when i first found this site my mission was a nice sq system
that i could fit the limited space of my truck,trying to keep the cost under 500.00 and sort of relive my youth.i have since leaned some very good lessons that i am sure are not of my own learning..before i go to far this is this is the list of componets..
pioneer supertuner 3 (mid 1990s)
2-pioneer 6x9s(new)
1-sony xplod 12" sub (new)
1-crossfire tek 50.2 amp (new)
2-garden variety tweets (new)
1-prestige pa-2100 amp (mid 1990s)
i have since put many hours of research into not only set up but products, applications,wiring,box design,sound deading etc. (close to 150hours in less than a month).
there are realistic conclusions that have come from all of this research.
i must digress for a moment and share the results of my install.i am pleased with the overall install.i was very dilligent in following the advise i received from the golds and others onthe this site and all went well.performance on the other hand was lacking.the system plays without disstortion at most any volume.spl that shook my house from thirty feet away.i now know that loud and clean are two different animals.
today removed the sub enclose the sub amp and the rest will come out tomorrow.
sound quality and clarity is what i wanted but what i really got was a cheap imitation.
the biggest lesson i learned from this car audio exploration is you really do get what you pay for.... THINK
ps.i am not bitter but gratefull for this audio lesson and am starting designs for a new but much more quality system..
mike
Replies (5)
swez on 02/28/2004 19:01:00
Ya know Mike, that was a great testimony to what we preach here so often. Quality sound requires quality install practices, quality gear and a good ear.
Like you, I am an older guy... probably the oldest.. (Call me Mathusala) if you like, but there really is no substitute good speakers in all phases of an install. The mid/tweets for clarity and accuracy and enough clean power to get them to potential and... a good sub machine.
Even though some of your components are old school (Tuner, sub amp) you can still use them. The 2 channel amp is not too bad either. But for speakers, try updating to a nice set of quality Components like CDT cl-6a. For $150 a pair, they are outstanding! Does that HU have RCA outputs and any EQ?
As for the sub(s) consider 1 good sub. There are many out there to choose from, in all price ranges. Can alway dial back on the amp power if you don't need all that juice.
When you are done muttering to yourself and ready to revamp, come back and let's see if we can help you build a system you are very proud to own.
Swez
PS I am really sorry to hear your dissappointment... but there is a plan for recovery. Hang in there... all is not wasted or lost.
alanjlamore on 02/28/2004 19:15:20
Any ideas yet about what you might get?
I recently redid almost my whole system. I used to have 2 10" sony xplod subs in an MTX thunderform enclosure with a class D bazooka amp and 2 5.25" sony xplod speakers with a sony xplod amp.
I have since upgraded to 2 10" infinity kappa perfect subs (350w rms ea) with an avionixx class T amp (400X2w rms bridged) and a pair of CDT 6.5" component speakers (90w rms) with my sony 75X4 amp (will be upgrading the amp soon).
All upgrades were from suggestions from this website.
Right now I'm waiting on the custom box I ordered then I can put my subs and amp in.
So far my SQ has been improved tremendously just by installing my CDT component speakers, even though they're not being fully powered!
I can't wait to install everything. I realy believe that I have greatly improved my whole system's SQ due to the suggestions here.
Keep us informed on what you decide.
saintanddolphin on 02/28/2004 20:37:29
Please understand that this topic was only ment to be a method of sharing my experience with this project and am in no way trying to hold an open court for this site or anyone here.The advice was awesome and definitive.i lay the blame of my disgust squarely on the shoulders of my wallet but this shall not happen in the future. LESSON LEARNED! I'll be back soon for more insight to cure my hunger for a system that would satisfy Motzart,Van Halen,Hank Willams jr.,Snoop Dogg and any one else that cares to grace my ears. Thanks for the love Swez and the rest I know you feal my pain..
Mike
swez on 02/29/2004 13:49:15
Yep... BTDT with similar results. When the wallet soley dictates the project outcome, bet to eat the elephant... one bite at a time.
Swez
PS But... we have some fantasic cheapskate shoppers here to help ease the pain on our wallets. Family matters come first... but your system does not have to be 3rd rate. Over time, you can recover from the blues... BB King style... with class. I have faith in you!
ttocs on 03/1/2004 12:59:44
that is a tough lesson to learn. Spend the money and time to finish and go,"is that all?"... I learned that lesson the same way, many more will also. There are places to get some fantastic deals if you know where to look.
