I've gained some useful audio knowledge, thanks to you guys, over the last few days and here's my attempt at a somewhat budget/decent sounding system. Let me know if I'm doing it wrong.

Head Unit: Pioneer AVH-4300DVD - $385

Front Speakers: Alpine SPR-60C - $165
110W RMS @ 4ohm

Rear Speakers: Alpine SPR-60 - $108
100W RMS @ 4ohm

Subwoofer: JL Audio 10W3v3-2 - $184
500W RMS @ 2ohm

Subwoofer Amp: JL Audio JX500/1 - $200
500W RMS @ 2ohm

Front/Rear Speaker Amp: Cant decide. Any suggestions here? I found an amp made by Hifonics - HFi100.4 HFi Series A/B Stereo Amp, that looks like it would work, but I'm not sure. It's rated for 4 x 100 @ 4ohms, which makes me think it would work? I'm definitely open to suggestions on this one. Definitely want to start buying tomorrow if possible while everything is so discounted.

 

It looks like you can get JL audio equipment cheap. Why not get a 300/4 for the highs?

 

The hifonics amp will work fine, but I would go with a JL 360/4 so the amps match. I would also upgrade to the Alpine SPX-17REF. They can be found for under 200 if you look around.

 

But would the 360/4 make the speakers sound as good as the hifonics since the 360/4 is only putting out 70w RMS to the speakers compared to the hifonics 100w RMS?

 

70w is enough to power the alpines. the extra power would be nice, but you probably wouldn't notice much difference in loudness between the two. is there any way you can listen to some amps and see what you like?

 

No unfortunately I don't think there is a way :/ I think I'm going to go with the hifonics because 1 it's cheaper and 2 it will give the speakers the power the want (hopefully) making the sound quality better. I'm planning to mount them in the space behind one of the seats so if they don't match no biggie. Wish me luck! I'll write a whole review on this after I finish. Might be awhile

 

fwiw, i run 125w to my front stage, more power is always better what really matters is what you'll be happy with, which sounds like the hifonics. good luck!

 

I have no experience with any of this, so I'm hoping the hifonics is decent quality. And I hope I will be able to install all of this myself.

 

hifonics is decent quality, but they used to be much more highly regarded. installing an amp is something anybody can do; if you get stuck, ask questions!

 

I used to use HiFonics stuff quite a bit. Held up great. Agreed on installation being easy. Check out http://www.bcae1.com/ and www.the12volt.com. Both sites have more information than you'd ever need.

As for power rating... Most speakers can handle a little more than their RMS rating, but underpowering them is fine too. I've done both. Proper amp tuning is 100000x more important than the 10w difference between the HiFonics amp and those speakers' RMS rating.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info man! I don't know what'd I do without you guys.

 

HiFonics used to make AWESOME stuff back in the late 80s / early 90s, now their stuff is just at the "ok" level. The JL might be a slighter better amp based on build quality and some specs, but you'll never hear the 30 watts of difference on the HiFonics so I buy whichever one is cheaper.

Install amp is straight forward if you can follow directions and aren't afraid to rip various interior bits out of your car. Finding a place to route and then hide all the wires is the hardest part.

 

FROM THE pm WEVE BEEN ON:

Top of the line Alpine IPOd controlling deck, Pandora, all the bells n whistles, an ALpine PDX 5 channel amp ( more than plenty and electrically and physically inobtrusive and good for a first time car install), Alpine IMPRINT crossover, EQ and time correction software w the microphones and set up gear, as well as Boston Pro 60 Ses up front, and Boston Coax in the rear. Zenclusres simple single ten box, and a JL Audio 10w3v3-4 ohm woofer.

1512 dollars shipped using buy it now.

You , my friend, cannot beat that.


Heres what i would reccomend.

5 channel alpine amp, under passenger seat, size of a stack of copy paper.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpine-PDX-5...item415f88ebbf

$330.


Alpine top of the line Ipod controller, pandora etc.
$319.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IDA-X305S-AL...item1e660f4668

Alpine IMPRINT EQ software system
$120 + 29 more for the install /run kit.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALPINE-P...item19cac31030





Boston Pro 60Se front speakers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOSTON-PRO60...item45fe17e06c

$389 bucks and worth EVERY PENNY.


Boston 6.5 co ax for rear.
$100 bucks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BOSTON-ACOUS...item20bf76e27d

ZEnclosures 1-10" enclosure

$100 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZEnclosures-...item45f73c85fc


10w3v3-4 ohm.
$159 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JL-AUDIO-10W...item2c603879b2


THIS IS A SUPREME HIGH END OF COMPONENTRY AND SOUND SOFTWARE, WITH THE CORRECT INSTALLATION AND A PROPER TUNER.. THIS WILL BE A BETTER SOUND THAN oem pORSCHE.

I HAVE MUCH OF THIS IN MY CAR. THIS TOTALS TO 1512 DOLLARS SHIPPED MY FRIEND.

BTW,120V INSTALL THEORY DOESNT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SOME 12 V PRINCIPLES.. TALK TO A PRO 12V GUY BEFORE YOU INSTALL. VERY SIMPLE DIFFERENCES, NOT A BIG DEAL.

you can always upgrade woofers alter, add a bigger sub amp etc. This will get you in with extreme high quality componenets and is FULLy build on-able. You will smile nbig time w this set up, on any song that you play.

Will it SHATTER your ears? Maybe not, but it willl get hella loud and will sound amazing. And your car will barely know its there.

 

Awesome system... I'll be doing some very similar in my Z. With 75 x 4 + 300 x 1 using that little digital amp it will get plenty loud even with just one 10".

Love to hear more reviews on people running Alpine's Imprint system in a Z. Its one of the reasons I'm switching from Pioneer to Alpine.

 

Its a ***** to set it up.. ut if you GOOGLE a bit to learn how to trick it for bass level its truly the best thing going..

 

Yeah I've read it kills your bass but a quick twist of the gain **** on your sub amp will fix that. Glad to hear you like it

Shocked they are not more systems like Imprint on the market, most home theater receivers have 'em. Rockford's new 360.3 sounds great but ain't coming out til Spring '12. The JBL MS-8 is more for factory integration and its expensive. The BitOne is a manual job, and I'm looking for plug-n-play.