First off, does such a thing exist?

I've been out of car audio for ~15 years and am just now getting interested again thanks to my recently purchased 2002 Toyota 4Runner. The stock stereo is such a flake, particularly with the sunroof and windows open. I've been scouring the internet trying to get up to speed on the current technologies and find out which products would be the best value for a modest SQ system. I originally purchased a set of Polk components but am about to return them after hearing a set of Focals. Although I have plenty of space for something monstrous, this is my daily driver which doubles as a two-child-car-seat chaeuffeur. Keeping the cargo area _mostly_ intact is a serious goal, followed closely by a self-imposed budget and great sound.

So far, I'm looking at the following components. I'm not familiar with the boutique amplifier makers (Sundown, etc), but I'm interested to hear recommendations where applicable. I'm very curious as to whether I really need something as powerful as a SS RL-i8, but I suspect it's just as good for modest systems as it is for SPL fun.

Receiver: Pioneer DEH-P5900iB

Front: Focal 165A1

Rear: Focal 100CA

Component Amp: Alpine MRP-F250

Sub: SoundSplinter RL-i8 DVC4, sealed ~0.35

Sub Amp: Alpine MRP-M450

Thanks,

-J.

Looks good to me. Remember that if you want the bass louder, you should go with a ported box.

give acidburn a pm. IIRC hes running a couple sealed rl-i's

also if you MUST have rear fill, ditch the focals and get some budget speaks and use the excess money on a better front.

give acidburn a pm. IIRC hes running a couple sealed rl-i's

also if you MUST have rear fill, ditch the focals and get some budget speaks and use the excess money on a better front.

Indeed I am. They sound quite good.

i can second that, i was highly impressed with those little buggers, and that was before the bigger boxes and bigger amp.

i can second that, i was highly impressed with those little buggers, and that was before the bigger boxes and bigger amp.

OT: dang i just finished watching v for vendetta again....one of my all time faves

I have one that I have run in .4 cuft sealed and .64 cuft tuned to 29hz. I enjoyed them both.

On a side, I'd say scrap the rears and up the budget for the fronts instead. The payoff is much better.

I have one that I have run in .4 cuft sealed and .64 cuft tuned to 29hz. I enjoyed them both.

On a side, I'd say scrap the rears and up the budget for the fronts instead. The payoff is much better.

Any particular components you'd recommend? Are the focals frowned upon? I thought they sounded pretty damn good myself, but admittedly I have an untrained ear.

Thanks,

-J.

Personally I am not a fan of the Focal tweeter.

For a passive set, I thought the Polykevs I heard weren't too bad, and the Focal/JMLabs floorstanders I've heard were decent.

Definitely could do worse.

Personally I am not a fan of the Focal tweeter.

same here, tears my ears apart. although the mid is very nice

i can second that, i was highly impressed with those little buggers, and that was before the bigger boxes and bigger amp.

totally a whole other animal now too

i liked my rl-i 8 sealed and ported. didn't think it suffers anywhere, in as small as the .17ft^3 mike recommends for the sealed .707 alignment. ported, it's a beast, be it standard bass reflex or transmission line.

i ran focal polyglas for about two years. there are definitely better and worse componets out there. i prefer my memphis sq's and their silk tweeter over the polyglas metallic one. but , as you mentioned, it's your ears. you need to get what sounds good to you.

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ok, so I might hold off on the rear fill for now and focus my investment on some better front components. The consensus seems to be that the titanium focal tweeters are too harsh, so I'll probably head over to Tweeter tonight and listen to the Focal 165KP's with the neodymium tweeter. I have a friend who works there, so I might be able to get his discount.

To be continued...

neodymium is just the magnet material. another front stage option would be an active 2-way setup.

An update...

I've decided to go with the Focal 165V2's for the front stage. I love the tweeter on the K2P's, but I simply can't afford them, even with the employee discount that's being passed on to me. I don't hear enough of a difference between the V2's and the KF's to justify the cost difference. I've also been convinced to ditch the Alpine amps and go with JL Audio. Thoughts?

