Okay, I want something relatively basic, and most important, invisible. Everything is chosen to give decent performance at a modest price and to fit in stock/hidden areas. I mostly listen to classic rock, and I actually think the stock system in my '03 is adequate around town, but not on the highway (where I don't spend a lot of time). My goals in upgrading are to 1) gain capabilities (iPod/XM integration) and 2) get more/better sound, in that order. I have mild experience in car audio; I had a Sony CD player running four decent Boston speakers in my first car and then a Kenwood CD player, Sony EQ, JBL amp, four Boston Rally coax speakers, and a JL W0 sub in my old Civic. I kept the system in my TSX stock, and thought it was "good enough." I'm more of an SQ guy than a power/thump guy, though I understand the limitations of the S and don't expect an abundance of either thump or SQ.

With all that in mind:

-Alpine CDA-9885. I am choosing this over the -83 because of the better display. I will also be getting the high-speed iPod cable (though I don't use my iPod a ton in the car), the XM add-on, and the Modifry wired DCI. Down the line I might add a 6-disk CD changer, but that's not soon.

-Alpine MRP-F250, bridged at 100x2 at 4 Ohms. The main reason I chose this amp is its small footprint; I want to stash it above the gas tank if at all possible. I think it should fit okay there, anyone tried it?

-Polk Audio db6500 component speakers. I like Polk's sound, they are available inexpensively ($150 shipped from Crutchfield), they drop right in, and they are a good match to the amp (4 ohm impedance, 1-100 watt RMS power rating)


Big Maybe: RSX Bose sub in spare tire. I'm only interested in this because it is extremely cheap (you can buy them for around $50 or less) and it is invisible/takes up no space. I don't really NEED a sub, but for $50 if it adds even a little thump it will be worth it. I may just try this out for sh!ts and giggles since it is so cheap. I don't see myself using any other sub due to added cost (another amp, enclosure, etc), space (I carry golf clubs, a lap top, and gym bag regularly), complexity and rattle issues. So let me know if this would be worth the minimal added cost; if not it will be no sub (IE, don't tell me "for only $1700 more you could get a Stealthbox, W7, and 500/1 amp!!!")

So that's what I'm thinking. Any suggestions? I don't really want to go up a lot in cost (HU is $300, Amp $200, speakers $150), and if you suggest different speakers, make sure they are compatible with the amp I've chosen or a similar one that fits above the gas tank, as that is a main requirement. For instance, I've looked at some of the Infinity's, and to get some that are 4 Ohm (to meet the bridged requirement for the amp), you need to step up to the Kappa Perfects which are $250+. So there it is, what do ya think?

 

Looks good to me.

 

that amp should fit above the gas tank - you can go as long as about
15" or 16" and 2.5" thick. Just be careful to make sure any amp you
choose doesn't need top venting to stay cool as it will be pressed into
insulation.
As for the Infinitys, the "Reference 6010cs" appear to be 4-ohm and
comparable in price to the Polks to at least give you a choice.

 

I jsut want to comment on one aspect of your planned setup, and that is the speakers. I just installed mine last weekend after staring at them in the closet for 4 months. I went with the Kappa Perfects (6.1) and I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THESE SPEAKERS. My god! We wired the car for a dual amp setup so I could run a sub (Audison Amps), but i didnt have a sub or enclosure yet, so the plan was to pre-wire and just pop it in in the future. Well, after installing the Perfects, Im here to say that I have NO need for a sub at all. Rich, deep bass...even at interstate speeds with the top down. Its ridiculous!!! So, I said all that to say this....if all you are looking at is saving $100 for a speaker that is just ok, spend the money. You will not be sorry...I know I'm not. Besides, you will make it up by not having to buy ANY kind of sub at all.

FTR, I have S-pods with the rear gains turned all the way down, front gains at maybe 1/4. Alpine 9857 w/ iPod cable. Audison LRX300.4, KnuKoncepts Kables (great prices there BTW...www.knukonceptz.com)

Hope this helps...

PERFECTS FTW!!!!!!!!

 

I dunno...$150 for the Polks with full warranty/support from Crutchfield vs. $399 for the same for the Kappas from Cardomain (anyone got a better price?) or $220+ shipped from eBay with no support.

Are the Kappas THAT much better than the Polks? Anyone heard/experienced both? Are the Kappas twice as good?

 

onlinecarstereo.com has them for $239 and i think free shipping


http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/Pr...ProductID=12200

All i know is that I was going through the same thing you are now. I was trying to decide between 3 different component sets and all I kept hearing from everyone was kappa perfects. from what i understand this speaker has been out for a long time and used to be in the price range with the Focal K series
Here is my original thread: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...94&hl=bluegas68

Im just saying for a little more money you are pitting a near entry level speaker against a high-end speaker that has gotten significantly cheaper. I wish you were close by so you could hear these things installed

 

I have the Polk Audio db6500 component speakers in my car getting 100W each. They sound a lot better than the Infinity Reference speakers I've had in there before.

But... they seem to be lacking midbass. Maybe it's just my car, because the Infinitys I had in there before had the same problem, even though they sounded amazing in my daily driver, a Probe GT. Maybe the larger doors on that car = bigger enclosure. Who knows? In any case, I think they sound a little "tinny". Maybe someone else has had a different experience... do share