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Location:
ballarat-vic
Registered:
September 2004
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 stereo systems
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Fri, 10 September 2004 18:07
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ummm
i was curious..whats the best brand- shop- place for the price to get a system for your car- ie..
the full deal
-headunit
-amp
-sub
-6X9
etc
i was thinking of goin sony explod???? or pioneer??
any ideas?
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Location:
Brisbane, QLD
Registered:
February 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 00:07
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sony explode are rather...average
and i'd say you'd best put down a price range, otherwise you'll need a mortgage for what some of the people on here will suggest 
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Location:
Somewhere on a dirt bowl ...
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 04:34
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And also what features do you want from the head unit, amp, etc.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 04:39
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focal make very very good speakers, if your prepared to pay
alpine make good amps too.
if i was to build another car stereo id definatly get focal's again, every single person who gets in my car comments on the clarity.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 05:07
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I've got a pioneer h/u (7450) pretty good feature wise with the amount of control you have over everything, subs etc.
However i've noticed that the mp3 function is amazingly slow. reason i say this is after having a jvc in the car when i bought it. it was much quicker at playing them. I barely play mp3's on the pioneer as a result of this.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 05:09
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go to lifestyle, and give them a budget
they stock some goooood stuff
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 05:28
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the system i bought and installed for a mate was as follows
JVC head unit (sub control, 45wattx4)
kenwood HQ 7x10
pioneer 6x9 3way
pioneer splits system w/ cross over
amp he got from america so not sure what brand or power output
basically the splits and 6x9s ran straight off the deck, 7x10s ampd through sub control RCAs (amp only allowing i think it is low pass freq)
you dont need subs with the 7x10s believe me they can blow any sub in cabin (you dont need the guy 3 blocks down to hear it, unless thats what you want). clarity is awsome straight from deck through the pioneers.
OR
you can always amp the other speakers if you wanted. get a 4 channel deck (excluding sub control, ie 6 channel if you want seperate sub control) and 4 channel amp, but i have never found it is required unless you want to blow the world away.
OR
you can get a 4 channel deck (sub control and another RCA output) and only amp the rear speakers as well, ie 7x10s ampd and 6x9s ampd too and have the splits run from the deck
with the head unit they make so many mix and maches it depends on what you want. you got 2 channel (rear RCAs), 4 channel (front and rear RCAs OR sub control RCAs and rear RCAs) and 6 channel (sub control, front and rear RCAs). then theres all the fancy stuff, if you wanted to go a bit fancy i would go after something with a built in equaliser band (preferably 10 band but 6 is enough)
and finally with the head unit you want to consider if your gonna TV/DVD it so you might wanna look into those capabilities as well for the unit
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Location:
Elwood, Melb
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 10:28
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I've had a few stereo settups now,
Gotta say Rockford Fosgate make some nice subs, thats it.
Pioneer are very reliable,
Sony Xplode sucks balls for any speaker really unless you want heaps of reverb.
VDO sucks, can't handle power
The good ol' Polks (some might remember) can last ages.
Haven't tryed Cadience but another good competitor, though quite expensive.
And Kenwood have been very good with their 6X9s and 7X10s
Thats about it any other questions ask a retailer (or some gino), but try not to get ripped off. JB-hifi are pretty good with prices, best time is when sales are on, now is probably not the best time seeming Christmas is upon us, but after the New Year definately, I found just before the finacial year the best time!!!
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Location:
melbourne
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 10:37
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good amps?
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Location:
Elwood, Melb
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 10:49
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I have an Aura it supports up to 800W, so I haven't needed anything else. ummmmm there's some fan cooled Boss amps that aren't too bad either.
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Location:
ballarat-vic
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 11:13
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umm thansk guys- this helps..
so what do you think gives the better sound quality?? out of the 7X10's and the subb????
i dont want tv or anything- just a headunit...mp3 player bla bla....lol.. 
probly no more than 2g..
