Newb to car audio...need advice from the public.

lt_370z · 08-08-2013, 11:35 PM

I am looking to upgrade the front speakers and throw in some bass with a 12" subwoofer. Now my question is what would be the best choice for an amp if I want to run this set up?

(speakers)
Amazon.com: JBL GTO638 6.5-Inch 3-Way Speakers (Pair): Car Electronics

(subwoofer)
Amazon.com: Kenwood KFCW3013 / KFCW3013PS / KFCW3013PS 12 Car Subwoofer: Car Electronics

I am clueless when it comes to car audio so I thought I'd get some advice from people who know this stuff better than I do. I've did some research and if I'm not mistaken I need a 4 channel amp to run the speakers and the subwoofer to the amp? I am very hesitant on purchasing a head unit because of the car theft rate around the Houston area lately so I will probably be sticking to this. Any advice or recommendations are welcomed. Keep in mind I'm not trying to spend a whole lot of money on a system. Thank you!

lt_370z · 08-08-2013, 11:38 PM

This amp has gotten great reviews and for a really great price...would this amp only be able to run my subwoofer because its a monoblock?

Amazon.com: Boss Audio R1100M Mosfet Monoblock Power Amplifier with Remote Subwoofer Level Control: Electronics

bigaudiofanat · 08-08-2013, 11:42 PM

Stay away from BOSS amps! Your going to want a good brand name such as alpine, jbl, kenwood, and so on. If you want to power your speakers and your sub I recommend either a 4 channel amp that can be ran in 3 channel mode or a 5 channel amp. Also I highly recommend you go with a component set of speakers instead of a coaxial like you linked. This will allow you to replace the tweeter in your dash and your woofer in your door instead of coming them all and have all sound coming from the bottom of the doors.

critical · 08-09-2013, 12:08 AM

First upgrade should be the head unit! Should greatly improve sound quality. It can be thought of as an amp as it'll be putting out a lot more power than the stock unit.

With a stock head unit you'd have to splice into the speaker wires to run amps. When you're ready to run a sub and amp the (new) front speakers, it's far better and easier with an aftermarket head unit.

lt_370z · 08-09-2013, 12:11 AM

Houston just has so many car break ins I don't want anything visible like an aftermarket head unit to attract them to my car.

critical · 08-09-2013, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt_370z

Houston just has so many car break ins I don't want anything visible like an aftermarket head unit to attract them to my car.

lmao you have a Nismo... how much more attention can you get?

trust me, head unit first.

Adding a Receiver and Speakers to a Ford F-150

"Based on sound quality, we feel comfortable recommending that if you have to choose, you should install an aftermarket receiver as the first step in your car audio transformation. Some of us thought that speakers might have been the logical first step, but the RTA showed us something different. That’s why we test things in the Crutchfield Labs."

bigaudiofanat · 08-09-2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt_370z

Houston just has so many car break ins I don't want anything visible like an aftermarket head unit to attract them to my car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by critical

lmao you have a Nismo... how much more attention can you get?

trust me, head unit first.

Adding a Receiver and Speakers to a Ford F-150

"Based on sound quality, we feel comfortable recommending that if you have to choose, you should install an aftermarket receiver as the first step in your car audio transformation. Some of us thought that speakers might have been the logical first step, but the RTA showed us something different. That’s why we test things in the Crutchfield Labs."

Critical, if he doesn't want to upgrade the head unit there are other options. One being a audio controller to take the high outputs from the stock head unit and send the signal to new amps. Or use something like a jbl ms8 to get great sound from his stock head unit without changing the head unit.

OP you do NOT have to replace the head unit however it is recommended.

lt_370z · 08-09-2013, 08:10 AM

I understand that the head unit is the best option and the 1st step people should take when looking to upgrade their sound system but I've made the decision to skip that route and just get the speakers/sub/amp. I will sacrifice some quality of sound for the safety of my vehicle. Yes, you are correct the Nismo or any 370z in particular already attracts peoples attention but if they look through the window and see nothing that is valuable to them I keep myself from paying for a broken window. Not to mention I live in an apartment which is more open to the public at all times. Even though it is a nice area you can never be too safe. Now back to my original question. What amp would be good to run this set up?

bigaudiofanat · 08-09-2013, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt_370z

I understand that the head unit is the best option and the 1st step people should take when looking to upgrade their sound system but I've made the decision to skip that route and just get the speakers/sub/amp. I will sacrifice some quality of sound for the safety of my vehicle. Yes, you are correct the Nismo or any 370z in particular already attracts peoples attention but if they look through the window and see nothing that is valuable to them I keep myself from paying for a broken window. Not to mention I live in an apartment which is more open to the public at all times. Even though it is a nice area you can never be too safe. Now back to my original question. What amp would be good to run this set up?

Your going to need either a audio control, a LOC, or a amp that can accept high input (speaker level) sense your factory head unit does not have rca's out.

If your adding a sub and speakers this is a good option.

