^ I agree. $3000 on an audio system is nuts, especially for the components you just listed. I am on my 3rd audio setup, and I don't think I have hit $3k yet.

You can build your own MDF box for the tool well, for $30-40 in material (assuming you have tools). No need to pay for a complete fiberglass one.

The Alpine X001 will fit. I had it installed perfectly (and other have the updated iterations installed as well). That shop does not know d*ck about the s2k.

Amp kit = KnuKonceptz.com... don't overpay $100 for the install kit if you do not need to.

And 8 hrs to install everything... jesus. I was also under the impression standard time was ~$45 an hour for a certified tech... that is what my local shop charged me for troubleshooting my amp (standard shop hourly rate).

You can find the PDX amp online for about 2/3 the price they are trying to sell it to you for (assuming that is a big chunk of the cost of the hardware). Hopefully they are not charging you anymore than $115 for the sub, as that is how much it costs from www.sonicelectronix.com . That same site has the 9886 for $250. Chances are they hit you for $650 for the Alpine Type-X PRO's... unfortunately, the SAME SITE has them for $350 (I have this same component set, and they are NUTS).

I don't see more than $1500 worth of stuff (including building the box out of MDF).

^ Please tell me you did not take the component's weights into consideration when selecting them... If you are adding a stereo, you have resigned to the fact that there will be weight gain. The amount of weight is negligible between products (as long as the system design is the same).

Just my $.02.

John

 

There are many of us here with the Alpine X001 (or X100), and I don't have a problem closing the radio door.

Overall, is your question whether there are better choices given the $3k price point, or if it's possible to spend less for quality sound?

 

^ I agree, Car Audio is overpriced because people are willing to pay for it.... Online has no overhead so you can get it way cheaper..

And California is expensive place to live thats probully why we charge 85 an hour..

 

I had high end shops quote me around $85/hr when I lived in Phoenix...

When I say "high end," I mean they stocked Genesis/McIntosh/Etc

 

Yow-ch! Too much $$ for good tunes. But I suppose if you're dead set on having a shop do it all for you that's a normal price. I came in under $2K doing it myself and buying high-grade parts at the lowest mail-order prices (CDA-9887 w/Modifry DCI, JL's 300/2 & A1400 amps, Focal 165KPS, JL 10W3v3, Kicker wiring kit and some Knuconceptz pieces).

One big cost savings you might consider -- I remain happy with the PD Fabs MDF stealth box (e-bay, $80!) Not as light as a fiberglass box but it fits perfectly, looks fine, and I get nice tight thump. RAAMmat BXT (and their ensolite foam on it) seems to be do the job perfectly for less than Dynamat price. Custom amp racks were maybe $30 in plywood, hardware, and fabric covering.

 

FYI I have a Boston G2-10 powered by a PDX 4-150 (3&4 bridged to the sub) and am extremely happy with it... I used the ebay enclosure that was about $100 shipped.

 

well, i am all ipod (ripped the cd's to lossless) so that is very good news. i liked the x001 despite a few flaws such as poor illumination and slower-than-ipod seeking. thanks for clearing up the fact that i can use this HU.

as far as trying to squeeze every last dollar from the deal, i looked at some ebay deals and i could (it seems) save quite a bit by piecing it together before having a shop put it together.

i appreciate that there are those with skills; attempts to mod things myself has always resulted in poor results (plus, i can't even get up my steep driveway with the car) so i don't mind paying for clean results.

 

That's what I did... bought all the pieces (cost about $1100) and then had a shop do the install (that was about $400 including their materials, wiring, etc).

So I landed at about $1500 for a system very similar to what you're describing. (Alpine HU, Polk components, PDX-4.150, G2 10)

 

It would be one thing if there was some packaged savings as a result of purchasing the components from the place doing the install. But since you're paying an hourly labor rate for the install, you shouldn't feel obligated to give profit to their retail side.

Seconding a recommendation above, I also had good experiences with http://www.knukonceptz.com/ (I believe there was a typo in the link above) for wire and other installation parts.

 

I run my Focals with Audison LRX 4.5 and couldn't be happier