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starting an audio setup... need advise...

Discussion in 'Interior' started by hellapinoy, Jul 13, 2005.

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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    starting an audio setup... need advise...

    ok... so im finally not broke and willing to put some of my earnings on my car... i want sounds now... what do i need for a basic setup... i want a sub amp and 2 tweeters in the front kind of setup... if not a sub and amp, a powered sub prolly... what are the stuff i need... my brother said i need some small crossovers for the door speakers... idk if i need them... any advise would be great...

    this is for sale on craigslist... what do you guys think?
    http://chicago.craigslist.org/pts/80153892.html
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    ratsnrop New Member

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    Regarding the subs for sale, I'm not so sure... Jensen isn't really known for their quality. I'm actually worried you'll get that and it'll crap out on you in a few months... after all, it is just sitting there. Next, I do reccomend you get crossovers for the door if you plan on putting tweeters. It'll sound better that way... I think that its necessary. If you're gonna go with powered stuff, get the infinity bass link. I heard it... sounds kinda nice!
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    laz Member

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    Too bad you are so far away since I have two nice boxes for sale in the classifieds. I also had a Basslink for sale but that one sold. I have used all of them and the bass goes from good (basslink) to ear hurting (kicker box) I would recommend all depending on what you wanted. The basslink gives you good fill in bass that your regular speaker can't accomplish, and you can't beat the size it takes up! Is like nothing! Now if you don;t care abot space go with two 12"s in a box and you'll feel your whole car sahling with deep bass.

    Be sure to get an amp that can push the subs to their full potential, and Jense is OK, but not the best, even though I heard that Audiobahn is made by Jensen, and a lot of people like audiobahn, but I am not sure. In the end most of the subs are made in the same place (taiwan) is just that some are made a little better thatn others.

    GL

    X
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    milhousse C U in the car

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    Here's what I am going to be doing with my crx, if it helps you at all
    6.5" Ultimate speakers in the back. great sound. excellent base.
    5.25 (havnt decided on brand yet) components (with tweeters) in the front.
    Clif Designs (havnt decided on model, probably just a 200A) running a 10" stage 2 RF amp (punk/rock listener) in the "trunk" in a custom sealed enclosure.
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    teevee247 Well-Known Member

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    How are those Clif Designs amps?

    I personally love Infinity speakers and subs, not a big fan on their amps though...
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    milhousse C U in the car

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    I wouldnt, and have yet to use anything else. I much prefer them over a rockford, alpine, or any other major brand out there. They just sound great.
    And the clean style doesnt hurt either.
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    im going through ebay for some powered subs... i think those are the best for a basic setup and easier to install... here's one that im looking at...

    kenwood... im leaning towards this one since i already have a kenwood headunit...
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5789899385&category=32822&rd=1

    im also considering a basslink... but its kinda expensive... idk... depends on how much money i have...

    laz, are you happy with the basslink's performance?
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    laz Member

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    Yes I really liked my basslink's when I had them. The bass is tight, butit is not super loud. I mean it'll make your seat shake, but it is not competition style if you know what I mean. Anyway I researched all the sub/amp combos and the basslink has the most bang for your buck. Keep in mind that kenwood is 200W Max (peak) the basslink is 200W RMS. You should have bought mine when I had it for sale! ;)

    I really liked it, and the fact that it took no space was a great benefit.

    X
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    cool... im not really looking for competiton performance... i just need something to give me clear bass and i want a little punch... so, the basslink is then my first choice... im going to check at my local circuit city if they have an open box one for a good price... if not, i'll just get one from ebay...

    update!!!!!!!! yay i found one...

    http://chicago.craigslist.org/ele/80133598.html

    i hope he/she answers back...
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    i went to circuitcity today to check out some speakers... i sampled the basslink... it was ok... i was not that impressed but prolly when its set right its prolly gonna sound good... looks like its still worth the purchase... then i looked through the kicker solobaric L5's(i want the L7's :p) and the salesgirl blasted that shit and i was like, dayum... it was blasting major style... really loud though... and too much damage to my pocket... well, im still looking for good deals for a basslink... if someone finds one kindly post em up here... thanks...
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    laz Member

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    Yeah you can't compare the basslink to the kicker's. I just sold my 2 12" kicker comps today and them things made my teeth rattle, no joke! The basslin is for saving space and just have bass that enhances your sound. Kickers and other subs are for rattling your teeth, but they will cost you!

    I may be comming in on a 12" L7 soon if you are interested. It be cheaper than retail and it may be what you need. I'll know by Thursday if I will get it or not.

