Now that i have some money to spend, I'm thinking about a new headunit. The one i have now is starting to fail. I'm thinking about this one http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP8600MP?vq_id=none
(Pioneer DEH-P8600MP)

I also want some new speakers but i'm not sure what to get. I am looking for something good but not too expensive. I think i will need an amp for them, but again i'm not sure what i need. I could get a 4 channel amp and another amp for a sub if i put one in later. Or a 5 channel amp to power every thing. The sub i would like to add is a MTX Audio Sledge Hammer 5510A. I am still kinda new to car audio and not sure what i need.

Right now i have a jensen headunit, factory installed speakers and a 50 watt bazooka sub. It is not bad but I'm ready to move on to something better.

Thanks,
CAW

 

Thats not a bad headunit. It should make any subs hit nicely. As far as subs and amp go, I've liked Rockford Fosgate as a good beginner. You can usully get their subs for about $125 a piece and an amp for about $300.

 

Pioneer Headunits kick ***! I've had my DEH-P6500 for over 2 years now and i still love it. Not too sure on the rest of the system, but the pioneer is definitely a good start

 

In my last truck (2000 Jeep Cherokee) I ran an Alpine 9833 head unit, a 400W 4 channel Clarion amp, and 4 Pioneer 6.5" 4 way speakers. The 4 way speakers had a bit too much highs for my liking, I've had the 3 ways and in my opinion I think the 3 ways sound better. The headunit was the nost expensive part and it was under $400. The amp was about $200 and the speakers were $99 per pair. The 3 ways are on sale at the Best Buy near me for $82/pair right now in 6x8. I've always been one to say do it right the first time and spend the money once. If you go out and buy a $150 headunit, $50 speakers and a cheesy amp you are just going to get something better at a later date and now your out $300. I like the headunit choice but make sure you get a great amp and great speakers. Save the extra money ONCE and do it RIGHT the first time.

Johnny K

 

Hey every body,
ive had my sledge hammer 4512 for about 3 months now and i love it. i paid $200 for it and for the money i fell it is a great product. My JVC head unit goes to 75 on volume but only has 2.5 volt pre-amp out put but at 20 on volume it makes my shirt jump. I have only a 500 watt amp and hed unit is on -6 on bass and its all i can stand. The only problem i had is that the box is a big square and on my edge ext-cab i had 1 seat up and 1 down. I hope some of his help out.

John

 

WOW someone else from Indiana.

 

Are these the speakers you are talking about ?http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIOTSA6870R?vq_id=none
(pioneer 3 way speakers).
I've had those in mind. How much power do i need to run them? They recommend 60 watt rms. But that seems like it would be too loud to stand. The hu can put out 25? watts continously. People get amps for speakers, so they must need some more power. I don't know a lot about amps. I have been looking at this amp http://www.cardomain.com/item/ABNA6004T (audiobahn A6004T). Do you think it would be any good? And do i need 4 channels?

Thanks,
CAW

Indiana

 

Pioneer 4500 or better (that one you linked to above is more "bling" than anything else, or an Alpine.

Hold up very well.

Speakers, a good rule of thumb, if the speakers call for 60 watt RMS, get at least a 75-100 watt per channel amp.

I personally prefer Kicker, for the money they are very nice. Very low distortion, even when the gain is almost all of the way up.

If you are planning on running one sub, check out the older KX700.5. 150x4 and then a 400 watt sub channel. They can be found for around $300.

Remember, about too loud, you can always turn a properly built systems volume down. You can't crank a crap stereo up loud and sound good.

 

Exactly! There is nothing that annoys me more about car audio than a "trunk rattler." They sound like crap when turned up. I could make my trunk rattle for a lot less than these people are spending. The link didn't come up for me but if they are the 60W RMS ones I'd bet that they are the same ones. I personally am not one for just huge bass, I prefer concert quality sound and loud but, this setup would certainly rattle the windows. With a good headunit an amp isn't necessary but you'd be shocked at the difference just in the cleaner sound at the same level. The extremely clean sound is why I went with the Alpine headunit as opposed to the Pioneer. Alpine is known in audiophile circles as having very clean sound. Another consideration that went into my descion was I have an Alpine XM Tuner and I didn't want any compatibility issues. I also liked the basic look of the Alpine better (sorry I'm not really into bling just for blings sake).

One other thing, as for amps I've always had a soft spot for the Pheonix Gold amplifiers. My brother had a 4 channel in a Camaro and it was the cleanest sound I've ever heard. However, they aren't cheap (heck I'm not even sure if they're still around, I haven't looked them up in years...)

 

Yes. The person I have learned everything from was AC/DC's sound guy for 15 years. A lot of people disagree with what he says. When they can put something together that sounds better, I will listen to what they have to say.

 

After some more research I have found an amp that i like http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_1703.html (Phoenix Gold Octane-R 8.0:4 R8.0:4 ). I'm still trying to decide on some speakers. I've been looking at the pioneer 3 way $50/pair http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIOTSA6870R?vq_id=none

Or these rockford fosgate 3way Punch P1683C $100/pair http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCP1683C?vq_id=none

I've heard that they are both good but not the greatest available. I went to the store today and tried out the pioneers. They seemed to rattle slightly when i turned up the volume(bass all the way up). Maybe it is just how they had them mounted, beats me. I wont need too much bass on them because i will have a sub. And one other question. Can my truck handle all the power? I have the factory alternater. The only things i have added to my truck are some fog lights (50 watt).

Thanks,
CAW

 

The stats on that amp look real good. As for the speakers I think both would work fairly well but, you might want to look for a bit better speakers. Next on the agenda, will the truck be able to handle it? It shouldn't have any problems at all but, I'm not 100% certain. My Jeep had no problems whatsoever but the Jeeps have 110 Amp alternators and I'm not positive of what's in these yet.

 

I was just looking at the stats on the speakers and I personally think you should save the 50 bucks and get the Pioneers

 

phoneix gold is getting cheap i think idk if its just me. But i have seen 3 of them blown one actually started a fire in my friends trunk. Not a big one just burned the carpet a little. this is just my opinon idk if these people had them hooked up right or what not. just saying ive seen 3 blown ones.