In need of a new sound system for my mcS14...Help!!!

[BlackHawkGTR]

So I have a mcS14 and a lil bit of money for a good sound system, i want to replace all factory speakers with good quality/sounding speakers, 2 12' kicker L7s, I cant seem to find a direct answer, and I feel that crutchfield's advise is just to spend more. I want a new head unit, i have the factory double din cd/casette player which works good, just getting tired of it, factory speakers sound like crap, ive heard that component speakers sound really good but I should get them only if I dont get a pair of subs, Help!!1.Head unit2.4 Speakers front/back3.Good AMP4.2 12' Hard hitting subs5.Good setup for Rock/Rap w/highs,lows,mids. thanks in advance guys...

[jr_ss]

I just finished my audio setup. I'm still running the factory cd player and amps but, that will change in a few weeks. I am running components in the front and 2-ways in the rear. I went with Infinity Kappa's as they have some of the best reviews and clearest sound for the dollar value. The fronts take alittle time to install as you need to run wires from the crossover to the tweeter and woofer, but other than that it's pretty straight forward. I'll be running a Kenwood Execelon head unit. I also plan to swap in 1 sub for complementary bass. But that is all in due time. Buy the best you can with the money you have. Don't cheap out on the shizzle audio, it's something you'll have to live with...

[BlackHawkGTR]

on the speakers for the rear you mentioned 'two ways', what is that? im completely ignorant on audio, engine/transmission/bodywork/paint/maintenance etc im good at, but not audio.

[kietdude]

a two way speaker is a speaker with one tweater mounted in the middle of it.

[jr_ss]

a two way speaker is a speaker with one tweater mounted in the middle of it.

Exactly, but to add more simply for the ignorant, no-offense..

Usually it is on a pole design with the pole running down in the middle of the woofer. Not the best design if you want bass but, they are very good with mid's and low's.. I went with them because you don't hear them as much with the front speakers right at your ears, but they still supply good supplemental audio.

[BlackHawkGTR]

so should i go with like a pair of component speakers and a pair of regulars? then im told i should get a seperate amp for the component, dont they already have an amp? what gives?

[jr_ss]

Like I said, I put components in the front 2-ways in the rear. There is no jusitfication in putting components all the way around except for emptying your pocket alittle more.

If you have a S14, I believe you have an amp. The problem is when you switch head units, those amps will not work and need to be bypassed by either 2 ways.1. Run all new wires to all the speakers.2. Bypass the amps. Here is a link to the how to http://www.240sx.org/faq/index.html. Scroll down and look for stereo bypassing S14 stock amps.

Have fun.
Modified by jr_ss at 11:06 AM 2/26/2006

[180fan]

components all the way around is a waste of money. If you're getting components, get them for the front. Infinity Kappas are a good choice (I've got them) but you can try going for something better like Diamonds or MB's.

Running a pair of 12" L7's will take quite a bit of power. You'd be better off looking at a single Solo X instead of running a pair of L7's.

Use seperate amps for subs for the best sound. Components do not have amps built in, they've got a seperate crossover unit.

[BlackHawkGTR]

ok, thanks for all the help guys, i keep hearing kappas and mb quart, so ill get component for the front, two ways for the rear, what do you guys recommend for the two ways, a sub, amp? and what size are the speakers f/r?crutchfield doesnt say.

[jr_ss]

They should be 6.5" all the way around...

Mb quart you'll be spending alittle bit more money. If you don't have a budget that's great.

[BlackHawkGTR]

what single 12' sub do you guys recommend? amp? ive heard a lot of 10', and dont like the way they sound, sounds like they're trying too hard, a '12 sound deep/hard enough, what do you guys think?

[jr_ss]

The reason 10's 12's 15's all sound different is because the bigger the surface area the more air it is going to move. Honestly I think 2- 10's can sound better than 1- hi powered 12 or 15. The 10's offer cleaner clearer bass, where as the 12's and 15's are meant to be loud. Don't get me wrong there are good 12's and 15's, but to me 10's sound cleaner.

If you're looking for alot of bass, you are going to want to go with something that has high potential. This can get expensive, but look for subs that have dual voil coils. They can take more power and abuse, and still be very loud.

I'm going to run an image dynamic 12 vq d2. I've had 2 of them in my truck for the longest time and I'll just swap one of them over into my car when I'm ready.

The choice of amp and sub are strictly up to you once again. Read reviews at sounddomain.com. They have a very good selection. JL Audio is making some awesome stuff now-a-days, but you'll pay for it.

Glenn

[inthawind2]

if you have the paper....Infinity Perfect' 6.1 totally worth your money

[180fan]

I'd still recommend getting a 12" Kicker soloX versus the JL's or the L7's. If you've ever laid eyes on the magnet on the soloX you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I have installed a soloX on a fastback 240sx only to have its back window shatter upon a big hit. That was a single 12" (5000W peak/ 2500W RMS) getting 2000w from a US Amps mono amp.

The MB's are definitely over priced. It really depends on what you're listening too for choices with amps and decks. Don't overlook stuff like Diamond either, I'm considering a pair of Diamond Hex s600's for my doors. They sound amazing with options for silk or aluminum tweeters.

Jazz and more vocal oriented music will get a warmer more analog sound from vacuum tubed amps while stuff like rap, metal and rock should look for solid state amps for better response.

So give us a better idea of stuff you will be listening to and what your goals are for the sound.

[BlackHawkGTR]

i like mostly rock, like old school nirvana, godsmack, like linkin park kind of music, also some rap like bun b, slim thug, pallwall, mike jones, three 6 mafia, etc. i dont listen to soft a$$ music like jazz or nothing in that realm, thanks guys

[180fan]

Yes, definitely solid state amp. Check out stuff from US Amps, Zapco or McIntosh for the good amps.

Looking for components, look for a metal tweeter, silk won't deliver the sound you're looking for as good.

like your bass loose and flappy or punchy?

[BlackHawkGTR]

i like it punchy, hate the continuous 'rattle', i like it deep, hard and quick/responsive....yes i know, thats what she said...

[350gtboi]

If you like your bass tight and responsive go with a 10" sub, its best for tight bass. 12 " subs will be loud but they dont have as good response as a 10".

As for the front speakers my boys lancer has the kicker components in the front and 2-ways in the rear plus a pair of 10L7 in the trunk the speakers are amped with a 4 way amp and the subs with a single channel amp, all kicker, they sound pretty good. The components are crystal clear, and the subs are mad loud.

Heres the pic of the system me and my boy did in the lancer. sorry for the bad quality its a camera phone.

[paysonboy801]

I just completely finished my stereo and I must say it sounds great. I've turned a few heads with it just driving in to work. What I put in was 2 8" M.A audio subs in a custom box, 2 boston accoustic 5x7's type S in the rear. that took a little modification back there but there in with no raddling or anything. two 5 1/2 seprete components in the front doors, I plan on putting two 6x9's in the quarter panels in the back seat. theres hole that fit them perfetcly, I'm just playing with that idea, a clarion cd deck cant remember the exact model number off the top of my head, A 1200 watt 4 channel for the two subs and the bostons and a 300 watt two channel for the fronts. It sounds great with just the rear in but the front added that extra Holy crap thats loud. I think that thw 2 8's are perfect for the over all system, it blends the base in perfectly once tuned correctly and if you do a box of about 1 cubic foot per sub they hit harder then any 12 i've ever had.