Could use some help. Kind of in over my head...

**bigboibbp** · 04-25-2012

Hey guys,
Hopefully some of you car audio guys can help me. i just decided that I'm going to be keeping my GP Gt for as long as it lasts and i have decided that its time to invest in a good sound system. Not really looking to blast rap music so loud you can hear me a mile away, im a dj, love house music and would like to be able to hear and feel my music in my car.

I've decided on a pioneer Deh-p9400bh as the headunit (unless anyone has some really bad reviews), Not really looking to upgrade speakers just yet (swapped stockers to some cheap-ish kenwoods less then a year ago, but its on the list for later this year). Will most likely need an amp (was thinking of going pioneer as well, but a buddy told me they were crap, don't know if i should believe, speakers are about 220w max not sure on rms but can get the info). Now as far as subwoofers... My trunk space is more valuable then square footage in a ny penthouse) i need something that is either small and out of the way, or something i can take out fairly easily, thinking about a bazooka sub, but I'm not really familiar with car subs. Not really looking for a sub that will wake up the neighbors, just something small and subtle. sound Processing... don't know!

Budget... ~500 willing to go a bit over (not including installation, have a few buddies that will do it for me)

Any help would be great.

Also... just wondering if its normal that my taillights turn on when braking even when the car is off...

**rynoman03** · 04-25-2012

You're not going to like that bazooka if you listen to house music. You need something that will give you some thump. If your not wanting to occupy alot of trunk space i'd buy I800's custom built 12 inch enclosure and get an amp that will power it.

Check this thread out.

http://www.grandprixforums.net/alpin...ims-60132.html

I've been debating selling my 10" Kicker w/ box but it'd probably cost a fortune to ship it.

**Kevin Whitehead** · 04-25-2012

From the sound of things, you'd be best looking into some shallow mount subs if you want to save space but still want some kick!

**Fatboy501** · 04-25-2012

Honestly, I'm willing to bet that a single Sundown SA-8 in a ported enclosure (will be very small) with a decent 600rms amplifier will more than satisfy your bass needs, and your space requirements.

**rynoman03** · 04-25-2012

I've heard those sundown 8's. Pretty meaty for a 8" subwoofer!

**I800C0LLECT** · 04-25-2012

It's not a space saver but probably best performance you'll EVER see at this price

P1022 | 10" 400-watt dual voice-coil subwoofer | JBL US

**rynoman03** · 04-25-2012

What's the power and space requirement for that ?

Think this would power it? http://www.retrevo.com/s/Audiobahn-A...52ci758/t/1-2/ It's what i have now.

**tc300** · 04-26-2012

ouch!! $500 ish isnt really gona get you a good quality system imo... unless you find some KILLER deals at the audio forums for sale section.. i would look over at caraudio.com or caraudioclassifieds.org

**tc300** · 04-26-2012

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

It's not a space saver but probably best performance you'll EVER see at this price

P1022 | 10" 400-watt dual voice-coil subwoofer | JBL US

have you heard these b4..?? i know there not gona hang with FI Q but was maybe thinking of doin a 4 12 sealed set up again...

cant find any specs on them either..??

**bigboibbp** · 04-27-2012

Originally Posted by tc300

ouch!! $500 ish isnt really gona get you a good quality system imo... unless you find some KILLER deals at the audio forums for sale section.. i would look over at caraudio.com or caraudioclassifieds.org

~500ish for headunit, sub, and amp i think is reasonable. Im getting the head unit at dealer cost which has saved me quite a bit, and the sub averages at about $170... willing to spend another few hundred (over) for a good pair of amps...

Installation will be taken care of by a buddy of mines, so at the moment I'm projecting to be on budget with 1 amp, and with the 2nd amp ill be at a reasonable amount...

now the speakers i got in there right now will do, not looking to replace those just yet, but will do within the next couple of months.

if someone could suggest a good amp to run this all (and crossover if the one on the head unit is insufficient) then i think i will be in good shape. kinda wanting to go pioneer with the amp, but not sure how good they are. at the moment i can get pioneer, jvc, and jbl/harmon at dealer cost so sticking with those brands would be ideal, however if something is well worth the price i won't count it out.

please keep in mind, I'm not building a sound system for a show car, its my daily beater, but if i could get the sound in it on par with/or better then the stock system in my x3 then ill be happy.

Thanks all for the help so far.

**GTPSHAWTY** · 04-27-2012

i gotta damm good system for under 500 hell 3 12's hu 1500 watt amp for 200 bucks all togeher

**KeithGTP03** · 04-27-2012

Originally Posted by bigboibbp

~500ish for headunit, sub, and amp i think is reasonable.

