I am curious on what would be the best buy which would give optimum sound for the money. I am looking to purchase some type of stereo system for my car which would include: highs, mids, tweeters, subs, headunit etc. If anyone has any suggestions please send me an email or pm.

Thanks,
J-Vo

 

CD Deck...Amything really with 4v or higher preouts. Lets say $200

Component Speakers - $200-600
Amp for Components $150-$300
Subwoofer- $150-$600
Amp for Subwoofer - $300-$600
Amp Install kit - $25-$99
RCA Cables $20-$80

Hmm...thats just about all i can think of what you'd need now.

If you'd like brands, i could list em all now.

I will tell you this, Good car audio will cost you. Unless it's a hobby, or you KNOW you want a system with optimal sound, it wont be cheap. I jumped right in about a year ago, and never looked back. Now that i did, i've spent in excess of $3500 ...Whew..that'd be a lot of booze, or a new used car. I dont know. Im happy though

 

There really is no optimum sound. Speakers are a very presonal prefrence and everyone tends to like things a bit different. There are certain brands you should probably stay away from but as for which one is actaully better its all preforance.
Its my hobby and i can tell you its not been cheap. Most hobbies i know are expensive

 

sure there's optimal sound.

Kenwood 6.5's, and Pioneers 6.5's are not optimal sound.

Im talking a nice setup...like Focal/Mb Quart components, Elemental Designs woofers, Arc or Zapco amps. etc...

That is optimal. Someone running a full setup of Rockfords Punch series...is well...not optimal. maybe to them it is, but they've never really heard pro audio though. Can you really sit there and compare a JL W7 and Elemental Designs e12a to something like a rockford HE or Alpine Type S woofer? No. I mean, you could, but why?

We all can agree on one thing though. Stay away from Lightning audio, and Pyramid as well. Dont say we didnt warn you

 

Looks like someone has been swallowed by the machine that is marketing....those are some pretty bold, close minded opinions...

For what it's worth, I don't particularly care for Focal or MBQ speakers. What is "optimal" for one person can sound terrible to the next.

One thing that is a rule in audio...install is everything...there are guys out there who could use all Pioneer gear and decimate the average installer who uses the "best" products....often people make the mistake of thinking most expensive = best.

Just some food for thought.

 

Fair Enough.

If your Pioneer gear makes you happy, then so be it.

I know everyone has their own tastes. But if im so wrong, why do i never see "oh man! my Pioneer woofers sound AWESOME! Why bother spending money on a w7 when these are just as good?!"

Or maybe i should rephrase myself and say that Focal, Mb Quart, or JL are *higher quality* audio brands.

I never said you had to care for MBQ or focal. Most people dont care for them anyways.

So what makes you run ID or Arc Audio? Is it because it sounds optimal to you? I would say that it's because they are higher quality car stereo components, which in turn, will produce better sound.

If not, why didnt you just go with with an all pioneer setup?

Im not saying the products i mentioned are optimal. I know Car audio has alot to do with preference. But saying i got sucked into the marketing machine by pointing out that some companies make higher quality products than others? : /

 

Pyramid and Sony are both products to stay away from.

 

Not all car audio is created equal. JVO what is boils down to is how much you want to spend, who you know, and what you can get discounted on.

example: local shop guy, you buy all your stuff from him and he marks you off a few hundred for spending a few thousand. Or if you spend a few hundred he knocks of a few tens.

The key here is how much do you want to spend? What are you looking for in your system SQ(sound quality) or SPL (sound pressure level)? What kind of mods you might want to make to you car.

Those three will get you started.

I am still building my system on paper, gotta know before you buy. research research research.

 

Just to let you know, some of the best SQ cars out there use Pioneer gear, and some use all Pioneer...I don't know why you are so hung up on Pioneer being a bad brand. Their mainstream is well....mainstream, but they make more products then that.

That's a more accurate statement

But above you called them optimal....I was just trying to point out that if it's my cars, then it's my ears....I had better make my ears happy, not the next guy's....

1. I got great deals on them
2. I prefer the sound of horns to "conventional" speakers
3. Both are california based companies
4. Excellent build quality
5. Good competitor and customer support
6. They sound great to me

No where did I mention the word optimal....just b/c something is higher quality it doesn't automatically mean better sound...

If a Pioneer ODR or P9 setup worked for my application, I probably would have gone with them. Pioneer makes some great amps too....Same goes for a Sony XES or the C90/XPD-4000x combo....I'm even considering ditching my Clarion head for the Sony C90 or 910....wow, an SQ guy who would like to try Sony and Pioneer gear...shocking!!!

But what about this post that you made....

Sounds to me like you did call those products "optimal"

No, the reason you got pulled into the marketing machine is not b/c you like products that are of higher quality....I can't blame you for that. It's because you appear to be close minded enough to doubt that with the proper install, you can take average gear and make it sound great.

Now we are talking (especially the last line)!! Take it slow, research gear, go out and listen to everything you can. Then create a plan and stick to it.

Remember, it's less of what you buy, and more of what you do with it that will make a good audio system. You have to get the install right otherwise "optimal" setups are not so optimal.