Buying a system

[LetsGoWings13 0]

Ok when I get my car in a couple months im gonna wanna put a sound system in it. Just a couple quick questions the speakers on curcuit citys website talk about peak power, watts, and hz. What are all of those things and what would be considered good. Im looking to spend 600 dollars or less and Id like to buy 2 12's, a box, an amp, and a new cd player.

edit- Also the amps say they have 2,3 or 4 channels. What does that mean?

[cougarscaptain87 12]

if you go into circuit city or where ever you are going to buy it they will explain everything to you there, and they will also make sure that you pick out the components that work with each other. on another note, you forgot to include the charges for wires and instalation which could very easily be another $200 for just the wires, instal, and any small acessories that are necessary to make things work. you may want to save up some more money becasue if you want a decent sound system its gonna cost alot more then $600. Ive been building my system in my car for about 6 months now and its almost complete. i have a pioneer head unit which was $375 with install. then i have a jbl amp with 2 12" infinity subs in a custom box, thoes were $950 plus $90 for amp wires, and then $75 for install. and i just put in the 4 door speakers which were infinty kappa component speakers which i had to get another amp for, so thoes came out to about $1000 for speakers and amp, then $40 for 16 gauge wire, then close to $100 for instal. so sound systems do not come cheap. good luck on finding a good deal and let us know how it goes.

[mack 44]

Damn Cougar, the only system you should be working on for your car is whether or not you want Winnie the Pooh or The Wiggles on a pull-down screen shade.

[LetsGoWings13 0]

My friend is gonna install everything for me and im not looking to go top of the line with everything.

[cougarscaptain87 12]

you better make sure your friend knows the components and the power they put out becuase if he pairs up an amp that puts out too much power for the subs then he will blow the subs and you with be SOL

[LetsGoWings13 0]

I guess I trust him with it. His uncle runs a car shop and taught him how to work on cars and install speakers. He did my friends car and did a really good job on her car.

[Thockey17 1]

www.crutchfield.com

[Miike 1]

Thockey, what are you rocking in the M3 if anything?

[Thockey17 1]

Thockey, what are you rocking in the M3 if anything?

The Eisenmann Titanium exhaust and titanium race pipes provide me with enough music. :)

[Dante2004 0]

Ok when I get my car in a couple months im gonna wanna put a sound system in it. Just a couple quick questions the speakers on curcuit citys website talk about peak power, watts, and hz. What are all of those things and what would be considered good. Im looking to spend 600 dollars or less and Id like to buy 2 12's, a box, an amp, and a new cd player.

edit- Also the amps say they have 2,3 or 4 channels. What does that mean?

With a $600 budget, you might want to reconsider your purchase. If you buy ALL that stuff for $600 the quality will be so poor you would be better off with a stock system. You are talking about flea market equipment. A decent CD player will run ~$200+. Speakers will be ~$75-100+ a pair, subs will be at least $100 (that is for junk). And you still have to buy your amp, box, dash kit, wiring, etc.

I would suggest you get a nice CD player, amp and subs with your $600 and then save more money to complete the rest of your system in "phase II" later down the road. You will be happier in the long run!

[LetsGoWings13 0]

Thats all I was planning on buying. On www.crutchfield.com just looking around I could get an alpine cd player and a pioneer 2sub/box/amp combo in my budget. The speakers in the car I have right now are pretty good actually they are bose.

[hip check 0]

Don't let the name fool you. A stock system with fancy names - Bose, Infinty, whatever - is still not going to sound as good as some aftermarket products could.

Putting the right components together is something that requires skill and knowledge. You pay for that service.

[Dante2004 0]

Thats all I was planning on buying. On www.crutchfield.com just looking around I could get an alpine cd player and a pioneer 2sub/box/amp combo in my budget. The speakers in the car I have right now are pretty good actually they are bose.

If you are just getting a sub, then you only need a mono (1) channel amp. You could use a 2 or 4 channel amp as long as you can bridge it.

It sounds like you don't know much about car audio (which is ok) and it also sounds like you don't want to learn too much about it (which is also ok). I would suggest you just play it safe and let someone knowledgable do the install.

A "package" deal might be the way to go. At least then you know that the amp can support the subs (watts, ohm stable, etc.)

Also, you are better to over power your subs and use restraint when you turn up the volume, than underpower them. Believe it or not, it is easier to damage your subs due to lack of power, than too much (assuming you don't turn it up too loud). When you hear distortion, you are already too loud. Think of it this way, what would happen if you put a Corvette engine in a Cobalt. Other than having an overpowered car, nothing. What would happen in you put a cobalt engine in a suburban? You would burn the engine up because it is working too hard. Same principle (basically) applies to electricity.