My audio build list....

Red_Dawg · 05-13-2008, 02:25 PM

For my head unit............Alpine CDA-9886 @ $299 or Alpine CDA-9884 @ $199 from crutchfield (not sure which one yet, comments welcome)
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/ProdComp.asp?g=300&s=0&c=3&cc=01&compareItems=500C DA9884&compareItems=500CDA9886

For my soundbar speakers....Alpine SPS-600, Type-S 6-1/2" 2-way car speakers @ $75/pair (on ebay)

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=52000&i=500SPS600&c=3&tp=95&avf=N

For my dash speakers....Alpine SPS-406,Type-S 4"x6" 2-way car speakers @ $75/pair (on ebay)
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=400&i=500SPS406&tp=105

For my amp......Alpine MRP-F300, V-Power Series 4-channel car amplifier
50 watts RMS x 4 @ $140 (on ebay)
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=120&i=500MRPF300&tp=115

This will put me in the $500 to $600 range......a little above my budget.....which leads me to a question......is it necessary to amp the system or can a decent h/u provide enough juice for these speakers????

**SirGCal** · 05-13-2008, 02:42 PM

Change out the fronts to SPS-500s. You don't want any 4x6's in a TJ. That's wasted cash right there. The 500's are a good 5.25" speaker to match your 600's in the rear. And as I've said before, you have to buy an adapter for the 5.25" just the same as you would for a 4x6" so there's no added cost. (the stock 4x6" is not a conventional bolt size or hole so the adapter is required as it's more of a 5.5" platform.)

And you don't HAVE to amp any speaker, but I wouldn't run those speakers without an amp. And the one you have there is a near perfect matchup for the 5.25" and 6.5" speakers and would work very well.

Red_Dawg · 05-13-2008, 02:47 PM

Thanks SirGCal.....I was thinking that the 4x6's would just screw in and I wouldn't need an adapter and save some cost. Would the power pack that Alpine has be a substitute to the amp?

**SirGCal** · 05-13-2008, 02:53 PM

Yes it would. And you could run them without an amp until it actually ships also so that would be fine too.

Red_Dawg · 05-13-2008, 03:01 PM

I am going to take your advice and change out the 4x6's to Alpine SPS-500, Type-S 5-1/4" 2-way car speakers @ $75/pair (ebay)
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=51800&i=500SPS500&tp=97&avf=N

What would be your suggestion on locating the amp and would I need any wiring upgrades?

Red_Dawg · 05-13-2008, 03:08 PM

Would the Alpine KTP-445 Power Pack (Amplifier Output Details: 45 Watt - 4 Ohm - 14.4V DC - 4 channel(s)) be a good substitute for the amp above?

**bman9089** · 05-13-2008, 04:25 PM

depends on your budget, but IMO, type Rs sound much better than type S. Audio is interesting. About the time that you hear something that sounds VERY good, you can find something that sounds better. I didn't think it would vary that much, and so I was continually surprised.

I'd strongly consider the power pack from alpine. amping speakers is worth the money. it's nice being able to turn up a system on the highway or parked just listening to it, and be able to blast it and have the music continue to play crystal clear.

**SirGCal** · 05-13-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Dawg

Would the Alpine KTP-445 Power Pack (Amplifier Output Details: 45 Watt - 4 Ohm - 14.4V DC - 4 channel(s)) be a good substitute for the amp above?

My above post was directed toward your question about the pack.

spife7980 · 05-13-2008, 05:00 PM

im going with the pack when it comes out. i got the type s as well and it should do nicely. the alpine rep says it will be available in august more than likely. i dont have them amped right now and they arnt brilliant but they still dont sound half bad off of my 83.

RUNIT · 05-13-2008, 05:43 PM

First off, no, you don't NEED an amp to drive those speakers. However, it will make a big improvement.

Second, are the speakers you have now damaged or do you just not like how they sound? Do you ever feel the need to turn the bass up on your stock deck to get the "full" sound you expect by buying all new speakers?

Subwoofers make the biggest improvement to the impact of a sound system. Putting all new 5.25" speakers in the Jeep will never be able to effectively reproduce the lowest octaves of music, even with the max rated power driving them. It's just not physically possible.

It doesn't matter what style of music you're into. If it has any type of percussion instrument, you'll love to have the sub. Contrary to popular belief, they're not only made to piss off the neighbors.

The HU is always important! I love my Alpine. Make sure you get one with the features you want. Even the cheapest Alpine is better than any other HU for the same price. IMO.

