best audio setup w/o subs?

[fluidmotion]

My front right speaker blew a while ago, so I was wondering if anybody could suggest a good audio setup without subwoofers. I personally like the trunk space. I can barely fit all my golf clubs in the trunk as it is.

I could fit smaller subwoofers in, in the future, but I'm wondering what a good, well rounded speaker would be. Cost is a concern, but if I can get a great system without paying 1,000+, that'd be good.

[Florida240sx]

What vehicle? I just built a box for my friend was 7"x12.5"16" It's in his truck and hits awesome it's one 12".Cost 230 for the whole setup.Amp kit $25,Speaker $70,Amp $120 misc building supplies $$ ..Rocford 12" and kicker amp

[Florida240sx]

Went my one 12" blew due to it be dry rotted I had my amp hooked up to a pair of 6x9's and it did awesome quality.Kept it on speaker so it had highs and bass.All up to the point of when they shattered because a put a bass test CD in and cranked it.I wanted to blow them got them out of a wrecked neon they were factory.

[xekushnr]

the most important component of your audio system is your speakers. they have the biggest effect on sound quality. a lot of companies make quality speakers. i prefer using either infinity kappa's or mb quart q-line. these speakers will need to be amplified (not sure about the mb quarts but the infinity's do) but the sound quality will be amazing. after you get a 4-ch amp to power the speakers you should still have some cash to pick up a decent headunit (if you dont already have one). good luck.

[hysteria]

eh, well i guess it depends on the budget and whether or not you're doing the work yourself... please give more info.

everyone has favorites around here. focal's have a great reputation lots of people use them. ditto for infiniti's. i love my boston pro's.

you can really get some great speakers on ebay for a lot cheaper... i'm talking about a couple of hundred dollars cheaper on higher end speakers and amplifiers.

as has been said before by simmsled, everyone has their quality standards, and i think simms are probably the highest in the audio department, but i mean you have to know what sounds good to you and what you want. my opinion means nothing because what sounds good to me may just be an over priced bunch of garbage to you. listen to different setups and see what makes you happy price and quality wise. there's usually a correlation between price and quality... obviously you're not the guy who will pay $25000 for 1 b&w nautilus speaker, so like deciding amongst the lower end stuff all has to do with your preference and budget. all those companies i listed before make good products, in my opinion, and there are plenty of others that make very comparable products. but not all speakers are designed with the same intentions. you have to decide what you want them for... and then just see what you like. i've always heard that the mb quart q line was great sounding but will not take abuse... they're also kind of expensive. anyhow i hope this helps. there's a lot of info out there. search the forum for people's opinion's... this has been covered before.

[fluidmotion]

eh, well i guess it depends on the budget and whether or not you're doing the work yourself... please give more info.

everyone has favorites around here. focal's have a great reputation lots of people use them. ditto for infiniti's. i love my boston pro's.

you can really get some great speakers on ebay for a lot cheaper... i'm talking about a couple of hundred dollars cheaper on higher end speakers and amplifiers.

as has been said before by simmsled, everyone has their quality standards, and i think simms are probably the highest in the audio department, but i mean you have to know what sounds good to you and what you want. my opinion means nothing because what sounds good to me may just be an over priced bunch of garbage to you. listen to different setups and see what makes you happy price and quality wise. there's usually a correlation between price and quality... obviously you're not the guy who will pay $25000 for 1 b&w nautilus speaker, so like deciding amongst the lower end stuff all has to do with your preference and budget. all those companies i listed before make good products, in my opinion, and there are plenty of others that make very comparable products. but not all speakers are designed with the same intentions. you have to decide what you want them for... and then just see what you like. i've always heard that the mb quart q line was great sounding but will not take abuse... they're also kind of expensive. anyhow i hope this helps. there's a lot of info out there. search the forum for people's opinion's... this has been covered before.

I agree, I was just reading the thread on "your favorite setup" or something like that.

But, I haven't listened to too many speakers, so I don't know what is out there other than what is at retail stores.