Rockford Fosgate R600X.5 (R600X5) 600W 5-Chan Class AB D Prime Amp

or this one

Alpine MRX-V70 (MRXV70) 5-Channel X-Power Series Car Amplifier

They both have speaker level inputs so you would just have to tap both sets of speakers behind the head unit and run them to the amp, than run new speaker wire from the amp to your new speakers.

peleincubus · 08-10-2013, 12:15 AM

Why don't you get the head unit that does not have a screen? It looks OEM at glance also. I think it is a Kenwood, and it is very reasonably priced.

peleincubus · 08-10-2013, 12:22 AM

My mistake it is pioneer. Not having a LCD screen in my opinion will not draw that much attention.

Fh-x700bt is the model

bigaudiofanat · 08-10-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peleincubus

Why don't you get the head unit that does not have a screen? It looks OEM at glance also. I think it is a Kenwood, and it is very reasonably priced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peleincubus

My mistake it is pioneer. Not having a LCD screen in my opinion will not draw that much attention.

Fh-x700bt is the model

Most brands have one without a screen it can still say steal me. If the OP doesn't want a new head unit that's his choice no sense trying to push something on him.

peleincubus · 08-10-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

Most brands have one without a screen it can still say steal me. If the OP doesn't want a new head unit that's his choice no sense trying to push something on him.

Wasn't trying to push anything man. In his/her words they said they are "clueless" when it comes to car audio so just trying to help out.

08-08-2013, 11:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
lt_370z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: HTOWN Posts: 233 Drives: Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 15	Newb to car audio...need advice from the public. I am looking to upgrade the front speakers and throw in some bass with a 12" subwoofer. Now my question is what would be the best choice for an amp if I want to run this set up? (speakers) Amazon.com: JBL GTO638 6.5-Inch 3-Way Speakers (Pair): Car Electronics (subwoofer) Amazon.com: Kenwood KFCW3013 / KFCW3013PS / KFCW3013PS 12 Car Subwoofer: Car Electronics I am clueless when it comes to car audio so I thought I'd get some advice from people who know this stuff better than I do. I've did some research and if I'm not mistaken I need a 4 channel amp to run the speakers and the subwoofer to the amp? I am very hesitant on purchasing a head unit because of the car theft rate around the Houston area lately so I will probably be sticking to this. Any advice or recommendations are welcomed. Keep in mind I'm not trying to spend a whole lot of money on a system. Thank you!

08-08-2013, 11:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 854	Stay away from BOSS amps! Your going to want a good brand name such as alpine, jbl, kenwood, and so on. If you want to power your speakers and your sub I recommend either a 4 channel amp that can be ran in 3 channel mode or a 5 channel amp. Also I highly recommend you go with a component set of speakers instead of a coaxial like you linked. This will allow you to replace the tweeter in your dash and your woofer in your door instead of coming them all and have all sound coming from the bottom of the doors. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

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08-08-2013, 11:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
lt_370z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: HTOWN Posts: 233 Drives: Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 15	This amp has gotten great reviews and for a really great price...would this amp only be able to run my subwoofer because its a monoblock? Amazon.com: Boss Audio R1100M Mosfet Monoblock Power Amplifier with Remote Subwoofer Level Control: Electronics

08-09-2013, 12:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
critical A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Washington Posts: 1,252 Drives: 09' 370z 7AT Rep Power: 16	First upgrade should be the head unit! Should greatly improve sound quality. It can be thought of as an amp as it'll be putting out a lot more power than the stock unit. With a stock head unit you'd have to splice into the speaker wires to run amps. When you're ready to run a sub and amp the (new) front speakers, it's far better and easier with an aftermarket head unit.

08-09-2013, 12:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
lt_370z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: HTOWN Posts: 233 Drives: Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 15	Houston just has so many car break ins I don't want anything visible like an aftermarket head unit to attract them to my car.

08-09-2013, 08:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
lt_370z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: HTOWN Posts: 233 Drives: Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 15	I understand that the head unit is the best option and the 1st step people should take when looking to upgrade their sound system but I've made the decision to skip that route and just get the speakers/sub/amp. I will sacrifice some quality of sound for the safety of my vehicle. Yes, you are correct the Nismo or any 370z in particular already attracts peoples attention but if they look through the window and see nothing that is valuable to them I keep myself from paying for a broken window. Not to mention I live in an apartment which is more open to the public at all times. Even though it is a nice area you can never be too safe. Now back to my original question. What amp would be good to run this set up?

08-10-2013, 12:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
peleincubus Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin, tx Posts: 255 Drives: PW 14' 370Z Rep Power: 14	Why don't you get the head unit that does not have a screen? It looks OEM at glance also. I think it is a Kenwood, and it is very reasonably priced.

08-10-2013, 12:22 AM	#11 (permalink)
peleincubus Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Austin, tx Posts: 255 Drives: PW 14' 370Z Rep Power: 14	My mistake it is pioneer. Not having a LCD screen in my opinion will not draw that much attention. Fh-x700bt is the model