tell me what you think

[casketboy75]

For my 99 explorer sport I am going through the entire sound system, I bought a pioneer cd player the premier In-Dash CD Receiver with Organic EL Display model DEH-p660, two punch P2 12's, a Q logic bandpass box and a 1500 watt rockford amp. im sure it will give me the sound im lookin for but the only thing im unsure about is if I oughta get an equalizer to, i dont think im going to need it but I figured before i install it i would get some opinions. thanks

 

[davesexplorer]

you probably wont NEED an equalizer, I think the pioneer has a 3 band?, but it is fun to play with all the buttons they have

 

[superedge88]

I would return the bandpass box, get's loud, but you are unable to hear bass distortion which means you don't know when you are hurting your subs...then suddenly your subs are blown and you had no idea you were pushing them too hard. If you want to get loud but still retain sound quality I would go with a ported sub box with divided air space (each sub has own air space). Otherwise your system sounds like it will pound! Have fun! Oh and make sure you are running nothing less than 4 gauge to that amp, I personally would just bite the bullet and run 2 gauge or 0 guage.

 

[casketboy75]

but even with a bandpass its still going to hit hard right? I thought about the ported boxes but everyone says a bandpass sounds a lot better. im not sure

 

[superedge88]

Do a search on Bandpass SQ, unless the bandpass is made for the exact subs you are buying it is hard to get good sound quality, but will get plenty loud. Depends on what you are looking for
Loud
SQ
Loud + SQ
Bandpass boxes and SQ seldom go together.

 

[casketboy75]

I would really like sound quality plus hard hitting bass. so a ported box would probbably be a better thing then? thanks

 

[davesexplorer]

ported or sealed would probably be better than a prefab b/p... the thing about bandpasses is that the frequencies that sound good are not a super broad range...

 

[casketboy75]

oh, I think i'll go with either a sealed or ported box from Q logic which do you think to be the better ported or not. thanks

 

[superedge88]

The reason why I didn't mention a sealed box is because you mentioned you want it to hit really hard and when putting a sub in a sealed box you get reduced volume out of the sub. I personally am a sealed box guy, if it isn't loud enough I just throw more power to the sub.

 

[casketboy75]

well, my next question is should I change the door speakers, I know once I put the subs in the clarity of the factory speakers arent gonna be so great over the bass so I thought I might put in the punch door speakers as well, im wondering if I should get an amp to run them or if they'll be fine without an amp pushing them to.

 

[evoq007]

get one of the q-logic boxes that can be ported or sealed, and see which you think sounds better. Ive got one and i have it sealed. And it sounds great to me, it hits hard and tight.

Scott

 

[chaos58503]

The Rockfords sound great in a ported box! THey actually make one specific for those subs so look for that one!!

 

[davesexplorer]

well, my next question is should I change the door speakers, I know once I put the subs in the clarity of the factory speakers arent gonna be so great over the bass so I thought I might put in the punch door speakers as well, im wondering if I should get an amp to run them or if they'll be fine without an amp pushing them to.

usually that's the next upgrade for anybody into stereo's. You are correct in that the subs could really over-power the factory speaks. I'd always reccommend anyone amping their door speakers, once you do it right you'll never want to go back. But it's not neccessary, they'll be fine w/o the higher power most external amps have to offer.

 

[casketboy75]

Yes I have already picked out a 400 watt amp for the door speakers to and found a set of 6 1/2 door speakers and havent found the 6x9's yet i want so far all I am getting is rockford and I was at circuit city a little while ago and the guy was saying that the alpine they have is better quality sound than the pioneer I have so should I stick with the h/u I have now or go get the alpine im looking for very good quality sound from the door speakers so I wanna go with the best head unit between the two. the alpine is a Alpine In-Dash CD Player (CDA-9827) link to the page its on is http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/86917/pageno/2/order/D/rpem/ccd/productDetailReview.do#tabs

 

[superedge88]

Planning on cutting the 6x9 speaks into the doors? Fitting 6x9 speaks into a 5x7 hole can be a little daunting, but if you are up for it go ahead. Stick with the deck you have, if you aren't happy with the sound when you get everything set up then buy the alpine. I do love my alpine that's the brand I have, but pioneer is up there on my list of great HUs as well.

 

[casketboy75]

I guess I will stick with the pioneer I guess when I get the amp hooked to the door and rear seat speakers there wont be much difference in the sound quality. thanks