new sound system wanted.. advice needed
 

I'm tired of my wal mart special head unit... I want to upgrade to something nice

I really want a Mcintosh.. but I've got Blaupunkt money


I noticed blaupunkt has MP3 only head units with iPod inputs

anyone have any experience with them?

I also plan on adding an amp, decent sub, as well as 4 new speakers

suggestions? I don't want to cut into the dash or anything.. so it must fit the stock size and be able to deliver..

If you really want McIntosh, you should get McIntosh. Great stuff. I would just wait a little longer and save up. Check out eBay. You can get a nice used one for a half the cost of new.

I personally would go with the McIntosh...you'll probably always regret you didnt get it once you bought something else.

McIntosh? You mean like the tube amp McIntoshes for home use? I wasn't aware there was anything like that.

I have a sony with the USB slot. It's very nice not having to tote CD's around when you have a 4 gig card to fit all that music on...

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/

Bam...

Daggone! now I've learned something new today.

I too, wanted a McIntosh for my whip.... They are tons of dough though, and in the area where I go to school, it would most likely be ripped off....



So, I settled for a Pioneer Premier. Great sound, better security, as its got a removable faceplate....

dont forget a 4 Channel Amp. It will blow your mind how much better it sounds with the 4 channel amp.

THANK YOU, no one else believes me when I say that. HU power sucks, for lack of a better term. Limited vocal range, high distortion, low power.



Start with a quality source unit. 4-8v preouts, no internal power (just creates heat you don't want), etc, etc. Basically you'll end up having a nice DSP. Pio Premier, Eclipse, Alpine, Ken eXcelon, etc. I have some crazy stuff, Alpine 7998 and a Pio Premier P98R in a few rides.

I use JL, Kicker, and Precision Power amplifiers... old stuff. The PPI stuff I use are either Art Series (A404 for example is a KILLER 50x4) or Sedona. JL's Slash series have been pounding in three of my vehicles for years. Kicker ZR line is fantastic. I SERIOUSLY doubt you'll tell the difference between 0.03% and 0.003% or the specs on the McI amplifiers. You WILL tell on a 7% distortion headunit and a .03% amplifier.

Choose your drivers... don't worry about the power capacity, that's based on full range. Cross them off and power capacity skyrockets. I have some ~40rms drivers being pounded by 150rms... been that way for years. 50Hz is great for those 6.5" drivers with 24dB/oct with you are running a woofer. Any steeper and the curve is less natural, 12dB is better for no woofer.

$150 worth of speakers can and do sound fantastic with a small 35-60x4 amplifier. Alpines sound good for the cash, JL's do, Bostons, etc. Just listen to some at a Hi-Fi shop in an enclosed room to get an idea. Bring all types of tunes you listen to for the best idea. Verify their return policy incase the drivers do not live up to your standards in vehicle.

10-12" tends to be fine for bass. I prefer the 12" for a bit more surface area and without the distortion of larger drivers. I run JL and Eclipse woofers.

Cables and such... just run stuff that's high quality. You don't need $25/foot RCA cables.

I run Sony amps, a Sony XM ready head unit, Infinity Kappa separates and Infinity 10's for the bass. It is clear at low volumes and will run me out of the car at 11. [Spinal Tap reference for 40 points]

Don,

Unless your stock speakers are physically damaged, save the money spent replacing them and get a 4-channel amp instead. As others have stated, you'll be amazed how good the stock will sound, they are decent speakers - the problem is insufficient amp power. The HU - any HU - doesn't have enough power, period.

I used a 4-channel Alpine amp for my stock speakers in my 300E and it completely changed them. I added a sub and another Alpine amp to the trunk and the system sounded great.