Rep Power: 295

Basically getting more and more annoyed at my lacklustre system so want to finally upgrade it.

I drive a 2001 4dr LX-G (basically all the options).

Which routes to take I'm undecided.. cost-wise on this I'm not looking to break the bank but at the same time I do not want the bottom of the barrel.

HU - I think I'm picking up a Pioneer, two friends have and I like the look/features. Right now I'm not sure if I want the DEH-P7700MP or the DEH-P770MP. Basically the same headunit, save for the fact that the second model is the Premier line - which ups the preout voltage (2.2V, 1k Ohm vs Hi-Volt (4V), 100 Ohm ), as well as another year on warranty. Which one would you pick?

Subs - Seeing as I listen to mostly hip-hop, I've decided to go with 2x12s. Right now, there are two people I know selling a set-up for the same price. One is selling 2 Infinity 1230 and a generic double bandpass box while the other is selling 2 Alpine Type-S (said to be 1242) and a matching Alpine box. At the moment, lookwise, I'd choose the Alpine but is this the wrong choice? Or would you choose something else altogether??

Speakers - I'm at a total loss for speakers right now. Basically not sure which ones would fit properly, on top of what kind of power I want them to handle. This question also leads to the last question being which amplifier to get.

Amp - Not sure here what route to undertake.. not sure if I want to save some money and just get a mono-channel amp to power the subs and stick the speakers on headunit power, or a multi-channel amp (4) and power the subs off two while the speakers take the other two. Also if I go this multichannel amp route, would it be better to save the extra cost of the Premier as it wouldn't be needed?

 
Rep Power: 812

I would strongly suggest going with alpine deck if you like sound quality. While pioneer has alot of features, the alpine still sounds better with very few adjustments. For bass, thats alot. Are you sure you don't want just one? Think of the weight issue here too. Car is gonna be alot slower with 100lbs of equipment, and thats more stuff to get stolen. Speakers, whatever you want, but I wouldn't spend less than $100 per pair. Then do a great install and they'll sound similar to expensive speakers. Amp just get something good like jl or alpine or one of those. Most decks these days have 3 sets of preouts, enough for a speaker and sub amp.

 
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Also how much does amp box, and subs would have impact on gas milage.You said 100lbs. Would it be really bad.

 
Rep Power: 812

depends on equipment, generally box is around 20lbs, sub 10-15lbs each, amp around 10-15 each, and any other sound mat and wires you put. 100lbs is like having someone riding with you all the time. And if you lower the car, the rear will be lower due to the extra weight.

 
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So would it really affect the gas milgae.

 
Rep Power: 812

yes it will. the lighter the car, the better the mileage. Otherwise you need to press the gas more to make a heavy car go the same speed. Same goes for larger/heavier rims.

 
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the worst you milage will drop is 2-3mpg....... otherwise save the money for speakers and HU on gas

 
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Damm my stock dont even have cd. GOna order a 670MP Premirer Pionner.

 
Rep Power: 323

what's your budget ?

 
Rep Power: 287

Everyone on here is going to give you different opinions on what to get, but ultimately you'll get the same responses. For eg. for a HU, most people will say "alpine, pioneer, or eclipse". You say subs "JL, Alpine Type R's, Kicker, etc..." its all a matter of different opinions.

My advice is just stick with a brand name product that has a good reputation in car audio. For eg. Stay away from Sony...LOL. Well, see that was my opinion as well, but most people will agree with me on that last comment.


My suggestions though.

HU: Eclipse, Alpine, or Pioneer
Sub: JL, Infinity, Adire, RE
Components: Not sure
Amp: JL

Those are my opinions of what you should stick with, but like I said everyone is going to give you a different answer. Just don't buy cheap equipment. Nothing wrong with good equipment for a cheap price though.

btw, I'd get the Premier deck over the regular Pioneer deck.

GL with your system.

 
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100lbs wont hurt the gas that much 1-2 mpg. migh make ur tires wear ever so slightly faster. I would just get 1 sub. I currently have 2 but might go down to 1 2 save weight w/ a smaller box and 1 less sub

 
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find an audio shop and listen to some speakers and subs, just because i like infinity components and someone else thinks pheonix gold is the **** doesnt mean you will, you may think they lack something. listen to a few sets and pick the ones you like. thats how i made my choice.

remember its going into your car not ours

 
Rep Power: 329

If you're worried about subs adding weight because of track times, or racing, why'd you buy a civic? The subs won't effect the gas mileage very much at all. I'd wager that you may lose .25-.5 mpg, if that, from adding 2 subs. 100 lbs is a middle school kid. Do you honestly consider gas mileage when someone rides with you? "Hey, you can't ride in my car, I'll lose a littel gas mileage because you're too fat." Honestly?

Anyway, here's my recommendation:

Headunit: Pioneer, Eclipse, Alpine, Nakamichi

Subs: Image Dynamics, Adire audio, Resonant Engineering, Elemental Designs, JL Audio, Diamond Audio, the ilst goes on and on...

Components/Coax: CDT, Focal, JL Audio VR series coax, Adire Koda6, Elemental Designs Eu-650, MB Quart, Diamond, etcagain, I could go on for days

Amps: Mmats, Soundstream, JL Audio, Hifonics, JBL, could go on again... depends on price range

See the pattern? it's really a matter of personal choice. I'd say to go to audio shops and listen to speakers, subs, amps, hu's all in combination. A good sound board/listening room will let you pick one of each and then play with the adjustments and get a basic idea. Once you've narrowed it down, ask them if they have a vehicle that they are installed in so you can listen to them in a vehicle. Sound boards are good for getting a general idea, but nothing replicates the listening environment better than an actual car. Remember to take time and properly install (from the ground up, wiring, baffling, specing a box, imaging, etc) in order to insure the ambiance you want to acheive. Still, it'd be better to have some kind of budget to know what range you'd fall in as far as adding to your system.

 
Rep Power: 529

I agree. I have a Pioneer Premier deck and it's got a million things to adjust, and it took awhile before it sounded how I wanted it to. But, I like tinkering with that stuff so I didn't mind it. But there are other decks that don't require a ton of adjusting to get them set up right.

And I have 1 12" and I leave the amp at like 30% power, 0% bass boost, and it's PLENTY of base. I don't think you need 2 12"s.