I have a S14, and pretty much looking for the best bang for the buck.

If you want a sense of my taste, I have a Klipsch Home Theatre System at home. If you know your home audio, klipsch isn't bad, sound quality wise for a speaker system way under 30k.

But anyway, I like my lows and my highs, but I don't want to waste too much space or money. I agree that speakers are probably the most important part of a setup, so I was going to invest more in the speakers.

So, any opinions are welcome and I'm just wondering:

1) what are some good speakers for high and lows without a sub

2) unless there is a setup that is cheaper (or equal in value) with a sub and speakers that can hit the highs and lows well.

3)Where is a good place to buy the parts?

I was assuming that it'd be cheaper to just get something pretty good with just speakers because you wouldn't need to get another amp.

[Florida240sx]

I like using this site when trying to do budget projects. etronics.com

[hysteria]

i think that really it will be easiest if you tell us exactly how much you are willing to spend and then see what people like for the price range... cause i, and everyone around here, have lots of favorites for lots of different categories. so what's the most you want to spend?...for speakers, amps, headunit if needed, wires, etc... of course if you have any of this stuff already just mark it off the list, and let us know if you'll be doing the work, etc. any additional info, and then people will tell you a path to choose... there are so many so you just have to give us details to narrow it down. thanks.

[fluidmotion]

hmm, I have a HU, just need new speakers, and I also have quite a bit of left over monster cable wiring from a home audio install, can I use that? I'm sure the wiring is made slightly different, but how much would it effect the car audio if I used that?

I am pretty much looking for a component setup, front and back speakers, or possibly just front. Probably looking to spend at most 300-400, so that should be enough flexibility for just speakers. Also, I'll be doing the wiring myself.

I also have a friend working at Best Buy who could buy anything from Best Buy for me for their discount. So anything from Best Buy would also be a plus.

Thanks.

[mrflip69]

Yeah, stick with ampped(sp?) 6.5" components. You'd be surprised how much bass you can pump out with those.

As for the Best Buy equipment, try comparing discounted prices to eBAY/online wholesale prices. You may find that you're still better off buying your goods elsewhere. Markup is just that ridiculous

I'll agree, etronics is a great site, solid prices and customer service. Never had a problem with them. But if you look hard enough, you'll find last years inventory BRAND NEW on eBAY being clearanced at bargain prices too hard to pass over.

[Florida240sx]

Get replacement speakers from your buddy at best buy.They maybe build a small box with some higher end 6x9's or just a single 8 or something with like 100-200 watt amp from there.You could get 2 amps and run all your tweets on one and the other just for mono.

[PoorManQ45]

If you want a sense of my taste, I have a Klipsch Home Theatre System at home. If you know your home audio, klipsch isn't bad, sound quality wise for a speaker system way under 30k.

Way under $30k you say? YOu mean way under $2k right?

ANyway, based soely on your likes on klipsch at home I would recommend Infinity Kappa speakers. THey are a little bright, but I bet you would like them sinse you like the klipsch.

PS: I love Klipsch

[PoorManQ45]

OK, when you're looking for the cheapest price on speakers:

FInd out the name and model of the speaker/sub you're looking for. Put that name into google. The first listing that google gives you will be for "froggle". Click that. It'll give you a list of places that sell that speaker and the price they sell it for.

*edit* If you're looking into components I would recommend that you biamp them. You'll need two two-channel amps. One with ~25w RMSx2 for the tweeters, and one with 75~100w RMSx2 for the mid/bass driver. You'll have to find out the crossover point(most manufactures will supply you with this information).

I think that you'll find the seperate adjustability of each individual driver an excellent thing to have.

NOte, having two amps won't cost too much more. YOu should be able to pick up the tweeter amp for ~$25~$50. The mid/bass amp for ~$50~$100.

[fluidmotion]

haha, well, if your talking about a whole home theatre system, bookshelf, receiver, wiring, surround speakers, center and rear speakers, it should end up slightly more than 2k :-)

but kappa's it is then. what amps do you recommend? And does anyone know if I can use home audio wiring for car audio?

