Help Building a New System

So last week I installed a pair of Alpine Type-R's in the rears of my double cab because I thought one of them was blown but it turns out it was the sub (I've got the factory JBL system). So now I kinda just want to build a new system. I'd like to keep it under 1k but make it sound as good as possible. Anyone got any suggestions for making a good system?

 

What kind of system do you want? are you looking for sq, spl, or some where in the middle? also how much space do you want to give up?

 

A 1k budget will REALLY get us somewhere as long as you plan it right. In response to Kevin's above question; what are you going for?

 

I guess somewhere in the middle. I want to keep the stock head unit, and basically upgrade everything else. I was looking at the 12" Fosgate shallow subs, was thinking I'd just get one and then an amp and speakers for the front. I'm open to suggestions on speakers and amps or subs if you know of better.

 

I'm gona link what I recommend to the models at crutchfield, not as an endorsement to them, but because its just easier that way, and gives a consistent pricing medium to go by.


Since you already have Alpine Type R 6.5's in the back, use them. Get a matching set of Type R speakers for the front (either 6x9's or more 6.5's if you get the 6x9 to 6.5 adapaters). That way you have the same type of tone from the speakers. I hate mixing brands for front and rear speakers. Looking at $160 for the 6x9's, or $150 for 6.5"s. I would just do the 6x9's, and dont forget a set of spacers. Contact Mr Marv here on the forums for those, I don't know the price.

For an amp, get an Alpine PDX5. I am not a big fan of alpine amps (or anything they make honestly), but that one will save you a ton of space, and the prices should be coming down on them as Alpine just announced the new line of PDX's that are due to ship soon (shown at CES a week or two ago). Power specs on this amp are pretty good too. About $600 for the amp.

To install the amp to your factory radio you will need a LOC, or "line output converter". The cheap route will be to get 2, 2 channel basic ones that run about $25 each and wire them in, and just run the rca's to the amp. Personally, those style units create alot of unneeded clutter. Something like the

Peripheral PCH8 8 Channel Line Output Converter

Peripheral PCH8 would work. You can run speaker level inputs form your amp, up to 4 pair. You would run the wires from front door tweeter pair, front door mid pair, rear door fullrange pair, and subwoofer into this thing. It thin would take the singals and even though they are crossed over for various frequencies in the amp, the PCH8 will sum them to a fullrange signal and output it at RCA level that you would then run 3 pair to the amps 3 pairs of inputs, and use the amps built in crossover for your speakers (I would do 80hz high pass to front, 80 or 100 highpass to rear, and 80 down to subs.


$150 or so for front speakers.
50 or so for speakers (i assume)
600 for amp
+140 for pch8

$940 so far. BUT, as I said, you can find that amp cheaper online, and it will drop more soon. Can likely find the speakers cheaper too.



As far as a sub is concerned. If you want to keep everything the same brand, Alpine just announced their new flat sup that will be released soon. Its in the Type R line, so I would expect them to run $220-$300 for one of them. Most of the flat subs run about $200. Pioneer has a flat 10 that runs about $150 that sounds good. Still need a box for a sub however.




I would focus on finding the best price on the speakers for the front door and the spacers for them first. Then buy them, see how much money is left, then price shop on the amp and an adapter with channel summing ability (you will need it to adapt from that JBL amp) and do that next.

 

Of all the flat subs I have heard, the Fosgates are by far the worst.

 

Alpine PDX5 for $399
Alpine Type R 6x9's $99

 

I agree with this i wouldn't go with fosgate's shallows. an alpine set up would be nice. (I love alpine) but you don't have to match everything. shop around and even go to a local shop and look at different head units and try out different speakers and subs. I would start by finding a good headunit to build your system around.

 

sorry just read you wanted to keep the stock the headunit. you could either do the 5 channel amp setup and run your whole system that way or do a 4 channel and a sub amp. You could do some really awesome setups with both.