OK after thinking long and hard about the speaker/amp question from my post below, I decided to go ahead and do both. After shopping around for a few days I decided to shop at buyloud.com and order the following:

Sony XM-150 25X (150 Watt 2 Channel) $169

Infinity 60.3cs (6.5" Kappa Component System) $199

I was also curious about installation prices and where you all would reccommend I look for a good installer. In other words what questions do I ask to make sure I get someone good? I can't stand the though of someone I don't know operating on my baby! Thanks again for you help! BTW, Lucid, I tried your site and I can't seem to get in? I keep timing out!

 

Rod,

Whilst I have not heard the exact Sony model you are talking about, in general Sony do not make the cleanest sounding amps. I would be tempted by an Alpine V12 or a Rockford Fosgate amp instead. These may be a little more expensive, but not sure how your pricing compares over there.

 

I'm really glad you went with both! Even if you stick with that amp, you won't regret it! Of course, I believe I mentioned stay away from RF....MTX is your best bet for amps. Unless you want to go quite a bit more expensive.

Blake

 

Just curious, do you have any reasons why you don't like RF? I have 2 of their amps and I am quite happy with them.

 

Well, everyone's got their own opinions forged of their own experiences. I've owned several Rockford amps over the course of several installs, and they have never let me down. Sure, there are better sounding amps out there, but there isn't much that can match their power per $ spent.

Rod, unless you're going for big-time sound, I think the choices you've made are fine. You'll be able to hear things fine at freeway speeds. As for installation, my only tip is to not stand for a sub-par job. If you get your car back and it's humming or cutting out or whatever, get them to fix it. Big places that can stand behind their work (Circuit City, Good Guys, etc.) are good, though some of the best installs are done in the little custom shops.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply guys! I did select the Sony for economic reasons plus the X Series amps have gotten decent reviews from what I've read. Not to mention the fact they match my Sebring Silver with Red perfectly What should I expect as far a pricing on the install? Just looking for a rough idea... Take Care

 

Just about any person I feel is knowledgable in car audio has generally shyed away from RF amps. I don't have any problem with them at all. I think that if you're looking for power, then they are the best for your money. But I feel that if you are looking for sound quality, MTX is much better. I have had several MTX amps over the past couple of years and loved them. I have also had friends with RF. Most were the older amps that they produced till MTX stole most of their engineers.

I agree with the suggestion to go to a small shop to get it installed. Most retail stores won't install the components unless they are bought there or carried there.

Blake

 

Installation will probably run $100-$200. Generally its about $100 for labor for an amp and speakers, then you need cable, line converter, etc.

Blake

 

Thanks again for the imput guys! BTW, the tax man was good to Rod this year so I decided to upgrade my speaker choice a notch. I am now going with the MB Quart PCD 216's. Heard them today at a local shop and the are awesome! Very good definition and very seamless sound. Kind of makes the stock speakers sound like a single speaker mono system! Picked them up for $299. They should be here in about a weak so I'll let you know how they sound! Take Care

 

Wow...what exactly is your measurement for "knowledgeable in car audio"? What specifications are you using to state that MTX makes better amps than RF? When I checked out the MTX web site they no specs on their web site, I check out RF and they have all the specs, even spec. that are usually not stated for car amps such as slew rate, dampening factor and Intermodulation Distortion.

I am not saying that RF is better or worse than MTX, I own some MTX equipment, but I also own some RF equipment. I still say RF makes great amplifiers and I consider myself to be knowledge in car audio.