1) Eclipse 5441 head unit - $500
2) Diamond S600 components - $550
3) 2 Sony XM-7527 amps - $279
4) 12" Diamond M5122 sub - $225
5) Custom Box - $250 - will sit flat on trunk floor with sub in the middle flanked by the 2 amps covered by fiberglass. I will lose some depth, but it'll still fit my clubs and should look pretty good.
6) Monster Cable wiring $200

$2150 installed and out the door. They're asking for 2 days for the install.

Please comment on those items and their prices. Thanks.

 

I just had a box made for my trunk well last week and am very pleased with the results.
I had a 10" audiomobile EVO sub installed - it requires relatively little power and a relatively small enclosure. I am not pitching EVO's. But rather a ten inch in the well gives me a lot of bass. Depending on your taste, and the efficiency/output - a twelve might be a bit much.
In terms of brands, there is a lot of good equipment out there. What sounds good to you is the important question. I had MB Quart coaxials installed. Many people think they sound too "bright". I think they sound great - great clarity and detail - to each his own.
I believe that you will lose the use of your dash controls with that head unit unless you use the Pinky solution.
We drive convertibles - they are loud and open - as often as possible - I believe that powerful amps are important.
From all my homework, the quality of the install is critical. If you are not doing it yourself, then I suspect the most important decision you have to make is - Which shop?
Hope this helps a little.
Mike

 

If you really trust a particular shop and they give you a suggestion for some equipment... it may be because they truly believe in those products, have a lot of experience with those particular items, and get their best results with them too...

So if you really like their work and they come recommended, you might want to go with "their favorite or suggested" equipment...

Just a thought.

I very often use similar equipment in all of my vehicles due to my experience and comfort level with those pieces/manufacturers...

 

Thanks Shaner and MR for your comments. I appreciate it.

Does anybody have comments on the pricing? Also, does anyone have any experience with those products?

 

I'm not familiar with those components, but if the prices include the labor, then I would say that it's fair to good for the magnitude of the components involved.

 

S2R,

I don't want to sound obnoxious but price shouldn't matter that much (before you all go crazy, please read on ...

My case: I needed body work done on my Focus (I do everything myself except for bodywork) and I wanted the BEST possible job. I knew I would have to look at their work for the next 4 - 5 years and didn't want to be pissed off everytime I looked at the repair. So, I shopped around and decided completely on workmaship and not price.

You're going to have to look at + interact with this system for a long time... make sure they can do it correctly and attractively... then worry about price. Piece of mind that comes with a very high quality install is worth A LOT of money...

Okay, back to reality:

(As listed in Car Audio + Electronics 2K1 Directory + buyer's guide)

Eclipse CD5441 List price $480
Diamond S600 components List price $550

Sony XM-7527... older model not listed. BUT, Crutchfield has an old list price of $399.95 with a closeout price of $249.00

Diamond M5122 12" sub... no listing but there is the Diamond M5121 12" sub which lists for $280 each

So, basically, they are selling their pieces at 'list price' but are selling you the entire system below their 'list' advertised price which includes the install. Many places discount their advertised price when you buy an entire system and have them install everything...

Now that we have established their prices as "Okay'... it all comes down to the install quality + backup support if you have any problems.

Another note, do they have any "beefier" slightly higher quality amplifiers to drive your "very good" if not "excellent" speakers/subwoofer? I have heard the Diamond Audio speakers and they truly are very good and capable of high sound output... IF given a good deal of power... Maybe something to ask.

Okay, I have said enough for now...

Thanks for listening!

 

Shaner,

Thanks for the input. That's very helpful. I'm mainly concerned with being overcharged on the specific items. Rather than the total amount of money I spend. I'm not afraid of dishing out money for quality stuff. The pricing info you gave was very helpful.

I was thinking about the amps they suggested too. At first he suggested 2 McIntosh amps which he said was $700. I don't know if that was for two or just one. That sounded way too much to me, so I asked for alternatives. That's when he suggested the Sonys, cuz he can get a good deal on those. He's charging me $279 for the 2 Sony amps. You know anything about McIntosh amps? Also, I asked him why I can't just get 1 big amp to power everything, and he said that's not recomended. Any thoughts on that?

Btw, I appreciate your coments. Thanks.

 

S2R,

Macintosh amps should play transparent and be extremely powerful... but I am sure they are tempermental like every other high-end amp I have ever owned. I would say the Sony's would be more reliable than the Macintosh.

I would have definitely purchased 1 large 4-channel amp instead of two 2-channels but my manufacturer of choice did not make one 4-ch with the power requirements I desired. Especially considering the model of Sony amp you are looking at: why not get one beefer 4-ch amp from maybe another "reliable" "quality" company? If they really prefer the two Sony's then listen to them. Just make sure that they give you a 30-day satisfaction guarantee: if you find the Sony's don't give you as loud and clean a listening level that you desire then they should be willing to remove the Sony's and give you 100% of their purchase price towards a different amplifier (with no additional install charge).

If they really want your business they should agree to that...

 

I think the price for the whole deal is a little much. As the others said, the quality/service of the place you are dealing with can matter. BTW will a PAC unit be used as well?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lucid
[B]I think the price for the whole deal is a little much.