Hi guys, haven't been on here in a while... I was recently inspired (after riding in a friend's car) to start tinkering with my system again which I really haven't done much since I built it in spring of '09. I originally had the system in my 93 cavalier, in which it was a huge improvement over stock. Then when I got rid of the cavy, and got my 2000 sunfire, I listened to the stock stereo for a few days before transferring the sytem into it, and I was dissapointed as there was not a whole lot of improvement.
That was a year ago, since then I have swaped from my dual head unit with hd radio and mp3 cd, to an older sony xplod with out hd, or mp3, but it does have better eq functions, selectable sub out with low pass built in, higher power, and slightly better SQ.
The system in current form: sony xplod CDX-GT10W(23.2W rms, 52W max), stock front 4x6 components (premium six speaker package), sony xplod 6x9's in the rear(not sure of numbers, dnt feel like pullin them out), Dual PBA2150 amp(150 rms at 4 ohms) driving two kicker comp 10's in a prefab rear ported box with plexiglass front.
I am not happy with my sound quality or volume, my biggest complaints are that my highs and mids sound tinny, and my speakers are easily overloaded by the strong bass signal from the sony head.
My subs are ok, as I am not a real big basshead, only occasionally.
I just want to do a small upgrade at this time, not wishing to completely redo my system. My budget is around $150-$200. Can anybody recomend an ugrade that would give me the most bang for my buck? Would I be better off to replace the rear coax 6x9's, or the front 4x6 components, and if I go with 6.5 components will I be able to run them without an amp? What about speaker brands?
Thanks in advance, and sorry about the length.
You COULD run some decent components without an amp, but you will never get their full potential until you can put good power to them.
Are you against waiting longer and upgrading better? Right now you have a lot of low end stuff, and I would really think about waiting until you can upgrade a little more. For 150-200 you could get some good 6.5" speakers up front and then make some 1/2" or 3/4" mdf baffles to mount them. But it also sucks buying what you can afford now, and then wanting to upgrade later.
But at the same time, I do understand people(like myself) who aren't good at saving a large sum of money for toys, and just piecing it together as you go. Speakers now, amp later, then a new amp or box for your subs etc...
How I would do it, since install has a LOT to do with it, see if you can get a good box fabricator to make a new, nice box for your subs, get a decent 4 channel amp and some good front components. remove the rears or fade more towards the front, install and tune EVERYTHING nicely and then start looking into a better head unit. The only issue is that upgrading takes time/money and $150-200 will really just do the front speakers if you want to get a set you will be happy with long term.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
"You really need to staple your face shut"-THE Joey Baggs.
The problem is that I really don't have any money to spend on toys at all, as every penny I make goes to college expenses. I have plenty of money right now that I COULD spend on toys, but then I won't be able to buy groceries next semester
That being said, I'm getting overtime this week for the second week in a row, and I'll be damned if I'm not going to spend a litlle bit. $200 is What I'm allowing myself. Maybe $250
Turn the bass down on the deck so that the speakers are not being overpowered, then turn UP the gain on the sub amp to compensate for the volume lost by turning down the bass (don't clip).
Can you not fix the 'tinny' quality of the speakers with the deck's EQ?
I am currently listening to my system with some of the bass pulled out of the deck, but it's not the same, in my opinion, subs do not sound good playing notes in the 100-200 hz range, which SHOULD be played by the speakers. Subs only really work well under 100hz. And as for my highs being tinny, I can take out the highs, but then I have no highs, so the answer to ur question is no.
Yeah, my sub is crossed over at 56Hz, I know what you mean.
I guess the Q factor of your deck's EQ's treble setting is too wide. Look in to some quality 6.5's, preferably with silk tweeters to smooth out the high end.
Those JBL's I don't have any personal experience with, but those JL's are ok. Decent, ok, entry level JL stuff. Nothing over the top, but not the WORST lol..
The options I can throw at you from Rainbow in your price range would be these:
From Rainbows Dream Line:
http://rainbowcaraudio.com/csx265.html for $210 shipped
http://rainbowcaraudio.com/slx230deluxe.html for $195 shipped if you want to get 5.25" components and save some coin and still get quality.
And if it's in the budget to step up into the Sound Line, I am actually offering 15% off regular price on all Sound Line components right now so the price is as good as it's going to get ever.
For your 5.25" option in the SLC components you have these
http://rainbowcaraudio.com/slc230-25ng.html for $235 shipped
And the 6.5" option in the SLC components are here
http://rainbowcaraudio.com/slc265-25ng.html currently at $245 shipped
Obviously these are more money than the ones you just linked from Ebay, but figured I would open up your options to something higher end if you wanted.
Just remember, while these will be BETTER than stock speakers, off head unit power they will be QUIETER. Do not blast a nice set of components by cranking the volume to compensate because the head unit is only throwing 10-30 clean watts of power before distortion and clipping. Those speakers(that you listed as well as I listed) are designed to be played with more power than any head unit is going to give them so when you get an amp they will be absolutely amazing in comparison to stock. But off head unit power, they will be lacking in volume until you can give them more power. Just a heads up so you don't hurt your new speakers, no matter what one's you buy.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
"You really need to staple your face shut"-THE Joey Baggs.
Nutswinger
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
"You really need to staple your face shut"-THE Joey Baggs.
Yes, I definitely plan on getting an amp. What are some brands I should definitely avoid?
there are lots to avoid. what would your amp budget be? it's easier to give you brands to look into that are in your price range, than all the ones to avoid.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
"You really need to staple your face shut"-THE Joey Baggs.
I went ahead and bought the jbl speakers, because they had excelent product reviews on every website I looked at, while the JL's had mediocre reviews. The speakers are 2 ohm impedence, so I am looking for a four channel amp (I want to amp the rears also) with 50-75W rms at 2 ohms. I want to spend 150 or less. Also, since myb head unit only has one set of rca's, i need an amp with speaker level inputs.
Can it be done?
or you can run a line out converter...... you don't need speaker inputs on the amp. Also, why do you need a 4 channel for those components?
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
"You really need to staple your face shut"-THE Joey Baggs.
the 6x9's in the rear are rated at 60W rms, so I thought I would try to amp them as well.
You don't know what you're talking about dude. My balls are so big they got an opening act.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
"You really need to staple your face shut"-THE Joey Baggs.
