Building audio system on a budget.

[Redhero]

I just bought an Alpine CDA-9855, mostly for its iPod Ai-Net accessory. Im looking to spend about 300 on a great 12" sub and amp (not including custom box). Im not looking for anything super rediculous, just great sound and an amp that will be only running the sub, not the speakers.

Any advice? Im not too sure what brands are better then which.

 

[Dtowncats]

For $300 you are not going to get anything great. You are definitely going to need to go over that. What are you looking for? Sound quality, loudness, or in between? Sealed or ported? How much room are you willing to give up?

 

[Redhero]

I could give up most of my trunk if I had too. I could go up to 400 or so and spend maybe 150 on a sub and 250 on a decent amp? Im not including install, custom box or anything in that 3-400.

 

[Dtowncats]

I could give up most of my trunk if I had too. I could go up to 400 or so and spend maybe 150 on a sub and 250 on a decent amp? Im not including install, custom box or anything in that 3-400.

Check out the SS RL-i 10. It is 169 without shipping. Find an amp that is rated at 400wrms at 2 ohms and you are good to go.

 

[Philstang]

Look for specials in the paper at places like Best Buy, Circuit City, or whatever is in your area. It doesn't have to cost alot to sound good, a proper install with a good enclosure goes a long way.

 

[Bobert]

Some people won't like this amp because it's "cheap", but I've had good luck with a Profile CL-800 (only got it after doing lots of searches on forums that said they were prettty solid budget amps). It'll put out 600 x 1 at 4 ohms.

I'm most likely going to try an Alpine Type R next with it next (~$115 + shipping at various places on the net). That amp cost me a little over $100 a little over a year ago. So there's less than $250 for a pretty good budget system.

http://soundsplinter.com/

http://www.edesignaudio.com/us.php

http://reaudio.com/

All those sites have pretty good bang for the buck subs that you'll read about a lot of car audio forums. I think for around $180 shipped, you can have a RE SE 12 that's always getting good reviews. I'm debating getting that sub over the Alpine Type R. I think you can build a pretty nice sub/amp combo for 300-400.

 

[Dtowncats]

All those sites have pretty good bang for the buck subs that you'll read about a lot of car audio forums. I think for around $180 shipped, you can have a RE SE 12 that's always getting good reviews. I'm debating getting that sub over the Alpine Type R. I think you can build a pretty nice sub/amp combo for 300-400.

I was actually looking at getting a 12" SE and running it with my JBL 600.1. Then I decided on 2 8" RL-i's from Sound Splinter. If I don't like them I will be getting 1 12" RL-p. They are being compared to the JL Audio 13W7.

 

[04gtdrop]

i have i guy that i go through for all my audio needs (including alarm and tint) check it out. some stuff can get a little pricy. but very very nice. i had a plexi box in my old 95 GT, another one in my 99 ford expo and now i got one in my 04 GT. check it out........http://www.gatelyaudio.com/