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I just got all this installed and I'm very happy with it. I was going for sound quality... meaning I have no use or need for 2x15" subs with 1,000,000 watts. This is the cleanest and fullest sounding system I've heard in a long time and it's louder than I need it to be. If anyone has any questions about the system or these components let me know. I highly recommend all of this gear.

Pioneer Premier DEH-P560 head unit
Polk MMC6500 front component speakers
Phoenix Gold Xenon 100.2 amp (for front speakers)
Bazooka EL8A-HP 8" 100 watt powered sub

I left the rear speakers stock (they are powered by the head unit) and have the volume faded far to the front. The system cost about $850 and the install was $400 for labor and parts. It's about as good as I could possibly have wished for. I can't believe how good the Polk speakers are.

 
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I'll take the first jab before someone goes for the knockout. You can't say sound quality and "Bazooka EL8A-HP 8" 100 watt powered sub" in the same post. Man, spend some time on here for awhile and your probably could have learned how to install it all yourself and used the $400 in labor for some better low end. Oh well, the most important factor is that you are happy with it. Just don't get into about 70% of the civics that roam the ICE forum, you'll be wanting to upgrade your system tomorrow.

 
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I didn't say them in the same sentence haha. Thanks for your input though. So the Bazookas don't have good SQ huh? Are there any good powered subs, or is amping your sub the only way to go?

 
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I fixed it, read above again. Anyhow, Infinity's BassLink is the only one that I've heard that sounds good. It's quite pricey though and I would opt for seperate sub amplifier combination. As long as you are happy, that's cool. You also have one up on most of us....................you can still use your trunk!

 
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If you put a Basslink in the trunk, can you push it off to one corner or would it just get stuck in the middle and take up space? I do need a trunk... for stuff and whatnot...

 
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sounds like a decent start. you could have used that $400 to get an equalizer so that you can tune the components a little and disconnect the rear speakers. the most important thing though is that it sounds good to you! you are the one listening to it.

 
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Actually it sounds kind of weird to me to have the sound 100% in the front. I have about 75% of the overall volume coming from the front, 25% back. Yeah the **** is mad tight. I don't really need to eq it much, but if I did the 3 band parametric in the HU is enough to take care of it.

LOL you guys just hate the idea of paying people to do installs. I can't be stuffed to pull my car apart and mess with it. I'm not gonna go digging around inside my 2005 Civic while it's under warranty... not gonna happen. I think it's great when people are excited about working on their own cars, but that ain't me.

 
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omg $400 for an install, if you did it yourself and took a little time to larn some techniques you coulda molded a couple 10's in the side of the trunk and have just as much space, and the whole setup would been about the same. but as long as you like it that all that matters.

 
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The thing that stops me from deflating your balloon is that you are very humble about your system. The two sets of words in car audio that will never ever be synomous are like & good, dislike & bad. meaning just because I dislike polk, doesn't mean they are bad. That being said, you've already said the magic words - "I couldn't be happier." The best system is the one that leaves you smiling ear to ear. Sure, inspite of the subjectivity of audio, there are some things that a vast majority of people will agree are higher quality than others, like MB Quarts vs Polk DB, but there is always a trade-off. In the case of quart vs polk, everyone here will agree that my Q Series sound better than Polks. The trade-off? The Qs will run you about a grand vs the polks for under $200. Bottom line is that if you love the sound, you did good. Now, if you want advice and help on finding the best stuff for the cheapest dough, that's why we are here. Although so many different tastes and preferences factor into car audio, as soon as we are on the same page as to what we are listening for, there will be a large amount of agreement here too.

 
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yep, I love those components. I got them a couple months ago, and I couldn't believe how good they sounded. I'm sure there's better, but sound quality is amazing on them.

 
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Nah, the MMC6500 are the top of the line Polk component speakers, they run $300 and up. I listened to some Quarts and I didn't like them at all, but the ones I checked out were only about $300, so it was obviously a much lower model than yours.

 
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bazooka??? what the heck is that?

uv proply have heard this many times in the above replies....but im gonna it 1 more time OMG 400$ labor OMG!!!!!! thats crazy!!!!

yea, take his advice...and stay away from this forum...other wise u will end up changing ur set-up. thats another 400$ on labor hehehe.


but i am glad u like ur set up

 
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Ok, how many hours should it take to install a HU, front component speakers, an amp, and a powered sub? How much should all the wiring and misc. hardware cost?

 
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Yeah ok bro

 
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I could have done that all myself....I cant believe u spent $400 on labour...what exactly did u get done?! sounds like labour for a show ICE set up...Sorry but u got ripped off mate.

 
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Hmm, I don't think youv'e ever had any custom work done before. $400 sounds like labor for a show worthy setup? Maybe $4000. Even a simple HU, 6 speaker, 2 sub, 2 amp, cosmetic panel install will run a few hundred in a decent shop. Could you save the 4 bills by doing it yourself? Yes. Is it a ripoff having a shop do it? Probably not, unless it was a really easy install. But thats what these guys get per hour. Your plumber gets $80-$100. You think its unreasonable that a car audio specialist gets around that too? No way. The other factor is, people who do their own installs don't always understand how profound the impact is of the install. There are thousands of little quirky minute details that a pro might pay attention to that make the difference in your sound. Car audio is at least 70% install when it comes to sound quality.

 
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You say he coulded molded a couple tens to the side of the box like fiberglassing an enclosure is easy. It's plenty hard. Especially with regard to proper air space considering all things which displace volume. If you aren't a seasoned pro, it's worth the coin to have a pro build your enclosure. If you wanna learn how to build enclosures, expect to break a few eggs in the omlet.

 
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I didnt' read what series Polks he bought. Personally, I hate polks. An astute observation on your behalf. No real difference in my point though, luckily.

 
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How do you know he got ripped off? His $400 install might make his sub-thousand dollar system sound better than someone's $2000 setup that they installed themselves because they thought car audio installation = running wires and screwing in speakers. He might have spent some wise dough depending on the install.

 
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J187, you still haevn't figured out how to quote multiple people either? I wish someone would write a DIY on THAT

 
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No pop. I know it well. It was an afterthought to quote that second guy.



BTW, that stormtrooper is hilarious.

 
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To anyone who says $400 is too much for labor AND PARTS to install a HU, front COMPONENT speakers, an amp, and a powered sub... Tell me how many hours this job should take, and how much the the parts (including all cables) should cost.

 
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Most people say it's a lot because they do it themselves. This from my local Circuit City including parts though:
$50 for the HU (some are free if you purchase it there, includes mounting kit and harness)
$100 for the Component Speakers including spacers, but only surface mounted tweeters.
$125 for the powered sub and amp ($100 for the labor, $25 for the "basic RCA's" and wire.


$275 from them, I'm going to call the local shop. I need some components installed anyhow.

 
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Dave, where did you have this work done?

 
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At an electronics shop called The Wireless Zone in Littleton MA