I'm also using just the bose behind the rear seats. I used to have 6x9s in the bins, but removed them because it threw the staging off too much for me.

 

Sounds pretty decent doesn't it? I was a bit skeptical when Joe suggested doing it, but it really impressed me.

 

I've got an old 96 ES model (XR-C520) that's performed flawlessly since I've had it. Only issue is that the display went out after a long while. (Left locked in a car in the S.Cali heat for a long time every day). It's a tape deck with changer controls. Never had an issue with the amp. I use it to push a Phoenix Gold EQ-213 EQ which in turn hits a Punch 100X2 and 60X2 pushing a pair of Eclipse 8101s and some Sony 5.25s up front respectively. The deck pushes the rears. I've blown a sub, fried an amp, physically beaten the EQ, fried another amp and generally deafened myself and the Sony has shone (sp) through. Not ALL sony is bad.

Now, in the 7, I just have a refurbished unit. I can't remember the model. It has no controls on the chassis or face. It's kinda like an ABP model, but I think it was advertised as some L3 type of thing. Anyway, I currently have it pushing all 4 corners by itself. Yes, I have an occasional issue in that it mutes itself from time to time due to heat. I assume that as soon as I get some amps in and take the load off the internal amp, things will improve. But by then, I just may get a new deck and transfer that into the other car. Otherwise, I've heard that the cd loader sucks. I've never had an issue. They just released a bunch of new products too. May be worth looking into.

 

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I know VERY little about car audio, but I know enough to know that sony sucks

 

I get a kick out of all the arguments regarding "clarity" and stereo components. My personal opinion is, this thing is going in an 11 year old car with enough squeaks and rattles for 50 new cars. To top it off, when your driving..the engine will produce enough noise to make up for ANY deltas in stereo quality our ears might pick up.

If I'm not driving the car, I'm certainly not sitting around hanging out in it listening to the stereo.

I want it to work, be loud enough to cover most exhaust notes, and have the antennae be retracted when I'm playing a CD! This is just me, I realize different strokes for different folks.

 

911, you said you have alot of red in your interior right? Well as for a headunit try a later model Alpine, it has an Amber feature which turns all the controls red. Sweet!

My recommendations are just my opinions but I've won some sound competitions before with a '95 Pathfinder. Hry who wants to sponser me?...anyway...

Headunits:

-Eclipse- it may not look like much but the later models outperform all in terms of load time, great for mp3's.

-Alpine- Some of the best all around for sound and compatability.

-Clarion- some of the nicest faces I've ever seen. bling

Speakers- I wouldn't reccomend the type R's by Alpine even though they are popular. It's aluminum cone sounds brassy to me. Also, try and see if you can custom fit round speakers instead of the 5x7's- better sound quality.

-Silk cones are strong and have the best sound quality, but this area is more of a preference, how do you want it to sound? Go to a place where you can listen to different speakers and choose what you like.

Amps: Whatever speakers you get it would be a good idea to follow with the same brand here. Anything but rockford/fosgate. MTX.
They're cheap or on sale for a reason.

Subs:10's nice sound, easy fit. 12's nicer sound, harder fit. This is where you spend your money!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Visonik/ Audiobahn- made by the same people. Great punch. Nice Bass. Affordable. Visonik has alot of red, and has excellent amps.

JL audio w7's great subs but high priced.

But, if you like Sony that's cool too, just make sure you don't mix brands. But feel free to experiment. No one has it all figured out.

 

Oh, lots of Dynomat. Lots.

 

deified, i am currently runing mtx amps. the next system i setup i was going to try rockford fostgate. dang that is the only two amps you had something negative to comment about. can you further explain why you don't like these brands? i have audiobahn component speakers. do you like the amps too? i heard the subs rock. maybe i will try an all audiobahn system. let me know what you think.

 

Yea...ditto. I have a MTX Thunder Amp myself powering my Alpine Type R 12" sub. I personally love the power that thing puts out...haven't had any regrets w/ it so far...

 

Fosgate amps are good for powering subs, but not components. If you don't really need a lot of bass in your system and want to skip getting a sub, kicker components put out a decent amount of bass compared to other components. But if you are getting a sub, kickers subs are known for their ability to perform with the least amount of free air space (most specifically their solo baric subs). Oh, and kicker's speaker colors include red.

 

Actually it's just the MTX subs that I don't really like alot of them are made pretty cheaply. Therefore I never really trusted the amps. Rockford Fosgate isn't really compatable with other brands, for some reason alot of people have alot of problems with them. Alot of audio specialists have stopped selling these brands because they have a high return rate too. But if you like it and it works for you go for it. Alot of people said not to use Infinity because it's not really a high powered speaker. Mine work great, all I had to do was get a well powered digital amp. So try stuff out and see what you think. I just have opinions.

good luck.

 

Be wary of Kicker subs! If you are using them for competition they will blow. Since they are square and not round, the corners have to endure alot of stress at those points. The kick of the cone is not dispersed evenly like a round sub and alot of these will get blown at the corners when using a heavily powered amp. On a good note they do have a good punch, but do you really like the look of square subs? However if it's just recreational use I don't foresee any problems.

 

I'm not up to date w/ kicker products, but do they still make round solo barics? I know they did before the L7's came out. I don't understand what you mean when you say an amp isn't compatable with another brand. Ohm configurations?

 

Well yes, ohms can play a huge factor in how your sub performs. Make sure you get something compatable for your enclosure and how much your sub can take. Be careful when bridging too, it will change the ohms your using. Your can always look up your product from the maker and get the info you need to set it up. I've never owned a R/F amp but have heard multiple accounts of where it was pushing subs near it's peak wattage and it would burn out. Just what I've heard, but there have been quite a few stores around the Atlanta area that refuse to sell them.