What is another good head unit comparible to the Alpines? I've been told they are kinda complicated and do I really need complications while speeding around a curve?

Like many others here, I have run big, and very expensive systems in the past.

But for this car, I simply wanted one thing. I wanted to hear some lows and midbass and up at 80mph with the top down.

For about $1000 I used:
9857 head
alpine type-s 6.5" components (door)
modifry dci
ipod fullspeed cable
infinity basslink (yeah yeah, but it works well enough for what I wanted in this car)
new speaker wiring, decent interconnects, etc. everything properly wired.

If I wanted to put a real amp in the car I likely would have used different components up front, but I didn't want to do that as a first step, I figured I'd revisit that later if needed.

Does it sound as good as some of my older systems, no. Does it sound better than stock at 80mph with the top down, by far. Soon I'll get around to replacing the stock rear speakers (06) and see if that makes a worthwhile change as well. I'm happy with the system as it sits but I still want to play around with it. I guess I'll post some opinions on the rear speaker swap if I ever have time to deal with it.

that's a strange argument;

are you really going to be making adjustments to sound levels, BBE, etc. while speeding around a curve? Volume or track up/down maybe, but that's what the controls by the steering wheel are for. Big and idiot proof.

Alpines are quality, and i'd say definately get one if you have an Ipod, but if not, there are plenty of good alternatives. I also like Clarion ProAudio, and others on this board speak highly of Nakamichi and Eclipse. It's all a matter of taste beyond that.

Hey Bear, where in VA are you? I may be able to help you (show you) how to install the product...

Hey NFRs2000NYC, would you think 200wrms x 2 would be overkill? The rep said "bridge it to 278". I really like the audiobahn A8002V amp and they can be had for about $155 shipped. I think it should be fine with the gain set low, but I just hope that it won't be to much for the speakers at less than 20 on the volume of the head unit.

[QUOTE=Miike505,Jun 29 2006, 08:26 PM] Hey NFRs2000NYC, would you think 200wrms x 2 would be overkill?

Another very nice amp for ya...

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseac...Product_ID=3124

Hey man I'm in Norfolk. Thank you for offering to help but first I got to buy the equipment. I'm kinda strapped for cash at the moment until I get some credit cards paid down. I will def. keep you in mind though. Unless you feel like driving down here or us meeting half way maybe in Richmond or something.