[xekushnr]

the wires are different, but home audio wire has more strands. you wont notice any difference, but you can definately use it in the car if you have some to spare.

[PoorManQ45]

the wires are different, but home audio wire has more strands. you wont notice any difference, but you can definately use it in the car if you have some to spare.

Incorrect. Absolutely NO difference.

PS. You don't have to use monster cable/wire. I prefer the cheap 14awg from walmart. $10 for 50ft.

haha, well, if your talking about a whole home theatre system, bookshelf, receiver, wiring, surround speakers, center and rear speakers, it should end up slightly more than 2k :-)

Oh, yeah, that'd put you up around $2k.

Do you have a sub? If not I'd recommend that you look at SVS Subwoofers

but kappa's it is then. what amps do you recommend?

I would recommend just about anything BUT pyramid, pyle, legacy, audiobahn, lanzar, boss, and other brands that claim outrageous power for very little money. Avoid those brands and you're good.

Take a look around at car stereo online. Link us to anything you think looks/seems good and we'll review/analys it for you.

I'll take a look around to see what I can come up with for you.

WHat is your price range?

[PoorManQ45]

WHat size are your front speakers?

[xekushnr]

youre lucky i cant find my camera. the wire on my dad's audio system in our basement is 18 awg, and so is the car audio wire im holding in my hand. its obvious that the home audio wire has more strands than the other wire.

[hysteria]

i agree with poorman about the kappa's.... i think you'll be very happy with them and man you can get them CHEAP on ebay!!! for example the infinity kappa perfect... their top of the line ones... you can get them on ebay for $230 a pair shipped!!!! that is a freaking steal!!! retail for those is over 2 times as much... and they are great speakers. and if you decide to go with any other kappa line speaker you'll be satisfied also... and they will be even cheaper. so for example if you got the perfects for your front speakers and then some other lower end kappas for the rear you'd be within your rpice range and you'd have a VERY nice setup.

i'll add to the list of amps to avoid: sony. they claim stupid amounts of power. they are liars.

i have jl audio amps, and you can find those on ebay for good prices as well. i like my jl amps. they have never disappointed me. i didn't go the route of having seperate amps for my mids and highs and subs. i just have an amp for my mids and highs and then one other one for my subs. i don't think it will be practical for you to have that many amps if you're trying to save space/money/etc... my jl amp does fine with my boston pro componenets, and they demand pretty hefty amounts of power.

if you decided to get the kappa perfects and then some other kapps for the rear and a jl audio, say, 300/4 amp, you would be looking at spending:~$370 for the amp, $230 for the perfects, and then maybe $100-$150 for some other kappas for the rear... which comes to about $700 total, let's just say $750 to be safe. not a bad price at all when you consider what you're getting. retail this setup would easily cost you around $1100... $500 for the amp and then ~$600 for all the speakers.
Modified by hysteria at 6:08 PM 6/30/2005

[xekushnr]

i'll add to the list of amps to avoid: sony. they claim stupid amounts of power. they are liars.

this is true, but all amps being produced this year are required to go through the same certification and tests. before manufacturers tested the amps themselves (i believe). now the specs you read will be more accurate, and will help greatly in comparing amps and matching them to your system.

[fluidmotion]

yea, 700 is probably more than I'm willing to spend. But that is mostly because of how much that one amp would cost. Q's idea of getting two separate amps is pretty good. It wouldn't save space, but on a S14, you could mount the amps right in the back under the rear speakers (floor on that hump in the back).

In a S14, if the sticky is right, the rear speakers and the front speakers are the same size. So, would it sound bad to have Kappa perfect's up front and two stock speakers in the rear? Total, with the amps and perfects... it would only cost about 380 at most. Which isn't too bad...

Btw, thanks for all the help guys, read through this whole section of nico, and still couldn't decide on which components to get... but, like you said Q, if these are anything like klipsch, I'll like them :-). oh, also Q, I already have the 12 inch Klipsch sub, blew the fuse in it the first week, haha.