One more lesson you will learn however, you will always want more, or something different.....
that i could fit the limited space of my truck,trying to keep the cost under 500.00 and sort of relive my youth.i have since leaned some very good lessons that i am sure are not of my own learning..before i go to far this is this is the list of componets..
pioneer supertuner 3 (mid 1990s)
2-pioneer 6x9s(new)
1-sony xplod 12" sub (new)
1-crossfire tek 50.2 amp (new)
2-garden variety tweets (new)
1-prestige pa-2100 amp (mid 1990s)
i have since put many hours of research into not only set up but products, applications,wiring,box design,sound deading etc. (close to 150hours in less than a month).
there are realistic conclusions that have come from all of this research.
i must digress for a moment and share the results of my install.i am pleased with the overall install.i was very dilligent in following the advise i received from the golds and others onthe this site and all went well.performance on the other hand was lacking.the system plays without disstortion at most any volume.spl that shook my house from thirty feet away.i now know that loud and clean are two different animals.
today removed the sub enclose the sub amp and the rest will come out tomorrow.
sound quality and clarity is what i wanted but what i really got was a cheap imitation.
the biggest lesson i learned from this car audio exploration is you really do get what you pay for.... THINK
ps.i am not bitter but gratefull for this audio lesson and am starting designs for a new but much more quality system..
mike
Replies (5)
swez on 02/28/2004 19:01:00
Ya know Mike, that was a great testimony to what we preach here so often. Quality sound requires quality install practices, quality gear and a good ear.
Like you, I am an older guy... probably the oldest.. (Call me Mathusala) if you like, but there really is no substitute good speakers in all phases of an install. The mid/tweets for clarity and accuracy and enough clean power to get them to potential and... a good sub machine.
Even though some of your components are old school (Tuner, sub amp) you can still use them. The 2 channel amp is not too bad either. But for speakers, try updating to a nice set of quality Components like CDT cl-6a. For $150 a pair, they are outstanding! Does that HU have RCA outputs and any EQ?
As for the sub(s) consider 1 good sub. There are many out there to choose from, in all price ranges. Can alway dial back on the amp power if you don't need all that juice.
When you are done muttering to yourself and ready to revamp, come back and let's see if we can help you build a system you are very proud to own.
Swez
PS I am really sorry to hear your dissappointment... but there is a plan for recovery. Hang in there... all is not wasted or lost.
alanjlamore on 02/28/2004 19:15:20
Any ideas yet about what you might get?
I recently redid almost my whole system. I used to have 2 10" sony xplod subs in an MTX thunderform enclosure with a class D bazooka amp and 2 5.25" sony xplod speakers with a sony xplod amp.
I have since upgraded to 2 10" infinity kappa perfect subs (350w rms ea) with an avionixx class T amp (400X2w rms bridged) and a pair of CDT 6.5" component speakers (90w rms) with my sony 75X4 amp (will be upgrading the amp soon).
All upgrades were from suggestions from this website.
Right now I'm waiting on the custom box I ordered then I can put my subs and amp in.
So far my SQ has been improved tremendously just by installing my CDT component speakers, even though they're not being fully powered!
I can't wait to install everything. I realy believe that I have greatly improved my whole system's SQ due to the suggestions here.
Keep us informed on what you decide.
saintanddolphin on 02/28/2004 20:37:29
Please understand that this topic was only ment to be a method of sharing my experience with this project and am in no way trying to hold an open court for this site or anyone here.The advice was awesome and definitive.i lay the blame of my disgust squarely on the shoulders of my wallet but this shall not happen in the future. LESSON LEARNED! I'll be back soon for more insight to cure my hunger for a system that would satisfy Motzart,Van Halen,Hank Willams jr.,Snoop Dogg and any one else that cares to grace my ears. Thanks for the love Swez and the rest I know you feal my pain..
Mike
swez on 02/29/2004 13:49:15
Yep... BTDT with similar results. When the wallet soley dictates the project outcome, bet to eat the elephant... one bite at a time.
Swez
PS But... we have some fantasic cheapskate shoppers here to help ease the pain on our wallets. Family matters come first... but your system does not have to be 3rd rate. Over time, you can recover from the blues... BB King style... with class. I have faith in you!
ttocs on 03/1/2004 12:59:44
that is a tough lesson to learn. Spend the money and time to finish and go,"is that all?"... I learned that lesson the same way, many more will also. There are places to get some fantastic deals if you know where to look.
One more lesson you will learn however, you will always want more, or something different.....
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