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Location:
1st street on the right
Registered:
November 2002
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Re: stereo systems
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Sat, 11 September 2004 21:26
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7 x 10's are a compromise. Always will be. Better off with sub and splits or if it's for the rear some 2 ways run off the deck. Same for the front, get splits as the quality is just better. I've always used MTX amps, but that was before you could buy them just anywhere and image dynamics subs are great for value for money and enclosure size.
Being in Balarat you are probably limited for retailer choice no?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 05:22
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Cadence all the way babay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Their orange series of subs and amps farken ROCK! 
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 05:26
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boss amps, kenwood 7x10's, x-PLOD - HAHAHA!!
im staying out of this discussion 
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Location:
Land of Oz
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 05:51
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Hi,
Run a filthy big inverter off your battery, then hook up a full blown Hi-Fi amp.
seeyuzz
river
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Location:
Elwood, Melb
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 07:40
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| THE WITZL wrote on Sun, 12 September 2004 15:26 |
boss amps, kenwood 7x10's, x-PLOD - HAHAHA!!
im staying out of this discussion
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Hey! I haven't found anything wrong with them, X-plod yes! But I'm not a stereo equiped mega master, so there maybe better products.
Anyway I'm now out of this one too.
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Location:
Somewhere on a dirt bowl ...
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 13:29
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Sony 4channel cdx-ca730x head unit
6 1/2" 2 way Jensens in the doors, 4"Sonys in the dash
6x9 Sonys in the rear
2x 10" Rockfords
4 channel amp (Avantgarde 43dxi)
2 channel amp (Avantgarde 25dxi)
On the head unit the rear channels run the sub amp and front channels go to a Jaycar fader control then to the 4 channel amp.
At one stage i had a Kenwood EQ in the car but everybody, including me kept stuffing round with it.
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Location:
Somewhere on a dirt bowl ...
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 13:40
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Sony 4channel cdx-ca730x head unit
6 1/2" 2 way Jensens in the doors, 4"Sonys in the dash
6x9 Sonys in the rear
2x 10" Rockfords
4 channel amp (Avantgarde 43dxi)
2 channel amp (Avantgarde 25dxi)
On the head unit the rear channels run the sub amp and front channels go to a Jaycar fader control then to the 4 channel amp.
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Location:
ballarat-vic
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Sun, 12 September 2004 18:46
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| towe_001 wrote on Sun, 12 September 2004 23:40 |
Sony 4channel cdx-ca730x head unit
6 1/2" 2 way Jensens in the doors, 4"Sonys in the dash
6x9 Sonys in the rear
2x 10" Rockfords
4 channel amp (Avantgarde 43dxi)
2 channel amp (Avantgarde 25dxi)
On the head unit the rear channels run the sub amp and front channels go to a Jaycar fader control then to the 4 channel amp.
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hmm i got told heaps of times that sony isnt very realiable...
- umm i havnt seen much of cadence..
and apperently theres a new top brand just realeased.. so maybe ill try that out...
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Mon, 13 September 2004 01:46
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| sway-her08 wrote on Mon, 13 September 2004 04:16 |
| towe_001 wrote on Sun, 12 September 2004 23:40 |
Sony 4channel cdx-ca730x head unit
6 1/2" 2 way Jensens in the doors, 4"Sonys in the dash
6x9 Sonys in the rear
2x 10" Rockfords
4 channel amp (Avantgarde 43dxi)
2 channel amp (Avantgarde 25dxi)
On the head unit the rear channels run the sub amp and front channels go to a Jaycar fader control then to the 4 channel amp.
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hmm i got told heaps of times that sony isnt very realiable...
- umm i havnt seen much of cadence..
and apperently theres a new top brand just realeased.. so maybe ill try that out...
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You dont see much of cadence because of a few factors...
