Sound Noob - open for suggestions

[kicksncaps 0]

Ok I've never put any sound in any of my cars in the past. I went out one night with friends I was able to ride in an SUV with a decent set-up (from what I experienced) and that got me interested. I have a 30-40min ride to work each day and my OEM speakers are going out so I've been doing my research... From what I've read Fi subs have been given great reviews and the only complaints are due to the lead time on getting them.

The set up (in my friend's SUV) that I liked was 2 10" JL w7s in a ported box on a 500w JL amp from what I was told. I prefer sound quality over loudness and won't be going crazy loud. The thing I did like was the fact that I "felt" the bass but the common knock on the w7s seem to be that they are overpriced for what they deliver.

I would like some advice in what to go with as far as all aspects based on what those with more experience would recommend on:

Component speakers, amp, fi subs, & anything else that a sound noob would need to know

This will all be going into an 02 Tahoe w/ non-Bose system and I have somebody to put it in but I'd like the non-bias opinion from people not at an audio shop just trying to upsell me.

Thanks in advance

[Frostedflakejake 148]

Many would love to help, including myself, but first could you tell us the overall budget for your project?

[ricksi30 923]

Interesting, someone who has researched before posting....Agreed we need a budget. You sound like a Fi Q/SSA ICON kinda guy though.

[jonbearsmt 919]

2 10 in W7's on a single 500/1...???? odd choice of powering

[Bob345 39]

Try the fi q. You would probably like it

[CHRIS 323 12]

way more info needed budget and goals

[kicksncaps 0]

I would like to stay under $1k for now not including a head unit (2 12" Qs & an enclosure almost eats that up, right?)... I've heard great things on the Fi Q series but wasn't sure of the options & specs listed to purchase... I don't need or intend to beat down the block... I can always do it in portions so that's why a budget wasn't really given. I really just was asking as far as recommendations from more experienced people of what would be good options as far as pairing with a good amp & component speakers. I can always extend my budget for quality over price point but I figure with what I've read about Fi I could get the best of both from people here.

Edited April 12, 2012 by kicksncaps

[kicksncaps 0]

Maybe 2 12s would be more than I'd need... As far as goals I was looking for the similar output of the 2 JL 10w7s my friend had (10s would do then I guess) but I also need to swap out the door speakers. I want to say they are 5" or 5 1/4" stock and was interested in what were some good options as far as that.

[kjones 2]

1 12in or 15in q off 1000W would please you well givin the right box. ported @30hz or sealed. how much space you giving for the set up?

[ssh 924]

1 12in or 15in q off 1000W would please you well givin the right box. ported @30hz or sealed. how much space you giving for the set up?

I agree with this. In my opinion, a 12 or 15 would have plenty of output. You can probably order a custom enclosure online, and even after shipping, it'll likely cost less then what your local shop would charge.

[kicksncaps 0]

1 12in or 15in q off 1000W would please you well givin the right box. ported @30hz or sealed. how much space you giving for the set up?

I agree with this. In my opinion, a 12 or 15 would have plenty of output. You can probably order a custom enclosure online, and even after shipping, it'll likely cost less then what your local shop would charge.

yeah... my local shop would be raping me when I compared their quote I got the other day... literally every product I found online at almost half the price or less... Alpine SPS-610 for $150 I found for $80... same for the SPS-610c, the amp wire kit they were charging $60 I found exact same for $19.99 (did searches to check reviews based on model #s of all product I was recommended)... Reviews looked decent but what do you guys think of these products? Anything better that you would suggest to pair with the single Q? I will likely go with the 12" but the 15" is tempting

That was my next concern tho... what would be a good place online to order a custom enclosure? Also, as stated before I'm a complete noob when it comes to sound and there are soooo many options out there, what would be a good recommendation to pair with the Q? A good review I read on this forum was from 2007 and the sub mentioned in that is discontinued tho

[kicksncaps 0]

Would this be a good choice for a sub? This is the sub I'm looking at getting:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_23548_Hifonics-Brutus-BRZ1200.1D.html?SearchClickout%5Bquery_id%5D=8753380&SearchClickout%5BIgnore%5D=1#tabs

This choice is based on this review (what was mentioned is now discontinued tho):

[kicksncaps 0]

I don't know why I kept typing sub when I meant to type AMP when writing the previous 2 posts...

[kylehallstrom 1]

i own a fully loaded 18 q (minus the high qts because its in a ported box) tuned to 31hz running off a aq1200d amp and it sounds deep and gets suprisingly loud.

i think a 15q off this amp would have you very satisfied.

if your going to get most of the options i might suggest an amp like ZRX1500.1D

[cloud77 28]

Try the fi q. You would probably like it

I love my Fi Q in sealed application. It provides great SQ, will express good bass on all types of music and gets loud when you want to show off. My next subwoofer will come from SSA, however, because Fi's customer service is falling off. Try the Icon series from SSA. It will take a little more power, comparable series to the Fi Q.