    Later

    X
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    thanks, but no thanks man, im not gonna spend that much for car audio... to run a 12" kicker solobaric L7, you need $$$$$$$$ for an amp to power that monster... :p im sticking to a basslink... just clear bass... no distortion...
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    ratsnrop New Member

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    The other thing about hearing things at Circuit City... and stores of that sort, is that the amplifier is usually tuned to something really general. As soon as you get your stuff and tune it specifically it can sound almost twice as good as it did in the room. I've got a friend that works at CC and I've seen him explain this millions of times.
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    Silver_Nitrate New Member

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    Here's my two sense on your question.

    First go to crutchfield.com, by far they offer the best customer service when it comes to helping you find the right gear for your car. How do I know? I work for them. =) but seriously, if you ever had any problems with your system or needs to return them for any reason, they will not give you any problems.

    Second, if you are looking for sub/amp package deals, they have one going on right now. It is a MB Quart 1000W RMS amp, MB Quart 15" sub and Qlogic box for cheap. I can't remember on the price but the website should have it.
    (MB Quart is made by Rockford Fosgate under another company name. It is really good quality and quite simple, not too flashy. I own one myself but I have 2 tens instead of 1 15 best part? they will pound like hell, the best pounding I've ever gotten ever since owning 2 tens)

    Third, if you are looking for component systems but don't want to shell out more money to amplify them, then get the infinity reference series components. They are the most efficient components especially without external amplifier. Other speakers will sound like shit if you don't have external amps.

    Fourth, if you are looking to buy decks, get the one that will have all the features you might want like aux input, graphical displays, sub pre-amps. Stay away from, brands like Aiwa, Dual, Sanyo, Jensen, Blaupunkt, Sony or JVC. (no offense for owners of those brands, I particularly don't like them because I've seen them come back with lots of problems) If you like flashy and all chrome, go with panasonic. If you like blue everything, go with Pioneer. If you want longer warranty and more dependability, go with Kenwood. If you like superior audio quality and not care so much about extra features, then go with Alpine (except their new glide buttons, they suck ass)

    One last thing, get atleast a 4 guage amp wiring kit, trust me you will need it for your setup.

    On that note, remember the system is only as reliable and superior as the installation. So take your time and do it right. If you need help, you can call the Crutchfield tech line and they will walk you through it. ;)
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    cool... but as i said, i dont really need a competition performance setup... thats why im looking into just getting a basslink... but lemme look into it, if its reasonable and cheap, then why not...
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    BangRolla New Member

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    im getting two 12inch L7s soon.
    hah, i cant wait
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    laz Member

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    No doubt Crutchfield has the best customer service, but it also has the most expensive prices. I guess they have to pay those salaries somehow. I compare Crutchfield to AOL. An all inclusive program that encases customers in a cocoon. I know many people love everything they get when they purchase from Crutchfield, but you do pay for all that stuff, nothing is free. It is true that they always have some special on some product, so the specials are not bad.

    I say try different things and learn how they work. If you don't like it, sell it, and go on with the next best thing. Never be married to any one product.

    Those are my wise 2 c's! LMAO :D
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    i browsed through crutchfield.com and the cheapest amp/sub combo i can find is $200... im still leaning towards the basslink coz its prolly easier to install... and a tad bit cheaper... if i have more money, i would get kickers... :p but money's tight, i have a tight budget... oh well... im still looking for good deals... if i cant find one, im just gonna get the ones from ebay...
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    bought a basslink from ebay already... looking forward to install... ima install it myself... :cool: will post up pics as soon as its in...
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    aight, i already bought my basslink... i should get it by tomorrow... can you guys please help me regarding installation... any diy's on how to run wires from the trunk to the battery, to the radio for signal and the wire that will switch the sub on and off... thanks.... :p
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    anyone?!? please?!?
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    laz Member

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    Do you have an aftermarket radio or OEM radio
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    DeebsTundra Big Tires :)

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    If you ever decide to go to subs and amps...a single 12 will give pound pretty hard with the proper set-up. Alot of people spend way too much money on their systems to get sound. In my Grand Prix, I had a pair of Sony Xplod 10"
    (Low-end crap to be honest, but they were $99 BOGO) a 4 year old RockFord Punch 650 that I got for free from a friend, and a box made for MTX subs. With that piece-mealed system, with proper tuning I was one of the loudest pounding systems at my school.

    The best thing I could ever suggest you have in a system is seperate sub controls in your head-unit. A friend had 2 10" and no sub controls in his deck...and he couldn't get the subs to pound hard enough w/o distorting the hell out of his component speakers.
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    laz Member

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    I believe he alrady got his basslink and is just asking for help on installing it.

    X
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    hellapinoy 2000 Celica GTS

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    well, i've been busy at work so i havent logged in for a long time... i actually installed it already... i just dont have a fuse from the batt to the basslink... but the basslink has a fuse... ima put the fuse later on... btw, i ran the wires through the driver side door sills... ey laz, thanks for suggesting the basslink... im really happy with it... got some girls looking at my car now...lol... i'll post up pics soon...

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