Things have changed since I got out of the game. My HU cost $480, subs anywhere from $150-800 a piece, and amps from $500-1000 a piece. Now I see prices on the equipment that Ive owned for half that. As for the Pioneer amps, my experience with them....they run hot and cut out due to poor soldering at the RCA's. Mind you, this was 7 years ago so they may have addressed this in their newer models. I do know that I can not blow their subs. I have some from 11 years ago that are still kicking. And I have never run anything but Pioneer HU's. I just do not like the look of the single dins since they switch to the single knob back in 06.

**bigboibbp** · 04-29-2012

Anyone have a suggestion on amps? (For that 8 in sub and the ken woods I currently have)

**papaspanky** · 04-29-2012

I had a 10" bazooka and they are sensitive to placement in the trunk once I got that figured out it sounded pretty good and rattled my car.

**I800C0LLECT** · 04-29-2012

Originally Posted by tc300

have you heard these b4..?? i know there not gona hang with FI Q but was maybe thinking of doin a 4 12 sealed set up again...

cant find any specs on them either..??

I hate to be that guy...I'm kind of burned out on trying to help people choose gear. The sub I posted is better than the rockford p3 deal I posted another. *shrug* Do whatever makes you feel good?

EDIT: Because I'm a jerk and my comments don't offer anything

**bigboibbp** · 04-29-2012

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

I hate to be that guy...I'm kind of burned out on trying to help people choose gear.

Trust me, I understand that I'm the one asking for help and I appreciate the help given so far... BUT, what productivity does this post bring to the table?

congrats on raising your post count with a completely useless post. Again, I appreciated the suggestion but the post quoted above really came off the wrong way ( to me at least)

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

The sub I posted is better than the rockford p3 deal I posted another. *shrug* Do whatever makes you feel good?

While the sub you subgested may be somewhat better then the SA-8, I'm looking for the smallest possible, I'm willing to sacrifice bass for space. (assuming your referring to the SA-8, not sure what a rockford p3 is)

**I800C0LLECT** · 04-29-2012

Originally Posted by bigboibbp

Trust me, I understand that I'm the one asking for help and I appreciate the help given so far... BUT, what productivity does this post bring to the table?

congrats on raising your post count with a completely useless post. Again, I appreciated the suggestion but the post quoted above really came off the wrong way ( to me at least)

While the sub you subgested may be somewhat better then the SA-8, I'm looking for the smallest possible, I'm willing to sacrifice bass for space. (assuming your referring to the SA-8, not sure what a rockford p3 is)

I was responding to questions about the sub I posted for you. Think I'm a jerk? Go read up on aperiodic enclosures and good luck. Now I'm done with your thread.

**bigboibbp** · 04-29-2012

Originally Posted by I800C0LLECT

I was responding to questions about the sub I posted for you. Think I'm a jerk? Go read up on aperiodic enclosures and good luck. Now I'm done with your thread.

Well thank you for the suggestion on the sub again, I did read up on it when you posted, I will also read into that. (currently reading this: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi...nclosures.html )

That being said...

If someone could suggest an amp/set of amps wit crossover if needed that would be great, If everyone else thinks I'm a jerk for my post that's fine as well, the suggestions I have gotten have been very useful and I have read up on everything that had been suggested, and I do appreciate the posts that have been helpful.

**I800C0LLECT** · 04-29-2012

You're good people

I get easily frustrated with the audio forum these days because people usually want hand outs without actually applying the information. I would tell you first and foremost that anything mechanical is going to heavily influence your sound. MUCH more so than an amplifier. However, it's the little things that count!! The sundown SAX-100.4 is VERY flexible with it's crossover network and it's a very well built 4 channel. Unfortunately, it is ~$350. Sometimes you'll find one for sale around $200.

If you can't find an amplifier that has what you want you can't go wrong with audiocontrol

New Audio Control 2XS Electronic Crossover | eBay

I've been referring people to boston acoustic amps as of late because they're getting out of the game and they have some very nice amps. The problem with boston is that people seem to think they need 2043892.3 jigawatts of power these days. Their amp ratings are conservative from everything I've read about them.

Boston Acoustics Certified Refurbished Products | Refurbished Speakers | Refurbished Radios | Discount Speakers

Personally, I'd stick with the GT series since it's made in Italy...or supposed to be. Anyways, hope that helps. Keep posting

**bigboibbp** · 04-30-2012

It did help very much. If that sundown amp is worth it I really don't have a problem swinging that. I'll look around and see if I can find it in the 200's I'd not I'll take a look at the BA.

Thanks.