Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Basic set-up

Look, I'm 36 and don't need super load music or thumping bass anymore. Just want clean sound at decent volume levels, but better than the stock setup. Will I be pleased with one of the new 50W Pioneer HUs and some simple Pioneer 3 ways in both sets of doors, with a square foot of dyanamat behind each speaker. No amp, no sub. No, it won't be competition level, but for around $500 it should be pretty darned good, right? Remember I'm not 20 and I'm not trying to impress my friends or the chicks. Just want good tunes at 90 on the highway with the moonroof open and the windows down. Let 'er rip.

------------------
Tropic Green '00 SVT
#665 of 2150

At 90mph with 5 windows open, I cannot hear my bass which I think is quite satisfactory for most other times. I can hear my tweeters and midrange fairly well. I have all custom stuff. I don't consider myself the typical 24 year old with thumping bass, but I have an 8" subwoofer that adds blends well. Any I was already married when I got the SVT. In fact, it's more my wife's daily driver.

I will never say that this or that will be enough for anyone, because it's not really quantifiable. However, the replacments you have in mind are good products and satisfy thousands of people, possibly you too. I once looked at the Pioneer speakers. The 3-way appeared to be the same as the 2-way, except for an added .25" micro-tweeter. I thought the 2-way was a better deal at $20 less or so. Listen for yourself at your local Best Buy or Circuit City. Although not in a car environment, you should be able t listen to the exact HU/speaker combination and decide for yourself.

Everyone can post what they think is a better HU or speakers at those price points, but there is much less of a difference between those recommendations and your choices than you choices and the stock stuff.

Of course, my own recommendations: I have $250 invested in speakers in my car, including the amp to drive them all. Add to that a HU of choice (mine was $140) and I think mine would sound better. But it was more work than going going to a local store and having it all done. That's my blurb.

Any more questions?

All I can say is that I'd really recommend a separate amp, especially in your case.

Whatever the manufacturers say, a HU will only put out a realistic 15-20w per channel rms/continuous (peak power is an irrelevant measure that is used primarily for marketing).

An separate amp will dramatically improve sound at all volume levels over even the best HU internal amp.

Get a basic HU with the minimum of features you want, but make sure it has got dual pre-outs. Then, spend about $150 on a decent 4ch amp. Something like a US Acoustics USX-4065 (65x4 for $150) would be perfect.

Go out and audition different speaks to find out which ones sound best to you.

Hook it all up, and you'll be very satisfied. And we're talking of a system around $500 (HU-$250, amp-$150, 4speaks-$150)

Well, in any case you can always add an amp later if you decide that a HU/speaker upgrade isn't cutting it for you.

Later,
-C

i think the setup will work but not the best. When pioneer head units said 45x4 it was actaully 19 watts RMS. you will not be getting 50x4 but more like around 19 still. The only reason pioneer increased the max to 50 was to keep up with sony. most people dont know about RMS power and just look at max and since sony said 50 they would buy sony, know pioneer is trying to keep up
-just a little info
chris

I say get some component speakers for up front,because sparkling highs don't mean carp when there aimed at your ankles, and get some three ways in the back for rear fill.
ps. and subs aren't just fore impressing friends and the chicks,they are also for S.Q.(sound quality)

[This message has been edited by wanabe (edited April 25, 2001).]

True, but most people don't know that they never listen to music at more than 1 watt. With good, efficient speakers (90+db/w) I'd never need more than 16w rms. That'd be painfuly loud with the windows up.

Cthomp has it right. Stick with a cheaper head unit (but with RCA pre-outs) that provides 15-20w with the option to upgrade to an amp later.

That's what I was thinking. The HU will include preamp outputs to make future upgrades possible.

Ya if your really looking for good sound quality definately get an interior amp or you can just get an alpine 357 thats got 5 channels 30 watts rms x 4 for the interiors and a 100 watt rms subwoofer output which can pound but doesnt have to. And sounds great but of course that amp will probably cost you over $400 by itself but if you want the sound quality its always gonna cost you some coin.