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I just started reading this section more often because a friend of mine who owns a 98 coupe accord is getting an amp and subs for the trunk, she just has no clue what kind, i know she will pretty much be given like 400 to go buy it, i know she has a kenwood deck that she spent like 350 on, also she heard of these things for like 20 bucks where they go over your speakers as to not blow them up if she installs the amp first before her subs? any advice comments suggestions welcome thanks

 
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$400 isnt a lot to spend on subs and an amp, you also have to remember she needs to buy wiring (at least $50), and the box itself (again, probably at least $50), that only leaves $300 to spend, maybe one decent entry level sub like 1 alpine type s or something and a small mono amp to power it, but dont expect to get a lot unless your buying used or something. and i have no idea what you even could be refering to not to blow the subs.

 
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Does she have new speakers up front? It might be a better idea to spend some money on some new speakers and an amp for the front.

But, as for a sub setup, we'll need to know what kind of music she listens to, personal stuff like that. For me, here's what I have, which I think would be in the right price range.

1 12" Adire Audio Shiva
1.8 ft^3 Sealed box
Wiring
~ 200 x 1 @ 4 ohms amplifier

That should be doable for $400, I don't know about installation though.

 
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I would definitely try to replace those stock speakers first of all. I am still running stocks in front because I had my system from my previous car and they're a different size now (couldn't afford new ones). Once you get some power in there, you will find that the stock speakers just can't handle it (cardboard cones, gentlemen).

And $400 for sub/amp is not a lot at all. I think I paid $500 for my amp (xtant 603x) and somewhere in the area of $800 for my box and two JL 10w3s (this was three or four years ago).

Nevertheless, you can get truly decent inside speakers for not a lot of money. I do highly recommend the Boston Acoustics Rally series; the 5x7s run about $120 for a pair, and the 6x9s only a bit more than that (although our 'Vics have 6.5 rounds in front, I believe, or that might only be the coupes).

If sound quality is the goal, replace those inside speakers! Trust!

You can ALWAYS add bass later on when more cash comes to hand.

 
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no its just 400 for the amp right now, then shell get subs sand all that later

 
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she said she may just get new speakers cause they arent aht expensive 50 to a hundred, also she listen to a lot of rock like slick shoes and things like that, but she doesnt understand things like peak power output and channels and all that kind of stuff, she knows brnd names thats about it

 
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$400 bucks to spend? What kind of music?

I'd be inclined to say an Adire Shiva and a JBL BP Power series amp here, with wiring she'd still have probably $75-$100 left over, but it'll still sound really good for the money spent. Several members here have this setup or a similar one, and I have yet to hear(actually read, but kiss my ****) a complaint.

 
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Reading the bottom of the post, it says you have $400 to spend on the amp alone. Though why buy an amp and let it sit with nothing to power, but I digress. I'd be inclined to say a JL 500/1, but I'm partial to them. Later on, a good sub to run off of it is the IDMAX. Again, I'm partial to those as well.

 
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^^ I'm partial to them as well ^^

 
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ok why are you partial to them?

 
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Why am I partial to JL's stuff? Because they are proven over a long period of time. They put out their rated power among a broad range of input voltage. They aren't under rated or over rated, what you wee is what you get. They're pretty much bullet proof as far as killing them. They use technology to their advantage in designing their stuff. No fancy schmancy stuff, no lights, bells or whistles for looks. Just soo damned sexah.

 
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a Rockford Fosgate 1501BD for $300 shipped that im selling

 
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I'd replace the interior speakers and get a good 4chan amp b4 getting amp/subs,

http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_...s.jsp?cid=3025 << $138 amp..
http://www.hookedontronics.com/show_...s.jsp?cid=1191 << $98 sub..

$236 + shipping is a steal for alpine amp & sub.. then all u need is box/wiring..
but again I'd replace interior speakers and get a quality 4chan amp first, but even pioneer interior speakers and 4chan amp would be an improvement over something stock..

 
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yea i agree that 400 isnt that much to spend, cuz i spent i think 325 on a 5 channel and then 120 more on a sub and thats not even including the sub box and all the wires you need.

 
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Okay, most of the guys on here are fairly hardcore audiophiles.

Look at what she was planning to buy fellas. Just 50-100 dollar speakers. If that is the case, I believe she can buy an amp and one sub for $400. Rock doesn't require deep low bass.

So here is my suggestion. I've been looking for an inexpensive way to liven up my car, and I've talked to whiterabbit about subs alot.

An economical amp would be to buy a 4 channel amp. Use two channels to power the front speakers she gets. If she's not going to buy the speakers yet, it's good for later on. Then use the other two channels to bridge them for a subwoofer. JL amps are really nice, but pricey. I'm pretty sure she can work with a less expensive brand, since her system doesn't sound very high end. Look at Kicker, Lightning Audio, rockford, hifonics, or whatever that is decent out there today.

