Proposed system comparisons, help a newbie!

[Airman Jack]

Ok guys so I've done some shopping around the bustling metropolis of Regina and found 3 shops with basically 2 different options.
Please note that I have every intention of keeping the stock HU.

Option 1:
Rockford Fosgate P2002 amp with remote sub control (250Wrms I think)
Kicker 05C104 Sub (300Wrms I think)
Pre-fab box
LLC
$700 (CDN) installed with tax

Option 2:
JL E1200 Amp, no remote sub control
JL 10W1v24 Sub (150W)
Custom Box
LLC
$800 (CDN) installed with tax

any suggestions/criticism/help?

Thanks everyone!!

[tsunami]

i prefer jl over fosgate, though the prices seem about right... i guess it depends on what the "custom" box is and if its worth it to you to have the look you want as opposed to a pre fab box. also with a hatch and not knowing what other audio stuff you have done 150w should be plenty if you have stock speakers, if you don't have stock speakers you may want to consider the fosgate with the more wattage, or get a jl 250/1 instead of the e1200 or if you want to do something nice, get the e4300 (4 channel class AB amp) and add a nice set of speakers and some sound deadening to the front doors and you will be all set

[Airman Jack]

the pre-fab box is a narrow but long box that I intend to place along the left side of the trunk, I'm trying to keep as much space available as possible in the car. I'm going to have them install the amp underneath the drivers seat.
I was originally looking at getting a custom fiberglass enclosure built into the space where the jackstand currently resides, but that would have put me over $1000 (CDN) and that's way outside my budget. The pre-fab box is actually what gave me the idea to go with a box instead of the full custom install.

I'm mostly looking for some low-end fill to help out rock and alternative music, sometimes electronic music.

Also, is the remote sub control worth it? To be able to balance out the sub independantly of the "Bass" controll on our HU seems to be an advantage to me..

[RyanJayG]

it depends on what type of "bass control" it is. I haven't read up on RF amps, but if its a bass boost then its not worth it, but if its a remote gain adjustment then it could be worth it.


but I also think its VERY worth it to upgrade and amp the front speakers also, instead of having a stock system with subwoofer. but its your car.

[tsunami]

it can be, not sure how rf's rbc works but usually its just a gain adjustment... once you have your set up and tuned the way you like it you shouldn't have to go back there and f-with it... though if you want it to just even things out on your rock/alt then to pound while listening to the rare electronic/hiphop stuff then it is something worth your while... jl has one as well as rf, theres are usually around 30-40us not sure if it is compatable with the e1200 though....

[tsunami]

the e1200 does accept the rbc, and if you get a dual vc sub you can run it at 2ohms and get over 200w out of it... its a nice lil amp...

[tsunami]

you could get the e1200 and the jl 10w3v2d4 and a box with a wiring kit and install yourself and still fall under your budget and have a nice start to a good system

[chuyler1]

I'd much rather see you buy the JL Audio equipment than the RF.

However, I say this to everyone. Upgrading just the bass and keeping the rest of the system stock is almost always overkill in the bass department. I suggest saving for a month or two and purchasing a 4-channel amp, set of speakers, and subwoofer. It will only cost you a few hundred dollars extra and you'll be much happier with the end result.

If you just go with the subwoofer and 2-channel amp, you will be missing a key frequency range between 90-200Hz that the stock speakers do a poor job of recreating. If you want to upgrade later, you will have to dish out for an additional amp.

[BC3I]

!JL!

[Airman Jack]

!JL!

*lol* wanna spot me $100? :p

[BC3I]

*lol* wanna spot me $100? :p

HAHA sure i'll sponsor ya (rlaugh) (pow) j/k i just think the JL would be the better way 2 go

[Airman Jack]

ok I called back the guys at A&B Sound in Regina, and I've changed some of the components, and talked to a better salesman! The new (and currently winning) setup is:

Clarion ABA 4320 Amp for $180 driving the sub AND my front stock speakers
JL 10W1 Sub for $160
Box they have to build for $120
wired and installed for $670 taxes included.

sounds good to me I think?

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions! I'm not willing to go tearing in to my electronics on my own quite yet... especialy when I'm bouncing around the country every 6 months and don't have a local shop that I can harass to fix my mistakes! A&B is a decent chain, the other installer was Visions Audio. So basically installing it myself is out.

Another question though: Is there any great advantage between the Kicker sub's dual voice coil and JL's single voice coil setup?

[BC3I]

sounds good man


i dunno..but i haven't really heard a whole lotta good things about kicker..just from people i know

[ChopstickHero]

box they have to build for $120?

i guess it depends on what kind of box they are actually building. if it's a generic looking one, then you can get one for alot less.

