Best car audio
- Thread starter Joey D
- 30 comments
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- 1,161
infinity kappa is pretty sweet. but i like lots of sweet blissfull bass. and nothing compares to the pure power and quickness of the the beast (DD). check that baby out! man i love this thing..hehehehe
http://www.ddaudio.com/
http://www.ddaudio.com/
- 1,161
- 804
i dont know to much about in car audio equipment but i would have to say the HiFi Individual High Audio Sytem thats in my M5. its better that than the stereo in my house and the passenger and driver seats have LCD screens in the headrests to watch DVDs on. i dont know the specifications off the top of my head so i'll find my manual and post them later. 
- 4,036
Definitely JL Audio. They have the cleanest, most dynamic, most natural-sounding gear out there. http://www.jlaudio.com/
- 966
Well, I once eeked out a sort of near living as an audio engineer (how I paid for most of college; long story), and am pretty picky about audio systems. So much, even, that I can't say I've ever heard a car stereo that knocked me out. Home, yes, but not in a car.
Anyway, I went for a pretty stright forward, affordable system with a decent, clean sound for my most recent car stereo. Basically, I put in a Blaupunkt head unit/electronics driving Infinity Kappas. While I think there are better choices for home speakers than Infinity; they're not bad in the car.
I did hear some ads car speakers years ago which sounded good, but I didn't find any last time around.
By the way, when you're shopping for car stereo systems, you'll probably have to reset the bass and treble systems to flat to start getting an idea of what you're listening to. I noticed that, for some reason, a lot of people like to just crank up both ends in the store and drive it into distortion. If it's left like that, you'll cringe at everything you hear. Well, I did anyway.
Anyway, I went for a pretty stright forward, affordable system with a decent, clean sound for my most recent car stereo. Basically, I put in a Blaupunkt head unit/electronics driving Infinity Kappas. While I think there are better choices for home speakers than Infinity; they're not bad in the car.
I did hear some ads car speakers years ago which sounded good, but I didn't find any last time around.
By the way, when you're shopping for car stereo systems, you'll probably have to reset the bass and treble systems to flat to start getting an idea of what you're listening to. I noticed that, for some reason, a lot of people like to just crank up both ends in the store and drive it into distortion. If it's left like that, you'll cringe at everything you hear. Well, I did anyway.
Concept
(Banned)
- 7,297
Look guys all those audio companys are good and all but not near as good as the one I am thinking of. You all could ave like 10 15" speakers in your cars (if it would fit) and they ALL could not beat 2 1x1 inch speakers from this company. BOSE speakers will kill all speakers. Go check out the site. www.bose.com For a set of 5 jewel cubes that are 1x1 inch it costs $2,000. It is all high quality stuff. Nothing can beat it. It is the most respected name in sound.
- 966
By the way, is anyone else a bit disturbed that so many car stereo companies have gotten really lots-of-tiny-button happy, not to mention putting in floating graphic displays, etc.? I mean, that stuff may look impressive, but you have to operate the thing when you're driving. I think that concept got missed somehow. I had a hard time finding any good head units with an old fashioned knob for the volume.
Just felt like ranting. I'm done now. Maybe.
Viper: Bose is OK, but I can't say I've ever been all that impressed with them, either. Compared to other mass market stuff, they stand out, though. But my home system is made up of a bunch of stuff most people have never heard of.
Just felt like ranting. I'm done now. Maybe.
Viper: Bose is OK, but I can't say I've ever been all that impressed with them, either. Compared to other mass market stuff, they stand out, though. But my home system is made up of a bunch of stuff most people have never heard of.
- 368
Personally I quite like Sony stuff, certainly as far as the head units are concerned. Not sure what speakers I'd pick, but the Sony head units have always looked pretty good to me, feel solid, etc. Mine has been taking my abuse for a few years now and is still as great as the day I fitted it. I know Sony will never be the choice of someone going for a hardcore ICE setup, but for more budget oriented systems they are pretty good.
- 7,402
Factory Mazda stuff is good...the MPV's system is great, no need to mod it at all...my bro's MX-6 is great too but it's got an amp problem so not all the speakers work yet, he has the factory Mazda CD player and digital equilizer, it really fills up that space.
