Need Audio Advice

[HQuakers]

Can you guys critique my selections? I am in now way an audiophile, nor do I know much about this stuff (did a lot of reading to figure out wtf RMS and ohms means, lol). I have had Boston Acoustics before and liked them very much. If you can suggest an alternative around the same price that sounds better, I'm all ears. Also, I am not looking to set off alarms, nor rattle my car or other people's cars-I'm simply looking for a better sound, as well as a little louder so I can hear it well enough over both windows being open on the highway. I don't listen to rap, but more rock, alternative, and country (flame on).

headunit: stock HU (Reason is I use CDs all the time and NO MP3s and I like the way it looks and functions...might change to an Avic down the line, but the stock Blaupunkt will do for now..)

Front Speakers:
a) Boston Acoustics sx60 components (65W RMS, 4 ohms each) w/tweeters in stock tweeter location - $150
b) Boston Acoustics sx60 components (65W RMS, 4 ohms each) w/tweeters in custom mount on the window defroster - $150

Rear Deck:
c) Boston Acoustics sx65 2-way (50W RMS, 4ohms each) - $100
d) Boston Acoustics s65 2-way (35W RMS, 4ohms each) - $65
e) none

Sub:
f) 1 interior side panel box with 10" JL Audio sub
g) 1 interior side panel box with another sub (recommendations for subs around 500W RMS and not too too expensive?)

Amp(s):
200w Alpine to power both the components and rear decks
500w Alpine to power the sub


Any advice or help is appreciated. Thanks.

[4DR_DB7]

I sense a "my brand is better than your brand" pissing contest coming on here.


Your selections are fine imo. If you are only using 1 sub, I would go with a 12, it will give you deeper, fuller bass and won't leave you wanting more.

You will need a 4-channel amp for the component and 2 ways; and will probably need a bit more than 500w for the sub amp to adequately power a nice 12" sub.

Seems like you are well on your way. And yeah, Boston speakers are really nice and colorful sound.

[OMGz Turbo]

a true 500w MONO amp would work perfectly,

[4DR_DB7]

Originally Posted by OMGz Turbo

a true 500w MONO amp would work perfectly,

if your sub is rated @ 500w RMS @ the impedance the amp is running at to produce 500w. then yes.

[Willdue]

Alpine subs/amps suck. Just FYI, they get very hot and overheat.

[DPancoast]

JL Audio amps with heatsink are very reliable. When I worked at World Wide Stereo, we tested them

[gdmbat85]

To be completely honest it's not so much the speaker selection as it is the amps you choose. Boston acoustic speakers are good, my only few advice points is that you stick with a single type of sub. 10" subs tend to yield a crisper punch while 12s tend to be more for sound level. personally id stick with 10's. Alpine is one of the best amps you can get for interior speakers. Their amps are really designed well to handle high frequency sounds. As for sub amps that are more for power, I'd go with either a rockford fosgate or JL audio amp. Make sure you find matching impedence equipment.

[Willdue]

yea, Amps/Caps make a world of a diff. Depends what you want. I have 2 12" Eclipse subs powered by a cap and Orion Amp, and the **** is redic loud. I cant read stop signs if its turned up more then halfway. But it can also be adjusted to be a nice crisp clear bass. But again, dont skimp on any part, especially the amp.

[OMGz Turbo]

True, im running 2 12" JLW3's off 800W's pioneer, no cap, no aftermarket battery and its dumb loud. In the neon when it was in there i use the same setup but with a 20 micro farad stinger cap, and a optima yellow top its alot louder IMO


Personally i would sway your amp choices else where and infinity>boston

[Willdue]

Get a 2gauge power wire, use the same gauge wire for the ground, get a cap, and a good amp, and youll be golden basically.

[igo4bmx]

Originally Posted by gdmbat85

To be completely honest it's not so much the speaker selection as it is the amps you choose. Boston acoustic speakers are good, my only few advice points is that you stick with a single type of sub. 10" subs tend to yield a crisper punch while 12s tend to be more for sound level. personally id stick with 10's. Alpine is one of the best amps you can get for interior speakers. Their amps are really designed well to handle high frequency sounds. As for sub amps that are more for power, I'd go with either a rockford fosgate or JL audio amp. Make sure you find matching impedence equipment.

the speakers are the biggest factory for sound- I get the most dramatic change with speakers.
I would ignore rear fill.

[HQuakers]

Originally Posted by gdmbat85

To be completely honest it's not so much the speaker selection as it is the amps you choose. Boston acoustic speakers are good, my only few advice points is that you stick with a single type of sub. 10" subs tend to yield a crisper punch while 12s tend to be more for sound level. personally id stick with 10's. Alpine is one of the best amps you can get for interior speakers. Their amps are really designed well to handle high frequency sounds. As for sub amps that are more for power, I'd go with either a rockford fosgate or JL audio amp. Make sure you find matching impedence equipment.

Definitely going with the 10" because I am looking for more of a punch rather than crazy bass.

I bought the sx60 components and s65 two-ways. I am waiting for the box to arrive to see how much mounting depth I have...I think it will be 5.5" or less. Once I know that, I will be looking at subs, then amps to power everything.

Thanks.

[Paintballislife]

Look into Memphis audio, they have GREAT amps, i had a 500 rms amp running a 10: audibahn 10qt in a 1.6 sq ft vent truck box sounded amazing and i loved it for 3 years. If it is a good quality 10" and amp and you are jsut looking for improved sound and hit then do that, a 12" is really just for volume. 10" lets you feel the snare drum, 12: lets you feel the bass. so to speak.

[HQuakers]

Little update...I'm going with:

DD Head unit...ignoring it's internal amp.
SX60 65w rms Components
Elemental Designs SQ10
Alpine PDX4.100 - 2 channels bridged to the sub, each remaining channel to each component
crapload of sound deadening in the cabin

Thanks for everyone's help.