(A) They dont advertise...they dont need to
(B) They are expensive and lots of punks cant afford them
(C) Refer to (A) and (B)
I personally have a set of cadence splits waiting to go into my car and my mates Audi has cadence the whole way around (except head unit) and IMO he has the best four speaker single sub setup going around ATM
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Location:
Adelaide, SA
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Mon, 13 September 2004 02:28
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If you are looking for a good quality overall setup, it should be something like this:
HU - Can be whatever you want, preferable 3 pre-outs or 2 non-fading pre-outs. If you want MP3, get MP3, if you want a particualr colour, get that one. Try get something with 4 volt pre-outs, anmd then just decide with want features you want. I have an Alpine, I like the detach face security, plus the features like on-board EQ, 6 Channel Time alignment, MP3 etc. Alpine, Eclipse, Nakamichi are generlally good SQ units. Others like Pioneer, Sony, Clarion are also good, but generally you need to get the higher spec decks.
Forget 6x9's and 7x10's and just get yourself a decent sub\amp combo. Get yourself some good splits for your front stage. Good brands are Focal, Rainbow, Hertz, PG, DynAudio, Boston Po's etc. The main thing is to try listen to brands and see if you like them, then just get what is in your budget.
For rearfill (If you want it) just get some cheap 4-6 inch coax and run them off the deck or a small 2x40 amp or something. They are not really essential, so don't spend heaps on it.
For Sub\amp combo, this is generally more dependant on you budget. Remember to factor in a box with your sub (Sealed for SQ, ported for load, SPL apps). Also take note the config of the voice coils in order to work out load on the amp. But good brands like Zapco, Audison, PQ, SOundstream, you can;t realy go wrong with, just get seomthing that matches closely. So if you sub can handle 400WRMS, try get an amp that puts that out.
Get an amp for you front splits as well, just a good quality 2 channel should do the trick, the power handling capabilities of the speakers should dictate how powerful your amp should be.
I see brands like Pioneer, JVC, Clarion, Cadence, Sony, more music for the masses brands, Whilst good for most consumers they don't cater for specific needs or people chasinng SQ or SPL. So if they fall into your budget, and you like them, by all means go for it. But just be aware there are generally better brands out there for similar prices.
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Location:
Somewhere on a dirt bowl ...
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Tue, 14 September 2004 12:25
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| sway-her08 wrote on Mon, 13 September 2004 04:46 |
hmm i got told heaps of times that sony isnt very realiable...
- umm i havnt seen much of cadence..
and apperently theres a new top brand just realeased.. so maybe ill try that out...
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I kind of think that i've had a good run with the sony stuff so far. About 18 months on the head unit and 6x9's (at least i think) so far. I kind of thought i'd go for sony again cause i had that in my 1st car. Tape deck and stacker. Tape player hardly got used but i binned it cause the stacker died from being smacked around too much. Mounted in a prime location, lesson learnt.
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Location:
Ballarat, Vic.
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: stereo systems
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Tue, 14 September 2004 13:40
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Starter system
Alpine deck - 600ish
Clarion 6.5" spilts 170ish
Philips 6.5" 130ish
then what ever you want to spend on amps/subs/wiring.
Im currently running (in the subaru) a pioneer deck, the clarion splits, Phillips rear (not connected at the mometn) A 4chan amp for speakers and a Alpine V12 amp for subs (2 shitty 10" subs). Sounds decent for the $$$ spent on it.
The mr2 im looking at the Alpine deck, Splits in custom pods in front, 4" pioneers in rear running off a 4 chan Alpine v12 amp and a Clarion monitor hooked up to PS2 for porn and games 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Tue, 14 September 2004 14:54
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cant have a monitor without pr0n!
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Location:
Ballarat, Vic.
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 15 September 2004 09:33
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Indeed Pr0n makes the world go around!
