Want to spend $1500 on a System.

[2jayzgte]

Basically I'm just after some good component speakers for the front and rear a decent Amp to drive it all and a decent head-unit basically I've been told to spend the most on a head-unit and front component speakers.I am just looking for sound clarity not bleeding ear syndrome.If people could suggest brands in all of the above mentioned components this would be of a great help.

I've really only looked at JVC so far so any other feed-back of other brands would be cool..... As you can probably tell I'm a novice in this area so all feed-back is good.

[79rolla]

balplunked
bout $300 for heaid unit
$80 for some smallish speakers
dont ask bout amp costs
all VERRY good quality

[darkwolf]

Infiniti, I put some either reference or Kappa series 6.5 inch components in my mums car and was bleeding impressed. Set me back 2 years ago $600 for the set, and the head unit is an Alpine. Again very impressed. I'd reccomend either Alpine, or Pioneer for a head unit. And infiniti components allround. Don't know about the amps tho as I've never tried them. I have infiniti components "the cheap" series in my car and even they impress me.

Currently have a JVC headunit and my one is arse. I would never go JVC again. Was meant to be the top of the line a couple of years ago. My pioneer and even my cheap alpine was better. Pioneer got stolen, alpine didn't have enough RCA preouts, JVC is a bitch to use, ugly as hell and not very customizable, also seems under powered and gets extremely hot.

IMHO if you are spending $1500 on a stereo system and know how to install your self you have potential for a great system.

Probably $3-400 for amp
$4-500 for head unit
$4-500 for front
Whatever's left for Speakers and DONT forget to get GOOD wiring. Best system in the world will sound like arse badly wired. Watch your cabling method too. Don't run big power cables next to speaker wire etc. Just basic crap like that.

[2jayzgte]

Infiniti, I put some either reference or Kappa series 6.5 inch components in my mums car and was bleeding impressed. Set me back 2 years ago $600 for the set, and the head unit is an Alpine. Again very impressed. I'd reccomend either Alpine, or Pioneer for a head unit. And infiniti components allround. Don't know about the amps tho as I've never tried them. I have infiniti components "the cheap" series in my car and even they impress me.

Currently have a JVC headunit and my one is ar*e. I would never go JVC again. Was meant to be the top of the line a couple of years ago. My pioneer and even my cheap alpine was better. Pioneer got stolen, alpine didn't have enough RCA preouts, JVC is a bitch to use, ugly as hell and not very customizable, also seems under powered and gets extremely hot.

IMHO if you are spending $1500 on a stereo system and know how to install your self you have potential for a great system.

Probably $3-400 for amp
$4-500 for head unit
$4-500 for front
Whatever's left for Speakers and DONT forget to get GOOD wiring. Best system in the world will sound like ar*e badly wired. Watch your cabling method too. Don't run big power cables next to speaker wire etc. Just basic crap like that.

Right thanks for that I'm thinking maybe Infinity speakers could be the way to go and the best way for me to go about it is build a system up piece by piece but keep the feed-back coming......

[DeeCee]

where in NZ are you located?

Headunit: $400 - 500
Front Components: $300
Rear Coaxials: $100 - 150
4 Channel Amp: $400
Terminations + wiring: $100

brand new or second hand possibly?

[postfach]

Infinity goes (from lowest price to highest price):
Reference, Kappa, Kappa Perfect

I had a JVC MP3 head unit, Kappa components in the front, kappa rears, and an amp (forget what) and a pioneer 12" DVC sub with a d class amp in my CR-X and it's the best sounding stereo I've ever had, regret selling it (especially when I found out the person I sold it to drove round with it cranked for a week and it (not surprisingly) got stolen from their car soon after)

[darkwolf]

Not gonna deny that the JVC headunit cranks when using an amp especially a 4 channel 1000W RMS amp. But it lacks through the speaker outs.

My alpine and pioneer ran speakers beautifully off the head unit but I understand any stereo should sound infinately better through an amp.

[AE82 FXGT]

I got some infinity reference (cheap) 6x9s running off a small FP 402 amp in my runabout FX, everyone kept asking me what sort of sub I had

[2jayzgte]

where in NZ are you located?

Headunit: $400 - 500
Front Components: $300
Rear Coaxials: $100 - 150
4 Channel Amp: $400
Terminations + wiring: $100

brand new or second hand possibly?

I am based in WGTN but please more feed back the merrier and surely how good are infinity speakers?????

I am still unsure about JVC but who know's because I don't.....

[the fallen303]

i say bring back the beta range of infinity, but thats going back a while!! carl from mad soundz used infinity in his cars for years, and just kept winning awards, even with the cars unfinished! surely can't be too bad

[DeeCee]

where in NZ are you located?

