You can find a lot of active hu's on CL really cheap. Most people that have them don't realize what they can do. I always see the older alpines for sale.

I am on Craigslist daily, people up here buy crap.

See if this guy will ship.

 

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/ele/4191560861.html

http://orlando.craigslist.org/ele/4208926928.html

 

Or this guy.

Awesome recommendations.

For testing just take that into your stereo.  Whatever you have is fine.

For testing just take what? The alpine deck

I'd run that Alpine in your car over what you have.  Use it for testing inside first

What about a mini dsp. I know it would cost more than the rest of the parts, but would that be able to handle the processing, and crossovers needed?

It would for the fronts, not the sub unless you bought two of them. Exactly what I use in my boat. 2 2x4 miniDSP's.

They also have a voltage input/output problem in some cases requiring a line driver. I added one, but my source is also a tablet with really low voltage output.

One other major disadvantage to you. Being new to active you will need to make changes A LOT. Minidsp requires a computer to do so. Active headunit the controls are at your fingertips.

I figured it would work for the "indoors testing" set up, and my laptop has a 9.5 hour battery life, so it could definitely see double duty.

you could power a head unit with something like this power supply for indoor testing

http://www.parts-express.com/power-supply-regulated-3-12-vdc-2a-6-way--120-536

Edited December 11, 201311 yr by lithium

Be a redneck, jumper cables.