[Airman Jack]

yeah I was wondering about that. At the other shop in town they have a box that I like that is the right shape and dimension, for about $80 I think. I might just pick that up and get them to use that instead.

[RHAGEL]

JL, RF is having some financial trouble and may end up being bought out. My neighbor owns a Marketing company that sells car audio equipment. He says that RF has horrible customer service and a lot of quality control issues.

[chuyler1]

ok I called back the guys at A&B Sound in Regina, and I've changed some of the components, and talked to a better salesman! The new (and currently winning) setup is:

Clarion ABA 4320 Amp for $180 driving the sub AND my front stock speakers
JL 10W1 Sub for $160
Box they have to build for $120
wired and installed for $670 taxes included.

sounds good to me I think?
The amplifier can put out 80w to your front speakers. That's a bit much for powering speakers rated for about 10-25w. If this what you want to do, I would plan to replace the front speakers with a nice set of aftermarket speakers in the near future. A set of components would run $150-300 and would make a HUGE difference.

$120 is a bit much for the box and you get get it cheaper elsewhere.

Everything else about the system looks good.


Another question though: Is there any great advantage between the Kicker sub's dual voice coil and JL's single voice coil setup?
Having multiple voice coils doesn't really benefit the consumer as much as it benefits the manufacturer. It basically means the sub can be wired for two different impedences. For example, a 4ohm DVC sub can be either 2ohms or 8ohms. The manufacturer kills two birds with one stone and gives the consumer the option to change their wiring configuration down the road.

[Airman Jack]

Having multiple voice coils doesn't really benefit the consumer as much as it benefits the manufacturer. It basically means the sub can be wired for two different impedences. For example, a 4ohm DVC sub can be either 2ohms or 8ohms. The manufacturer kills two birds with one stone and gives the consumer the option to change their wiring configuration down the road.

ahhh that's what it's for... thanks!! yeah I think I'm going to go buy the sub box from Visions then get A&B to install it. I do plan on upgrading the front speakers in the future, that's why I took the advice to get the wiring laid now so later when it's in my budget I can buy the components! :D

[chuyler1]

Excellent. Just make sure when they install your amp, they set the crossover points correctly. You will want to highpass the stock speakers at about 100-120Hz. When you get components you can lower this to 70-90Hz. The subwoofer should be lowpass at about the same frequency. Have them show you how this works when you pick up your car.

[tsunami]

^^^^deffinatly, my first system many moons ago i paid to have it installed and never touched thinking they new what and where to set things, needles to say i blew some speakers b/c they didn't have the x over points set correctly for the setup i had, deffin make sure you know where and how to adjust these on your amp....

[tsunami]

oh yeah, sounds good btw, when you go to install new comps up front deff get some sound deadening.... TRUST ME!!! you won't believe the rattles i have with it, though i am running a lot more juice to the front then most in a 3, and that should be going up soon!!1!!11!!

[ZoomVT]

wow this sounds very nice dude. i am clueless in the audio department and everything you guys have said (especially the last 3 posts) sounds like an alien language to me.
Tsunami you seem to know quite a bit, im gonna have to pick your brain about a couple of things later on. since i am a newbie and i just wanted some kick with my bass i got a crappy sub and amp and after reading so much good info i want to re do it and do it right.

[tsunami]

yeah i do like some nice sound... and i have expensive taste... as far as knowing a lot i know more then most, but have a lot to learn compared to some of the guys on this board... let me know what you want to do and i can deffinatly stear you in the right direction and maybe even help you install it, though it better happen soon, or if you have a garage that would be even better...i do require payment up front however... (beer)

[JOS3]

definitely JL

[ZoomVT]

yeah i do like some nice sound... and i have expensive taste... as far as knowing a lot i know more then most, but have a lot to learn compared to some of the guys on this board... let me know what you want to do and i can deffinatly stear you in the right direction and maybe even help you install it, though it better happen soon, or if you have a garage that would be even better...i do require payment up front however... (beer)

Sounds good man. Actually i think im gonna stick it for the winter and be ready next spring. i want to have the carputer setup next srping as well so i'll do all at the same time. I'll def take you up on the offer and i am sure a couple of long trails/magic hats would do the job.

[tsunami]

Sounds good man. Actually i think im gonna stick it for the winter and be ready next spring. i want to have the carputer setup next srping as well so i'll do all at the same time. I'll def take you up on the offer and i am sure a couple of long trails/magic hats would do the job.

haha... sweet sounds good... mmmm longtrail and magic hat, some very tasty brews!!!