Budget Solution Gone, desperate 4 system comments
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Budget Solution Gone, desperate 4 system comments
It started as a budget solution....
Let me make a point to thank everyone for their help so far
My initial start was to look for a cheap way to improve the sound/volume in the S2000. I was pretty disappointed with its performance, lack of MP3 ability, and top down road 18 wheeler washing out my sound.
I suppose the reason I own a S2000 is I research stuff to death, and tend to not settle. Yes, I can be annoying with all the questions I ask! I do see the decreasing marginal returns in going too far in a convertible, so I won't be going crazy. That is, unless I hit the lotto!
Here's where I am so far:
HU: Top of the list is the Alpine CDA-9855. I'm slightly embarrassed to say the appearance is motivating me to spend an additional $150. The seemless integration of SIRIUS, Ipod [clunky], and an auxilliary [who knows what the future holds] is a motivating factor. The people who I intend to do the work are very high on Clarion. They are also down on Eclipse [skipping factor--gave up their dealer status due to the constant eating return overnights.] I appreciate at this price, the HU universe is pretty open.
HU accessories: DCI, SIRIUS, iPod and Aux. I'll go with Modifry's or Alpines based solely on price. I do like the volume sensitivity on Modfry's. I'm a Stern fan, so XM isn't an option.
SPEAKERS: JL Audio TR650CSI. These are the best I've heard. No subwoofer is planned. However I do note my freq range stops at 59khz. I'd be willing to spend up to $300 or so if there was something better to my ears.
ALARM: Not convinced I need one as my car is garaged, and I take the tin top everywhere questionable. I'll probably succumb due to the cost of this equipment, and install break if I do everything together. For know quantitative reason I'm favouring Clifford over Prestige.
AMP: Thanks to WillieGee I'll over power my speakers by 30%. Haven't gotten to this point, but I'm leaving budget of about $200. Don't know if I'll need one until the HU is sorted. Potential future expandability for a subwoofer would be part of the decision process.
Now for the help part. I've spent two weekends going across the city gathering info. Not a bad gig in the S2000 except for the traffic jam and my first low gas light experience. Car audio is not big here. What are your comments? What would be a specific component I should compare to what I have listed? What should I pass on? What am I missing?
Let me make a point to thank everyone for their help so far
My initial start was to look for a cheap way to improve the sound/volume in the S2000. I was pretty disappointed with its performance, lack of MP3 ability, and top down road 18 wheeler washing out my sound.
I suppose the reason I own a S2000 is I research stuff to death, and tend to not settle. Yes, I can be annoying with all the questions I ask! I do see the decreasing marginal returns in going too far in a convertible, so I won't be going crazy. That is, unless I hit the lotto!
Here's where I am so far:
HU: Top of the list is the Alpine CDA-9855. I'm slightly embarrassed to say the appearance is motivating me to spend an additional $150. The seemless integration of SIRIUS, Ipod [clunky], and an auxilliary [who knows what the future holds] is a motivating factor. The people who I intend to do the work are very high on Clarion. They are also down on Eclipse [skipping factor--gave up their dealer status due to the constant eating return overnights.] I appreciate at this price, the HU universe is pretty open.
HU accessories: DCI, SIRIUS, iPod and Aux. I'll go with Modifry's or Alpines based solely on price. I do like the volume sensitivity on Modfry's. I'm a Stern fan, so XM isn't an option.
SPEAKERS: JL Audio TR650CSI. These are the best I've heard. No subwoofer is planned. However I do note my freq range stops at 59khz. I'd be willing to spend up to $300 or so if there was something better to my ears.
ALARM: Not convinced I need one as my car is garaged, and I take the tin top everywhere questionable. I'll probably succumb due to the cost of this equipment, and install break if I do everything together. For know quantitative reason I'm favouring Clifford over Prestige.
AMP: Thanks to WillieGee I'll over power my speakers by 30%. Haven't gotten to this point, but I'm leaving budget of about $200. Don't know if I'll need one until the HU is sorted. Potential future expandability for a subwoofer would be part of the decision process.
Now for the help part. I've spent two weekends going across the city gathering info. Not a bad gig in the S2000 except for the traffic jam and my first low gas light experience. Car audio is not big here. What are your comments? What would be a specific component I should compare to what I have listed? What should I pass on? What am I missing?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,826
Likes: 0
From: New Slowmyrna Beach
amp: considering you may want a sub in the future get yourself a 4 channel amp which two of the channels can be bridged to mono for your sub.
You overlooked: CABLES. Get the better cables, it will make a bigger difference than you think. Cables are VERY important, and are often overlooked. KNUKONCEPTZ.com makes some great stuff that won't break your bank.
If you like those JL fronts, that's great. you will need a small amp to power them about 125 watts. but I would consider focals, mb quarts, infinity perfects, and pg speakers. and honestly better more expensive fronts. this is what you will be listening to. the fronts are the most important part of your system, by far.
there is a great thread about building a quality system right here: bang for buck system
You overlooked: CABLES. Get the better cables, it will make a bigger difference than you think. Cables are VERY important, and are often overlooked. KNUKONCEPTZ.com makes some great stuff that won't break your bank.
If you like those JL fronts, that's great. you will need a small amp to power them about 125 watts. but I would consider focals, mb quarts, infinity perfects, and pg speakers. and honestly better more expensive fronts. this is what you will be listening to. the fronts are the most important part of your system, by far.
there is a great thread about building a quality system right here: bang for buck system
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post