As the tittle says I'm a massive noob when it comes to stereo systems, so was hoping I could get a little advice and get pointed in the right direction.

To start off with I prefer trebble or clarity then bass but its good to have a little. I've already got a pair of Pioneer 6 x 9 speakers at 400 watt unsure of model # atm.

Question is what sort of specs should I look for in front speakers, deck and possible even amp? Looking at a budget under $1000 if possible?

ps how do people mount there 6 x 9's in rear parcel as the current after market ones I've installed vibrate like hell on the metal shelf.

Cheers Scott

Question is what sort of specs should I look for in front speakers, deck and possible even amp? Looking at a budget under $1000 if possible?



speakers, you will want to look for RMS, rather than wattage.
RMS is what you can consistently "work" the speaker at.

with an amp, the RMS is best to match but better to be higher than that of what the speakers are at.

headunits, look for something you like. and of course in your price range.

something i'd look for is
x2 RCA output (its all i need) and
USB + SD card slots, at a minimum

i havent changed anything in my car for a while, so i dont exactly know what is on the market at the moment, but check out http://mobileelectronics.com.au/
itll have anything and everything you'll want to find out about
+ a few of our members here are on there as well.

Don't look at max power rating for one, and don't base all your decisions on an RMS rating, there is alot more to look at, sensitivity is one the higher the sensitivity the better that means it takes less effort to get the speaker actually moving. The frequency response will also give you a basic idea, something that plays lower is always good for 6x9's if you are not going to be running a sub. Also cone material plays a good part in it aswell, something paper cone will have more noticeable brake up than something with say a poly or carbon fiber cone. Rubber surrounds also do a better job with controlling xmax (excursion) than foam surrounds.

Also you say you prefer something with more treble and/clarity over bass, that may be your thoughts but at the same time I wouldn't be skimping on bass either, if you don't have enough low end to balance out the midrange or treble you will find it all sounds rather bright and un easy to listen to.

For a head unit one of the best things is too go into a store and actually have a play with a few to see what sort of interface you prefer, also depending on what you plan to run off the amp that will play a part in what you want to look for, if you just want to run all 4 speakers off of the amp look for something that has 2 pairs of RCA's, if you settle for one you will need to split your rca's and that makes a noticeable difference to clarity.

On a side note, this is my belief and if you ask this on www.mobileelectronics.com.au you will get a similar response, forget the rear speakers, run them off the headunit and invest more time and effort into the front speakers. Why? Imagine you are at a concert, sitting in the front row, where are the singers/band? They are infront of you are for optimum sound you dont want it coming from behind. If you dont have a sub it'll be fine to run the 6x9's off the amp with a LPF filter on them allowing only bass to come from them meaning that all your vocals will be up the front with you. So if you have a $1000 I would be looking into buying second hand which you can do from Mobile Electronics Australia, get a new headunit, amp, installation accessories, and some new 6.5inch splits for the front doors.

If you don't want to do anything until you've heard an installation like this, since your in SA come down to AMPL audio Shearer drive Seaford on the 28th of this month and have a listen to some of the cars that compete in "Mobile Electronics Australia Sound Quality Competition", my car is one and I think when you listen to it you will understand what im trying to get across. Plus there will be prizes that can be won throughout the day.

Heres a couple quick pics of mine, like I said feel free to have a listen and make up your own mind.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/541567_3590707376843_1548146476_33134192_561600479 _n.jpg

This is a 3Way install, so ive got 6.5 Inch "Focal" Midbass drivers in the door they handle frequency's from 71hz to 315hz, Fountek home audio full range drivers in the pillars playing the frequency's from 315hz up to 5khz and then the Scanspeak Revalator Home Audio tweeters handling 5khz all the way up to 20+khz. Its a little bright at the moment purely because my Midbass' drivers are not compable of keeping up with the Midrange and Treble, but a new bigger Midbass will be correcting this soon.
http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad217/peaandham_bucket/IMG_3593.jpg

PS sorry for kind of taking this in another direction, but im happy to help regardless of what way you want to go.

+ a few of our members here are on there as well.

I am a Moderator from over there aswell so if you need anything just holla.

Mate, that looks Mickey Mouse...

I have 2 sets of 6 x 9 speakers wondering what people would reconmend for the 380 and the other set will go into my cheap daily.

Soundstream Arachnid 6 x 9 - SF-693T FEATURES
• 6x9” 3-way Speaker
• 100w RMS
• Zolon Coated Low Resonance Basket
• White Zirconium Coated Cone
• Rubber Surround
• 1” Aluminum Voice Coil
• 13mm Super Dome Tweeter
• Backed by one year manufacturer waranty
• Piezo Tweeter
• White Terminal Connections
• Rubber Magnet Cover
• 25oz. Magnet
• Impedance: 4 Ohm
• Freq-Response: 60-20kHz
• Sensitivity: 92dB

or

Pioneer 6 x 9 - TS-A6964S 6x9" 3 Way Speakers

Maximum input power 400 W .
Nominal input power 40 W .
Impedance 4Ω .
Frequency response 31 – 37,000 Hz .
Lowest resonance frequency 76 Hz .
Sensitivity (1W/1m) 91 dB .
Woofer size 6" x 9" / 16,3 x 23,7 cm .
Woofer material Carbon Graphite IMPP Interlaced Aramid Fiber Cone .
Tweeter size (mm) 11,0 mm .
Midrange size (mm) 16,0 mm .
Voice Coil type Copper .
Voice Coil bobbin type Glass Imide .
Cut-out Hole 153 x 222 mm mm .
Mounting Depth 71,8 mm mm

I wouldn't be looking at either of those.

http://www.ryda.com.au/Philips-CSP6920-6x9-Car-Speakers-p/csp6920.htm

The Phillips are nice, will play the same freq band aswell as the Pioneers, but on paper seem to be built better. The Soundstream 6x9's won't play as low as either, I know their old stuff was good but it seems like they have lost their touch with the newer ranges.

Next id be looking into the Boston's they wont take as much power from the amp, but they are very easy to get loud from either the headunit or an amp. These won't play as low as the Phillips or Pioneer but I have an inkling they would sound better in the highers freqs than the Pioneer's but probably on par with the Phillips.

http://www.ryda.com.au/Boston-S953-6-x9-Car-Speakers-p/s953.htm

On paper the Phillips' seems like the winners for me.