Receiver: Pioneer DEH-P5900iB

Front: Focal 165V2

Component Amp: JL Audio 300/4

Sub: SoundSplinter RL-i8 DVC4, sealed ~0.35

Sub Amp: JL Audio 500/1

Thanks,

-J.

how much are you getting the JL's for? I would hit up denim and see if you can get a bundle discount with amps. im sure he can get you imo better amps for a cheaper price than the jls, like zed or sundown (never heard any of them so take it with a grain of salt, but i also believe in supporting this site ), but the JL's will work

just my thoughts.

what flakko said!

i think denim can probably hook you up with a nice package rl-i8/amp deal.

othewise, that system sounds pretty pimp!

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

how much are you getting the JL's for? I would hit up denim and see if you can get a bundle discount with amps. im sure he can get you imo better amps for a cheaper price than the jls, like zed or sundown (never heard any of them so take it with a grain of salt, but i also believe in supporting this site ), but the JL's will work

just my thoughts.

After discount, I think it breaks down like this:

Focal 165V2 - $200.00

JL Audio 300/4 - $175.00

JL Audio 500/1 - $192.50

... before tax, of course. I'm all for supporting the little guys as long as they kick ass.

-J.

how much are you getting the JL's for? I would hit up denim and see if you can get a bundle discount with amps. im sure he can get you imo better amps for a cheaper price than the jls, like zed or sundown (never heard any of them so take it with a grain of salt, but i also believe in supporting this site ), but the JL's will work

just my thoughts.

After discount, I think it breaks down like this:

Focal 165V2 - $200.00

JL Audio 300/4 - $175.00

JL Audio 500/1 - $192.50

... before tax, of course. I'm all for supporting the little guys as long as they kick ass.

-J.

woah thats cheap. still pm him and see what he can do hehe

I ordered my RL-i8 from Mike last night. For anyone considering Sound Splinter for your sub, everything you hear about Mike is true... good guy, very helpful. I should have it at my door by Friday, pics soon thereafter.

-J.

sweet! you won't be disappointed!!

wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

sweet! you won't be disappointed!!

I'm sure the RL-i8 will be a hit (pun intended). Unfortunately, I had the discount pulled out from under me, so I had to re-re-evaluate my components and amps. Here is what I finally put together, everything else was ordered today.

Receiver: Pioneer DEH-P5900iB

Front: Focal 165V1

Component Amp: Memphis 16-PR100.4

Sub: SoundSplinter RL-i8 DVC4, sealed ~0.35

Sub Amp: Memphis 16-PRD500.1

I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I have no experience with Memphis Audio, but everything I've read suggests they make some quality amps at a good price. I would have loved the Sundown SAX-100.4, but it was simply out of my budget. Crossing my fingers that it all comes together well...

P.S. Any suggestions on forums/sites for learning more about the electrical system? I need to get a handle on caps, yellow tops, and the math behind car audio.

sweet! you won't be disappointed!!

I'm sure the RL-i8 will be a hit (pun intended). Unfortunately, I had the discount pulled out from under me, so I had to re-re-evaluate my components and amps. Here is what I finally put together, everything else was ordered today.

Receiver: Pioneer DEH-P5900iB

Front: Focal 165V1

Component Amp: Memphis 16-PR100.4

Sub: SoundSplinter RL-i8 DVC4, sealed ~0.35

Sub Amp: Memphis 16-PRD500.1

I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I have no experience with Memphis Audio, but everything I've read suggests they make some quality amps at a good price. I would have loved the Sundown SAX-100.4, but it was simply out of my budget. Crossing my fingers that it all comes together well...

P.S. Any suggestions on forums/sites for learning more about the electrical system? I need to get a handle on caps, yellow tops, and the math behind car audio.

1. Did you PM denim to see what price he could give you on the Sundown?

2. Don't bother with caps

3. www.bcae1.com

1. Did you PM denim to see what price he could give you on the Sundown?

Yes, denim was very helpful. Unfortunately the Sundown is really in another stratosphere (as my physics teacher used to say). At least in cost, and possibly in performance (compared to the Memphis PR). If the Memphis amps are crap, please let me know. I can return the amps, it will just cost me shipping both ways. I could always save up for the Sundown, but it's going to suck having those speakers lying around until then.

I just wonder if the Sundowns aren't overkill for my modest installation. I hate to throw prices around here, but even the JL Audio 300/4 is $100 cheaper and carries a good reputation.

2. Don't bother with caps

kk

3. www.bcae1.com

Thanks, I'll be absorbing that over the next few days.