Planning to upgrade the sound system - please advise - 05lib

[andy_eca]

Hi guys,
Im planning to upgrade my car's sound system in this week,
here is the list, please give me some advises.
And Im not sure the size of the speakers, please advise.

HU: Sony XAV-701BT 7" DVD
SUBS: Cadence XBP121
AMPS: Cadence Xa300.1 | http://www.cadencesound.com/products/X1.html
FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS: JL AUDIO C2-600 (6inch, not sure the original speaker is 6.5" or 6", if 6.5" can use C2-650)
6x9 SPEAKERS AT BACK: KICKER DS693
BACK DOORS SPEAKERS: WILL IGNORE THESE TWO SPEAKERS AND INSTALL THE 6x9 SPEAKERS.

So is this list alright? or any other suggestion?

[rooby]

It comes down a lot to personal preference and budget.
I could say go and spend $5K on something else and get better sound but you might not have or want to spend that much on car audio.

I would not do 6x9s.

If I were updating the rears I would just put decent ones in the doors. The rears are only for fill anyway so no need to cut up the parcel shelf. Especially if you are running a sub.
If I were on more of a budget I would leave the rears stock and spend the front and rear money all on getting the best splits I could afford for the front.

Should be 6.5" in the front I believe.

If I was going to run splits I would get an amp to run them. Especially if I had a sub with amp.
If you only want one amp you could consider a 5 channel amp or a 4 channel running the fronts and sub with the rears running straight off the head unit.

If you are on a budget also take into account other costs of install, like wiring and head unit surrounds.

Sound deadening like dynamat is great if you have the extra monies.

And definitely listen to the speakers with your music of choice before you buy.
Last time I bought speakers I had my eye set on the top of the range model but ended up with the mid range one after listening to them both, because they sounded better with my type of music to my ears.

[zch91]

Forget the rear speakers. Good quality splits up front and sub in the rear will do you just fine. No 6x9's, I have no idea where you would mount them anyway, custom hack up job on the parcel shelf?

As Rooby said don't for get about the cost for a headunit facia (~$400)

[andy_eca]

It comes down a lot to personal preference and budget.
I could say go and spend $5K on something else and get better sound but you might not have or want to spend that much on car audio.

I would not do 6x9s.

If I were updating the rears I would just put decent ones in the doors. The rears are only for fill anyway so no need to cut up the parcel shelf. Especially if you are running a sub.
If I were on more of a budget I would leave the rears stock and spend the front and rear money all on getting the best splits I could afford for the front.

Should be 6.5" in the front I believe.

If I was going to run splits I would get an amp to run them. Especially if I had a sub with amp.
If you only want one amp you could consider a 5 channel amp or a 4 channel running the fronts and sub with the rears running straight off the head unit.

If you are on a budget also take into account other costs of install, like wiring and head unit surrounds.

Sound deadening like dynamat is great if you have the extra monies.

And definitely listen to the speakers with your music of choice before you buy.
Last time I bought speakers I had my eye set on the top of the range model but ended up with the mid range one after listening to them both, because they sounded better with my type of music to my ears.

Thank you for your suggestion.
So you're suggesting upgrade front 6.5" splits, rear door 6" speakers (6" on back door?), amps and subs?
I will try to listen to the speakers before I purchase, thanks

[andy_eca]

Forget the rear speakers. Good quality splits up front and sub in the rear will do you just fine. No 6x9's, I have no idea where you would mount them anyway, custom hack up job on the parcel shelf?

As Rooby said don't for get about the cost for a headunit facia (~$400)

Yes, I think its quite difficult to install the 6x9" speakers, a lot mod works.
I got the facia already from Japan, now waiting the HU,
and will get the spakers when I got the HU.

[mihai]

Forget the rear speakers completely. Spend the money on a better sub and amp.

Also, the C2-650's are rated at 60W RMS. Are you planning on running an amp for these or off the headunit? As the headunit will not output anywhere near what these speakers are capable of.

If you are looking at a sub under 300W RMS, I'd recommend getting a decent 4 channel amp. Running the front speakers off channels 1+2 and the sub off channels 3+4 bridged.

[andy_eca]

Forget the rear speakers completely. Spend the money on a better sub and amp.

Also, the C2-650's are rated at 60W RMS. Are you planning on running an amp for these or off the headunit? As the headunit will not output anywhere near what these speakers are capable of.

