Advice on audio system purchase
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Advice on audio system purchase
Need some advice or suggestion about a this audio system purchase/installation in a 93 corvette as follows:
1. Head Unit- Alpine #CDA-9857------------ $349.00
2. JL Audio Component Speakers------------ $330.00
(Part#: VR650-CSI)
3. JL Audio Coaxial Speakers--------------- $189.00
(Part#: TR690-TXI)
4. Alpine Amplifier #MRP-450--------------- $299.00
5. Rockford 8 gaugeAMP Kit--------------- $ 54.00
6. RCA Cables-4-Sets---------------------- $ 59.00
7. All installation labor---------------------- $225.00
8. Dash Kit,Harness, and Antenna Adapter Kit $ 45.00
-----------------------------------------------------
Total cost before taxes---------------------- $1,550.00
Please feel free to give any helpful hints or comments.
Thank you
1. Head Unit- Alpine #CDA-9857------------ $349.00
2. JL Audio Component Speakers------------ $330.00
(Part#: VR650-CSI)
3. JL Audio Coaxial Speakers--------------- $189.00
(Part#: TR690-TXI)
4. Alpine Amplifier #MRP-450--------------- $299.00
5. Rockford 8 gaugeAMP Kit--------------- $ 54.00
6. RCA Cables-4-Sets---------------------- $ 59.00
7. All installation labor---------------------- $225.00
8. Dash Kit,Harness, and Antenna Adapter Kit $ 45.00
-----------------------------------------------------
Total cost before taxes---------------------- $1,550.00
Please feel free to give any helpful hints or comments.
Thank you
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Don't buy the 9857. It lacks features for the price. 9857 is worth roughly $125-150 for what it has!
Just about anything else is better, I'd suggest the pioneeer 7800 instead, for about the same price.
Just about anything else is better, I'd suggest the pioneeer 7800 instead, for about the same price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
personally i'd step up to a 4 gauge kit, drop the rear speakers, and add a 10" subwoofer you can pick up a sub and enclosure for not that much more then those coaxials and you'll have a better sounding system.
check out tcsounds' tc1000 and elemental designs 10" subs. they are both inexpensive and should be a nice addition to your system.
check out tcsounds' tc1000 and elemental designs 10" subs. they are both inexpensive and should be a nice addition to your system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 20
From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
drop the alpine you can get a much better radio for way less money. and as others have said do 2 8s or a small 10 in the back in stead of coaxials, and deff do a 4 ga kit. where are you having it installed at?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Installer name
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 818
Likes: 13
From: San Antonio Texas
Need some advice or suggestion about a this audio system purchase/installation in a 93 corvette as follows:
1. Head Unit- Alpine #CDA-9857------------ $349.00
2. JL Audio Component Speakers------------ $330.00
(Part#: VR650-CSI)
3. JL Audio Coaxial Speakers--------------- $189.00
(Part#: TR690-TXI)
4. Alpine Amplifier #MRP-450--------------- $299.00
5. Rockford 8 gaugeAMP Kit--------------- $ 54.00
6. RCA Cables-4-Sets---------------------- $ 59.00
7. All installation labor---------------------- $225.00
8. Dash Kit,Harness, and Antenna Adapter Kit $ 45.00
-----------------------------------------------------
Total cost before taxes---------------------- $1,550.00
Please feel free to give any helpful hints or comments.
Thank you
1. Head Unit- Alpine #CDA-9857------------ $349.00
2. JL Audio Component Speakers------------ $330.00
(Part#: VR650-CSI)
3. JL Audio Coaxial Speakers--------------- $189.00
(Part#: TR690-TXI)
4. Alpine Amplifier #MRP-450--------------- $299.00
5. Rockford 8 gaugeAMP Kit--------------- $ 54.00
6. RCA Cables-4-Sets---------------------- $ 59.00
7. All installation labor---------------------- $225.00
8. Dash Kit,Harness, and Antenna Adapter Kit $ 45.00
-----------------------------------------------------
Total cost before taxes---------------------- $1,550.00
Please feel free to give any helpful hints or comments.
