Starting a new sound system

[highthai]

Hey guys, I'm a new user here and I just recently bought a used '03 Accord EX-L Coupe 2D. Everything is pretty much stock and I'm trying to buy a few things for my car starting with a sound system. I've been reading up about the different type of speakers, how they work and all that good stuff but I still have a few questions.

First off, I'm planning on getting the two front speakers/two rear speakers replaced with some new speakers (brand still unknown). I've been looking a lot into the 6.5" speakers and I found the SPR-17C Alpine type R's which seems to be a good quality speaker. They also come with the 6x9 matching SPR's. I was wondering if I could get the 6.5 Alpine for the front and some 6x9Kicker speakers in the rear. Would there be any problems with that set up? Also what are your opinions on the Alpine type R's. I mainly listen to hip hop, and i want alot of bass, sometimes alternative and rock. Also, I saw that the RMS for the Alpines are like 100w or something like that, what does the 03 Accord head unit supply power wise? I'm probably also planning on getting an Amp and maybe a sub, my friend already gave me a sub, but I don't know how it'll sound. Its some pioneer sub that I still dont' know the model to. The kicker rear speakers I was thinking about getting are the KS69, because I noticed it got some pretty good ratings.

Also, I read that alot of ppl had problems fitting the 6.5" front speakers into the slot. Will I have any problems installing these front speakers. Yea...I guess I have a long enough post. Could you recommend me any speakers you think I should get? thanks...

[Cups]

I don't have any experience with the speakers you mentioned but all I can say is plan ahead seriously based on the budget you want to spend on this. The stock headunit outputs very low power that you will need speakers with rms rated at 2w+.
If you're planning an amp then you will have to go with speakers matching your amp rms power.
If you're planning a sub then you might not need speakers with good bass but rather some that are clear in the mid to high segment. Speakers that can do both are rare and probably more expensive and will take more power.
If you're serious about it and think you won't be satisfied until you reach a specific level then get an aftermarket headunit and start from there.

I recommend getting an alpine 9887 headunit with decent components for the front stage and some coaxials for rear-fill and getting the multeq configured by an alpine dealer. The headunit puts out 18w rms per channel too so you might not need an extra amp if you don't need it to sound that loud.

[slab42]

yeah, using the stock head unit to power type R's is a waste of money. even running them off of an aftermarket HU, they won't sound that great. You need an amp to push them to their potential. Also, hooking up basic line out converters to your stock HU will give you CRAP sound. Most cars don't sound that bad, but for some reason when I have a 7th gen accord come in that wants to put in a 4 channel amp and speakers, it sounds like dirt. The only way to get good sound out of your OEM HU is to get a good converter such as the JL audio clean sweep, or the fosgate 3sixty. They are both kinda pricey, but if good clean sound is what you want out of your OEM HU, you will need to shell out the cash ;) I personally would recommend not going with the type R's and go with a different brand. (Infinity, JL, Polk, BA, etc) mainly because of the sensetivity rating of the type R's being super low. In order to get them to sound good, you need to use an amp that pretty much hits the max. RMS rating. I have had much better results with speakers with a higher sensetivity rating. (alpine type R's are somewhere around 87 db, where as most other brands are 91db or so) what that means is that with 1 watt of power, at a set distance, the output was that level of db.

[highthai]

the cleansweep looks legit, i'm really trying to keep the same HU too. i'm looking into it, but also i don't have an unlimited budget so i have to be wise about what i'm going to buy. i went to a car audio place, and the guy recommended that i get an amp and sub first and see how i feel about my soundsystem and slowly build from there. I'll probably get speakers with more sensitivity too. thanks for the advice.

[slab42]

no problem, but even with an amp and sub, it will fill in the sound better, but the actual quality of the sound will be less than desirable without a clean sweep, etc. just my .02!

[thesteve151]

trust me do it right the first time. even if you have to build it up one piece at a time:thmsup:

[RTexasF]

My suggestions------

all four main speakers need to be highly efficient and the same brand. They will be better tonally balanced than mix & match. The fronts almost always need an adaptor plate to fit correctly.

