I see a ton of questions on here, what is the best sub, speakers, receiver, etc. Then the first five answers always seem to be Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood, whatever. Seriously, the best? I don't think so. These are giant companies that specialize in making money.

I'd just like to inform the thirdgen community of other options. There are tons of little companies out there that sell great subs and speakers that have a passion for the hobby. Many of these companies are pretty cost effective. Dollar for dollar you will get much better performance than the big companies. Plus its fun supporting the little guy, made in USA kind of stuff.

Here is a list of companies to check out.

Creative Sound Solutions
http://www.creativesound.ca/index.html

Exodus Audio
http://www.diycable.com/main/default.php?cPath=24

Dayton Audio
http://www.daytonaudio.com/

Memphis Audio
http://www.memphiscaraudio.com/

Acoustic Elegance
http://www.aespeakers.com/

Image Dynamics
http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/

RE Audio
http://reaudio.com/home.html

Elemental Designs
http://www.edesignaudio.com/

Ascendant Audio
http://www.ascendantaudio.com/

TC Sounds
http://www.tcsounds.com/

I'm sure there is a bunch I've missed.

For reference I use an Image Dynamics IDQ V2 12" sealed in the Camaro and an Acoustic Elegance AV15H 15" tuned to 21hz in my home. Both sound worlds better than the Alpine, Pioneer, Yamaha subs I've had in the past. The IDQ is $150 and the AV15H is $250.

 

McIntosh for sheer ruggedness and build quality. I looked at a couple of pieces a few years ago and couldn't belive how heavy they were. There was no way to make the CD changer skip. I wish they were in my budget even now

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/Car-Audio.asp

 

amps? audison

 

I switched speakers to Memphis, first, MADE IN America, second the sound. They've been jamming for eight years now. People always like to tell you what speakers are best? The ones you like! Of course build quality is also important. Good thread! Good links!

 

Fi car audio makes some very nice subs, as do SSA...BOTH built in the USA

For amps...I prefer DLS or ARC Audio. Amazing power and quality for the money.

If you're on a budget, don't forget JBL. Great quality product.

 

Great thread!

When I was replacing my old subs (Sony) a couple years ago, I was talked into buying Memphis Audio by the owner of the car audio store. I am so glad I listened to him! The Memphis subs have been amazing so far... Way better than the similarly priced Sony subs I used to have.

 

You can just tell everyone that you have your Memphis Mojo working

 

I run a single 12" MOJO and is does quite well

 

been a long time lurker over at diyma for the same reasons as why we're all here - learning more about a hobby than just what i can find locally while cutting through bs. i managed to set up a killer system for next to nothing with the help of some fellow members - dayton/vifa speakers, ascendant audio sub, ample amps, and pioneer premier deck.

 

Ive used all the "big names" and what i like the best is JL audio speakers and subs matched with planet audio amps... Love my pioneer decks though.

 

alot of people talk down on pyle but if its done rite its sounds great

 

Generally speaking, a $50 speaker sounds better than a $20 speaker. But, the difference between $100 and $50 is usually a lot less. And, the $200, IMHO, should be reserved for "competition", (which I never understood anyways). What "sounds best to you" is good advice. At a certain point, only sophisticated test equipment, bats and old Soviet submarines can "hear" the difference. Some of the components in my DD truck are really old but of average to above quality. Just like a cam/heads/stall package, careful matching and tuning/set up make a big difference.

 

Actually, I have to agree, here. Some of the "lesser-known" names have better quality because the company focuses on quality rather than quantity. But, when recommending audio equipment to people that don't want to delve into the "unknowns," big box brands are usually the best offering. My perfect setup?

Alpine head unit (Sorry, just love Alpine headunits)
Clarion component highs
MB Quart mids
2 CV Stroker Pro 15" subs powered by US Amps XT-4000DE amp EACH

But, at the same time, there is a better chance of this setup fitting in my Trailblazer than a Camaro. LOL

 

Digital Design home and auto speaker/subs I think there out of Oklahoma. I was at a stereo shop and there was guys bassing in the parking lot, testing there systems. And all of the sudden there was a boom that silenced the suvs and big bodys. It was a civic with a sealed fiberglass box in the hatch with one 10" DD powered by I think 2 1200 watt earthquake amps. Crude set up / but that sub was a beast. His bass was solid made the other guys stuff sound loud but cheap/hollow. DD are not cheap but made here in the states good quality.

 

You mention some really good brands in this thread, but some are very expensive, large (amplifier physical size) and very hard to find at retailers.

The one thing I will say is that for speakers, you want to lean toward a company that has that as their main product or a high priority; ditto for amps and head units. Same goes for home audio too...

I have a DLS system in my TL (amp, subs, and components) and they are very hard to find at any retailer in the NYC area, yet are very affordable. I have a Phoenix Gold (very old 5 channel amp), ADS components, and a kicker bass tube in my Camaro.

You can find Alpine, Sony, and Pioneer at just about anywhere that sells car audio, which is why most people only know about those brands. I guess when your first and only stop for car audio is Best Buy, you are very limited.

 

i buy US-made grado headphones and couldnt go back to the flat, thumpy sony stuff at bestbuy so I'm all over this, plus i like my friends having jobs

but narrowing down US car audio brands seems a lot harder.. was gonna buy a $250 alpine system (no external amp, no sub, just a head unit and the standard third gen 4x6 (2 way) and 6x9 (3 way) speaker sizes)

anyone recommend one of these brands for a simple/budget application like that? i just listen to 80s music and trance and dont really need the 800 pound gorilla beating up my trunk type system for crunk rap or death metal, something cheap simple and clear will do it

also some of these companies seem to have shut down since this thread was started sadly

 

I swear by my 1200 and 1800 pyramid amps regardless of how much trash people talk about the brand they have lasted over 5 years of constant abuse and still sound as good as top brands.

 

Great thread, thanking for posting

 

I have some boss speakers in the front and back and the sound great better than the pioneer i had in the rear....nice thread

 

you'll find this funny, I am running guitar amp speakers pulled out of the cab in the back might make an adapter to really seat them in, everything else is stock and still running though i am gonna upgrade everything after i replace the sound deadening material to really get the tone out of Yngwie Malmsteen and all those other neo-classical metal bands and the wife's techno.

 

Let me put a few up as well.

SundownAudio
SundownAudio.com


Audioque
AudioQue.com


Digital Designs


Incriminator Audio
IncriminatorAudio.com


Crescendo Audio
CrescendoAudio.com


SoundSolutionsAudio

Obsidian Audio

DC Sound Labs