Thank you
I highly would recommend dropping the coax for the rear fill...you need some bass. Look into purchasing 2 8" subs. Check these out they're on sale - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fHimnqp...520&I=575P18S4
You definitly want components up front. The JL's are OK. But these are some of the badest components, and they're cheaper. - http://cgi.ebay.com/Focal-Access-130...QQcmdZViewItem
With the money you save on those components you can spend a little more on the amp. That's a solid amp you have picked out, but check out this Alpine PDX. It's TINY - 600 watts, and smaller than the MRP. Here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...spagenameZWDVW
Not saying your 1st choices are bad, but you can definitely save some money. I know it's easy to be lured into purchasing what the shop has on hand - but shop around you can trim some fat off that tab. If you go with the Focals you will NOT de disappointed. BTW that head unit is like $250 on ebay.
GL with the install.
Last edited by chve8817; Feb 15, 2007 at 11:36 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
The only reason to go with the 9857 is because of its great iPod interface. If that isn't a priority then I'd look at other decks (Eclipse, Pioneer). You can do a lot better than those prices too... for $330 you should be getting JL XR650's, not VR650's and there are a lot of other solid compnent choices in that price range too. The Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS components have been getting pretty good reviews on the car audio forums lately (around $250 online), but I haven't heard them personally. If I were you I'd shop around a little more.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Maybe the 7800 is an exception, I've read some complaints about the Pioneer interface being slow though. The poster didn't mention using an ipod though, so might not even be an issue.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
I would like to thank you all for responding the information was great, now to do a little more home work before I make my final decision.
Anymore input will be greaty appreciated. Again thank,you all.
Anymore input will be greaty appreciated. Again thank,you all.
Last edited by et93vet; Feb 16, 2007 at 10:33 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette IN
Hey, I’m basically doing the same thing to my '96. You can really save a ton of money by not paying sticker price for the equipment. Here is a few recomendations:
I highly would recommend dropping the coax for the rear fill...you need some bass. Look into purchasing 2 8" subs. Check these out they're on sale - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fHimnqp...520&I=575P18S4
You definitly want components up front. The JL's are OK. But these are some of the badest components, and they're cheaper. - http://cgi.ebay.com/Focal-Access-130...QQcmdZViewItem
With the money you save on those components you can spend a little more on the amp. That's a solid amp you have picked out, but check out this Alpine PDX. It's TINY - 600 watts, and smaller than the MRP. Here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...spagenameZWDVW
Not saying your 1st choices are bad, but you can definitely save some money. I know it's easy to be lured into purchasing what the shop has on hand - but shop around you can trim some fat off that tab. If you go with the Focals you will NOT de disappointed. BTW that head unit is like $250 on ebay.
GL with the install.
I highly would recommend dropping the coax for the rear fill...you need some bass. Look into purchasing 2 8" subs. Check these out they're on sale - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-fHimnqp...520&I=575P18S4
You definitly want components up front. The JL's are OK. But these are some of the badest components, and they're cheaper. - http://cgi.ebay.com/Focal-Access-130...QQcmdZViewItem
With the money you save on those components you can spend a little more on the amp. That's a solid amp you have picked out, but check out this Alpine PDX. It's TINY - 600 watts, and smaller than the MRP. Here it is: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...spagenameZWDVW
Not saying your 1st choices are bad, but you can definitely save some money. I know it's easy to be lured into purchasing what the shop has on hand - but shop around you can trim some fat off that tab. If you go with the Focals you will NOT de disappointed. BTW that head unit is like $250 on ebay.
GL with the install.
Do have pics of your install, I'd like to see how and where you mounted the front component speakers...mainly the tweeter and the amp.
Thanks,
Don
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
Way too much $ for that Alpine 9857. Check out their new one - IDA-X001. I just put that in my car. I listen to my Ipod 90% of the time, and this has the fastest interface I've ever used. I also like the multiple line display for information. It's only $399 at most places. I got mine for $350 at Car Toys.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X001
