Newbie needs suggestion and guidance on stereo systems

[98xlt2wd]

I'm starting a little project on upgrading my stereo system in my 98 XLT. So far I got an infinity sub in a thunderform enclosure and JL Audio 6CH amp.

Here's what I got so far:
Infinity Kappa Perfect 10 VQ: http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFPERFECT10VQ

JL Audio e6450 6CH Amp: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewitem.php?id=5972

Picture of my sub and the enclosure
http://www.batakonebay.com/Systems/system.JPG
http://www.batakonebay.com/Systems/system%20(1).JPG (I had to use 2 spacer rings)
http://www.batakonebay.com/Systems/system%20(2).JPG
http://www.batakonebay.com/Systems/system%20(3).JPG
(I used weather seal foam from homedepot in between the enclosure and 1st ring and between 1st and 2nd ring to make it airtight)
http://www.batakonebay.com/Systems/system%20(4).JPG
(I used this foam from walmart to go inside the box)

http://www.batakonebay.com/Systems/system%20(5).JPG (picture of the amp)

Am I doing it correctly???

What I'm planning to get:
4ga Fosgate amp kit: http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCCP4CKDS?
Alpine CDA-9857 Head unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YrZi8mq...p?i=500CDA9857

Front and rear speakers: I don't have any clue!

Am I on the right direction? Do I have the correct amp for my system? Any suggestion what speakers to get? Maybe a component for the front?

I'm a college students with a tight budget. I don't need anything fancy.

Oh yaa, one more thing... I bought the enclosure used and it didn't come with any mounting bracket. Do I need any to install this?

I'm a real newbie on this thing but really eager to learn. Please don't use too much fancy audio words. Or if you have to, please give a little explaination on what you are reffering to.

[TeamPwnageBrad]

if you want the best sound out of your speakers, forget about the rears for now. Buy yourself a nice 6.5" component set and make some 6x8 to 6.5 adapters for the doors.

[AUexplorer06]

Agreed on components up front and no rear fill. Also for what your paying for that head unit you could get one that would blow it away for less. Pioneer DEH-P880prs

[98xlt2wd]

Originally Posted by AUexplorer06

Agreed on components up front and no rear fill. Also for what your paying for that head unit you could get one that would blow it away for less. Pioneer DEH-P880prs

Can you elaborate a little more how this pioneer will blow away the alpine? According to crutchfield customer review, many customers are very satisfied with the alpine head unit.

[expo5.0]

i think what he really meant was that you should probalby buy it from a cheaper place- alpine in general is better than pioneer though.

[98xlt2wd]

Originally Posted by expo5.0

i think what he really meant was that you should probalby buy it from a cheaper place- alpine in general is better than pioneer though.

I just check on Pricegrabber website.
Alpine CDA-9857 cheapest price shipped is $277.35
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Alpin...14/search=9857
Pioneer DEH-P880PRS Cheapest price shipped is $319.94
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...earch=P880PRS+

I think I'll stick with the cheaper Alpine unit (possibly better performance as well??).

So what component speakers shoud I buy for the front doors? Sould I buy the same brand as my Infinity subwoofer? I listen mostly to soft rock, country, and occationally rap.
So, upgrading the rear speakers is not necessarily important for sound quality?

[expo5.0]

i would highly recommend running some of their mid-priced components up front 6.5s (should run around $130) and coaxials from the same line in the rear (you already have the amp channels to do this, why not?). I would tell you which models to get, but i think in terms of jbl stuff (same products, obvioulsy different model numbers)- you will be very happy with the inifnity speakers though!

[expo5.0]

if i had to pick a hu- i'd say go with clarion. I think they are the easiest to use and easiest to set-up (sound best out of the box without adjustments etc.)

[expo5.0]

also- clear your pms

[ford freak]

Originally Posted by 98xlt2wd

I just check on Pricegrabber website.
Alpine CDA-9857 cheapest price shipped is $277.35
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Alpin...14/search=9857
Pioneer DEH-P880PRS Cheapest price shipped is $319.94
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_g...earch=P880PRS+

I think I'll stick with the cheaper Alpine unit (possibly better performance as well??).

So what component speakers shoud I buy for the front doors? Sould I buy the same brand as my Infinity subwoofer? I listen mostly to soft rock, country, and occationally rap.
So, upgrading the rear speakers is not necessarily important for sound quality?

Just the fact that the pioneer 880prs has a 24 bit da converter should tell you the quality is better than the alpine.The 880 prs is awesome.

[expo5.0]

there is really a lot more to it than that though-

i used to be really die hard pioneer for years- just haven't been happy with any of their stuff since about 2003.

[AUexplorer06]

Originally Posted by ford freak

Just the fact that the pioneer 880prs has a 24 bit da converter should tell you the quality is better than the alpine.The 880 prs is awesome.

