System Advice - I'm a Noob to this stuff (long)
 

Hey All,
I have an oft repeated question, but one that the experts on here can hopefully help me solve.
I want to upgrade the system in my car, and so far have the following:

Alpine 7894 Head Unit
Clarion 200.2 AMP
Bazooka sub in a pre-built box (see pic on homepage for example) or link http://www.bazooka.com/productAutoRa...sRX.asp?id=184
MTX 6922 6x9s for the rear deck (bought, not installed).

I'm looking at getting a new set of components to put up front, either:
MB Quart PSD316 (3 piece component system, with crossovers)
or
Diamond Audio M6 components.

I need advice as to whether I'll need a 2nd AMP to run this (given that the Alpine HU also has a built in amp) and what power/# of channels I'd need it to be.
(I was looking at a 300.4 JL amp, or a JL 1200.1 AMP)

Would my 200.2 Clarion AMP be enough to power the fronts? Would a single additional amp be able to handle the sub/rears?

Also, what will I need as far as wiring / capacitors / battery (stock)?

I appreciate ALL input, and am looking for not only suggestions on what brands/models, but also on custom installing this (locations, etc).

Thanks in advance!
Mike

Do you NEED an amp to power the fronts, NO...Do you want one...Maybe...I say get one, a good quality one with somewhere between 50-100 watts per channel should be plenty. Personally I say lose the clarion amp and the bazooka sub. But if you want to keep them I certainly understand...If you do keep them try to stick with the same kind of amp for the rest.

Both componets you listed are very good, listen to both and see what fits for what you hope to get out of them best.

You need speaker wire, power wire, remote wire and RCA's. I doubt you need a cap or battery, put it all in then see, it can be added later. As far as install goes, depends on what you looking to do and what you walet can handle. HOpe this gets you going in a little better derection.

Holy CR@P Dude, NIIIICE Setup in your ride! :eek:

any suggestions as far as subs/amp? I'm thinking about doing a custom install in the spring, where I'd get the spare tire well converted in to a sub well, and do some plexi/fiberglassing of amps in the trunk (similar to yours, so my trunk space loss is minimal).

Thanks for the feedback. Oh, and the Bazooka sub does kick butt, and the clarion is clean, but I know jack about wiring / tuning, so I'm just going on what I hear.

Mike

Thanks...Let me also say, that instal is now in a junkyard somewhere, as it has been completly redone, and now takes up less space. ;)

I'd be happy to suggest some things, but you gotta give me a price range and exactly what you are looking to get out of it. Might I also tell you the stuff in the old install you looked at is now on ebay ;)

yea space is always an issue. try using a transmission line box. They're pretty cool, can be compact, pretty lud with the right sub and I can show you a starter link to learning bout them.

Hey, whatever that is, it sounds interesting. Feel free to post up a link, or PM me the info. Better to post tho, so someone else can learn :)

Thanks,
Mike

Hey Jason, thanks again for replying.
Have any pics of the new install?

Anyways, let me break down my "goal".
I'm sticking with the HU I have, and I think I'm settled on the Diamond Audio M661 series (6"mid, 1' tweet). I have the sub right now for some base, and it needs an amp.

My goal is to customize the trunk, similar to yours, whereby I have the sub mounted in the spare tire well, and the trunk has a nice plexi/wood flat setup that shows off the system.
I travel alot and my wife and I need the trunk space.

My budget is probably as follows:
Amp - $300 U.S.
Subs - $200
Speakers $300 (D.A. $265)

I'm not in a hurry to get the subwoofer/trunk done, as I need to save the dough, but I will buy components one at a time, with the goal of doing a bigger install of it all in the summer.

Any suggestions or thoughts on my approach would be very much appreciated, and I thank you for taking the time to answer my posts.

Mike

P.S. what do you think of this amp?
 

it's pretty cheap, and puts out decent power.
Any good?

Mike

I do have some of the new install pics on my PC, but not online the ones I have are pretty small they are sample pics I took from MEI.

The diamonds are good, if you are still slightly unsure also check out focal, eclipse and boston. Don't forget checking online for great deals.

If your thinking of going with painted glass like I have, be prepared to shell out lots and lots of money. If you intend to go witha more tradional setup where are the tire well is the enclosure and the fake floor is carpeted and then covered with plex and another cover that ccould be more affordable and more practical.

As for amps again check ebay and retail to see what you can find in your range you like but check out brands like Eclipse, Zapco AG, JL audio, PG, Kicker, Alpine, companys like that...Stay away from Jensen, Jbl, exploid things like that.

Re: System Advice - I'm a Noob to this stuff (long)
 

You cannot use a JBL BP1200.1 for mids/highs...it is a mono amp designed for subwoofer use. For such high quality speakers like the Diamonds or MBs, I suggest something from PPI, P/G, Kicker, Zapco or Xtant, though zapco's and xtant's can be kinda pricy. If you want a lot of bass but you do not want to spent a ton, you should look at getting a pair of audio adire shivas and sticking them in a sealed box. As for a subwoofer amp, the jbl powervalve series is just about the best bang for buck amp out there (can be bought very cheap on e-bay).

I had to stick my nose in here and say a few things too..

As far as an amp for the highs, yes you do need it. When dealing with a component setup the amp is almost a must. DA,Focal,Eclipse,etc.will all tell you this. With MBQ the PSD line and above will blow if not powered by an amp. The signal from a HU is just not clean enough.

A cap shouldnt be neccessary, and Jason said, and what I tell all my customers...try it without it first, then if needed get it. I dont like to see people spend money that they ended up not needing to.

As far as shopping online..there is no warranty,it can be grey market,stolen,fake,etc..You never know what you are getting.

The only authorized dealer for Alpine and Kicker is: Crutchfield
DA,Focal,Zapco,Xtant,MBQ,etc...There are none at all.


My $.02

Thanks for all the responses guys.. this is exactly what I wanted to know.
What do you guys think of this amp to power my system - Zapco 650
http://www.zapco.com/nosound/prod/650.html

Thanks!
Mike

If you want it, Get it....NOw.

Like, RIGHT now? or NOW? what's the urgency? you want me to stop asking inane questions? :laugh:

Mike

Na like if you like it...Get it, it's a great amp. Will power everything you need...Only downside is it's size.

I can actually provide you with that amp for $689! :D


Decent price for him Jason?


--Don

Don,
You won't believe me, but I have a line on it for $700 Canadian!!! :D

What do you think of it? Would I be better off with a 4 channel and run the sub with the 200.2 amp?

(for now), or think long term, and get the 650?

Tanks!

not to shabby.

Hey Don, you quoted me that price on the M661s. How much shipped to postal k1s 2z9 (via the cheapest / least duty oppressive postal service)?

What's your grand total on that? PM if you want.
I'm gonna get that for X-mas from wifey :)

Thanks!

Mike

Mike,

Email me, Im sure we can find a way to ship it there.

--Don