Randy V

Woulda been more impressive if you'd played some AC/DC!

928NOOBIE

This is the one I got...I got from Crutchfield...I was really impressed with how well it kept similarly spaced gaps with the other components in the stack...it really looked like it could have been original in that respect. I am using the internal amp and it puts out loads of power, I have a compact powered sub also from Crutchfield..didn't cost an arm and a leg...does Bluetooth and loads of other stuff...you get so much more for a dollar in a headunit these days..

928NOOBIE

Here it is from another angle...maybe shows perspective a little better..

M. Requin

I've looked at that, good specs for the $- what powered sub did you get?

928NOOBIE

I got the compact powered sub by Sound Ordinance: great ratings and doesn't take up tons of space. I had their band pass powered sub..and it sounded more even but takes up way too much space in the back. This is plenty loud..plus comes with a wired controller so you can adjust bass level for any song by turning the dial..

The shape of the hatch amplifies a range of frequency and can make it sound a little boomy..I was able to adjust most of that out using the head unit and working with the dial controller on certain songs...I;m very happy with the purchase..and it doesn't use tons of power..

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777B8PT...ce-B-8PTD.html

Here's a couple pics of the install..you can see it's volume requirements are modest...you need to secure it in there...it slides around..I just used black zip tie..my idea for the audio system in the car is to go cheap and still get decent sound...to see if I could..type of thing..for instance..I didn't run new speaker wire..used the factory ones ...sounds great..

Orantes

I am really digging the look of this Alpine....





Unfortunately nothing modern will ever look as factory as my Becker...





This Becker was ultra cool when I installed it 10 years ago! Technology moves on....

928NOOBIE

That Alpine is sweet...love that big orange button...easy to see !

M. Requin

This had a nice classic look and an extremely well made deck, but the LCD display finally died (I tried the usual means of resuscitation, to no avail). Besides, I want Bluetooth etc.



So looking for a cheap replacement, I came across exactly what 928NOOBIE chose, a Kenwood HU and a Sound Ordinance powered sub. I don't need my home system's sound (all vintage McIntosh and KEF) so bang for the buck is the dominant paradigm and this stuff looks like it will fill the bill. Thanks for the review, NOOB!

928NOOBIE

Glad to help M. You won't be disappointed...I was genuinely impressed with the power the unit puts out. There are lots of different ways to tune and shape the sound coming out of it...probably one of the best buys I've ever made in this arena...I used to pay a lot for auto sound...it's fun doing it the other way around. I have same opinion as you...don't need house sound in the car...at least part of the time you want to hear that sweet V8 anyway!

Plus back in the 80's, Kenwood ruled...so it kind of fits

M. Requin

Thanks! What speakers are you using?

2002M3Drew

I went with a powered JL Audio sub. 8" powered woofer in a world class box that fits almost perfectly into the spare tire compartment. I haven't hooked mine up yet but reviews of the sub are really good.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-KHkvEPD...08LG-W3v3.html

928NOOBIE

Hey M. For the rear speakers I went with Polk Audio's DB651 6.5 inch..they have good ratings by other folks and are pretty sensitive, so you get lot of volume for not much power input:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB65...l?tp=105&avf=Y

For the front doors I stuck with the stock tweeters (they still worked so I decided to push it and keep the cheap theme going ) and went with Rockford Fosgate Prime R14X2...also had good ratings and fairly efficient:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R14X...l?tp=105&avf=Y

Stuck with existing wiring...it wasn't oxidized and carries plenty of power for those small speakers...the 4 inch Rockfords actually thump pretty good

One thing I had a little difficulty with so I decided to sacrifice was keeping the connections for the rear speakers in the hatch...the way I had to orient the 6.5's was putting too much of a strain on the wiring so I have let those go for now.

Ultimately I'm yanking the interior and doing new carpet, noise dampening, the bit...and will run all new wiring at that point..probably some flat oxygen free stuff..but until then thats pretty much what I have...it is plenty loud..on the highway, it really doesn't matter how fast I'm going...and I run with windows down and roof open until weather prohibits...

FYI I have no issues with engine noise or whine in the system...

928NOOBIE

That is a sweet looking sub..so you are going to carry Fix a Flat instead of the spare

You have an amp already to push it?

Captain_Slow

NOOBIE - I'd be following your best-bang-for-the-buck approach if my car didn't have the high end (for the time) stuff in it when I bought it. I may remove the amp and go with the relatively high power internal amp in the Alpine HU.

Now I'm interested in the compact powered sub Drew found. Great find. I have a 10 inch JL subwoofer out of one of the oddly-shaped sub boxes that came with the car, but it may be too deep to install in a DIY enclosure in the spare tire well. Time to get out the measuring tape.

928NOOBIE

Eventually, when I'm ready to put some power into the system...I'm going to unleash this thing...Infinity's first full spectrum Class D amplifier. 70% efficiency...twice that of a class AB device.

Most D amps are bass amps only..this was made back in the early 2000's...brand new in the box.....she'll push over 400 watts out of only 40 amps. Bought 2 of these...one new and one refurb...I stupidly let the refurb go when I sold a car...I haven't done any searches so have no idea if these things are still out in the wild anywhere...looks like Infinity's amps are all Class D...it's been a while since I've even looked at any high end audio...