Sub and Amp recommendation for AC

That is a good amp, but you can get the more modern MRX-M50 for $160 from Amazon.com or $169 from Sonicelectronix.

 

I saw that thanks.

I emailed CarToys just to see how much they charge on a stereo install. I mean only the head unit. For the Kenwood HU that I am looking for they want 108 for the install. that includes runing the bluetooth mic and the wiring harness.


Holy shit.

 

You can, with minimal understanding of how a car stereo works, install one in 2-4 hours, including running the mic, ipod adapter, etc. Assuming you were to do the install after work the easy thing to do would be to solder/crimp the harness on night one. I did this the same night I did my install, but this would be the safe way. That would give you plenty of time to ensure that your connections are good, and you won't be pulling the head unit out anytime soon.
The second night you can pull the stock HU out, and install the new one. The hardest part for most people is removing the clock/hazard section from the stock trim piece. Follow the tutorials on here and it will be a breeze.
I ran the bluetooth mic to the top of my a-pillar. This took all of 10-15 min. Pull the a-pillar (two screws) and drop the wire in behind the dash. With a few tries it should drop through cleanly and you can fish it out with your hand. Pull some slack through and replace the a-pillar, then zip tie the mic cable out of the way as you run it to the HU. Easy.
I placed my GPS antenna directly on top of the HU and it works great. My iPod is in the glovebox, which takes all of a minute to do, though I wish now that I had run it to the center console. I will fix that later, but even doing that doesn't take long at all, and can actually be done without pulling the whole console. Remove the trim piece around the shifter by pulling up firmly, remove the cupholders and storage bin via the same method. You can then (with some luck) fish the wire under the center console and use a fish/coat hanger/fishing line noose, to pull it into the center console. Another 20 minutes if you have bad luck.
Save the $108, you can do it easily. The tutorials on here are great and will walk you through pulling the HU, which is very easy.

 

I figured I would save the hundred bucks and figure it out myself.

I am going to go test a couple headunits and subs today. Then probably order them from Crutchfield later. As much as I'd love to have them today, Crutchfield gives you the installation gear for free. Can't beat that

 

Good plan. Don't get in a hurry. Decide what "done right" is to you and make sure that you accomplish your goal the first time. Even if that means driving around without tunes, door panels, passenger seat, etc. for a week. Eventually it will be done, and it will be done right.

Don't do what I did and rush through the install to get it done. I will be tearing my car apart in a couple of weekends because I rushed the process and now want to make sure everything is done correctly.

 

So I just went to listen to some subs. The head unit, im sold on. Played with it. I think its great.

As for sub and amp combo. The sales man did his job and tried to sell me. Said for my application the amp (Kenwood KAC-8150D) seems like an overkill for a 10". We listened to music which I brought in through the head unit into a Fosgate P300.1 amp through a set (which is what I hated because they didn't have a single sealed) JL W1V2-4 10" sub.

I had been debating about the Fosgate amp. It's got really good reviews and for what I would be using it for seems like it would do perfectly. The sub I had intially looked at, then got turned away by a couple people.

The sub is a SVC 4ohm woofer, the amp is 300 RMS x1 at 2ohms.

He made me a deal on the headunit, amp, sub, and install kit for $600 out the door.

I liked how the sub sounded, but I wasn't able to hear it in a single sealed box. Fuck these decisions. Buying an engagment ring was easier

 

I am with you on the engagement ring - but I already knew what I wanted, so I walked in and drew it up, and had the thing made. I didnt take her with me, I didnt ask what she wanted, and I didnt look at all the stuff available, other than to see if someone sold what I wanted.


As long as you are happy, rock the setup. I doubt you will be disappointed, not get installing!

 

I knew exactly what I wanted with the ring. Called my jewler and wham bam it was done. I know I'm saving a but load by doing the install myself. Oh, decisions, decisions.

Fuck, I almost said let's do it. Then changed my mind. I know I'll change my mind again in probably 2 hours.

 

You realize that you won't get the 300W with a 4ohm SVC sub right? Haven't looked at your sub specs to see if that's what you want though.

 

With a 4ohm SVC on a 300w amp, ill get what 150 maybe 175.

This is my problem.

 

You should have saved your money on the engagement ring and sprung for a killer sound system instead

 

Not a chance in hell. That is what overtime is for

 

Alright,

So how about this setup.

For the head unit. The Kenwood KDC-X895

For Amp: Kenwood KAC-8105D
-4ohms: 300watts x1
-2ohms: 500watts x1
- Max power 1000watts x1

For sub, I'm am starting to think about these two. If I order from SonicElectronix.com I can spend a little extra on the sub. Here they are.

1. Alpine Type R 10" Dual 2ohm
- Peak of 1200watts
- RMS of 600watts
- Dual voice coils

2. JL Audio 10W3v3-2 10" Single 2ohm
- Peak of 1000watts
- RMS of 500watts
- Single voice coils at 2ohm

JL has better reviews. But both are really good subs

 

I run a kicker zx400.1 and a Solobaric L5 10" sub and it sounds really good. I have been running it for about 4 years or so almost everyday and never had a problem.

 

That is a much better setup for the money in my opinion. Between the subs, pick the one you prefer aesthetically, because I think they will both sound great, provided they are in the correct box.

 

Alright I finally made a decision. I went to another audio shop here in Portland and talked to them about what I wanted. We listened to a bunch of different subs and decided on s 10" Hertz in a sealed box along with a Hertz mono amp. These things sound amazing. I almost went with a 8" but they didn't have a box. I'm stoked. I'm ordering my head unit tonight. System will be complete next week

 

Wow! Great choice. I think you will love it.

 

That will still put you at 4ohms because there's no way that amp is 1ohm stable. If they have a dual 4ohm coil get that one.

 

Where are you mounting the sub? I have AC and the back of my cab is filled with tools I can't mount any sub there unless I go under the seat...

 

Already do. I had them install it, since they cut me a deal and I wanted to make sure it was done correctly since I went to the top of my budget. Right now it is running off of some line convertors and it hits. I've only listened to the radio with (as I am burning a CD currently). Here are the specs (from Hertz's website).

Amp:

Hertz HE2.1
Output Power @ 14.4c = 200w x1 @ 4ohm
320w x1 @ 2ohm
450w x1 @ 1ohm
Distorsion - THD (100hZ@4ohm) = 0.15%
S/N Ratio (A weighted@1 V) = 100dB
Damping Factor (100 Hz@4ohm) = 150
Size (mm) = 266x289x63.5

Sub:

Hertz ES 250 D
10"
Dual voice coil
Sensitivity: 91.5 dB/SPL
Power Handling: 500w peak, 250w continuous
Prequency Response: 28Hz-300Hz

And on to the photos: