New System Install in Progress

[adamhc]

Well I finally took the path to the dark side. (the car audio bug has bitten)

I have been using the stock JBL system in my '93 limited for a while now with a JL Audio 6.5 inch sub after the factory dry rotted. I liked the way the JL Audio sub sounded. So after the factory deck decided to let out the magic smoke I went to The Audio Itch here in Tampa and I got Some Hertz Hi-Energy 5X7 speakers for the doors, the new JL HD600/4 to run them, the JL 1000/1 to run the 2 12W6 subs that will round the system out. Also Circuit city had the Jensen 9412 DVD head units on sale last week.
Total cost of the parts were 400.00 for the door speakers, 800 for the subs and box, 750 for the 4 channel amp, 900.00 for the sub Amp, 400.00 for the head unit, 350 for alternator upgrade, and about 100 for wires.

That new JL 600/4 amp is probably the best sounding 4 channel I have ever heard. and the subs really balance the system out. super loud and crystal clear. the one weakness in this setup is the jensen head unit but at the cost I got it for I really cannot complain to loudly.

 

[oplitic]

Sounds like an awesome set up, minus the Jensen, it will do fine for now but eventually I think you'll want to upgrade.

 

[symon_say]

Sounds like an awesome set up, minus the Jensen, it will do fine for now but eventually I think you'll want to upgrade.

Jensen is uncompatible with all the other equipment you have, your hertz speakers will get allergies from that HU.

For me the most important thing in car audio is the HU, you can make crappy speakers and sub, sound decent with a good HU, but you can never make great speakers and subs sound all that great with cheap HU, so as soon as you can sell that Jensen an get something that can stand with alll the other equipment.

 

[oplitic]

Jensen is uncompatible with all the other equipment you have, your hertz speakers will get allergies from that HU.

For me the most important thing in car audio is the HU, you can make crappy speakers and sub, sound decent with a good HU, but you can never make great speakers and subs sound all that great with cheap HU, so as soon as you can sell that Jensen an get something that can stand with alll the other equipment.

He has everyting running off amps so it won't be that bad. The only thing the deck is doing is acting as an interface and sending the signal from the cd, ipod, etc. The internal amp (that sucks) won't be touching the speakers so there won't be a problem.

 

[adamhc]

The system is very clear. I do agree with all of you about the Jensen though. Even though the amps are hooked up through the RCAs this deck does have a lot of impure qualities. For example I can hear the CD transport motor when a CD is inserted. When the CD is playing I can hear CD spindle and sled motors. Also when using the Jlink iPOD control cable I can hear the hard drive spin up in the iPOD. However when I connect the iPOD through the line in I do not hear the noise. As soon as I can save some more money that deck i gone. Any suggestions on good single DIN DVD head units? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-You

Adam

 

[Buffalosports]

Pics?

 

[Gator Jeff]

Sounds pretty good. Not to pile on the negatives, but I'd consider for a future upgrade putting in 5" speakers with adaptors in the 5x7 locations. Round speakers sound WAY better.

But I'm sure it's a huge improvement and we'd love to see some pics!

 

[adamhc]

Well it turned out that the HD600/4 has a bad internal crossover in the rear left channel. I had to have it sent back to JL to get repaired. I was told that it will take about 2 weeks. The dealer did not want to accept the fact that there new flagship product had a manufactures defect. I think hat they thought I would blame them or JL. I work in IT I understand that electronic manufacturing is not perfect. I told them that in the world of computing that even high end video cards of 600 plus dollars have a decent DOA (dead on arrival) rate. They were relieved when I told them this. Its just a fact of life I explained that this is the primary reason for warranties.

Rant time

They told me that they wanted me to "get the word out about this new amazing tech of an amp". Whatever!! The dealer almost wanted me to pay them to go through my install before sending the amp back for warranty. Heck I just gave them 3600 US dollars cash the other day. Lets just say I was beyond a little angry at this. All I wanted them to do was RMA the amp so that it can get repaired. I told them that word of mouth is worse that any repair that advertising can buy. In the end they finally sent it in.I am still a little Peeved at them but not nearly as much. Will I buy from them again ? Probably not. But will I bad mouth them like I had thought about doing? We will see as time goes on.

Thanks for listening to my Rant.

I hooked up an old alpine flex 4 temporarily that I had in my garage. At least it will get my by. I will get pics as soon as I get the amp back from JL.

 

[adamhc]

Sounds pretty good. Not to pile on the negatives, but I'd consider for a future upgrade putting in 5" speakers with adaptors in the 5x7 locations. Round speakers sound WAY better.

But I'm sure it's a huge improvement and we'd love to see some pics!

I have heard this before. I actually thought about doing this But after the total cost of the system I decided that I had spent enough money and did not want to spend any more on adaptor plates. The dealer said that they do not carry them and that they manufacture there on at the cost of 100 dollars to do all 4. I told them no thank-you.

I may change the ovals for round in the future but for now these work great.

 

[Wagonized]

id consider returning that 1000/1 if you can.

$900 is way too expensive for an amp like that. Id pick up a used DD M1a for $250-300 range and call it a day. The DD amp will do a lot more power too.

 

[adamhc]

Almost finished

I finally got the HD600/4 back. JL actually replaced it with a new one instead of repairing the old one. I also returned the 2 JL 12W6 subs after I found a JL 13W7 on craigslist for 300. I picked that up instead. The only thing that I think is strange is that the owner of the sub covered the box in a almond colored vinyl instead of carpet. I am not sure if I am gong to bother recovering the box with carpet. I will just have to see how everything looks after I get it finished. I will ask for opinions on the matter after I get pictures up. I am also eventually going to upgrade the Hertz Hi Energy speakers in the front to the Hertz Mille 6.5 components when I have the 800 dollars that they cost saved. But for now the current speakers sound absolutely stunning. It has a very smooth sound to it. I was a little worried about the 13W7 sounding boomy but it actually rounds the system out very very well. I will do my best to get pictures up later today.