Helping my friend build a new system...

 

Bronze Member
Username: Wandaddy

Naha, Okinawa Japan

Post Number: 94
Registered: May-10
Hey everyone. I am helping my friend pick out stuff for a new system. We are stationed in Japan and plan on ordering everything online. I just wanted to list the products I suggested to him to see what you all think, and maybe you know somewhere with better prices or something better in the price range. His budget is $1000 and the car it will be going in is a Toyota Altezza (basically a Lexus IS300). He wants basically a budget SQ system with a healthy amount of bass. His other stipulation was he wanted Pioneer amplifiers and head unit. Here is what I picked out for him:

Head Unit: Pioneer DEH-P8300UB
Subwoofer Amp: Pioneer GM-D8500M 600W RMS @2ohms
4 Channel Amp: Pioneer GM-D9500F 75W RMS X 4
Front Speakers: Boston Acoustics SE60 6.5" components
Rear Speakers: Boston Acoustics S953 6X9's
Subwoofer: Alpine SWR-1243D 12" DVC 4ohm

All of this stuff combined with the required cables and wiring is going to come in at around $1000. Anyone have any opinions on some better speakers or subs in this price, or just these choices in general? We haven't ordered anything yet, so I am open to opinions.
 

Platinum Member
Username: Rovin

1 15 = 153 DBs ...Trinidad & T...

Post Number: 17131
Registered: Jul-05
that seems to be a pretty good budget system ...
 

Gold Member
Username: Joe1234

Post Number: 1184
Registered: May-09
Ok that list would make a decent system, anyways there are some thoughts and alternatives:

Head Unit:
Pioneer DEH-P8300UB
Good nice sounding HU. (didn't like their EQ's lacking the bands on the extremes).

Subwoofer Amp:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_33008_MB-Quart-FX1.600.html

4 Channel Amp: either:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_33004_MB-Quart-FX4.70.html
or:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_24110_MB-Quart-ONX4.80.html

Equivalent or probably better sounding alternatives to Pioneer but lower price. Reliability of some Pioneer amps has been put into question in the past so if you still want that research the specific models well *specially* the sub amp.

Speakers:
If one likes the sound of BA better not change that.
Worthy alternatives on the price range would be from Alpine or Polk Audio.

Subwoofer:
Alpine SWR-1243D 12" DVC 4ohm
Pretty solid sub for the price.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Wandaddy

Naha, Okinawa Japan

Post Number: 96
Registered: May-10
Yeah I have BA components in my car, and after listening to them he really liked them. I think he has an attachment to Pioneer because he used to buy all of his gear and Walmart. I also think Pioneer amps are probably not all that great, but they do make nice head units. I have not ever heard any MB Quart products first hand, but I see you recommend them to people a lot on this forum. How would they rate against Alpine amps? Because I have also recommended these to my friend:

Alpine MRX-M50 500W RMS @2ohms
https://www.woofersetc.com/p-10030-mrx-m50-alpine-500w-rms-mono-subwoofer-amplif ier.aspx
Alpine MRX-F30 50W RMS X 4
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_34359_Alpine-MRX-F30.html
 

Gold Member
Username: Joe1234

Post Number: 1191
Registered: May-09
Well the MRP-Mxxxx series had overheating issues frequently, so I am careful when advising Alpine for subwoofer amps, I recommend researching a lot the specific model before deciding on it, as for the 4 channel I see no problems with it, would choose over Pioneer easily.

MB Quart compare very well with any good mainstream amplifiers being very inexpensive at the same time, I have not performed A/B tests with an Alpine to give a definitive answer. But sure do reliable and rated power and in many cases are being used with higher end speakers with success (there's an example with HATs & a Stereo Integrity sub threads below).

Anything from Alpine is good to excellent mainstream stuff if you don't mind paying extra can't go wrong with them.
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