I couldn't sleep last night so I sat down and went through a Crutchfield to design a total system, with just crutchfield parts for under $1000 that I would buy If I was just starting out. Well its a little more then 1000 but I think it would do damn well.

Deck: Kenwood KDC-4019
- 3 pre outs and Sirus capable.
Front Speaker: Infinity Reference 5752cf
Rear Speakers: Infinity Reference 6952i, I have a MP3, adjust to 6 1/2 reference speakers for the P5
Sub: Alpine SW-1241 12" type S
Box: 1.25 cu ft 12" Q-logic box
Amp: Kenwood KAC-749S 4 channel, front channel to front speakers and rear channel bridged to sub
Wiring: 4 Guage street wires wiring kit
RCAs: 2 sets Zero noise 2 16 ft

All this came to $1015

For the bass hungry a later upgrade could be

another SW-1241 Type S 12"
dual 12" Q-logic box
another set of 16 foot rcas
10 ft of 8 guauge power and ground wire
An Alpine MRD-300 for the subs at a 2 ohm load and the rear chanels of the kenwood go to the rear speakers.
This will cost about $675

For the SQ minded a good upgrade would be:
Front speakers: A pair of infinity kappa 5 1/4 components which will fit in any 5x7 opening
60 ft of speaker wire to run into the doors
Sub amp: Kenwood KAC-729S for the sub
the 749 would be bridged to the front speakers only giving each component set 120 watts
Rear speaker ould be run off the deck.
This costs about $500


Enjoy

 

yeah. you should be able to find much better prices than crotchfield. i like them but they still can't compete with EBAY. i know you can find plenty of brand new stuff on there.

 

1. 8 guage kits are useless. For only $25 dollars more you can get the 4 guage kit and be able to do some very nice upgrades without running new wire. Part of my little exercise here was to come up with an expandable system not an end all.

2. The Zero noise RCAs I listed are by no means the expensive at only $22 dollars for 16 feet infact they are the second cheapest.

3. My self appointed task was to use crutchfield becuase of there wide selection, decent customer service, excellect references, if you need them and their reputatiuon. Other internet companies will be cheaper but they won't aid a newbie installer or have step by step liturature to disassembling any car. Aslo many internet resellers are not authorized to sell the products they carry, these guys can be identified by if they sell JL or MB Quart since neither company authorizes internet sales. You can check their website for that info.

4. Blaupunkt has been one of the laughing stocks of car audio since the early 80's back when Pioneer ruled the came. Their equipment is still shotty at best.

If you don't agree with my choices, thats cool, find another retailer and make your own reccommended list for under $1000 that includes all needed equipment, and provides as much as possible while still being upgradeable with little to no waste.

 

Your right and damn neer all of it is stolen, much like about $2000 dollars worth of equipment that was taken from our store. NOt to mention it comes with no warrenty and is not likely to work.

 

i highly doubt all the equipment on ebay is stolen. there are plenty of retailers who can sell stuff online for good prices that STILL offer the man. warranty.

 

I know 3 IASCA judges all with the same impression of Bluapunkt as mine and have met several others that are dip ***** through and through. Also remember 2 things about IASCA 1, they are formed by manufactures which is why they alot of BS rules that are simply for increasing revenues secondly they are basicly dead and have begun a ground up rebuild. they haven't been able to pay out the prize money they owe people in over a year. Speaking of IASCA based on the curent draw form the amps I have listed IASCA would require 4 quage not to mention these are starter systems even with the add ons. I wouldn't buy this Kenwood either, In fact with all of the BS manufactures are throwing into decks these days I would probably go Nak or Eclipse but neither would be adventagous to a starter system. I agree if you need step by step instruction you shouldnt be installing but most people don't think this way when there green in the industry so Crutchfield is a great safety net. This system is not one for myslef it is one for the newbie that has $1000 to spend and wants a good direction and a great started.

Being a compeditor doesn't mean much other then you pay some money and go to competitions. I know several compeditors some are great some suck. Bluapunkt may have redone their products and image but so has Panasonic, doesn't mean I'd buy them. Technologies are Bullshit right off the bat. Its time that proves usefullness not a new idea. JL, Eclipse, Alpine, BA, Matts and every other manufacture claims technology superiority. Being a compeditor you know that when its all said and done its not usualy the equipment that makes the differences its the install and the installer.