If you are looking at a sub under 300W RMS, I'd recommend getting a decent 4 channel amp. Running the front speakers off channels 1+2 and the sub off channels 3+4 bridged.

Thanks mate,
I don't really need high output subs,
just searched online and did some research,
quite like the Kenwood KSCSW01 Subwoofer and Pioneer TSWX110A Space-saving Amplified Sub,
I may install one of it and looking for an suitable amps.

[mihai]

What are you trying to achieve from the sound system?

Because I'll tell you right now, those compact self amplified subs output next to nothing. The only one that I've heard good things about is the Focal one. But then again, that one doesnt come cheap.

[rooby]

If you don't want ridiculous lows I would recommend a single 10" sub.
More punchy and responsive, but a bit less mega lows. Depends on your preference.

Decent 6.5 splits in the front and a 10" sub will give a great result.

In the past I have been super happy with 6.5" and an 8" sub due to space constraints, but 10" would be better.

Seems your original speakers and amp options would set you back around $650 ish.

At that price (based on my preferences and previous listening, I haven't looked at audio parts for a while), if it were me I would lean towards something like:
Polk Audio MM6501 6.5" splits - $290 (heaps of mid bass, which I love)
Polk Audio MM1040 10" sub OR MM1240 12" sub - $220
Soundstream LW4.620 4 channel amp - $255 (run fronts and sub from this)

Total: $750 ish.

Prices are what I found with 5 mins of searching, you might be able to get better deals.

Also, with something like that you need a sub box, but you can get sealed enclosures starting from around $40-$50.

Just one example, the problem is there is so much to choose from

[seanmau5]

As mihai said, don't waste your time with the powered subwoofers. I had a Kenwood KSCSW01 and at first I thought it was awesome, until I heard my mates system.

[andy_eca]

What are you trying to achieve from the sound system?

Because I'll tell you right now, those compact self amplified subs output next to nothing. The only one that I've heard good things about is the Focal one. But then again, that one doesnt come cheap.

Thank you. I get your point.

[andy_eca]

If you don't want ridiculous lows I would recommend a single 10" sub.
More punchy and responsive, but a bit less mega lows. Depends on your preference.

Decent 6.5 splits in the front and a 10" sub will give a great result.

In the past I have been super happy with 6.5" and an 8" sub due to space constraints, but 10" would be better.

Seems your original speakers and amp options would set you back around $650 ish.

At that price (based on my preferences and previous listening, I haven't looked at audio parts for a while), if it were me I would lean towards something like:
Polk Audio MM6501 6.5" splits - $290 (heaps of mid bass, which I love)
Polk Audio MM1040 10" sub OR MM1240 12" sub - $220
Soundstream LW4.620 4 channel amp - $255 (run fronts and sub from this)

Total: $750 ish.
......

Thanks Rooby, I found a car audio shop online today,
they have showroom and I will try the list you suggested in-store.
Ya I agree, too much choices.

[andy_eca]

As mihai said, don't waste your time with the powered subwoofers. I had a Kenwood KSCSW01 and at first I thought it was awesome, until I heard my mates system.

Thanks for let me know

[andy85]

If you don't want ridiculous lows I would recommend a single 10" sub.
More punchy and responsive, but a bit less mega lows. Depends on your preference.

Decent 6.5 splits in the front and a 10" sub will give a great result.

In the past I have been super happy with 6.5" and an 8" sub due to space constraints, but 10" would be better.

Seems your original speakers and amp options would set you back around $650 ish.

At that price (based on my preferences and previous listening, I haven't looked at audio parts for a while), if it were me I would lean towards something like:
Polk Audio MM6501 6.5" splits - $290 (heaps of mid bass, which I love)
Polk Audio MM1040 10" sub OR MM1240 12" sub - $220
Soundstream LW4.620 4 channel amp - $255 (run fronts and sub from this)

Total: $750 ish.
......

Thanks Rooby, I found a car audio shop online today,
they have showroom and I will try the list you suggested in-store.
Ya I agree, too much choices.

Mate you're in Sydney... Just head down to FHRX and get it done once and RIGHT! =]

[andy_eca]

Final List:


HU: Sony XAV-701BT 7" DVD ~$600
Splits: JL AUDIO C2-600 ~$194
SUBS: JL AUDIO CP112W0-4 ~$195
AMPS: PIONEER GM-D7500M - $199
----------
Installation: $450 For all of these things,

The prices are the cheapest I can find online,
is this final list good?