Help me pick...

driller

driller

El Presidente
Staff member
Help me pick out component brand names for a system to replace the stock JBL in my '93. Here's some choices offered to me today...

JL Audio
Kicker
Rockford Fosgate
Pioneer
Alpine

I'm considering speakers, head unit, single sub and amp. From what shopping I've done, I'm looking at about $700-$1100 installed.

I don't require high end but I want quality sound. My experience with audio equipment ended years ago and the world moved on by. :) Meanwhile, I'll be reading the archives.
 
RE: Help me pick...

Head unit wise alpine or pioneer is your best bet.. Kicker had an older set of speakers called the resolution which were awesome, but they are discontinued. I've not heard their new stuff yet. JL is good but overpriced.

Also keep an eye out for RE componants, from www.reaudio.com They have two lines, and each are outstanding, esp for the price. As for subs, RE makes some of the best ever, so I would price their SE or SX lines.

I guess i should have first asked if you are installing it your self or going to a store to get it all. That'll make a huge difference in what is available in your budget.
 
RE: Help me pick...

I don't have the time or patience for a complete installation like this. I'll leave it to the pros, or at least the semi-pros. The price given was installed. The low end was an Alpine head unit and Kicker speakers/sub/amp. I think the upper price was with JL Audio components. There's a couple shops in town with a good reputation and decent selection. I stopped at the new Best Buy in town but wasn't impressed with their knowledge, though their pricing was competitive.

I think another brand name bantered about was Memphis.

It seemed no one was up on CD changers. What's the best deal there?

Also, how important would sound matting be? Doesn't the Mark VIII doors have insulation or something along those lines anyways?
 
RE: Help me pick...

Your not too far away from me, if your up to the challenge, i could come down and help. We could probably have it done in a day. Besides, as much help as you've given me I feel I owe you.

The doors have a thin membrane of crap, a layer of raammat would do nicely, and is FAR cheaper than dynamat. www.raamaudio.com

Memphis stuff is pretty good, the first amp I ever owned was a memphis ST3004, good power, but tends to run a little hot. I've never heard their speakers in person.

With the advent of Mp3 players, CD changers aren't really needed anymore. 1 MP3 disc can hold 10 CD's worth of music, and you don't need to get into the trunk to change songs.
 
RE: Help me pick...

Thanks for the offer DJ, but you needn't feel you owe me. ;)

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
... With the advent of Mp3 players, CD changers aren't really needed anymore. 1 MP3 disc can hold 10 CD's worth of music, and you don't need to get into the trunk to change songs.
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Guess I never thought of that.

I've got some more comparison shopping to do, I'll keep in mind everyone's recommendations. I'm leaning towards the Alpine head unit with JL Audio components.
 
RE: Help me pick...

The offer is still on the table if you want to save some money amd use it towards higher quality parts. I'd love to meet you in person and see that gorgeous mark!
 
RE: Help me pick...

Thanks, but if it's anything like some other upgrades I've done, it will take six months to decide what to get, 5 minutes to get it, and another six months to actually getting it installed! :7 That's one reason I though about just buying it installed - cuts the cycle in half!

I'm sure I'll have more questions. Here's one.

I'm slightly confused about the JBL factory amp. Can this be used to go between the head unit and speakers? Or will new speaker wires be needed? I've seen threads recommending total abandonment of the JBL amp and others not. Surfing Crutchfield I found they had an adaptor to adapt the head units to the stock JBL amp. Regardless, I'm definitely wanting a 3 pre-out head unit to keep open the possibility of separate amps in the future even though I'm thinking a single amp and sub for now.
 
RE: Help me pick...

When i first bought my mark it had an aftermarket head unit with the adapter to work with the stock system. after a month or two i kept noticing a burning smell, and after pulling the head unit i saw the adapter had completly melted. From that point on i have always suggested ditch the factory junk. You'll thank your self in the end. Get the new head unit, and a good 5 channel amp to power everything, and you'll be made in the shade. :)
 
RE: Help me pick...

my suggestion is like one posted earlier.

alpine deck
jl or kicker amps
speakers of your choice

the last suggestion is key. go out and listen to as many speakers as u can and pick the ones you like best. afterwards, install it correctly cuz if u dont, those speakers u fell in love with will sound like garbage.
 
RE: Help me pick...

It goes in for the install Friday. Not top dog, just a simple system with an Alpine head unit Rockford Fosgate speakers/amp/sub.

The head unit is an Alpine CDA-9847 CD receiver w/ MP3 playback, 18 watts RMS/50 watts peak/4 channels, front/rear/sub preamp outputs, satellite radio ready, sub amp control, CD changer controls, iPod interface and detachable face.

I forget the model number of the Rockford Fosgate speakers I chose after listening to many, many different ones. Rated at 75 watt RMS they actually beat out some higher priced brands. The second runner up was was a Boston Acoutics model. Rockford Fosgate also won out on the single 12" sub with enclosure and 400 watt amp.

The pivotal point was talking to the installers who were familiar with the Mark VIII platform and what they needed to do to sastify me. The installation will include new speaker wiring bypassing the stock JBL setup. They installers were also the ones who talked me into a bigger sub/amp combo.

Future options left open include satellite radio, multi-channel amp and Alpine compatible CD changer.
 
RE: Help me pick...

so much for six months of guessing which do you like better. Go JP!:)
I was going to say much the same as a few others. Alpine head. Kicker/jl audio amps. My difference would have Infinity speakers. With either a kicker or Jl audio sub. Glad your agonizing is over, a guy picking stereo pieces is like a woman trying to decide which shoes to get.}(
 
RE: Help me pick...

I've got my eye on a bigger multichannel amp later from Alpine or JL Audio, but this will do for now.

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
... a guy picking stereo pieces is like a woman trying to decide which shoes to get.}(
[/div]

ROTFLMAO! :7
 
RE: Help me pick...

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500/5 is my fav. You've seen my setup at Carlisle ?
[/div]

Yeah, that's exactly the one. A little pricey for now, but it will come. ;)
 
RE: Help me pick...

SO give it up JP!!!!! Does it sound good in the car? Are you happy with what you bought.
 
RE: Help me pick...

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
SO give it up JP!!!!! Does it sound good in the car? Are you happy with what you bought.
[/div]

They didn't have the right harness last Friday and only got the speakers swapped. :B

Goes in this Thursday to finish the install. :9
 
RE: Help me pick...

Oh, it finally did get finished last Friday. :D

4 RockFord Fosgate HPC 2268 6x8 coaxial speakers - 150 watt
Alpine CDA9847 AM/FM/CD/MP3/IPOD Receiver - 50W x 4
RockFord Fosgate P11254 Subwoofer - 12" - 300 watt/4 ohm
SDK Subwoofer Enclosure
RockFord FosGate P2002 200 watt Amplifier(50W x 2 @ 4 ohm)
Alpine MRPF240 4 channel Amplifier - 50W x 4
Harness, wires, RCA cables, distribution block, yada, yada, yada

Sooooo much better than stock even though it's really nothing over the top. The wife doesn't like it, so it must be good. }(
 
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