Decent stereo brands??

[l1ttle_d3vil]

I'm looking for a basic/cheap but decent stereo setup at the moment.
For speakers I'm after some small speakers (4" or 6") for up front and some decent 6x9s in the rear.
Headunit requirements is cheapish ($2-300, can get trade prices at repco) and a front USB port.

No room for a sub and don't need massive bass as the car already vibrates enough, but some would be good. So just 4x speakers, a headunit, and maybe an amp if required?? I've run Sony before but the headunit didn't last too long. The guy at repco said Sony is crap and run with JVC - now as much as I'd like to believe him I'd prefer some other opinions

What decent brands should I look at?
What are the important numbers to look for regarding speakers/headunits?


Cheers
-Matt

[rolla_fxgt]

i have a pioneer 305UB, which I like, has a front USB, a couple of preouts, and is pretty easy to use.
Think they just replaced it with a 3150UB, which is cheaper has slightly less features, but doesn't have an annoying sticky out knob, and has a usb cover

[Emperor]

Don't worry about 6x9s in the rear.

Spend the extra money on better fronts. Will sound alot better.

Important numbers are the RMS, don't bother looking at max power lol.
JVC do make nice headunits, good for being on a budget.

I have some brand new Fusion NV 3-way components
Never been used..


Make me a offer

[l1ttle_d3vil]

Don't worry about 6x9s in the rear.
Spend the extra money on better fronts. Will sound alot better.
Important numbers are the RMS, don't bother looking at max power lol.

So run decent 6" in the front by themselves?

What is a decent RMS figure to aim for? Browsing TM they seem to range from 30rms to 80rms. Is 80rms around the highest you can get, or only average?

Do watts matter at all, or do they increase in proportion with rms?
And should the speaker output be matched with headunit output, or is that only relevant when matching amps + speakers?


Ive tried googling too, and all I find is audio geeks arguing that p * ddz + byspeakerisbiggerthanyours = i own you.

[MR2BOY23]

If your looking for decent speakers at the front-go with components

I have a panasonic headunit- cheap, basic , works extremely well

[scotty_ish]

What sort of budget are you looking at all up?
Id go something like a JVC/Pioneer Headunit, a pair of components up front run off an amp (doesn't have to be expensive, anythings better than off the headunit) and 6x9s in the rear off the headunit, or if you can afford go with a 4 channel amp and amplify all of the speakers.

but yeah, all comes down to budget realy.

[scotty_ish]

Something like this would be a good start:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-stereos/CD-players/JVC/auction-225487227.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-stereos/Speakers/Pioneer/auction-226156868.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 033911.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-stereos/Speakers/Pioneer/auction-225655994.htm

look at spending the most on your front speakers as these are what you will heaar the most of

[JT]

So run decent 6" in the front by themselves?

What is a decent RMS figure to aim for? Browsing TM they seem to range from 30rms to 80rms. Is 80rms around the highest you can get, or only average?

Yeah some decent speakers up front is best. Go for components if you can, separate tweet and driver but they will cost more than coax's. Coax's are easier to install since you don't have to mount the crossover or tweeter, components will generally sound a bit better tho but on a budget you wont notice much. Look for speakers around 40-50W rms rated input, any less will be fairly crappy speakers.

I'd get a pioneer head unit, had a few over the years and always served me well. If you don't want a sub, I'd recommend getting a small 2 channel amp for the fronts. Also cover up all the holes in the front doors, thin mdf is best but duct tape does a lot better than nothing, will get a lot better bass response by sealing the door some what.

[Emperor]

Most front usb ones are pricey, this seems ok tho
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 487227.htm

If I can hurry up and get my Kickers ill sell you them for $140..

RMS: 150 watts per set / 75 watts each side

I paid $300, they're still in box. Infact the shop still has them lol I just never picked them up.

(Ps, no im not trying to use this to sell heaps of my shit, i just happen to be getting rid of components when someones lookin for them haha)

[l1ttle_d3vil]

What sort of budget are you looking at all up?
Id go something like a JVC/Pioneer Headunit, a pair of components up front run off an amp (doesn't have to be expensive, anythings better than off the headunit) and 6x9s in the rear off the headunit, or if you can afford go with a 4 channel amp and amplify all of the speakers.

but yeah, all comes down to budget realy.

budget is not much at this stage, but can expand once the wedding is out of the way for now I might just run a decent headunit and components then get an amp and 6x9s at a later stage. atleast I'll already have a decent setup in the front that I can add to.

for the components, I don't really have anywhere else to put the tweeters other than the doorcard, will they be fine with main speaker at the bottom of the doorcard and tweeter up the top or is this almost defeating the purpose of having components?

Most front usb ones are pricey, this seems ok tho
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 487227.htm

that is the exact headunit the guy at repco suggested, does seem nicely priced and could probably get it for cheaper than that one...

[Emperor]

Tweeter is fine just above the component.. When you install them, use blue tac to play with position the tweeter to suit your ears.

[scotty_ish]

yeah, typical component install would be the woofer in the stock location and the tweeter up near the top of the door card, on the dash or the a-pillar. have a play and see what you like

[l1ttle_d3vil]

another question just regarding component vs coaxial;

6" 2-way component speakers, 270w peak / 45w RMS
vs
6" 4-way coaxial speakers, 310w peak / 50w RMS


would the components still out-perform the coaxials?



cheers guys

[Emperor]

Yes, will sound alot better

[AE82 FXGT]

Jaycar components run off a decent amp sounds superb for the price.

I picked up the components for $200 (maybe even cheaper?) and a fusion powerplant amp for $150 (FP-402). Coupled with a decent head unit (not up to date with ones that have the usb from jack), I'm sure you'll be impressed for the price.

[scotty_ish]

another question just regarding component vs coaxial;

6" 2-way component speakers, 270w peak / 45w RMS
vs
6" 4-way coaxial speakers, 310w peak / 50w RMS


would the components still out-perform the coaxials?



cheers guys

dont get sucked in to the whole peak watts and 4 way carry on.
You will notice with most brands, their high end coaxials revert back to 2-way, simply put, rather than spending money to put lots of crappy speakers into the one unit they put the money into two good speakers for the one unit. (if that makes sense )

Have heard good things about those jaycar components too, i think Adam has a set for sale in the buy sell section, without the tweeters, pick up a decent tweeter and that will be one nice sounding set!!!

[l1ttle_d3vil]

one last question

when mounting them in the door, the window frame will only just clear the speaker magnet. should I space the speakers out a bit so there is no interference at all with the magnet? how much clearence would be sufficient?

cheers

[Emperor]

I'd allow atleast a few CMs just incase. But should be sweet either way