Can anyone recommend a car audio forum?

Bean639 · #1 03-05-2011, 05:41 PM

I'm building a stereo for my dodge ram and I feel that I have no idea to what is a quality product for a sub and amp(s). Any suggestions for where to go to educate myself?

thanks!

Bean639 · #2 03-05-2011, 06:54 PM

mmbongo · #3 03-05-2011, 06:56 PM

www.diyma.com

15 years ago I knew all there was to know about car audio, but man has it changed! Hardly anything is made in the USA anymore.

I also have a Dodge Ram and went with a Kicker 5 channel amp driving a JL Audio 10W3 sub and Polk Audio MOMO seperates.

I went with the Kicker amp mainly because of the price. I had to replace the Xtant amp I initially installed (which I had in my previous car for 5 years!) and I was surprised at how well it compared to that Xtant, considering Xtant is about as good as amps get.

I went with the JL sub because it's one of the few still made in the USA, and the guys at JL are still the same guys that were there back in the glory days. Option #2 was an Image Dynamics sub for those same reasons. I had an IDQ12 in my previous car, I guess I just wanted to try something different.

I went with the Polk MOMO seperates because I love Polks higher end stuff, and I used to sell Polk in my shop back in the day

Bean639 · #4 03-05-2011, 07:08 PM

thanks for the website! that was just what i was looking for. thanks for the info on the subs and amps. American made is important to me too. I'm not doing too well with that so far with all kenwood excelon so far. I felt that I owed them since my last stereo lasted almost 15 years. Deck and all!

MJ5150 · #5 03-05-2011, 07:19 PM

I just put a system in my Dodge Ram this past summer.

You looking to run a single sub or duals?

-Mike

Bean639 · #6 03-05-2011, 07:36 PM

I'm really just taking a shot in the dark with this....

I'm thinking a Single sealed 10. The truck is a a regular cab so room is a bit of an issue. Also, I'm not trying to spend a TON on money.

TOOL460002 · #7 03-05-2011, 07:47 PM

another suggestion is to google "dodge ram forum," as a couple forums pop up that way. i cannot vouch for them, but looking at a dodge ram community is one alternative to a strictly car audio community.

Bean639 · #8 03-05-2011, 07:48 PM

great idea! I'll give that a try now!

MJ5150 · #9 03-05-2011, 09:10 PM

I post at www.DodgeTalk.com, and yes there is an audio forum. Several knowledgeable audio and Dodge guys post there. I learned quite a but myself before I did my system.

-Mike

iamlowsound · #10 03-05-2011, 09:42 PM

You can never go wrong with alpine or Hertz.

lowsound

MJ5150 · #11 03-05-2011, 09:43 PM

Hertz for car audio?

-Mike

Skitch it! · #12 03-05-2011, 09:54 PM

At the car hi-fi distribution company I worked for years back Alpine were considered the business for head units and changers and other kit. I quite liked the JL Audio stuff, the amps and subs, very few repair returns on the JL gear as I remember, nice kit, not bad at all imo.

iamlowsound · #13 03-05-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Hertz for car audio?

-Mike

Yep, they have some amazing speakers. If I were building a system and I was going for simplicity, alpine HU, Alpine subs, amp doesn't matter IMO and Hurtz speakers.

lowsound

MJ5150 · #14 03-05-2011, 10:15 PM

In my opinion, JL Audio is overpriced. Yes, it is good stuff, but I think most of the price is the pretty JL logo.

I have found Kicker to put out some solid subs if you are going for volume and articulation. If all you want is volume, Rockford Fosgate is hard to beat. I've never used any of the Polk subs, but have used their other speakers, and they are really nice. I have always liked the subs from Memphis Audio as well. Never had one in any of my rides, but helped plenty of friends set them in their rides.

-Mike

Skitch it! · #15 03-05-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

In my opinion, JL Audio is overpriced. Yes, it is good stuff, but I think most of the price is the pretty JL logo.

I have found Kicker to put out some solid subs if you are going for volume and articulation. If all you want is volume, Rockford Fosgate is hard to beat. I've never used any of the Polk subs, but have used their other speakers, and they are really nice. I have always liked the subs from Memphis Audio as well. Never had one in any of my rides, but helped plenty of friends set them in their rides.

-Mike

Yes, for JL I only ever saw trade price lists, high street price was a good percentage above that and it varied a bit. Polk was the 2nd best seller as I remember it had a very good rep, going back about 9 years ago.

Bean639 · #16 03-06-2011, 10:00 AM

amp doesn't matter? im torn between this http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...plifiers/XR-4S

and this
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...fiers/KAC-8405

to go with this
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...rs/KFC-XW1000F

There is a $300 difference between the amps. other than being more powerful the first amp has a much better signal to noise ratio. I plan on bridging 2 channels to the sub and using the other two for my door speakers witch can handle up to 150watts rms.

am i wasting money on the more expensive amp?

mmbongo · #17 03-06-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

In my opinion, JL Audio is overpriced. Yes, it is good stuff, but I think most of the price is the pretty JL logo.

I have found Kicker to put out some solid subs if you are going for volume and articulation. If all you want is volume, Rockford Fosgate is hard to beat. I've never used any of the Polk subs, but have used their other speakers, and they are really nice. I have always liked the subs from Memphis Audio as well. Never had one in any of my rides, but helped plenty of friends set them in their rides.

-Mike

I actually had a Polk MM1040 sub in my Ram and never was really that impressed with it. Replaced it with a JL and it was a huge improvement. I've never been a big fan of Chinese made stuff, which is why I'd stick with JL or Image Dynamics.

Kicker moved production from Credence (Kentucky) to China a few years back. Funny thing is, years ago 90% of car audio subwoofers were made in Kentucky....either by Credence or Eminence. Now 90% of them come from China. Eminence doesn't even contract to car audio companies anymore.

Stu L. · #18 03-06-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Funny thing is, years ago 90% of car audio subwoofers were made in Kentucky....either by Credence or Eminence. Now 90% of them come from China. Eminence doesn't even contract to car audio companies anymore.

Eminence has released their own line of car speakers recently. Parts Express has them in their catalog already.

mmbongo · #19 03-07-2011, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu L.

Eminence has released their own line of car speakers recently. Parts Express has them in their catalog already.

I remember seeing them now. They are actually made in Emi's Asia plant, not in KY. They don't look too impressive. The specs look very much like the subwoofers from the early 90's that they used to make. Xmax on the 10" is 5mm. My JL is 16mm.

Stu L. · #20 03-07-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

I remember seeing them now. They are actually made in Emi's Asia plant, not in KY. They don't look too impressive. The specs look very much like the subwoofers from the early 90's that they used to make. Xmax on the 10" is 5mm. My JL is 16mm.

I didn't say they were worth a flip

Something about them just seems cheap.