Question 1: I have an Alpine cdr7854 (discountinued) that came with the car. I have the basics figured out. But does anyone know a website(I checked Alpine already) that I can find to tell me how to use all of the functions, clock, preset, etc, etc,.

Question 2: I just read the post on 2,3, 4 way speakers, after I bought Kenwood 6909 4-ways 6x9's. Sounds like S**T. Can I make it sound any better with other stuff that I will be adding to my system, amp, subs, etc, etc. Or am I better of taking them back and getting the 2 or 3 ways, or going with a pioneer 6x9's. I could wait a week and get the Rockford 6x9's.

I buy my stuff from the military exchange so I pay no taxes and its a decent price to start out with. The brands they carry are Kenwood(not sure about exceleron speakers), Rockford, Pioneer, Blaukpunkt, Alpine(no 6x9's though) and a few other really cheap speakers. Any suggestions on the brands listed above. BTW all except the Rockford 6x9's are below $100. Any advice would be appreciated, I am disappointed in the 4-ways and probably will return them by the end of the day. Thanks in advance.

 

I never liked the sound of the Kenwood speakers. I do like the sound of the Rockford speakers though. Of the brands you suggested, that is what I would choose.

------------------
The IROC Homepage
<A HREF="http://www.rit.edu/~jli4307/camaro" TARGET=_blank>
View the restoration of an 85 IROC</A>
"I didn't know a bored out Ford could go so slow" -Shenandoah

 

i personal love alpine everything, they make good stuff that last, rockford will to, i've heard the 6x9's from rockford and they sound pretty good, rockford amps and subs are dope though.

------------------
191(3.1)V6 1992 Pontiac Firebird,K&N drop in filter, bosch patinum spark plugs, Pioneer reciver, kenwood 4x6's, sony xplod 6x9's, two kenwood tornado 12's with a 300 watt jenson running them, check it out at www.geocities.com/my_92firebird

 

RS,

You mean CDM-7854, right? Look like this? http://www.lightav.com/car/alpine/cdm7854.jpg

You'll have a hard time finding a manual online. My CDM-7861 is similar, the basic operation should be the same. To set the clock, press DISP repeatedly until the time is displayed, press and hold CLK (same button?) until display blinks. CT will set seconds to zero, H to adjust hours, M for minutes, wait 5 sec when it stops blinking, time is set.

To power off unit hold PWR SOURCE 3sec. Any button turns it on. To manually store presets, tune to the station you want, press and hold any preset button 1-6 until display blinks, then press the button you want to store that station in.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Before you buy what the exchange is selling on the floor, swing into customer service and check out the catalog. They usually carry the higher end stuff there and you still don't pay tax (or shipping!!).

------------------
"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let'em go, because, man, they're gone." - Jack Handey

 

Thanks for the info on the settings. Okay I take back what I said about the Kenwood 4-ways. They don't sound all that terrible, but I will still be replacing them with the Rockfords. I figured out I was so disappointed because it didn't sound like I thought they would. I thought I would get atleast a little more base out of them, which is what I was trying to do for the time being until I get the subs. In my 2000 firebird, I have good sound quality and good base, with completely stock, what gives???

Here's what I cam up with please give me some of your opinions.

Alpine deck
Rockford 6x9
4x6 suggestions please
sub suggestions again
1 12" Rockford in a box.

I don't need staging, I don't need window shattering base. Thanks again.

------------------
"Blaming murders on guns is like blaming spoons for fat people"

 

RS,

I travel some and I'm amazed at the quality of stereo systems in new (rental) cars. Typically I'll get something like a Grand Am or Cavalier, not a luxury or high performance car. The range and overall performance of the systems in these cars are magnitudes better than just a few years ago. I think automakers realize a good stereo can help sell a car, they're paying more attention to it and are using the resources and technology at their disposal to put good sound systems in them. The impact then of putting an aftermarket system in a new car will not have as dramatic effect as it used to, unless you spend alot of money on the initial upgrade.

As far your system, the Alpine 7854 should be fine, it has a sub level control and single pre-out when you're ready for that stage of the upgrade. I know nothing about Rockford 6x9's. For the 4x6's check out Boston Acoustics, I have the conventional 2 way and it sounds good, check out the Boston 4x6 plate. You may want to listen to a Boston 6x9 model to have something to compare with the Rockford.
For the sub your best bet is probably an amplified tube (Bazooka or other) but you list a 12" in a box and if that's what you've decided get a good name low end amp to drive it, and 10" or even 8" would be sufficient (and probably the better choice) if, as you say, you don't need window shattering bass.

 

I'm sorry but rockford speakers suck. They should stick to amps and subs.