After that, you can go out and buy a JL w3, Image Dynamics IDQ, Adire shiva or tempest, or an alpine type s or type r. Most of these subs will cost you under $200.

Since your reading this section alot more, you'll know that wiring an amp isn't all that hard. Wiring the sub will probably be very easy. Wiring the speakers will be a little tricky to get it through the doors, but that's about it. After working on her car, who knows, your might become more than friends...haha.

 
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For me it's the rock solid build, the fact that they are never ever overrated and the awesome xovers that are onboard. Also the anti-heat technology is real nice too. The quality in sound is incredible, the 300/2 gives 150watts rms to my Quarts and they totally come alive!

 
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is it any bit better to stay with teh same company like i said she has a kenwood deck, does it do anything if she gets kenwood speakers and amp, or are there better ones out there as well, i mean she does listen to rap and hip hop but it is mostly rock where there screaming in the background or something, but there is no neeed ot make her trunk shake, anything good about rockford fostgate? it seems like a 4 channel amp is most typical

 
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Staying within companies has no benefit, except with Alpine, their higher end amps and HU's have an amp-link feature where you can control the amp from the HU. There is one other company that does this as well (clarion?)

 
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You don't get any advantage by staying in the same company. You might get some control functions between the amp and head unit, but nothing big and important like getting louder or better sound quality.

Rockford is a very decent company. Just remember that they also own MB Quartz and Lightning Audio, so some of the engineering may overlap. Alex053 use to work for Rockford, so he has all the best MB Quartz components, but still powers them with Lightning Audio amps. He says that the Lightning Audio stuff did just as well during testing, and sometimes better than RF amps.

If you don't want to be typical with a 4 channel amp, then you can get a 2 channel amp and a 1 channel subwoofer amp. Or maybe just a 3 channel amp. Not many component speakers fit in the front door, so expect some extra work or labor cost to install them. But I think the Inifinity Reference series fits rather nicely without much modification. The front will get powered by the 2 channel amp. You power the rear speakers with your deck, because it's not as important. There are alot of amps out there, but since she wants to spend $400 on a subwoofer amplifier, go ahead and get the JL 500/1. It will be alot more power then she probably needs. But I think the JL 450/4 would be an awesome 4 channel amp for her. Plus everyone knows JL, so her friends will be impressed.

If she does listen to a wide variety of music, I think the Image Dynamics IDQ, Adire Shiva, or a JL W3V2 is a good subwoofer. The IDQ and Shiva will hit the low notes very well with good quality. The JL will probably hit very accurate, and you might need 2 to get it loud. If she is not holding back on the subwoofer, the high end subwoofers today would be: JL w6v2 or w7, Adire Brahma, Image Dynamics IDMAX, and RE XXX. I know there some more, but those are the most popular ones. Those will cost you atleast $300 for one and up to $600.

 
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Well, I originally recommended a setup, amp and sub, for under 400. Then I read a reply from the original thread starter that said 400 on the amp alone, which is why I recommended the JL.

 
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Kenwood

 
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The JL amps are great amps, but they even have a "flaw". Even though they are supposed to remain pretty constant when voltage fluctuates, they pull a lot of current when the voltage goes down...even at low volumes. I have even read a post by Manville Smith where he inadvertantly admitted to this problem when he was suggesting that JL amps need a good power source. I wish i had the link.

 
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I did the same thing too...haha. I was reading too fast and thought she wanted a sub and amp combo for $400. So I too later on said get a JL amp, after catching my mistake...haha. So I'm with ya. But I think she will do fine with a JL 450/4 and bridge the front channels for a DVC 2 ohm sub. The amp will cost you a little more than $400, but it will power your front speakers later. So it's a good investment. If you really don't want the 4 channel and want a designated subwoofer amp, JL 500/1 would be pimp...haha. But for a poor guy like me, I'd take a hifonics for cheap and gobs of power.

 
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thanks for the info ill defienteyl read up on the jl one though, but you know how it is she doesnt want to walk into a store and have to be bent over with something she doesnt want or understand

 
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What is she like? Is she really into the import scene and likes to hang out with the guys and show off her car? Or is she doing this just for her own ears?

If so, I'm pretty sure she'll understand saving money. Walk into a store service is not the best way to get a deal. Lets say, you'll probably be bent over for JL stuff. Hope you got hook-ups.

 
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no not really the import scence , i mean that is why she wants to bump up her audio, even though she drives a stick and she drives it fast so she isnt afraid to drive her car i mean, she used to drive a orange 97 or so integra with a ww body kit on it , and so forth that she bought casue of the way it looked, also she isnt afraid to rev her exaust or anything , yea she wont be entering compts or anything just for her self, yea thats what she is trying to avoid is being bent over

 
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yea the jl 500/1 soudns awesome but i think it would be out of her price range