 

onehawaiian loves blaupunkt. while ppl were laughing, blau made huge gains in their turnaround and now those that were laughing are starting to look at the sompany that pioneered car audio again.

i think the first post was just to help those along who thought about upgrading but didn't know where to begin. i didn't see it as this was the only way to go, but really as a starting point. crutchfield is a decent place to start as they have nice range of products. i dond't think he meant it to be the only place to get car audio for under $1000,just throwing out suggestions.

anyhoo, just thought i'd share...

 

What is the name of the organization that regulates and sanctions all mobile audio manufacturers claims?

Their is none, unless you've personaly tested the equipment I remain sceptical. This is why alpine and other comapnies can claim a 60x4 output on there HU. As far as I have seen Eclipse is the only company I know isn't full of **** on their specs hell they have a deck that throws out 16V the next model down does 8 and the next 5. Shitloads claim 5 volts now. Hell there were only a few decks that could ever realy do 4.

Also as of the last few years have you ever seen a bad review. I haven't according to most recent test every product is great. We both know half those reviews are complete crap. A product can do great on a meter, an RTA and a hord of other equipment but none of it means a damn thing when compared to the ear.

I don't hate blupunkt I simply don't give a damn about them. They could have a few products with good stat, I don't realy care. Their stuff may not die constantrly anymore, fine. BUt they are no different then most other manufactures claiming to invent technologies and be a leader

Running 8 when for almost no more $ you can run 4 is just dumb unless you know you'll never upgrade. According to IASCAs wiring chart aa 13-16 ft run of the amperage those 2 amps will draw will require 6 guage and if any total run is over that, will be since their is more then 1 amp then the guage must go to 4, you can see it for yourself at mobileaudio.com or pick up any of the MECP
manuals.

DO you have any pics on line of your system? I am assuming you run for DB with the constant box changing. Or you just have a very solid front stage that doesn't require attention.

Oh, by the way I didn't list Zero Noise 2.0 just 2. The 2s are $22.99 they are listed as #211ZN250

 

That was the intention, all sharing is welcome.

 

As far a company rating products I see alot of them way over rating their wattage voltage and wattage output. Its not false advertising unless they 1 get called on to prove it and it is unabtainable. Example, we both know that Jensen and Sony and even alot of other reputable brands are inflating stat such as a Jenson $89 amp claiming 300 watts, NO ******* WAY. The only time it will be close is when iot is about to explode and throwing out som much distortion that any driver hooked up to it is long since dead. The MES at my store made a good comparision of this type of crap. There are engineering specs and there are marketing specs. Engineering specs such as a HU stating 13x4 is relistic power that can be cleanly used, becuase to anyone truely involved if its not functional then it not real. Marketing on the other hand has only one purpose make claims that make stupid people by their products. I can't even count how many dip ***** come into my the Tweeter I work at and refer to amps by their BS power claims. One kid the other day told me he had the kenwood 450. I of coarse know their is no such thing so he went into the sound room to show me and damned if he didn't point to the Kenwood 819 that has 450 written in big *** font acrossed it. Alot of these twits realy believe they are getting an awsonme deal by buying these out right lies. I'm just pissed by how infected alpine has become with this. I have an Audio control EQ which has a 2 volt and 5 volt LED on it telling you what voltage it is overall pumping out from the head. My $700 Alpine didn't even blink the 2 volt light until 30 on the volume, ofcoarse I keep all the BBE and Bass totaly off since I am running SQ but this is simply bullshit for a company to claim 4 volt outputs and not beable to deliver anything cloe without boosting circuits that only throw distortion.

 

If you haven't upgraded you alternator, a 200 amp motorsport alternator can actualy be made to fit into the Protege. I had one put into my MP3 then I ran 1/0 to it. I keep a running voltage over 14.4 volts without the system, the 14.4 is according to my Tsunami battery distrobution top. I know its common with SQ amps like my Xtant X1001 but do any of the SPL amps run regulated power supplies to aviod problem on slight voltage drops?

 

Yes, I agree. And it seems that many units are designed to be used only with "boosting mode" (BBE, loudness) and all that stuff. If you don't turn those features on, everything sounds like crap.