Hi all, needed a little help improving upon my stock MY00 stereo system. I'm looking for a nice clean/mellow sound. So here is what I'm looking at right now.........

Alpine CDA-9847- headunit
I've always heard good things about Alipine headunits and this one fits my
price range.


Infinity Reference Components
I chose the Reference over the Kappas because, I read the reference had a
smoother sound.

The components come with 2-6 1/2" speakers, 2- crossovers and 2- tweeters.

I'm planning to mount the speakers in stock location, with the crossovers hidden behind the door panel, as well. I want to mount the tweeters at the base of the A-pillar(where the dash and windshield meet)

I'm not looking for a thumping system. Just a nice upgrade from stock that doesn't pierce my ears.

I also plan to add quiet coat on the door and maybe dynamat.

So I guess my Q's are;

1. Will this setup provide the mellow sound that I want? (Given that I was halfway satisfied with the stock system)

2. Will I need an amp?

3. I don't want any vibrating or rattles happening so.......Will quietcoat be enough? Or should I go with quiet coat and dynamat just to be safe?

Thanks for your time!

 

If you are not into high volumes, no amp is really needed. I would also recommend S-pods for a rear channel. This makes top-down interstate cruising MUCH more bearable. Also, those Infinity Reference speakers have a relatively weak low end. They are smooth, but kind of bright on the highs. If you want to go with these, I would recommend trying them out by themselves first, then deciding if you need a sub. (I have heard that the stock speakers have a better low end than the reference series do...dunno where I read it, but I did somewhere).

I will be putting my sub / amp up for sale for $125 shipped soon (as soon as I pony up the $ for a membership and get my new amp / sub). Combo is a Clarion SW10x sub and an Infinity 7520a amp. Great quality sound for the price.

John

 

why not alpine cde-9851? $50 more for features such as remote control, swing face, and oem controller ready. i was thinking about 9847 too but i found it to be wothless compare to 9851.

i dont know about inifinity but my jl audio components sounded good without an amp. however i could not put it too high because bass was working my speakers. i highly recommend amp because you can actually hear the music with top down cruising on highway.

i didnt have any vibrating problem until i got my sub. if you do a search on archives, you will find members stating that dynamat and quietcoat will not make much of difference.

 

I got a deal for you you cant refuse.......

For the headunit, your choice is good. I personally dont like swingfaces, especially in an s2000, but if you want one, certainly no biggie. As for speakers.....

I just installed these in my friends Wrangler, and wow....VERY VERY NICE!!!


200W rms.....

$134.99....A BARGAIN....GREAT STORE TOO...CLICKY

Then, grab this amp, EXACTLY what you want....and a GREAT DEAL as well. Just bought one for my friend....fantastic!
$149.99 CLICKY

THis amp is a 4 channel, meaning, you can power your speakers with it, then when you decide, throw a nice sub in the trunk, and youll have a FANTASTIC sounding stereo.

If you need any other help, just say the word!

 

Hey Dave-

How does that Hi-Fonics amp sound when compared to the Alpine MRV-F545. I was looking at the alpine, because it was one of the only 4-ch amps I could find (in a decent price range ... ~$300) that had over 400WRMS x 2 for a sub application.

How does it stack up tone wise? Is it a true 110WRMS / 440WRMS (I dont think Hifonics is CEA-2006 compliant yet)? Any heat issues? I might have to give this one a serious look...

John

 

None that I can tell. The amp barely gets warm (remember, I never max out my amps) and pushes his Eclipse sub very well. I dont think they are CEA certified, but it does provide nice power. I personally think they might even be underrated. Its built well, and for the money, I counldnt find a better deal if I tried. Just my .02

Also, I have 0 experience with the new Alpine amps. The old ones are high quality, but are not as powerful as other makers out there. They were/are great however.

 

Well, the MRV-F545 is a newer digital amp. I am kind of hesitant, as I have read that they are a PITA to tweak, as EVERYTHING must be adjusted via the digital display (as opposed to individual knobs). This one also seems a bit smaller, so it could fit vertically on the wall of the trunk.

I think I might just go with this one, and keep my current sub (rated for 300WRMS), as I thought 500 was a bit high. I think I will hook it up for the 440WRMS, then dial it back. I will also only need 80-90WRMS (speakers are only rated for 85WRMS....but I can slightly overpower them), so it definitely will not be maxed out (I am not a fan of that either).

Thanks for the suggestion. I have never heard of Hifonics, so I would have never given them a second look.

John

 

So you are going with the Hifonics???

 

Not entirely sure yet......there is a Phoenix Gold Xenon 4-ch that is TEMPTING the HELL out of me! But then I would also have to upgrade drivers as well....hmmm.....DECISIONS! If I go with the Hifonics amp, I will probably get a new sub, and leave the drivers alone (havent heard them amped yet, so they may sing!).

Any recommendations on a decent sub to accompany this amp? (10" in a ~1.0CF sealed enclosure).

John

 

Ehhh...not big on Xenon amps. They arent the best deal, and the fact that they are the same power at different ohm levels (where other amps are more powerful) isnt a selling point. My friend has them in his RSX, and for the money, Im not impressed.

My friend with the wrangler has my sub in a .9-1.1CF enclosure (im not sure exactly) and it still pounds like no tomorrow.