My dad's Probe GT is probably the best car I've heard, it's got the premium sound system, and my dad put in the factory Ford CD player(it's a radio too...unfortunaly, it was out of a Thunderbird so there's no clock...)an it's like wearing headphones when you get in it...
My dad's Probe GT is probably the best car I've heard, it's got the premium sound system, and my dad put in the factory Ford CD player(it's a radio too...unfortunaly, it was out of a Thunderbird so there's no clock...)an it's like wearing headphones when you get in it...
Are you kidding? Bose is the joke of the audio industry. They're right up there with the cable TV companies. Anyone who's had any experience with electrical engineering knows what's what with Bose. It is physically impossible for a single driver (okay, two same-sized drivers) to emit anything close to a smooth, natural frequency response.
Bose equipment boosts two frequency ranges: upper-midrange (voices, generally), and mid-bass (the rest of your voices and music). The rest is left to chance, and it never works. Why do you think Bose is so vague about specifications? Have you ever A/B'd Bose and quality speakers from, say, B&W? Infinity Preludes? Tannoy? Heck, Def Tech 3000TL's have a clearer sound than any Acoustimass setup. Even the crap you can get at the Wiz or Circuit City is better than Bose. They may make decent car stereo systems, but god forbid you should move away from a near-field setup....
Look, I install home theaters & distributed audio into one of the top markets (Westchester, NY) at a place that has been around since the early days of hi-fi (first distributors of Krell, e.g.). I know good sound when I hear it (and measure it). Bose is not it. Every so often someone comes in asking for Bose...well, it really riles me that marketing has succeeded over engineering again.
Unless, of course, you are joking. In which case, I totally agree with your sarcasm. :loudmusic
- 4,036
For car systems, JL and Clarion seem like a great combo for not an outrageous amount of cash.
For home Harman/Kardon and Paradigm walk all over anything else in the price range.
For home Harman/Kardon and Paradigm walk all over anything else in the price range.
- 966
OK, so Holligan's heard of the stuff in my stereo system. I was being kinder, though, towards Bose.
Streetracer: the best thing I can tell you is to go to several shops with your fav music and listen to systems. Don't go too nuts at once. Use only one head unit / amp to check out the speakers. Make sure there is no EQ on it at all. You want to compare everything as flat as possible.
I'd also suggest going ahead and listening to stuff that may be far beyond your price range, so you can get an idea of what different systems are capable of.
You might also want to listen to some really good home speakers as well, to kind of get in tune with what a nice system will sound like, if you don't already know. I think your best bet is a smaller independent shop than any chain retailers. (For home, places that carry speaker brands such as B&W, NHT, PSB, maybe Paradigm. If they also carry car audio, then check out whatever's there.)
Streetracer: the best thing I can tell you is to go to several shops with your fav music and listen to systems. Don't go too nuts at once. Use only one head unit / amp to check out the speakers. Make sure there is no EQ on it at all. You want to compare everything as flat as possible.
I'd also suggest going ahead and listening to stuff that may be far beyond your price range, so you can get an idea of what different systems are capable of.
You might also want to listen to some really good home speakers as well, to kind of get in tune with what a nice system will sound like, if you don't already know. I think your best bet is a smaller independent shop than any chain retailers. (For home, places that carry speaker brands such as B&W, NHT, PSB, maybe Paradigm. If they also carry car audio, then check out whatever's there.)
Joey D
Premium
- 47,467
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
Well I was talking to another one of my friends who thinks he knows a lot about car audio. He said Kef speakers are the best thing ever. I told him he was full of **** because i have never heard of kef before. I searched for them on sounddomain but couldn't find them. Has anyone ever heard of them before???
Also I still haven't got a system yet cause i'm waitind til i get my new car.
Also I still haven't got a system yet cause i'm waitind til i get my new car.
- 4,036
Kef make mediocre, overpriced home speakers last I knew. Dunno about car stuff, tho.
