I used to have a McIntosh car amp, Alpine speakers, a subwoofer and a Clarion head unit install. I miss those days when I turn it up loud.
Who has a kickin' vehicle sound system?
- Thread starter ZZman
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sadly some people want to be obnoxious with their loud stereos just because they can. I really do not mind it so much in the daytime when kids drive by blasting their window shaking bass. I was kid once and had I had a car and a stereo I probably would have done the same thing. What I hate is when they do it after dark when people are trying to unwind after a long day. Granted there are laws on the books for loud stereos but these are rarely enforced. I bet they would not like it if loud music was being blasted on their street while they were trying to rest or sleep. Some people just do it because they enjoy being jerks . If they want it loud then wear headphones, that is my take on it.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Decades back, it was next to impossible to find a good sounding factory sound system, so you pretty much had not choice but to go aftermarket if you valued nice sound. These days, most car manufacturers seem to have caught up and offer premium sound options while retaining the OEM look and full integration with the car's multimedia interface. I'm sure you can still improve on the sound, but for me, it's good enough.
Next car I buy, I am hoping I will enjoy listening to the engine sound more than to the audio system anyway.
I agree totally. Audio systems have really improved. The Bose system in our Mazda sounds very nice for a stock system. It has a lot of settings as well. Is it audiophile quality? Of course not but it suits the purpose and sounds great.
Decades back, it was next to impossible to find a good sounding factory sound system, so you pretty much had not choice but to go aftermarket if you valued nice sound. These days, most car manufacturers seem to have caught up and offer premium sound options while retaining the OEM look and full integration with the car's multimedia interface. I'm sure you can still improve on the sound, but for me, it's good enough.
Next car I buy, I am hoping I will enjoy listening to the engine sound more than to the audio system anyway.
I agree totally. Audio systems have really improved. The Bose system in our Mazda sounds very nice for a stock system. It has a lot of settings as well. Is it audiophile quality? Of course not but it suits the purpose and sounds great.
I installed a Clarion head unit, new speakers (Polk component type) in the front and an under-seat 8" Sub in my wife's car. Much Much Better! In my car, I have a Kenwood head unit, a memphis amp and 2, 10" subs in trunk. Upgraded speakers in front to Kenwood's. Better than factory but only okay.
Originally Posted By: dgunay
Focal KRX-3
Focal is a French company, it suits the car well
The local car audio shop sells Focal as their "high-end" option, they are beautiful speakers. Not everyone is a SPL head.
Focal KRX-3
Focal is a French company, it suits the car well
The local car audio shop sells Focal as their "high-end" option, they are beautiful speakers. Not everyone is a SPL head.
In my Escalade, I just replaced stereo with a pioneer 2Din navy and Bluetooth, the nose speakers are fine. In my Colorado, I replaced the stock stereo w another pioneer mainly for blue tooth, added a small 8” sub and small amp. Sounds plenty good for me. When I had my 99 vette. I spent about $2k on a custom system, top of the line speakers,etc. it was cool but looking back, kinda of a waste
I upgraded the system in one of the Nissans, the Camry, the Cougar, and the boat. I'm after SQ, not DB. heh heh. of course there are two Alpine amps, 4 Alpine 6x9's, and a 12" sub in the Cougar. Put an Alpine nav unit in the Nissan; along with Alpine PDX amp and a small sub. there was a trim kit available to make it look "stock". my wife doesn't understand why I do it, until she drives the car afterwards. then she wants to know when her car will get an upgrade.
Very few factory systems are sufficient. One exception might be the Mark Levinson systems in various Lexus models.
The very best auto sound system I've ever had was in my MX-5. 2 Alpine V-12 amps, an 8 inch sealed sub under the passenger's knees, aimed down, slot open forward, and 6.5 inch component door speakers.
So incredibly simple, Brutally powerful.
Before you guys say that such a system is nothing compared to dual 15's in the back, consider that the passenger footwell is a perfect low frequency folded horn, when configured properly. It was potent enough to move mama's hair! And would fill an aircraft hangar with bass you could feel.
The very best auto sound system I've ever had was in my MX-5. 2 Alpine V-12 amps, an 8 inch sealed sub under the passenger's knees, aimed down, slot open forward, and 6.5 inch component door speakers.
So incredibly simple, Brutally powerful.