So to sum it up.... Get the HU first. It will make your existing speakers sound better. Then, if your dash and soundbar speakers are in good shape(not blown or scratchy), get a sub to fill in the low bass they can't play.

No, it's not the cheap way out. It may take all your budget. However, it will give you the most bang-for-the-buck this round. You can always add more as the money comes.

After you get a feel for how the system sounds with a little impact, you'll beable to put some money into some nice midrange and tweeters to replace the thin-sounding stock speakers.

monstermack · 05-13-2008, 09:22 PM

okay, I know I've beat this to death, but check the prices please

5.25" Alpine SPS-500-----$59.99
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11571_Alpine+SPS-500.html

6.5" Alpine SPS-600--------$69.99
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11636_Alpine+SPS-600.html

The head unit and amp are the same prices you posted according to your links, though Sonic does have free shipping and they do give free mounting bracket/wiring harness just like Crutchfield.
Those speakers will sing if you put an amp to them, they'll be a little less if you run them from the head unit. And the amp you picked is definitely a good choice.
The place where you can save a little money is in the head unit. $300 for that Alpine is a lot. There are plenty of units that will perform just as good, if not better for less money. That's not to say the Alpine is bad, its not, its a fantastic unit, just a hair overpriced. I've harped the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X492 numerous times as it has the same and some better stats than the Alpine, and it sounds great....but if Kenwood isn't your cup of tea there are others around the $150 range That are excellent units too.
Here's a list of a few
Pioneer DEH-P4000UB
Sony MEX-1GP...I'm not normally a Sony guy, but this one is cool because it has 1gb of flash storage in the faceplate
Clarion DXZ585USB
JVC KD-G830...I know its a JVC, but they make some decent quality stuff.....not my first choice, but they do have fantastic radio tuners in them(so does the Clarion btw)

Red_Dawg · 05-14-2008, 07:35 AM

I really like the Pioneer DEH-P4000UB but I am going with Alpine due to the power pack that will be coming out soon. Speaking of the power pack, does anyone know how that will work? Will it be a plug in to the h/u or where will it be located?

I thought about just changing out the h/u to start but I would hate to have to go back in later and change them out so I could just do them now since they are relatively inexpensive for the upgrade. I may try to do that and then upgrade the speakers when I get the power pack. Then again, I could go with the Pioneer and just run the amp above and do it all at once.....pros and cons either way.....

As far as a sub, I really do not have the room since I have a Tuffy trunk in the back and I want to keep that there. I think I can get "enough" bass tones from 6.5's. If not, it will not hurt to upgrade again in the future as long as my h/u selection allows for it and the ones I have kicked around do.

**SirGCal** · 05-14-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Dawg

I really like the Pioneer DEH-P4000UB but I am going with Alpine due to the power pack that will be coming out soon. Speaking of the power pack, does anyone know how that will work? Will it be a plug in to the h/u or where will it be located?

I'm still waiting to get one to test. I've seen two of the prototypes and they were drastically different so I won't guess on the final mounting method. but it will take an amp wiring kit at least for the power/ground to get it a safe proper supply of power. It most likely will end up being a tether to the back of the unit (not directly bolted on there).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red_Dawg

I thought about just changing out the h/u to start but I would hate to have to go back in later and change them out so I could just do them now since they are relatively inexpensive for the upgrade. I may try to do that and then upgrade the speakers when I get the power pack. Then again, I could go with the Pioneer and just run the amp above and do it all at once.....pros and cons either way.....

As far as a sub, I really do not have the room since I have a Tuffy trunk in the back and I want to keep that there. I think I can get "enough" bass tones from 6.5's. If not, it will not hurt to upgrade again in the future as long as my h/u selection allows for it and the ones I have kicked around do.

The head unit won't matter as far as adding a sub later. That's do-able to any unit.

spife7980 · 05-14-2008, 05:52 PM

it is just a plug and play. all the info being passed on from my guys rep says there is just a little harness that you stick in. i may have missed the wiring kit part but i could have sworn it was not needed.

littleblackXj · 05-14-2008, 07:44 PM

I would suggest getting a sub if it is viable for you and ditching the door speaker amp. Removing the bass from your door speakers helps a lot with their quality of sound IMO. I am running a Pioneer deck (not sure the model) along with 4 polk audios 6" with 2 12" subs and a Rockford Fosgate punch amp and it sounds amazing.