Just bought a new deck ,it is a Panasonic CQ-DF602F. It is a good loking radio, and has front, rear and sub RCA out puts. So what next. I want to get rid of the Monsoon amp and repalce all of the speakers. I love SQ so I want to go with top end equip. What are your expereinces with different equip? What do you recomend for amps, speakers and such. I know I have heard people say that what ever catches your ear you should buy but what sounds good on the wall at the local audio mart may not sound good in your car. Just looking for input on products that other people have tried and had luck with, thanks in advance!
Brian

 

You have heard right. The store wall and a car are two different things. Ok Ok.... SQ guy huh? Well... how much money are you looking to spend on everything? Subs, amps, components, wire etc. How much bass do you want? I really have to question this because you said you are an SQ guy and many do not like a lot of boom. Just 1 12" is fine for them. But some SQ guys still like to have 2 12"s.....Do you have t-tops? Do you plan to keep the storage space for them? Where do you plan to put the box for the subs? JL and MTX both make a box that fits into the drivers side cubby hole in the rear hatch and make use of otherwise useless space. If you want to use the t-top area for the box, check out www.subthump.com Fantastic boxes!! Either way I'm gonna have to recommend Adire Audio. www.adireaudio.com Just ask around here. Everybody will agree. They have an outstanding 12" sub called the Shiva. It can be had for $125 and has some superb SQ for the cash. Or if you want more they have a 15" called the Tempest. Great sub as well. Or if you got the cash, they have the Brahma series (10",12",15") They run from $340 for the 10" to $429 for the 15". These are a supreme woofer. Outstanding SQ AND SPL. They are VERY comparable to the JL W7. If not an Adire product, get JL. The new V2 line is a fantasic buy. The 12W6v2 or 12W3v2 would be great for you.
For amps, there are a ton. If you are looking for a high power amp for your subs (1000wRMS or greater) the best bang for the buck right now is the JBL 1200.1 ($290), Lanzar Vibe 1200 ($260) and the revolution d1500.1. I'm gonna have to recommend the Revo out of the three. Has tons of features and can be had for $359 from www.ampmanaudio.com There are quite a few amps out there, but these are the best for your money. If you got the cash, there are MANY more high quality amps. But you will spend an arm and a leg. ($700-800 for 500wRMS)
As far as speakers for the front. Everyone will recommend a set of component speakers. A set includes 2 mids, 2 tweets and 2 crossovers that are especially for those speakers. Power them with 80-100WRMS and you'll be grinning plenty. As far as brand names. MB Quart, Focal, JL Audio, Rainbow, CDT. The list goes on and on. Depends on how much you want to spend. I recommend spending roughly $250-300 on these. These will make or break your stereo. Our stock speaker size is 6.75" but MOST 6.5" speakers will fit. For a perfect fit for all 6.5" you need part number 142SAC656 ($12.00/pair) at www.crutchfield.com But some companies make 6.75" speakers. As for speakers by the rear seats.... this is debatable. Many people like not having speaker there at all. They say it destroys the front soundstage. In my opinion, they are correct.... to a point. In most vehicles this is true. But in a firebird, if you lean the seat back at all you are practically closer to the rear speakers then the front. I personally prefer having some rear fill. Nothing big. Just a set of mid bass speakers. I have tried both ways in many different vehicles and that is just my preference. Try it with out first and see what you like. You mentioned you have the monsoon system. This means you also have those little speakers in the rear hatch area too correct? If so, ditch them for sure! They will DESTROY your soundstage!! That is something everyone agrees on!

 

Holy $hit!! That is the longest post I've ever done! No problem to me though, I enjoy it!

 

WOW , thanks! I forgot to mention that I do have the low end taken care of. I have a custom box in the spare tire well with one MTX 10" powered by my tried and true(and well used) Punch 40 DSM. I love that amp, wish that they stil made them like that. I have abused that thing for years since I bought and it has never missed a beat. Sorry I forgot to mention it before, it has been so long since I installed it. I used to compete on a novice level with my old car and I would like to get into it again. I think I will probably retire the amp and sub and pos go with one 12. I used to use JL and think I will go back. I have heard good things abought the lanzar amps I just need to find a dealer in the metro area. And yup I have the speakers in the rear hatch area and they are going to be the first to go. I want to do a 7 speaker system, 6 1/2 components in the doors, 6 1/2 mids in the sail pannels and on twelve or ten in the rear. I doo have t tops and I checked out the sub thump site and I love the millhouse box! I think I will go with one of thoes with the SS emblum. Thanks for the suggestions!, it will give me a place to start!

Brian

 

Glad I could help! Great decision on the millhouse! Great decision on the 7 speaker system as well! I recommend the Focal K2's for the front www.cbrstereo.com is about the cheapest.($329 I think) Besides Ebay of course. Or the new Adire Audio Koda component system. www.ampmanaudio.com They JUST came out, so I don't have any personnal experience with them yet, but SOON SOON! Although, they released the mids before the whole set and I have heard nothing but great things about them. Plus, they are suppose to be very good in stock speaker locations due to great off-axis ability. Both are great component systems. Are those too expensive? Or could you spare even a little more? There are better out there.... but unless your are competing in SQ (which you said you might) they are not really worth the extra money in my opinion. Oh, and Lanzar is thought of as crap. That particular amp actually does put out close to 1200WRMS, but I don't know how reliable it is. I personally wouldn't chance it, although I have heard many good things about that particular amp. But if you mention Lanzar to just about anyone, they will laugh at you. They don't have the best reputation. Have any more questions? Feel free to ask!

 

just a note about speakers, i heard eclipse speakers were supposed to be one of the best companys out there but i put there 4x6's and 6x9's in my car and i found that they were highly overrated, they didny sound any better than a $75 pair of speakers at best buy or curcit city. so i would stay away from eclipse speakers (except for the subs)

 

Hmmmm... that's strange. Eclipse does make high quality gear. I'm not trying to bash you are anything, but maybe the problem lies else where in the install?? Maybe something is different about the Eclipse speakers from the others you had? Nothing against you, it's just strange..... Eclipse make great products. Amps, subs, speakers, head units... you name it.