Before you guys say that such a system is nothing compared to dual 15's in the back, consider that the passenger footwell is a perfect low frequency folded horn, when configured properly. It was potent enough to move mama's hair! And would fill an aircraft hangar with bass you could feel.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Decades back, it was next to impossible to find a good sounding factory sound system, so you pretty much had not choice but to go aftermarket if you valued nice sound. These days, most car manufacturers seem to have caught up and offer premium sound options while retaining the OEM look and full integration with the car's multimedia interface. I'm sure you can still improve on the sound, but for me, it's good enough.
Next car I buy, I am hoping I will enjoy listening to the engine sound more than to the audio system anyway.
Appears you have 2 nice engines to listen too now. Lol
Decades back, it was next to impossible to find a good sounding factory sound system, so you pretty much had not choice but to go aftermarket if you valued nice sound. These days, most car manufacturers seem to have caught up and offer premium sound options while retaining the OEM look and full integration with the car's multimedia interface. I'm sure you can still improve on the sound, but for me, it's good enough.
Next car I buy, I am hoping I will enjoy listening to the engine sound more than to the audio system anyway.
Appears you have 2 nice engines to listen too now. Lol
Originally Posted By: ZZman
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I have a factory 19 speaker, 900 watt stereo in my Jeep. Love it! Max volume is ridiculously loud with zero distortion.
19 speakers?.... Wow
Yeah, that's pretty good. My Mercedes has a Harman Kardon, 12 speaker 610 watt system. Not an audiophile so it sounds fine to me although I do read some threads where people try to upgrade it. Never gone to max volume so I don't even know what that sounds like.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
I have a factory 19 speaker, 900 watt stereo in my Jeep. Love it! Max volume is ridiculously loud with zero distortion.
19 speakers?.... Wow
Yeah, that's pretty good. My Mercedes has a Harman Kardon, 12 speaker 610 watt system. Not an audiophile so it sounds fine to me although I do read some threads where people try to upgrade it. Never gone to max volume so I don't even know what that sounds like.
The 99 Camry has a complete aftermarket system. It has Focal Auditor 6.75 Components in the front. I went to a junkyard and found a Camry that had A pillar tweeters and purchased those covers to keep it incognito. The 6X9s in the rear deck are just Pioneers for rear fill. The headunit is a Kenwood single din. The subwoofer is a JL 10" sub package with 500W amp. It sounds very good. Zero distortion at full volume, just minor panel buzz.
The Prizm has new 5.25 Infinity Kappas that sound very good. For a small speaker they sound great and produce LOTS of sound. My brother's friends all ask what kind of speakers they are. He has an aftermarket Kenwood double din headunit, and the rears are stock for now.
The 14.5 Camry is all stock except for the dash corner 3.5s which are JBL GTOs. They actually make the system good and move the soundstage out more towards the hood of the car.
Overall, the 99 Camry sounds by far the best. It is a very impressive system for what it is. I would really like to add some sound deadening to make it just a bit better.
The Prizm has new 5.25 Infinity Kappas that sound very good. For a small speaker they sound great and produce LOTS of sound. My brother's friends all ask what kind of speakers they are. He has an aftermarket Kenwood double din headunit, and the rears are stock for now.
The 14.5 Camry is all stock except for the dash corner 3.5s which are JBL GTOs. They actually make the system good and move the soundstage out more towards the hood of the car.
Overall, the 99 Camry sounds by far the best. It is a very impressive system for what it is. I would really like to add some sound deadening to make it just a bit better.
Originally Posted By: dbias
Appears you have 2 nice engines to listen too now. Lol
LOL! Thanks.
They are too quiet/subdued. Or maybe I am just going deaf.
Appears you have 2 nice engines to listen too now. Lol
LOL! Thanks.
They are too quiet/subdued. Or maybe I am just going deaf.
Hmmm. Unless you're driving a "Fulbright", your sig doesn't contain a car.
I have had some pretty good bose systems in GM cars and trucks, but my sig car has a very rare factory installed Kicker 13 speaker system with a lil 10 inch sub in the trunk. It's far from the greatest ever, but it is pretty darned good!
_________________________
"In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith."
J. William Fulbright
Best ET-12.79 @ 111 mph
4340 pounds, Street tires
Just like we go to Publix
I have had some pretty good bose systems in GM cars and trucks, but my sig car has a very rare factory installed Kicker 13 speaker system with a lil 10 inch sub in the trunk. It's far from the greatest ever, but it is pretty darned good!
