Hey all, i'm turning 18 next week (and going for my P's), and for my birthday my parents have decided (as well as giving me a 95' TS) to buy me a decent system for my car... I have up to $2000 to spend on the system, can anyone gimme some ideas of what to get, the main thing i'm looking for is clarity in the music at high volume, whilst delivering killer bass...

Thanks all, any comments would be very much appreciated!

Wish my parents had bought me a car and decked it out with audio for my 18th!
I just got an old sigma, but in good condition.

Here's what I think:

HEADUNITS: Spend $400-500. Alpine is a fave (CDE-9845, CDA-9847), and JVC is chasing alpine down fast with alot of fans in AMC. Panasonics are great too, but can look a bit funny as most are very bright silver. Eclipse is also a favorite on here with some. Main thing to look for 3 sets of RCA pre-outs. Disregard any power ratings on the HU. (total: $500)

FRONT SPEAKERS: Spend $300-$350. Hertz HSK165's, Focal 165V1's (if you can, stretch it to the 165V2's, bout $100 extra) (total: $850)

6X9s: Leave as is, run them off the deck - FREE! Fade them out a bit (set your headunit to front +3 or +4 so the rears aren't so loud). (total: $850)

SUB(S): 12" subs are best for starters. 2x JBL GTO-1202D's will cost under $300. Similar money for a pair of the Pioneer TSW306C's, but they need 35L of sealed box per sub, not 30L like most 12s. If you want to go a single quality 12... Hertz ES300D for under $250. You should amp a single quality 12" harder too - use the money you save on the sub to go towards a separate monoblock. (total: $1150)

BOX: Allow $140 for a standard 2x12" box. Or build an exact specification one for a similar amount. A manufactured box may not fit between your rear strut towers, so measure carefully. (total: $1300)

AMP(S): For a twin 12" system, go for the monoblock amp. You may need to go down a model of headunit to save the few extra dollars, or even throw a couple of hundred dollars at it yourself. You could also get the 4x75WRMS Response amp which will save the $$$ a bit so you can throw them at the monoblock. You would also be able to run the 6X9's off the 4x75... but the stockies won't take much. JBL, JL, Audiobahn, even just cheap pioneers from Autobarn for the $150 mark are good buys. You can save and get them later anyway. Just remember - flexibility is the key here. (total: $2100 for the dual 12's / monoblock route)

For a single 12" system, a Jaycar/Response 4x100WRMS ($399 I think) would be a good choice for a single sub system. Run the fronts on channels 1 and 2, bridge 3 and 4 into the sub (6x9's off deck). (total: $1700)

Okay, if you went the single 12", you now have 300 buck up your sleeve. You could throw this towards a monoblock (Jaycar 800W $400) would get your subs going hard. Then you could buy a nicer set of 6x9's and drop them in, and run them off channels 3 & 4 of the 4 channel amp.

Or, you could just spend more on the head unit, or even the front splits.

FHRX recommends:
System Cost: $2000
Source Unit(s): Alpine CDA-9847 / Clarion DXZ756MP / Pioneer DEH-P5750MP
Front Speaker(s): Boston SL60 / Crossfire SR6 / Diamond M361 / Digital Designs DDW6.5set / Eton Pro-160X / Focal 165V2 / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Pulse 6 / Phoenix Gold ZR6.5 Comp / Rainbow CMX 265 Kick / Vibe SA-K60
Sub(s): Boston G212 / Diamond M312 / Digital Designs 2012 / Focal 33A / Hertx HX300 / Image Dynamics ID12V.3 / Phoenix Gold R12D / Treo TSI12 / Vibe BlackAir-12
Amplifier(s): Audison SRx3 / Crossfire VR404 / Digital Designs C4 / Phoenix Gold R8.0:4

Firstly, the 4x100wrms amp is only $299rrp at Jaycar. Not $399. So there are another $100 to spend. And the monoblock from jaycar (response) is $399rrp and its a ClassD 800wrms amp. I would say spend the remaining $$$ on sound deadening at the front doors and boot

Thanks for the reply guys, has given me something to deffinately think about! Going shopping this weekend for my system so i'll have it for my birthday next Thursday.