- 543
look every company you run buy makes half decent half ****ty and maybe one good speaker, or sub or combo or deck.
how much do you plan on spending? I'm going to deck out my car as soon as i get it with a system for around two large, if that's about how much you want to spend then i'll post what i'm putting in my car.
helpfule hints........
the crutchfield magazine is extremely helpful in educating people in car audio. the mag explains what makes a sub good, what you want from mid range speakers, and the difference between a quality deck and a terrible one.
right now you can pick up a pair of 12 inch jbl gt subs for 140 bucks. they aren't the best, but they are WELL worth the money. (if you want specs on them i'll post em just ask)
every company makes a good deck, my advice would be to stay away from big name brands to save a buck or two, but go with a deck that has a high resolution organic display. i like them, personal choice maybe.
how much do you plan on spending? I'm going to deck out my car as soon as i get it with a system for around two large, if that's about how much you want to spend then i'll post what i'm putting in my car.
helpfule hints........
the crutchfield magazine is extremely helpful in educating people in car audio. the mag explains what makes a sub good, what you want from mid range speakers, and the difference between a quality deck and a terrible one.
right now you can pick up a pair of 12 inch jbl gt subs for 140 bucks. they aren't the best, but they are WELL worth the money. (if you want specs on them i'll post em just ask)
every company makes a good deck, my advice would be to stay away from big name brands to save a buck or two, but go with a deck that has a high resolution organic display. i like them, personal choice maybe.
- 543
You can't make a very good, in fact you can't make a system for only 7 bills.
what does your system have in it now?
one of the first things you should get is a good deck, as to that will make stock sound half decent.
then with the maybe 3 bills you have left over try and replace some of your stock, i.e. your 6 by 9's or whatever you might have in your car. component speakers.
forget subs man.
with your full rangers i recommend something like a tsunami gsx-369 priced at 152 a piece. they're good.
there's an xplode model that isn't quite as load but a lot cheaper, the xs-4624 priced at 99 a piece. these seem to be a little bit more realistic to you.
like i said look into cruthfield read up in car audio mags and whatever, my recommends are to first get a new deck unless you already have a decent one, then replace stock compenents or if your car has full rangers do that.
what does your system have in it now?
one of the first things you should get is a good deck, as to that will make stock sound half decent.
then with the maybe 3 bills you have left over try and replace some of your stock, i.e. your 6 by 9's or whatever you might have in your car. component speakers.
forget subs man.
with your full rangers i recommend something like a tsunami gsx-369 priced at 152 a piece. they're good.
there's an xplode model that isn't quite as load but a lot cheaper, the xs-4624 priced at 99 a piece. these seem to be a little bit more realistic to you.
like i said look into cruthfield read up in car audio mags and whatever, my recommends are to first get a new deck unless you already have a decent one, then replace stock compenents or if your car has full rangers do that.
Just remember one thing when it comes to car audio or just about anything for that matter. You pay for what you get.
If you have a limited budget like that, some good options are to check the classified's of your local news paper, you can usually find some decent stuff in there for a good price. You will be without a warranty but it is well within your rights to ask the seller for a small time period (say about a week or two) to make sure the equipment functions properly. If they say no, walk away. Also, check out any flea markets or auto swaps. These might be productive routes for you to take if you only have $700 to spend. Hopefully you can do some of the install yourself or maby a friend can help, that will save you alot of money as labor prices are high. If you cant do a install yourself you might get lucky by going by your local car audio shop after it has closed for the night to see if any of the employees there are staying late to work on there own cars, ask them for some help or advice and guidance, you can possibly find a little help form them. Hope this might help you out in your quest for car audio on a limited budget. Good Luck.
If you have a limited budget like that, some good options are to check the classified's of your local news paper, you can usually find some decent stuff in there for a good price. You will be without a warranty but it is well within your rights to ask the seller for a small time period (say about a week or two) to make sure the equipment functions properly. If they say no, walk away. Also, check out any flea markets or auto swaps. These might be productive routes for you to take if you only have $700 to spend. Hopefully you can do some of the install yourself or maby a friend can help, that will save you alot of money as labor prices are high. If you cant do a install yourself you might get lucky by going by your local car audio shop after it has closed for the night to see if any of the employees there are staying late to work on there own cars, ask them for some help or advice and guidance, you can possibly find a little help form them. Hope this might help you out in your quest for car audio on a limited budget. Good Luck.
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