

Btw I already have an optima red top for the front battery so I was thinking an XS power D2700 in the back (is that overkill)

[ricksi30 923]

You seem like you are all over the place man. If you want help state a budget, your goals, and any equipment that you already have.