Need help on C5 system replacement choice!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 2
From: Meridian MS
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Need help on C5 system replacement choice!
OK, here's the gig.... I don't know much about car audio. I want to get rid of the blows system. It really does blow. I want somthing that is really clean but will hit when I want it to.
The local shops around here have sugested the following set ups. For both of them I will be getting the subthump 10" stelth box 1 cubic foot.
One system is a Kenwood..... Kenwood excellan head unit, KAC8452 amp, KFCXR61P 6.5 components for the front and rear, and a KFCXW1002 DVC excellan 10" sub. for about $1250 installed.
or
Alpine or Sony head unit, JL Audio XR650-Csi 6.5" components for the front and rear, JL Audio 450/4 amp, JL Audio 10W3v2-D2 10" sub. for about $1550 installed.
What do you guys think? I want a good system, I want to spend under $2000 but I'm not going to do the install, and I only want to do it once.
Thanks in advance for your help! Jeff
The local shops around here have sugested the following set ups. For both of them I will be getting the subthump 10" stelth box 1 cubic foot.
One system is a Kenwood..... Kenwood excellan head unit, KAC8452 amp, KFCXR61P 6.5 components for the front and rear, and a KFCXW1002 DVC excellan 10" sub. for about $1250 installed.
or
Alpine or Sony head unit, JL Audio XR650-Csi 6.5" components for the front and rear, JL Audio 450/4 amp, JL Audio 10W3v2-D2 10" sub. for about $1550 installed.
What do you guys think? I want a good system, I want to spend under $2000 but I'm not going to do the install, and I only want to do it once.
Thanks in advance for your help! Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
Alpine head unit, JL Audio XR650-Csi 6.5" components for the front and rear, JL Audio 450/4 amp, JL Audio 10W3v2-D2 10" sub. sounds like a pretty good setup.
also look into:
cdt components at 'thezeb.com for 150 a piece, Image dynamics sub for ~$135 at sounddomain.com
also look into:
cdt components at 'thezeb.com for 150 a piece, Image dynamics sub for ~$135 at sounddomain.com
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Pyro,
My preference is the Sony head and JLAudio as suggested by your local shop. Everyone except me loves Alpine and Kenwood.
I like how the Alpine sounds but I hate the controls - not intuitive, IMHO.
The Sony is the only head that I have seen that is obvious to use. The rest (Pioneer, Panasonic, Kenwood, Alpine et al) all require a degree in brain surgery just to adjust the bass. Also, I love the Sony remote, it's a tiny functional little thing - compared to the overly complex bricks of the other manufacturers.
But while travelling in excess of 100miles an hour, I'm sure I have enough concentration to spare to figure out how to intuitively attenuate the volume...
Your mileage may vary.
EG
My preference is the Sony head and JLAudio as suggested by your local shop. Everyone except me loves Alpine and Kenwood.
I like how the Alpine sounds but I hate the controls - not intuitive, IMHO.
The Sony is the only head that I have seen that is obvious to use. The rest (Pioneer, Panasonic, Kenwood, Alpine et al) all require a degree in brain surgery just to adjust the bass. Also, I love the Sony remote, it's a tiny functional little thing - compared to the overly complex bricks of the other manufacturers.
But while travelling in excess of 100miles an hour, I'm sure I have enough concentration to spare to figure out how to intuitively attenuate the volume...
Your mileage may vary.
EG
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
I personally don't like Sony heads - user interface or not.
They simply don't hold up like Alpine. And if you have ever used an Alpine, they all pretty much work the same.
They hold up, they sound better, and are easy enough to learn.
They simply don't hold up like Alpine. And if you have ever used an Alpine, they all pretty much work the same.
They hold up, they sound better, and are easy enough to learn.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
I am doing something similar
I am going to install a similar setup to what you were quoted.
Alpine CDA 9833
Alpine KCA420I Ipod interface
JL Audio XR 653 3way components
JL 10W3V2-D2
Subthump stealth enclosure
JL Audio 500/5 or 300/4 amp probably the 500/5
From recomendations and listening to a few systems from other CF members I have decided to just do the front (door) speakers.
I do have a question, the amp's and sub I am going to purchase do they go together well ( is the amp powerfull enough to drive the sub)?
Thanks
Gary
Alpine CDA 9833
Alpine KCA420I Ipod interface
JL Audio XR 653 3way components
JL 10W3V2-D2
Subthump stealth enclosure
JL Audio 500/5 or 300/4 amp probably the 500/5
From recomendations and listening to a few systems from other CF members I have decided to just do the front (door) speakers.
I do have a question, the amp's and sub I am going to purchase do they go together well ( is the amp powerfull enough to drive the sub)?
Thanks
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,682
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by SilverC54me
I am going to install a similar setup to what you were quoted.
Alpine CDA 9833
Alpine KCA420I Ipod interface
JL Audio XR 653 3way components
JL 10W3V2-D2
Subthump stealth enclosure
JL Audio 500/5 or 300/4 amp probably the 500/5
From recomendations and listening to a few systems from other CF members I have decided to just do the front (door) speakers.
I do have a question, the amp's and sub I am going to purchase do they go together well ( is the amp powerfull enough to drive the sub)?