_________________________
"In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith."
J. William Fulbright
Best ET-12.79 @ 111 mph
4340 pounds, Street tires
Just like we go to Publix
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I need a "kickin vehicle sound system" like I need a monkey or a motorcycle.
Originally Posted By: Yah-Tah-Hey
I need a "kickin vehicle sound system" like I need a monkey or a motorcycle.
It has nothing to do with 'need'.
I need a "kickin vehicle sound system" like I need a monkey or a motorcycle.
It has nothing to do with 'need'.
My first car was 89 corsica, a wretched pos that everyone wanted to buy. The reason was a 15" MTX ThunderPro, and oe speakers used for treble. Used light up every alarm in the parking lot.
Later my jeep got a couple 8" MTX BlueThunders under glass, supplemented by a compact 12" Polk Audio. The darn thing would be so strong ( loud is not the word here) that I would have to turn down the volume to read street signs. It was loud enough to not hear the engine driving with windows down, and only having a downpipe for exhaust. (Plugged cat, had to drive like a Harley owner for a while)
Now, the MTXs are used as a step stool, and I just use whatever Lexus came with. The stereo is off 99.9% of the time anyway.
Later my jeep got a couple 8" MTX BlueThunders under glass, supplemented by a compact 12" Polk Audio. The darn thing would be so strong ( loud is not the word here) that I would have to turn down the volume to read street signs. It was loud enough to not hear the engine driving with windows down, and only having a downpipe for exhaust. (Plugged cat, had to drive like a Harley owner for a while)
Now, the MTXs are used as a step stool, and I just use whatever Lexus came with. The stereo is off 99.9% of the time anyway.
Originally Posted By: mjk
Loved the Pioneer Super Tuner III units I had in the 80's.... throw some 6x9s in the back, and a little Ozzy/Priest/Maiden... you were golden.
I did the same.
My old truck has a Pioneer with a more recent Super Tuner. Many other vehicles these days do not too bad with factory units. The Town Car and Audi I switched out, too. So many vehicles these days do a better job, but also make switching so difficult. The Audi and the Town Car both had factory cassette things, when CDs were long available (old man cars tend to be that way). The Audi's was dead anyhow.
The old LTD had a Pioneer back in the day, too. But it had an AM radio factory. The 1984 F-150 was a radio delete option. Upgrades were much more important when I had garbage in the car to start and was spending a lot more time in the vehicle.
Loved the Pioneer Super Tuner III units I had in the 80's.... throw some 6x9s in the back, and a little Ozzy/Priest/Maiden... you were golden.
I did the same.
My old truck has a Pioneer with a more recent Super Tuner. Many other vehicles these days do not too bad with factory units. The Town Car and Audi I switched out, too. So many vehicles these days do a better job, but also make switching so difficult. The Audi and the Town Car both had factory cassette things, when CDs were long available (old man cars tend to be that way). The Audi's was dead anyhow.
The old LTD had a Pioneer back in the day, too. But it had an AM radio factory. The 1984 F-150 was a radio delete option. Upgrades were much more important when I had garbage in the car to start and was spending a lot more time in the vehicle.
Honestly, I am not sure I have ever heard a great factory sound system in a car. In most cases, even some cheap aftermarket $50 speakers are an improvement. However, most new cars are satisfactory for at least the first couple of years. Sadly they use cheap paper speakers that sound decent to sometimes really good for the first couple of years until they start experiencing minor deterioration. In my Protege, I have a Kenwood Excelon HU, tweeters in the front with 2 Kenwood Excelon 6x8s, kenwood Excelon 6x9s in the rear, and 2 Kenwood 10" subs. I wouldn't say it is audiophile like a really expensive Focal system or JL high end setup would be, but it does sound great and can handle some volume before distroting. You can hear every note if you tune it to be that way. I listen to a little bit of everything from Classical to Rock to metal to POP to hip hop. The system is a great all rounder, but could be better for SQ if that is your goal. My 85 RX7 has a Sony XB100BT with a 40 watt RMS AMP, 2 4 inch Kicker CS speakers, and 2 6.5 coax Kicker CS speakers. This system sounds a bit more audiophile style and tends to be less used as I can barely hear it on the freeway due to horrible exhaust drone. It could probably benefit from a small 8 or 10 inch sub and sound even better.
