just bought a alpine mrv-f450, 5 channel. RMS is 400w, so i figure i want wiring that can handle around 800w.

anyways, bestbuy had a nice kit, good materials and oxygen-free, but it was like $85.

seeing EVERYTHING seems to be cheaper online, where and what should i get?

thanx in advance.

(hey bob did you ever find that kit? depending on when it all comes i might install it before the 16th....too long to wait) - 8)

 

go stinger all the way...theyre a little pricey but one series of their kits is plated in gold which is not just for looks. and pricey is not too expensive, just more then your average wal-mart kit. everybody around here who knows anything has stinger wiring and they are extremely satisfied. including me.

 

i do have the install harness. i also have RCA cables and the line level converter, if you need that. the only thing you really need is the power wire, i have a fuse holder. the wire you can get anywhere for cheap, there is a good flea market here with about 15000 sq feet of stereo stuff. or you could buy it at best buy.

 

i got a Rockford Fosgate Amp kit for 85 bucks at best buy. Nice kit, though i cant say how well it works, still no Sub in the truck. Probably gunna be another week before i get it too.

 

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=263-774

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=263-760

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...Number=079-040

 

I got a Scocshe 4g dual amp kit from wally world for like 20 bucks. does just fine.

 

Lightning Audio... never had a problem and can prolly find cheap online...

 

I have a Rockford Fosgate dual amp wiring kit, but the only reason I got it is because it was cheap on ebay, and came with the distribution blocks (power and ground) and also came with fuses. It is the TypeRF 1000W dual amp kit. I wouldn't have bought it if it weren't a good deal.

The Scocshe kits are fine from wal-mart, and the Lightning Audio kits are fine. It really all depends on looks. If I had to do it all over again (which I may soon) I would go with Directed Audio distribution blocks and wire. It looks cool.

But most audio shops don't use the expensive stuff that they sell and they don't use a kit. They have the cheap ugly wire in the back that they use and charge you for the expensive stuff. If I need wire in a hurry, I go to my local audio shop and buy the stuff they have in the back. About the same price as a Scocshe kit from Wal-Mart now that I think about it.

IMO, stinger is WAY overpriced. I am not saying that their stuff isn't good, but it is overpriced. I must not know anything since I don't waste my money and overpay for it.

Just because it is expensive doesn't make it better. This can be said about all car audio.

 

x2...dont knock it because its scoshe. after all its just wire and spending $100 or $20 for a wiring kit will not make a dam difference.

 

stinger has proven benefits and their gold-plated and platinum-plated kits are great and i have noticed a difference in quality with a cheap kit and a stinger. the setup was exactly the same except for the wiring. you get wut you pay for.

 

noticed a difference huh, ur ears must be really good then. the audible difference between a cheaper wiring kit and high end wiring kit is nill.

again i strongly stand by the Schoshe wiring kits u can get (hate this place with a passion) Wal-Mart.

 

Spend your money on the signal wires, NOT the power wires. Sure, don't get the cheapest, but CERTAINLY do not buy the most expensive.

I wouldn't spend more than 20 or 30 on a wiring kit. Heck, the best thing to do is just buy a battery terminal and a fuse block, and then buy the wire in bulk from your local stereo shop.

I've used the scosche kits before, and they work just fine, just throw away their RCA cables.

 

Monster Audio!!! You Can Not Go Wrong....as Long As You Are An Audiophile....faint Of Heart Need Not Apply....different Applications For Spl Needs Or Sql Needs...whatever You Want...heck They Even Make An Alternator And Batteries For You To Upgrade...do Not Change Out Your Alternator Without Consulting Your Service Advisor Though....will Void Warranty....computer Also Needs To Be Reprogrammed To Handle New Voltage Variances From More Powerful Alternator.....

 

show me where Monster cable makes enough of a difference to warrent the price.

doing the big 3 upgrade works well.

and altenators are internally regulated to limit voltage to somewhere around 14.6-15.2 so what does that have to do with the ECU? a more powerful alt. will produce more amps not volts.

 

Busted....you got me....pardon me for stating voltage variances....i should have said to compensate for the difference in current...remember though, not everyone in this club has a background in electrics...so to some voltage/current are ???....Changing your alternator has everything to do with your PCM. you are changing a major component in your electrical system to increase current to your stereo system. Your PCM can not compensate itself for something that drastic. Hell it can't compensate for changing tire size...

 

oh, the price is warranted when you are hitting at roughly 123.4 db's and it's not enough....i upgraded to 0 gauge monster cable for power, 00 for ground, 4 gauge for amp-sub, 18 for remote, for 200 dollars and punched out at 127.9 db's with only the wiring being upgraded....pretty good justification to me....

 

perhaps ur wiring wasnt sufficent for the amps being supplied? i HIGHLY doubt u'll goin 4 DB just from changing a wiring manufactor.


there is a big difference between volts and current or i wouldnt have mentioned it. im not all together i believe the PCM needs to be flashed for a higher output alt. not saying ur wrong but i want proof.

 

Well he improved more so from the increase in gauge than the brand name of the wire. Like I said before, wire is wire. Signal wire can make more of a difference, but there is always the law of dimishing returns in car audio when talking cost/performance.

 

i whole heartly agree Mn, i was more or less restating what u said. its all in the guage of wire not the brand that makes a difference.

signal wire is a touchy subject however. i feel most of the stuff on the market is voodoo. i found a good article on making ur own RCA cables cheap. any interest? if so ill post up even though its on a s-dime site.