2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission new sound system

[Sixpack]

Ok here's the deal, I'm putting together a sound system for my truck and am looking for suggestions as to what equipment to purchase. Here's what I'm thinking... I don't want sound the will wake up the neighborhood when I want loud music, just some real good clear sound. And I'm not looking to break the bank either. For my application I'm thinking an Alpine 9833 4x 26 watts rms to push the component speakers with a 1 10" sub mounted in/under the center section of the seat and the amp under the passenger seat. Any input? Thanks Phil

 

[Diesel Nut]

can't go wrong with alpine, but if you use an amp to run the componet set you'll get more volume ALOT clearer. I have the kenwood gps (expensive), but for all else, not really all that bad. My Alpine 300w amp for my componets was like 225 I think and my 500w Class D mono amp for my subs was like 325. I have 2 10s and I still have to really try to make enough noise to drown out the pick up at idle, and under power there is nothing in my price range that would!! Also, what brand of componets were you looking at? For a little more money and a lot more quality, I would recomend either Pheonix Gold or JL. I have the Pheonix Golds.

 

[yenga80]

i have been researching how to install some subwoofers into an 02' quad cab also and have found a pre-built sub enclosure on crutchfield.com that is made specifically for the ram to fit under the back seat. check it out. when your aftermarket speakers blend into your vehicles interior it always looks better and you have less to worry about them getting stolen. especially with the subs. you don't want those sticking out in the open so people can see them. i used to have a nice system in my car growing up in high school so i know a thing or two about vehicle audio stems, and i have a pretty nice boston acoustic home theater system in my home. i had kenwood three ways in my doors and 2 12" MTX blue thunders for sub. for power i had a Precision Power mono amp driving the sub and a mask face kenwood head unit powering the speakers in the doors. if i can give you once piece of advice go for the separate amplifier for your door speakers like the previous guy said. you will get clearer sound at higher volumes and of course higher volumes. when i do my system some day again i will go that direction by powering the door speakers with a separate amp and not the head unit. even though they advertise them to have lots of power and most importantly high RMS power they can't handle today's speakers that well. You should look at boston acoustics car/truck speakers. they have a great rep. in that respect. alpine is great too. but definitely look into that enclosure that crutchfield sells made by MTX thunderforms. doesn't hurt to. hope this helps. also make sure the speakers you get in your door being either component or 3/2 way are good quality.

andy

 

[Cigar John]

If you want to run just one 10" sub in the front center seat check out hot boxes on ebay. Matches the factory upholstery perfectly. Just be sure to get a sub thats less than a 5" mounting depth. I think it was about $150, the MTX for under the rear seat runs about $375 and you lose the under seat storage and I'm not sure if it has room for the jack.

 

[McCRam]

I am building an enclosure for my center seat as well. I like this idea best cuz I can still have the entire rear area available. I am using alpine 5 channel amp to drive a 10 inch sub. I haven't picked out my other speakers yet. I prefer the idea of one amp because the system is less intrusive.

 

[jraker]

I agree with Yenga. However, if you are running subs you need to resist the temptation and turn your radio down when you get close to your destination. People can hear you have subs even though they can't see them. Fact is if someone wants what you've got they will get it. By the factory look you can hide this as long as you don't advertise when you pull in. My . 02 of what I learned when I had my stereo's. JL Audio makes two stealth boxes for our trucks. One house a downward firing JL audio 12 that replaces your center console. They take the interior cloth or leather off the existing piece and put it on the new one. You can still sit on it and have the armrest. The other version houses two 10's and replaces the storage area under the rear seat. The best place to mount the cap and amps is on the rear wall behind the rear seat. This works very well. Best to chose an amp that has an active cooler though.

 

[Sixpack]

If you want to run just one 10" sub in the front center seat check out hot boxes on ebay. Matches the factory upholstery perfectly. Just be sure to get a sub thats less than a 5" mounting depth. I think it was about $150, the MTX for under the rear seat runs about $375 and you lose the under seat storage and I'm not sure if it has room for the jack.

My thoughts exactly. The 26 watts rms (60 watts peak) won't be enough power? I guess I could go with a mono or bridged 2 channel amp and add another 2 channel if the sound isn't what I'm looking for... .

 

[biggy238]

It's not so much the power itself as it is the head units ability to produce a clean sound at that power level. An external amplifier will probably give you a MUCH better sound quality at the same audio levels through out it's sound reproduction range.



Above all just keep in mind that you almost always get what you pay for. A cheap alternative for higher end audio that some of my friends have been happy with is Profile california series amplifiers. You can score them for about $100 in any configuration you need for your system (2,4,5 channel models and monos) But like I said you get what you pay for. I have Rockford Fosgates and the Profiles sound very similar up until you start playing them at high levels. Realistically you could run a smaller Fosgate (or another high end amp) to achieve the same sound levels as a larger profile, but you would be spending the $$$ to do so.

Just food for though.

 

[storm'in]

Stereo Upgrade

I had the stock Infinity system and it sounded pretty good to me, but the rear speakers sounded cheap and I wanted a little more bass. After much contemplation, I bit the bullet and went with the ft center seat JL Audio Stealthbox, JL 250/1 sub woofer amp, JL VR600 coaxial speakers for the rr doors, and an Alpine RPF240 to power ALL door speakers. Amps went under front seats. Let me say that this set up sounds AWESOME!! While still maintaining the factory look. Just have to remember to keep it low in the neighborhood!