Thanks
Gary
Alpine CDA 9833
Alpine KCA420I Ipod interface
JL Audio XR 653 3way components
JL 10W3V2-D2
Subthump stealth enclosure
JL Audio 500/5 or 300/4 amp probably the 500/5
From recomendations and listening to a few systems from other CF members I have decided to just do the front (door) speakers.
I do have a question, the amp's and sub I am going to purchase do they go together well ( is the amp powerfull enough to drive the sub)?
Thanks
Gary
I've got the 9835 HU, same as the 9833 except for the display.
JL audio xr 653 csi is the way to go. You can get the 6.5 and 4 on the mounting plate that will replace the bose assembly. Put the tweet in the door pull or door panel and you will be a happy camper. I'd suggest the JL 300/2 for the front components, a JL 500/1 for an ID 10 v.3 in a subthumpt stealth box, and run the rears from the HU for a bit of rear fill.... about 13/15 faded towards the front.
That's about as good of a system you are gonna get for the $$
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
How about the JL Audio 450/4?? It will but 75 watts RMS into each of the front speakers and a single 300 watts in the sub. One amp and it will be plently loud and clean. It is right in par with what JL recommends for those speakers.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 2
From: Meridian MS
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Well, I just ordered my subthump stealth box from Steve. He's a class act, he answered all my questions by e-mail and confirmed the carpet color. They now have the oak carpet to match my interior. One step closer.
I think I'm gonna use the JL10w3v4 D2 sub, JL xr650 Csi components in the door & rear. leaning towards the JL 450/4 amp, still undecided about the head unit so far.
I think I'm gonna use the JL10w3v4 D2 sub, JL xr650 Csi components in the door & rear. leaning towards the JL 450/4 amp, still undecided about the head unit so far.
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Not trying to sound stupid, but iv never heard of the JL brand,before visiting this board, would this be considered a 'high end' brand? Im use to hearing and seeing the regular mass produced ones, RF, Sony, Kenwood excellon, Polk, Infinity Ref, etc etc.
And checking price's through a search the (JL Audio XR 653 3way components)the ones mentioned above are running about $339 which is expensive, im looking for somthing more moderatly priced .
And just a thought, could the tweeters be mounted on the rear pillar just above the rear speakers facing front,so they are outta sight?(rear factory speakers diconnected)
Or even in the rear opening if factory speakers are removed?
And checking price's through a search the (JL Audio XR 653 3way components)the ones mentioned above are running about $339 which is expensive, im looking for somthing more moderatly priced .
And just a thought, could the tweeters be mounted on the rear pillar just above the rear speakers facing front,so they are outta sight?(rear factory speakers diconnected)
Or even in the rear opening if factory speakers are removed?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
Originally Posted by Rob 99
Not trying to sound stupid, but iv never heard of the JL brand,before visiting this board, would this be considered a 'high end' brand? Im use to hearing and seeing the regular mass produced ones, RF, Sony, Kenwood excellon, Polk, Infinity Ref, etc etc.
And checking price's through a search the (JL Audio XR 653 3way components)the ones mentioned above are running about $339 which is expensive, im looking for somthing more moderatly priced .
And just a thought, could the tweeters be mounted on the rear pillar just above the rear speakers facing front,so they are outta sight?(rear factory speakers diconnected)
Or even in the rear opening if factory speakers are removed?
And checking price's through a search the (JL Audio XR 653 3way components)the ones mentioned above are running about $339 which is expensive, im looking for somthing more moderatly priced .
And just a thought, could the tweeters be mounted on the rear pillar just above the rear speakers facing front,so they are outta sight?(rear factory speakers diconnected)
Or even in the rear opening if factory speakers are removed?
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Originally Posted by scott_fx
that what the forums for, to help you out... jl's can be high end but they have some low end lines as well. $340 for 3-ways is actually pretty reasonable (you are getting 6 seperate speakers and a 2 crossovers per set). if you want to spend less, look into some 2-way components like the cdt's i orig. posted.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
JL Audio is on the upper end of amp, speaker and subs. like most manufacturers, JL has different lines of level quality. ex. VR, XR and ZR series, the ZR line is new and big $. I would recommend any JL line of speakers over any line of Kenwood speakers, I personnally have struck out three time with Kenwood. I would also avoid Sony speakers.
I also agree, $340 for a 3-way set is very reasonable. There are 2-way systems of there in the thosands of dollars (Rainbow, Alpine, and Morel)
If I was you, I would definetely take the Alpine/JL Audio route, it will be a HUGE improvement over the Blose
I also agree, $340 for a 3-way set is very reasonable. There are 2-way systems of there in the thosands of dollars (Rainbow, Alpine, and Morel)
If I was you, I would definetely take the Alpine/JL Audio route, it will be a HUGE improvement over the Blose
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Tualatin OR
How About this HU:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pp72LIP...0&I=130DEHP77D
I have it, and it works great. I found it a lot cheaper than Crunchfield. After reading about the Alpine din.5, most folks chose it first. You should be in good shape regardless.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pp72LIP...0&I=130DEHP77D
I have it, and it works great. I found it a lot cheaper than Crunchfield. After reading about the Alpine din.5, most folks chose it first. You should be in good shape regardless.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
From: dartmouth nova scotia
Go with the Alpine CDA-9835 great reviews from the Car Audio mags if you believe that stuff. I just bought one today so I can't tell you how it sounds in a Corvette but I have heard it in other cars and it rocks.