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 15 September 2004 23:53
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Sony catch phrase>>>>> IF IT'S JUMPIN', IT'S A SONY
(INSTEAD OF PUMPIN)
This is my opinion of head units>
teir 1. K-mart, panasonic, philips, etc.
teir 2. Clarion,Sony,VDO,etc.
teir 3. Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine
The reason I put sony, clarion behind kenwood/alpine/pioneer is the amount of warranty jobs I have seen over the years from these companies. Having said, not all units come back, just a bigger ratio than the others. Also companies like Pioneer are brilliant to deal with. I sent a blown tweeter back to them only a week ago and had a replacement within 4 working days.! In my experiance Clarion are hard to deal with. But clarion speakers aren't bad.
Hope I haven't upset anyone! JMHO
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 15 September 2004 23:57
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From experiences of my friends, I'd be inclined to agree. The Pioneer head units always seem to be easy to use as well.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 22 September 2004 01:32
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| lang wrote on Sat, 11 September 2004 14:39 |
focal make very very good speakers, if your prepared to pay
alpine make good amps too.
if i was to build another car stereo id definatly get focal's again, every single person who gets in my car comments on the clarity.
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mmm Focals are definitely the way to go... their bottom lines shit all over Sony and pioneer etc!
All depends what you want really? What sort of music do you listen to? Do you want a system that will be big bold and loud for doof doof type music, or do you want to hear the precise moment that Mr Hendrix's pick strikes the string? It is all up to personal choice.
Go to a car stereo shop with one of YOUR favorite CD's and put it in several systems, see what you like, don't be influenced by brand or price make a list of your fav three products from each category then look at the prices and determine what you want/can afford...
There is no point paying $3000 for a set of focal utopia range splits, if you can't hear the difference between those and something 1/10th the price. (as a note, i can hear the difference, but it doesn't bother me, so i went for the cheaper focal ploykevlar splits)
Also remember that a car has the acoustic properties of a tin can - I drive a lot, so spending money on a system was not an issue for me. It bugs me that people spend $5-6000 on a car stereo the listen to for 1 hour a day, and spend all day listening to a $30 clock radio... they obviously care more about the image of having a car stereo than the enjoyment they get out of it!
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Location:
Baulko Hillo
Registered:
April 2004
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 22 September 2004 01:49
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I just put in a new stereo on the weekend. I got a JVC headunit, Kenwood 4 inches for the factory in-dash locations and Kenwood 6x9's - All up $650 from JB Hi-Fi (The headunit normally retails for $675). They do good deals there I reckon.
Sounds good too, but I am not really into car stereo's. Just got sick of having no music.
d00f d00f 15 gh3y w1f 73h 41d5.
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Location:
Potts Point, Sydney
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 22 September 2004 02:19
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i had a sony HU, did the job pretty well...
Sony 4x50W HU (next oneis either clarion or pioneer)
pioneer 6.5" splits and sony 6x9's in the parcel shelf run off a Boss amp (did the job)
2x12" Clarion competition subs run off rockford fosgate amp (bridged to like 2x380RMS)
i recommend a rockford fosgate amp and any of the above i think it reached like 138dB or something didnt wanna go louder coz i'd already cracked the rear window once before
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Location:
Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: stereo systems
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Wed, 22 September 2004 02:24
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| Squid wrote on Wed, 22 September 2004 11:32 |
Also remember that a car has the acoustic properties of a tin can - I drive a lot, so spending money on a system was not an issue for me. It bugs me that people spend $5-6000 on a car stereo the listen to for 1 hour a day, and spend all day listening to a $30 clock radio... they obviously care more about the image of having a car stereo than the enjoyment they get out of it!
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LOL
that's it basically...
if you have a reasonably worked NA motor, you won't find yourself spending much time listening to a stereo anyway 
remember that the installation can make a large difference to quality, and how certain systems react to different cars will be.. different. (although they are all just noisy metal boxes)
it's a bit tough, but if you can listen to setups in the same car as yours, you'll have a better idea of what you are in for.
Cya,S tewart
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