The factory head unit has extreme built in equalization curves to compensate for the low end stock speakers. When you just amplify the stock head unit without a signal processor your sound will just plain suck. Go with a JL Audio Clean Sweep or similar device (as mentioned above) between the head unit and the amp. You use this in order to keep the OEM head unit but put out a clean signal.

How do I know this? Been there and done that in my car. There's some threads and pictures here somewhere.....
I disagree that replacing speakers only doesn't help much. I did the four speakers first along with dynamat in the doors & on the rear shelf. The difference in clarity was immediately noted and even more so as the speakers broke in. The dynamat does receive some credit here also.

[RTexasF]

trust me do it right the first time. even if you have to build it up one piece at a time:thmsup:

That's what I had to do and I agree 1000%.

[slab42]

trust me do it right the first time. even if you have to build it up one piece at a time:thmsup:

VERY good advice!:banana:

[thesteve151]

That's what I had to do and I agree 1000%.

VERY good advice!:banana:

thanks.:)

ya after wasting my time buying a cheap system, and having to upgrade it, then upgrade it again, it is a PITA, and you loose so much money that way. the last time i did a system, i had to buy the amp, then wait and buy then sub, then the box.:lmao: but they were all top of the line, and it was more than enough bass for me, and sounded clean:cool:

[Bowzer]

It's been...oh...20 years since I did a full out sound system build out but a few things I learned remain true though the technology is a bit different. The advice here is sound (pardon the pun). Build it right and you will never regret it.

If I was going through the process again building piece by piece (which can be a lot of fun with some patience), I would get the clean sweep to get the sound right first using that factory head unit. Then put in the speakers (plan ahead on how much wattage you want them to take when you get the amp(s) up), then put the amplifier(s) on line and then the sub. THis way you're building on the clear sound vs trying to just make muddy signals louder.

Regardless of the music style, balance is key for really good sound IMHO. If you can specialize the speakers...you're better off. Way back when, I used 2 two channel amps on four 6.5" speakers for the mids and highs (Infinity speakers kicked some serious butt for crispness and clarity), and then put a third segregated amp on a sub. With a full equalizer, I had all the control ever needed to customize the sound. Just thinking about it makes me miss that ride...had a ton of fun with it (85 Honda Accord Hatchback).

So there's a bunch of ranting on my part backing up the advice already given.

Good luck and have fun with it!

[highthai]

Thanks alot for all the advice, yea good thing I took my time with my sound system. When I first got my car I was in a big rush to try and fill in the sound system ASAP, but now I think I'll try and build with quality. Oh yea, one more thing, I've seen so many audio products on ebay. Where would you suggest to buy everything? Retail prices seem so costly compared to the ebay sellers. But then again, I don't want to get stuck with an amp that'll die in a year.

[ThEvil0nE]

trust me do it right the first time. even if you have to build it up one piece at a time:thmsup:
Have to "requote" this one as it is the only way to go if you're really into it.

Took me a good year and a few months to finally complete my system before I even install em and as a testament... I'm basically using the same amps headunits and processor since 1999, upgraded only the component system (from metal to silk). Believe me... the "WOW effect" I get from folks are still well... WOW!!!:thmsup: Here's how old my headunits look btw... all scratched and still kickin (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/ThEvil0nE/P1010074.jpg) (ooops don't mind the wrong bolt it has been replaced already LOL)

I would strongly suggest DEH-P880PRS be on your list. I'm a sucker for AudioControl eq/xover so you might want to put that on you processor lis if you're really in on sound quality (SQ is sweet) :D

Doesn't matter how long when you can rack up all the goodies on your list but you'll know you'll have one setup that can rival anything on it's class for years and years to come... plus things can only get cheaper so you'd acctually get a better deal on things if you're a patient man on these things...



Goodluck!

[slab42]

I still have the stock equipment in mine (except for the head unit, I put in an AVIC-Z2) and I have not put anything else in yet, and I do it for a living! lol I have the front speakers, the 4 channel amp and the subs waiting in my closet until I get the rest. Instead of sacrificing quality because of a budget, just piece it together. I just need the mono amp, wiring, rear speakers and to fiberglass some boxes... oh yeah and a full day off to actually do the work!

no shame in not being 'rich', the shame is when you go cheap and it doesn't sound good or breaks. ;)