My little brother has a 2016 Mazda3 that doesn't sound great or bad. It is better than passable, but you can tell the audio system is set up for what they think the average person wants to hear. It doesn't go down terrible low, but it does sound really boomy for the 80 hz range that is common in most Pop style music and would actually be a pretty enjoyable experience with the addition of a small subwoofer. I just bought another protege that had the stock speakers. The girlfriend was somewhat satisfied with them as it was so much more compact than her grand prix and it did sound oddly better. I replaced them with a set of Rockford 6x8s and 6x9s and the first words that came out of her mouth were WOW. There are some audio systems that come out really good from the factory such as special Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, Monsoon, Infinity, etc that I wouldn't bother changing. Personally, I am not a fan of most Bose factory sound systems as they sound more catered to listening to a movie than listening to music.
My little brother has a 2016 Mazda3 that doesn't sound great or bad. It is better than passable, but you can tell the audio system is set up for what they think the average person wants to hear. It doesn't go down terrible low, but it does sound really boomy for the 80 hz range that is common in most Pop style music and would actually be a pretty enjoyable experience with the addition of a small subwoofer. I just bought another protege that had the stock speakers. The girlfriend was somewhat satisfied with them as it was so much more compact than her grand prix and it did sound oddly better. I replaced them with a set of Rockford 6x8s and 6x9s and the first words that came out of her mouth were WOW. There are some audio systems that come out really good from the factory such as special Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, Monsoon, Infinity, etc that I wouldn't bother changing. Personally, I am not a fan of most Bose factory sound systems as they sound more catered to listening to a movie than listening to music.
Originally Posted By: BJD78
sadly some people want to be obnoxious with their loud stereos just because they can. I really do not mind it so much in the daytime when kids drive by blasting their window shaking bass. I was kid once and had I had a car and a stereo I probably would have done the same thing.
I played loud, and still do on occasion. But, that's on the highway, where it's not obnoxious to everyone.
sadly some people want to be obnoxious with their loud stereos just because they can. I really do not mind it so much in the daytime when kids drive by blasting their window shaking bass. I was kid once and had I had a car and a stereo I probably would have done the same thing.
I played loud, and still do on occasion. But, that's on the highway, where it's not obnoxious to everyone.
This thread kind of brings me back. My first car in 2005ish was a 1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88. Me being my typical teenager dumbarse self put 4 12's Sony Xplode's in the trunk. This was coupled with a couple DHD Power Cruiser 6.5's in the rear deck lid, and a couple Polk 6.5's I put in the doors. I had to cut the doors out for those as from factory it had 3.5's in the dash. Did I think I was cool? Yea. Was I? No, lol.
Next vehicle was my 2002 Neon, I grew up a little bit, so just a simple Pioneer Deck, 6.5's in the door, and 6x9's in the rear. The speakers were ok at best, but better than factory. When that car got totaled I took the deck out and transferred it to my 2004 Nissan Frontier. I did get a set of Infinity 6.5's for the doors and bought some boxes to put 6x9's in the rear. After that everything's been stock. Both of my VW's, past and current, have excellent sound systems. My current GTI has integral Bluetooth and XM, along with SD card capabilities, so that's all I need. I do plan on updating the S10's audio here eventually. Just a simple Bluetooth deck and a small 8" sub. I'm in those vehicles way less compared to the company truck. Wish I could talk my boss into a $200 upgrade. They did put an XM tuner in there and pay for it, so that's a plus!
Next vehicle was my 2002 Neon, I grew up a little bit, so just a simple Pioneer Deck, 6.5's in the door, and 6x9's in the rear. The speakers were ok at best, but better than factory. When that car got totaled I took the deck out and transferred it to my 2004 Nissan Frontier. I did get a set of Infinity 6.5's for the doors and bought some boxes to put 6x9's in the rear. After that everything's been stock. Both of my VW's, past and current, have excellent sound systems. My current GTI has integral Bluetooth and XM, along with SD card capabilities, so that's all I need. I do plan on updating the S10's audio here eventually. Just a simple Bluetooth deck and a small 8" sub. I'm in those vehicles way less compared to the company truck. Wish I could talk my boss into a $200 upgrade. They did put an XM tuner in there and pay for it, so that's a plus!
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