[Florida240sx]

2 wiring kits:$601 4ch amp: $75 (how mnay speakers you getting 2/4?)1 2ch amp: $50Then get your speakers you want.My friend just got a kicker 200watt for $100 capable of stereo or mono.

[PoorManQ45]

this is true, but all amps being produced this year are required to go through the same certification and tests. before manufacturers tested the amps themselves (i believe). now the specs you read will be more accurate, and will help greatly in comparing amps and matching them to your system.

Incorrect: They are not REQUIRED to get the certification you're talking about. It is completely voluntary.

yea, 700 is probably more than I'm willing to spend. But that is mostly because of how much that one amp would cost. Q's idea of getting two separate amps is pretty good. It wouldn't save space, but on a S14, you could mount the amps right in the back under the rear speakers (floor on that hump in the back).

That's alright. THere's no way in hell that it should cost that much for a basic setup.

JL Audio is good, but they are worth about half their advertised price.

Oh, also Q, I already have the 12 inch Klipsch sub, blew the fuse in it the first week, haha.

I see .

[hysteria]

yeah i learned about saving money after i bought my jl audio/boston acoustics setup retail.... oh so much money wasted... i mean i'm happy with what i have but man it sucks that i spent so much money on it. i could literally have another car, or another motorcycle, or more cash in the bank...

anyhow if you are going to get infinity kappa perfects for the front, leaving the rear speakers stock will be fine for the time being at least. what kind of car do you have? if it's a 240sx or something with similar stock speakers i think leaving those stock ones in there is a bit of a bad idea.... it will just poison the beautiful kappa's sound with distortion and what not. if it's a temporary solution then fine but in the long run having at least a decent set in back will prove valueable especially when you have such nice speakers up front. and yeah you could just get a 2 channel amp, which i wasn't thinking about, to just power the front speakers, and then just leave the others hooked up to the head unit for power. anyhow i think it's safe to say we've convinced you about the kappa's... opinions about amps anyone?

[PoorManQ45]

I recommend get a set of Infinity coaxials(same model as your components).

You can use the deck to power the rears

[gounc14]

Chiming in late for my reco =D I was gonna say CDT CL-61As for the front, 6.5" components, and they sound, imo as well as one of my friends who happens to be the audio mod for 3.8mustang.com, better than the comparable infinity Kappas. You can get em from http://www.thezeb.com for $150 shipped, their normal retail price is $300, but CDT refused to sell them because....the paint color for the basket, which you won't see, was slightly off

And just to back up my recommendation I had them in my 93 240, and will be putting them in a 79 Porsche hopefully soon, depending on the money situation. Oh and for rear fill, should you choose to get it, I wholly endorse some Infinity Kappa Coaxs...if you want to play with spacers I bet you could put some 6x9s in there for much better bass/mid response than 4x6s.

[fluidmotion]

yea, I saw those speakers in a post in here, but I wasn't sure about them. I think, since I've already had such high recommendations about the kappa perfects, I'm gonna stick w/ them.

but if anyone finds a good amp or 2, definitely post :-). I'm constantly checking for amps online now. haha.

[hysteria]

to back up my reccommendation for the kappa perfects i just bought some for my brother for his birthday. if you want to wait a week or two i'll tell you how they compare to my boston pro's first hand. the only problem is that he probably wont have a proper amp for them for a while... but maybe i'll just hook my amp up to them just for comparisons sake.

[fluidmotion]

just ordered the perfects and two ppi amps. A ppi 2240 and a ppi 2360. One is a 75 w RMS x 2 and the other is a 150 w RMS x 2. Is it possible to keep the amps at a lower power?

I also found out I have pioneer speakers in the back, so hopefully that is good enough. :-).

[PoorManQ45]

Ya, when you hook everything up you'll want to adjust the gain. The gain basically adjusts the input sensitivity to the HUs preout voltage, BUT it can also be used to reduce the power that the amp produces.