Hi

I have a decent system at home (Arcam amps, Vandy speakers, Hsu sub).

Thinking of making my car too sound better. Acura Integra GSR 1997
hatchback, with a Pioneer Premier Single CD player and stock speakers
(I believe).

Currently thinking best bang for buck is adding a subwoofer.

So question is what should I get, size, #, type, brand etc (and after
that what amp).

I went to a local car audio shop and they suggested two 8" Kicker C8's
for $200 with enclosure, amp etc.

I am not familiar with car audio brands so wanted to get an idea of
good brands.

I value musicality #1, accuracy #2, and no boominess.

What brands provide good bang for buck and prioritize quality ? second
question is how to then choose an amp.

Thanks

Shriram

You need good power to good speakers in the front, leave the rears alone and
very good power to a sub, it all depends on the $$$ you have to spend, since
you have some relatively expensive home stuff you should expect to spend
similarly for car gear.

Go listen at a few shops, buy it cheaper online, and have it installed
unless you are a do it yourselfer, you get what you pay for......so expect
to pay handsomely if you wish to replicate your home system, expect to pay a
little less if you just want an overall improvement....

"Shriram" wrote in message
om...
Hi

I have a decent system at home (Arcam amps, Vandy speakers, Hsu sub).

Thinking of making my car too sound better. Acura Integra GSR 1997
hatchback, with a Pioneer Premier Single CD player and stock speakers
(I believe).

Currently thinking best bang for buck is adding a subwoofer.

So question is what should I get, size, #, type, brand etc (and after
that what amp).

I went to a local car audio shop and they suggested two 8" Kicker C8's
for $200 with enclosure, amp etc.

I am not familiar with car audio brands so wanted to get an idea of
good brands.

I value musicality #1, accuracy #2, and no boominess.

What brands provide good bang for buck and prioritize quality ? second
question is how to then choose an amp.

Thanks

Shriram

Listen to as many sub installations as you can. Listening to them in
the demo board is only marginally usefull because it won't take in
account vehicle acoustics.

What's your budget?
What kinds of music do you listen to?
How loud do you listen to your tunes? loud enough to wake the
neighborhood? ot just loud enough to be heard over ambient noise?
How much trunk space are you willing to sacrifice for an enclosure?
Are you willing to do any of the install yourself?
Are you against ebay or mail order houses?
Is weight a concern?
Do you care about beand name recognition?

Garrett...

Shriram wrote:

Hi

I have a decent system at home (Arcam amps, Vandy speakers, Hsu sub).

Thinking of making my car too sound better. Acura Integra GSR 1997
hatchback, with a Pioneer Premier Single CD player and stock speakers
(I believe).

Currently thinking best bang for buck is adding a subwoofer.

So question is what should I get, size, #, type, brand etc (and after
that what amp).

I went to a local car audio shop and they suggested two 8" Kicker C8's
for $200 with enclosure, amp etc.

I am not familiar with car audio brands so wanted to get an idea of
good brands.

I value musicality #1, accuracy #2, and no boominess.

What brands provide good bang for buck and prioritize quality ? second
question is how to then choose an amp.

Thanks

Shriram

sanitarium wrote:

Listen to as many sub installations as you can. Listening to them in
the demo board is only marginally usefull because it won't take in
account vehicle acoustics.

While this is certainly true; listening to installed systems won't take into
account of system install/tune capability (or individual vehicle acoustic
characteristics except (maybe) for cars other than the model you own.)

So true... Its really impossible to know exactly how a particular sub
will sound in-car. unless you are listening to the exact same system in
the same vehicle. There are just so many variables.

Garrett

Nousaine wrote:

sanitarium wrote:



Listen to as many sub installations as you can. Listening to them in
the demo board is only marginally usefull because it won't take in
account vehicle acoustics.



While this is certainly true; listening to installed systems won't take into
account of system install/tune capability (or individual vehicle acoustic
characteristics except (maybe) for cars other than the model you own.)

That's why you buy ebay! Sell it if you don't like it.

"sanitarium" wrote in message
...
So true... Its really impossible to know exactly how a particular sub
will sound in-car. unless you are listening to the exact same system in
the same vehicle. There are just so many variables.

Garrett

Nousaine wrote:

sanitarium wrote:



Listen to as many sub installations as you can. Listening to them in
the demo board is only marginally usefull because it won't take in
account vehicle acoustics.



While this is certainly true; listening to installed systems won't take
into
account of system install/tune capability (or individual vehicle acoustic
characteristics except (maybe) for cars other than the model you own.)

a sub will definitely cover the lower octaves, but unlike a house, th
small enclosure (aka car) will reinforce the lowest octaves (dependin
upon the car, circa 80 hz down for a small car, 50 hz and down for
bigger car), so you don't need a big sub, or many of them if you ar
into sq (sound quality) and not spl (sound pressure level, aka boom).
a single good 8 or 10 with 100-200 watts in a sealed box is all yo
need. for a sub, you will need an amp. a single good 4 channel am
would work best. 2 channels to power the front speakers and the othe
2 channels bridged to drive the sub. there are many good manufacturer
out the mtx, jl audio, and rockford are good ones that make amps an
subs. this is not an exhaustive list by any means and everyone ha
they're own personal faves. look into some front speakers as soon a
possible, the sound will improve dramatically. as an audiophile yo
know the sound you like (i prefer meadowlark audio to vandes, but stil
time aligned and first order x-overs, and tubes to ss), so i reall
can't tell you what to look for, so listen to all you can, and read th
magazines of course. oh, and welcome to the world of auto audiophilia
a hobby (almost) as expenive as home audiphilia. peace, jp

-
jpswanber
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