Headunit: $400 - 500
Front Components: $300
Rear Coaxials: $100 - 150
4 Channel Amp: $400
Terminations + wiring: $100

brand new or second hand possibly?

I am based in WGTN but please more feed back the merrier and surely how good are infinity speakers?????

I am still unsure about JVC but who know's because I don't.....

I know. i have bought high end JVC personally and interact with all forms of it when I judge sound quality competitions.

I also know one of the JVC reps and retailers who stock it around wellington as well.

JVC have had moderate return rates on equipment in the past (search for Deno's comments on JVC - he is a long standing car audio retailer who has a shop in Chch). Overall, the headunits are alright, but i wouldn't touch anything else.

Infinities are good for solid rock, but lack the prescene in the mid bass / bass department IMO. I would say that they are more techincal in their musical representation over other manufacturers which have speakers which are more easy to listen to and get into.

what music are you into?

[DeeCee]

i say bring back the beta range of infinity, but thats going back a while!! carl from mad soundz used infinity in his cars for years, and just kept winning awards, even with the cars unfinished! surely can't be too bad

Beta series were an excellent range of speakers.. i personally owned a beta10" and a beta15" and have heard a full beta setup as recently as last year.

The accolades of one does not represent the listening tastes of all.
Also, the fact that there are numerous options for car audio now as previously available back when Carl as winning, i'd have to say that 2Jay needs to keep options open as much as possible

[2jayzgte]

i say bring back the beta range of infinity, but thats going back a while!! carl from mad soundz used infinity in his cars for years, and just kept winning awards, even with the cars unfinished! surely can't be too bad

Beta series were an excellent range of speakers.. i personally owned a beta10" and a beta15" and have heard a full beta setup as recently as last year.

The accolades of one does not represent the listening tastes of all.
Also, the fact that there are numerous options for car audio now as previously available back when Carl as winning, i'd have to say that 2Jay needs to keep options open as much as possible

Music tastes well its R&B and Hip Hop at the top of the list but can listen to just about anything though.I think I will go with Infinity because no one has said anything bad about them so thats quite reassuring.How about Headunits and Amps basically I do not want a sub at this stage just a fairly basic system with an emphasis on sound clarity.......

[2jayzgte]

Oh yeah I would like to buy everything brand new..

Cheers again for everyones feed-back and please keep it coming...

[DeeCee]

Pioneer/alpine headunits are always favs
alpine/eaudio/soundstream amps are good

how about you go into a shop and actually audition some different sets of speakers with your own music. That way you will be able to determine what you think is good, and what you think you would like.

Streetsoundz does Infinity, Pioneer, Alpine, Soundstream, Fusion, Boston etc.
Slap does JVC, Pioneer, E-Audio, DLS, Rainbow etc
Car Stereo Company does Eclipse, Boston, Pioneer, Alpine, Sony, Fusion etc

And don't agree to anything straight away.. they will try and sell you on the spot so take some time and have a think

[Cicak]

I've spent around $1400 on my system, and i've come up with the following, maybe it'll give you a fair idea.

Pioneer 6950ib headdeck - $300
Focal 165 A1 - $200 (2nd hand)
Soundstream Lw2.240 Amp - $250
Soundstream Pw-12s Subwoofer - $220
Pioneer Gm-7100 Monoblock - $300
Cables - $70

This might not be the way most people go, but i'm fairly happy with it, and it didn't send me through the roof. Rapidradio and hotwire are currently having a sale this weekend, thats where i got my sounstream gear from, it might be worth having a look

[B1NZ]

Over the years I've tried quite a few brands of headunits speakers in the medium to low pricing range, Weather in my car or close friends cars.

I would say without a doubt that Pioneer is the best sound for the money you pay, and Alpine speakers are great!

I had bad experiences with JVC headunits but I bought them from parellel imported so that was probably half the problem, as I now have a new JVC head unit in my new car that does CD/MP3/USB/SD card/IPOD and more, so far seems great although it is a bit tricky to try and figure out how to use the functions.

IMO Go for a cheap/medium priced Pioneer head unit and you will still be able to figure out how to operate it

I love the Alpine type s & R component speakers, weather they are still available though is beyond me, I think the Type S ones were about $199 retail and for the price were the best sounding speakers I've heard

[DeeCee]

get the alpine type R speakers if you are heading that way. S series is lower and the Rs are pretty good for the coin.

[B1NZ]

get the alpine type R speakers if you are heading that way. S series is lower and the Rs are pretty good for the coin.

what are the price differences though? I thought for $199 there were great, Although if the budget allows the type R's should be better (if you want a honda part in your car)

[DeeCee]

around $350 for type R's