Very good point, this is one of the best SQ HU's they've made next to the dex-p9. Much better than Alpine, Nothing out of Alpine is worth a damn anymore, I had an old 9835 and my friend had a 7998, both top end Alpines, and this Pioneer blows them away. As far as clarion, unless you are gettin the 9255 for about $1k, then do not even consider clarion. I have the 955 for a week, the highest model next to the 9255, and the SQ was horrible. The 880prs is comparable to the high end Eclipse 8455. I honeslty cannot tell the difference in SQ in my 880prs and my friends 8455. Also compared to that Alpine the Pioneer has every feature it has plus about 200 more. They took aboslutely every feature off this years alpines. IIRC there isn't even one you can run a 3-way active set up with. With the pioneer you have 3-way active capabilites, time alighment, dual left and right 16 band eq, better ipod interface, position selector, etc. the alpine has none of that.

[ford freak]

Originally Posted by AUexplorer06

Very good point, this is one of the best SQ HU's they've made next to the dex-p9. Much better than Alpine, Nothing out of Alpine is worth a damn anymore, I had an old 9835 and my friend had a 7998, both top end Alpines, and this Pioneer blows them away. As far as clarion, unless you are gettin the 9255 for about $1k, then do not even consider clarion. I have the 955 for a week, the highest model next to the 9255, and the SQ was horrible. The 880prs is comparable to the high end Eclipse 8455. I honeslty cannot tell the difference in SQ in my 880prs and my friends 8455. Also compared to that Alpine the Pioneer has every feature it has plus about 200 more. They took aboslutely every feature off this years alpines. IIRC there isn't even one you can run a 3-way active set up with. With the pioneer you have 3-way active capabilites, time alighment, dual left and right 16 band eq, better ipod interface, position selector, etc. the alpine has none of that.

Amen brother. Very well said!!!!!!!!

[98xlt2wd]

Originally Posted by expo5.0

also- clear your pms

I just clear it

[98xlt2wd]

Originally Posted by AUexplorer06

Very good point, this is one of the best SQ HU's they've made next to the dex-p9. Much better than Alpine, Nothing out of Alpine is worth a damn anymore, I had an old 9835 and my friend had a 7998, both top end Alpines, and this Pioneer blows them away. As far as clarion, unless you are gettin the 9255 for about $1k, then do not even consider clarion. I have the 955 for a week, the highest model next to the 9255, and the SQ was horrible. The 880prs is comparable to the high end Eclipse 8455. I honeslty cannot tell the difference in SQ in my 880prs and my friends 8455. Also compared to that Alpine the Pioneer has every feature it has plus about 200 more. They took aboslutely every feature off this years alpines. IIRC there isn't even one you can run a 3-way active set up with. With the pioneer you have 3-way active capabilites, time alighment, dual left and right 16 band eq, better ipod interface, position selector, etc. the alpine has none of that.

Thank you for the good info...

Originally Posted by expo5.0

i would highly recommend running some of their mid-priced components up front 6.5s (should run around $130) and coaxials from the same line in the rear (you already have the amp channels to do this, why not?). I would tell you which models to get, but i think in terms of jbl stuff (same products, obvioulsy different model numbers)- you will be very happy with the inifnity speakers though!

Do you have any model numbers you would recommend me? If I'm getting components for the front and coax for the rear, do I need run another wire for them? If I do, what size for the speakers and what size is good for the single subwoofer?

[AUexplorer06]

You can use the existing wire that runs into the door if you want, just run the wire from the amp to the wire that runs into the door to the speaker and use it. As far as components, like expo5.0 said JBL makes good stuff, also Elemental Designs makes very good components, they have a set for $125 that are good. If you are getting just components and a single sub I'de reccommend a 6.5" component because genarally they are going to have more midbass than a 5.25" one.

[expo5.0]

the infinity/jbl are the same with the lower end stuff (the stuff your looking at). specifically i'd recommend jbl power series 6.5" components and 6.5" power series coaxials.

[98xlt2wd]

Right now I have 3 components in mind

Infinity Kappa 60.7cs
http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFKAPPA607CS

JBL Power P650C
http://www.cardomain.com/item/JBLP650C

Polk Audio MOMO Carbon MMC6500
http://www.cardomain.com/item/POLMMC6500

Any thoughts?

Is it okay if I mix match different brand of speakers for the front and rear?

[LilCop2002]

I personally try to avoid mixing speakers. The reason that I avoid mixing is because to some ears, the difference in materials might throw the sound off. I know that the back set is just for backfill, but I don't want any chance of muddy sounds.

[AUexplorer06]

Don't mix and match if you are using the passive x-overs, now if you are going to run active, and find a midrange and tweeter that will work well together then thats fine, but I wouldn't reccommend you run active just yet. All that I would reccomend out of the components you listed are the JBL's