[cloud77 28]

A brutus is a fine amp, but you see them everywhere. If you plan on running 1 ohm or even if you think you will do it in the future, you might as well wire 1/0 or 0 gauge with a battery in the trunk, big 3 exc. so its not killing your cars electrical. I'm not a fan of running 1 ohm for daily driving expecially a 30-45 min drive to work. Try to find a 2 ohm stable amp that can put out the same power and not draw as much current. ex. Mmats d300hc

[Julian 641]

Would this be a good choice for a sub? This is the sub I'm looking at getting:

http://www.sonicelec...gnore%5D=1#tabs

This choice is based on this review (what was mentioned is now discontinued tho):

http://www.soundsolu...fi-q-12-review/

Yes the Hifonics stuff is pretty good entry level stuff.

I agree with the Fi Q or SSA Icon suggestions a Single 15 would probably fit your goals the best.

I would also suggest you making your own box with a design from one of the many designers out there. This will save you a lot of money and give you some good experience. All you really need is a circular saw and a jig saw to make a simple box.

[cloud77 28]

Would this be a good choice for a sub? This is the sub I'm looking at getting:

http://www.sonicelec...gnore%5D=1#tabs

This choice is based on this review (what was mentioned is now discontinued tho):

http://www.soundsolu...fi-q-12-review/

Yes the Hifonics stuff is pretty good entry level stuff.

I agree with the Fi Q or SSA Icon suggestions a Single 15 would probably fit your goals the best.

I would also suggest you making your own box with a design from one of the many designers out there. This will save you a lot of money and give you some good experience. All you really need is a circular saw and a jig saw to make a simple box.

agree 100%. Making a sealed box is not hard. then you can get addicted like the rest of us infinity and beyond.

[cloud77 28]

I would like to stay under $1k for now not including a head unit (2 12" Qs & an enclosure almost eats that up, right?)... I've heard great things on the Fi Q series but wasn't sure of the options & specs listed to purchase... I don't need or intend to beat down the block... I can always do it in portions so that's why a budget wasn't really given. I really just was asking as far as recommendations from more experienced people of what would be good options as far as pairing with a good amp & component speakers. I can always extend my budget for quality over price point but I figure with what I've read about Fi I could get the best of both from people here.

you only need 1 woofer, if you power it correctly it will sound better than your buddy's 2 jl W7s on 1000 watts. lol

[kicksncaps 0]

Thanks for the help guys but I pretty much have all my bought and have had so since the end of April. I ordered my 15" Fi Q w cooling option on 4/20 and it came in on 5/22... In the process of getting box built and everything installed... Been busy but This is what I got:

15" Fi Q

Hifonics Brutus 1700

Ported box (pending)

Kinetik HC1800 Battery (just ordered)

Alpine SPS-610 & SPS-610c

Big 3 kit & 1/0 AWG wire

The headunit I forget what it is... Got it from a friend

Power Acoustik all touch screen w/ detachable face

I know the headunit isn't something that's top shelf because I haven't heard much about it but it looks nice and I like the fact I can detach the face and use it like an iPad

[kicksncaps 0]

Any suggestions/concerns/heads up/warnings based on what I have and/or said?

[Dangrebel 89]

Don't forget fuses, fuse both ends of your 0 gauge run at each batt and ground to a good solid spot preferably the frame.

[kicksncaps 0]

Do you think replacing the stock battery with the Kinetik 1900 amp battery would be ok or would it be best to set up one of the 2 batteries (stock or the kinetik) as an additional battery in the back? I was under the impression that just switching it out would be best since it can store energy & no need for a capacitor.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7342_Kinetik-HC1800-KHC1800.html

[kicksncaps 0]

A brutus is a fine amp, but you see them everywhere. If you plan on running 1 ohm or even if you think you will do it in the future, you might as well wire 1/0 or 0 gauge with a battery in the trunk, big 3 exc. so its not killing your cars electrical. I'm not a fan of running 1 ohm for daily driving expecially a 30-45 min drive to work. Try to find a 2 ohm stable amp that can put out the same power and not draw as much current. ex. Mmats d300hc

I planned on running 1 ohm... What would be some issues I could be facing with that as a daily driver? Also I doubt I will always have my system on, much less turned up high all or even most of the time but who knows...

[OuTLaWeD 110]

IMO i think he wwould love the 15 in a sealed enclosure and with what he has he's not draining the electrical that much. big 3 with the new batt. should suffice.