In your opinions, is one or two subs better if you're on a budget? Like am I best off buying 2 alright subs, or one good sub and saving up for a second sub when I can purchase it myself?

Go 2, you've got a realistic budget, just get a monoblock amp, and your set. Saves from having to get another box done up later down the road

Your a Beginner, no Need to go all out with Super High Class Gear so Here is a System Plan for your $2000 Budget

1: Headunit: JVC KDG615 $299
2: Fronts :Clarion SRS 1625 6inch Splits $180
3: Rears: Clarion SRS 1635 3-way Co axials $160
4: Subs : 2 Clarion PA 12.5's 12 inch Subs $250
5 Amps : 2 Jaycar 4x100 WRMS. $598
6.Enclosure: Aerpro Dual 12 inch ported Enclosure $199
7 Wiring Kit: Aerpro 8 Gauge Wiring kit $120
Total Value :$1806
Leaving $200 for installation if needed but it is simple enough to DIY over a Weekend.


Now I have Majorly over Quoted on the Clarion Gear as some dealers will have these Marked down. These are Peak Figures as in the MOST you should pay
Hell you may even get the Above System for $1700...

Thank you very much for your reply Magnat, that looks like a decent system for me! Appreciate all the responses and i'll more than likely get my neighbour to install it for me as he's a mechanic and did my brothers headunit and speakers.

Thanks again all!

Best advice anyone can give you is, If you like it.. Buy it.. If your not sure Ask us..

Go and Get a Quote from a Car audio Place, Get the Model Numbers then post your Planned system in here... we can then Pick at it and then refer you to gear you would like...

Things we need to know is
1: What Kind of Music do you listen to??
2: How much Boot Space do you want to sacrifice for the Subs
3.Color of the Magna and its Interior Coloring, Aesthetics can be a major factor in the execution of the install.. Not much point getting a Polished Silver Deck on a Brown interior

Personally if it was me:

Deck: Who cares as long as it has, 2+ set of preouts, 3+band EQ, MP3, Sub control and numbers for the volume ( cant stand the line thing that sony have, i need to know that my sound goes up to volume 40 and that is final. ) Look at around $500.

Splits: Boston Type S, Hertz HSK 165 for their mid bass. Both around $300.

Deadening for the door: Dynamat or G spot + defusers $130

Amp: Audison SRx3 ( 75WRMSx 2 + 250WRMSx 1 ) or the DD C4 ( 75WRMSx 2 + 500WRMSx 1) $700+

Sub: Vibe Blackair II, Boston G2, Hertz HX300. You dont need 2 really, 1 decent sub in a ported box will be plenty Maybe the Hertz HXS 300 in a ported box.. yum. $300-$400 ( bit more for the HXS ).

Jaycar amps are fine but lack balls when you compare them to better quality amps. Saying that they are very good for their price point. :D

Personally if it was me:

Deck: Who cares as long as it has, 2+ set of preouts, 3+band EQ, MP3, Sub control and numbers for the volume ( cant stand the line thing that sony have, i need to know that my sound goes up to volume 40 and that is final. ) Look at around $500.

Splits: Boston Type S, Hertz HSK 165 for their mid bass. Both around $300.

Deadening for the door: Dynamat or G spot + defusers $130

Amp: Audison SRx3 ( 75WRMSx 2 + 250WRMSx 1 ) or the DD C4 ( 75WRMSx 2 + 500WRMSx 1) $700+

Sub: Vibe Blackair II, Boston G2, Hertz HX300. You dont need 2 really, 1 decent sub in a ported box will be plenty Maybe the Hertz HXS 300 in a ported box.. yum. $300-$400 ( bit more for the HXS ).

Jaycar amps are fine but lack balls when you compare them to better quality amps. Saying that they are very good for their price point. :D



i 2nd that