My tax present to myself is fixing up my car, so after I put new tires, brakes, springs, shocks, rotors on my car and fix my hatch motor I was thinking of adding a nice system to it.

My car is all stock all original so I would need a head unit, new speakers(Maybe not? Depends on price), and I am seriously considering adding 1 or 2 10 or 12" Subs but I have no idea what I am looking for in any of this..I am not exactly the audio expert.

I listen to pretty much anything...mostly rock and rab/rnb/hiphop when I am driving though.

And to give a better perspective of what i want, my friend just put two 10" MTX in his dakota and they sound sexy as hell. this is what he bought http://shop.mtx.com/p/l_453/ThunderF...5/listing.html

Granted...I don't wanna spend 800$. I wanna be able to tell him that I can outdo his system and for a faction of the price lol.

Any suggestions?

 

If your tax refund is big enough to replace...

My best suggestion is to fill out a new W-4 ... because you are definitely letting Uncle Sam hold too much of your money interest free for the year!

 

Do you want a whole new system (deck, speakers, subs, amps) for $800 or less or just subs and an amp?

You need to be clear on your end goals, equipment and budget (or approximate budget).

 

USpeakers don't need to be included in it right now ... I dont guess I really need them so my goal is deck subs and amp from 500ish now Idk what all the benefits of like one sub vs two subs etc soo I don't mind going a lil above if I have to. My end goal is to have a good system for as lil as possible I guess lol

 

I would recommend hitting ebay if you are on that tight of a budget. I have more than $500.oo in my head unit and 4 speakers. My recommendations: Pioneer Deh-6700 or Deh-6800. (About $100.oo on ebay) Any infinity monoblock amp ($100.oo, or so on ebay) Two infinity "10 svc(Single-voice-coil) (About $75.oo each on ebay.) Spend the rest on professional installation and a sub box at a local car stereo shop. There may be others who will disagree with these choices but it's a combo I have used with much sucess! Incidentally, I picked "10 inch woofers because you stated you like rock as well as rap. I personally believe the smaller woofer responds better to the tighter bass of rock music and adapts well to the typically lower Htz of rap music.

 

One of the biggest myths there is when it comes to subwoofers.

In their proper recommended enclosure, two 12s will perform the same as two 10s (just look at the sound curves in winISD).

The size of the woofer is not as important as putting them in the correct box.

 

When it comes to recommendations, everyone will recommend something different for different reasons.
Remember two things:

1. The proper box will make or break a sub and is as important as the sub itself. Too big or too small a box and the sub will sound either hollow or flat.
2. Cone space is king!

With my recommendation, I will explain my logic behind the choices so you can gain an understanding.

HEADUNIT -$99
When it comes to headunits, I’ve become a big fan of the Kenwod Excelon. They have 4volt output and you can run your ipod thru them or use their built in USB port. It’s also Bluetooth compatible.

Look at either the KDC X494 or 794 depending on the features you want and style (the 794 is a flip down).
http://cgi.ebay.ca/KENWOOD-KDC-X494-...item4cf4e37ee9

I know a two time world champion who swapped out his $1200 Pioneer for a Kenwood Excelon!

SUBWOOFERS - $175
The JBL GTO1214 (single voice coil) is a well kept secret. These subs love power, sound great and the cone is scratch resistant. Their big brother (the GTi) has been a few World Champion cars (and is my favourite 12” sub). They can get loud while still sounding good and not deflecting (due to having a stiffer cone). They also have great excursion, so they will move a lot of air while hitting as low as 23 hertz (now that’s low).

Remember point number 2!!!

I have heard these subs (sealed) in a 87 Trans Am (with the amp I recommend) and they sounded great across all types of music)! Try Dr. Dre, the Eagles or Van Halen, they do not disappoint!!!

I recommend the single voice coil version that will give you a final load of 2 ohm.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/2-JBL-Audio-GTO12...item45f8291fb0

AMP - $195
The HiFonics BRZ1200.1D is a class D amplifier that will supply 900 watts of power at 2 ohm. Class D is a great choice for subs. Not only does it run cooler than class AB amps, but it also will draw less power (amps) from you electrical system (that is to say it’s better for the battery and alternator). The result is less headlight dimming (yippee). The amp also has a phase function. This is usually found on more expensive amps. If you use it, it can make your subs sound like they are right behind you in the back seat rather than in the trunk (kinda neat).

The BRZ1200.1D makes very close to rated power and the power output from the amp closely matches the power your subs require.

Right now, this amp is my top choice to run my subs. The BRZ1200.1D has a solid reputation in the car audio world.
This amp also come with a 4 gauge install kit as well as rca’s (everything you need)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/HIFONICS-BRUTUS-B...item5197528806

The BOX - $100 (or so)

Remember point number 1.

The subs I suggested will fit PERFECTLY into the DIY box in the sticky. The JBL sub works best in a 1 cu. Ft. enclosure. The Box in the sticky just happens to be a 1 cu. Ft. per sub box!
What that means is you can buy a premade box, make it yourself or have a shop make one for you based on the PDF in the sticky.

If you decide to buy a premade box and it is too big (like some of the ebay ones), just add wood to the inside bottom of the box until you get the cu. Ft. you need.

I came in at $600 while giving you a system that is ipod (iphone) compatible, will hit hard and sound clear (great for rap AND rock), will not tax your electrical system AND all the components are designed to work together to give you the best sound possible (better and louder than your buddy’s truck)….

 

pretty good recommendations you've got there project. decks really have come down in price, excelon's are definitely a good choice at that price point.

OP, if you still have money in the budget, I'd recommend upgrading the front speakers as well. bass is nice, but spend a little up front and you'll really be happy. Some people have succesfully crammed 5 1/4"s in front, but you'll probably have an easier time fabbing a bracket to fit in some 4" coaxs.

 

I agree with getting some new front speakers at least... using stock and upgrading the stereo, why bother? 1 12" sub will cost less than 2 10's and give you a bit more space... in a good box, it's all you need... see if you can find a 4 channel amp, run the sub on 2 bridged and the front on the other 2... and if you decide to replace the rears... you can either run them off the deck or with the 2 fronts (but can't fade)...

Getting an amp, get a deck with RCA outs... got an mp3 player, get a deck with inputs...

Rafael

 

The OP stated he wanted to replace the speakers at a later date (see post #4).

 

Another consideration to save cash at the moment (and the serious stereo folks will argue against such - but you aren't out to win a battle of the bands right now) ....

You can skip the box (enclosure), and just lay a piece of 3/4 mdf across the rear resting on the little ledge in the left and right side of the well. Cut out for a 10 sub (yes, a single sub) on one side, carpet the shelf, and install 2 speaker grills - mounting the amp on the underneath side. Although not ideal (since it's not sealed), it works pretty damn well. I did this in my car - but I'm an old fart and didn't need to rattle the windows 3 towns away - but it does work well. I get nice bass hits - especially on the rock I listen to, and it's cheap. I have a decent Kenwood 10" sub, an old yard sale $40 600watt single channel amp, along with a $100 Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit and the factory speakers (I'm lucky, they still play well and have not yet blown or broke). Even with T-tops out and rolling at 80mph, I can hear everything and it sounds nice. I have the speaker grills covered (on the inside) with fabric - they are actually 12" grills - that way you can't see that I only have 1 sub (which is which?), and the look is symetrical.

Here's a pic:

 

I know what you mean! LOL, I used to own my own electronics shop and can testify that the size/type of the enclosure can make or break the woofer.