Hey guys, I'm looking to get a good amp-speaker combo (front, front tweeters, and back). I drive a 99 Integra, and I love the look of my stock HU.. talk about sleeper, anyway I dont want to upgrade it but I want better speakers.. I believe I need an amp since the HU won't be able to power the speakers... Am I right?

Can anyone recommend a good amp/speaker combo for the integra? Not looking for all bass, but a good mix of everything (clear, deep, not raspy if I turn up the vol.)

Anyone? Anyone? Beuler? Ferris?

Alex -who is destroying his stock speakers one drive at a time

 

Put in an amp and you'll be much happier with the sound.

Take a listen to the infinity reference series (smoother because of the silk dome tweets) they are prob my fav speaker for the price/performance ratio

if you like the sound of aluminum tweets you can also look at the Infinity Kappas, MB Quarts, or the infinity Perfect components (too harsh..rather get Focal polykevs for the money)

As for amps, try looking at 4 chan amps in the 50w x 4 @ 4ohm rms range. stay away from sony, look into alpine, or fosgate power series (nicer crossovers...dont bother with punch for 4 chan)

-Rage

 

if u really want to power the front speakers with an amp, i would consider getting component speakers. Component speakers consist of a mid range woofer and a tweeter.

Component speakers need to be powered by an amp. Now some good component speakers are infinity perfects, jbl, mb quarts, boston accoustic and polk momos(kinda expensive). Some good 2/4 channel amps out there are Kicker, alpine, and kenwood exceleron.

If you are going to go with this setup, I would suggest on getting a new Head Unit.

Now if you want something as a replacement from the stock speakers and keep your head unit, then i'd get regular coaxle speakers. The brands listed above would do greatly.

But I would recommend that you get an after market head unit and replace your speakers. They supply more power to speakers and give better control on upgrades to your system, because your factory receiver most likely does not have RCA outputs; therefore, you must use a inline converter to connect an amp.




[Modified by gokuson, 2:17 PM 8/8/2002]

 

unless your new amp has speaker level/high level inputs your going to have to get an inline converter so that your wire signals are converted to RCA outputs for your amp.. these cost about $20 and you'll take a little hit in sound quality but if you really want to keep your stock unit it'll have to do.. I would get a new head unit though.. that Nakamichi unit is it Z45 or 45Z looks kind of stock....

anyway I have Infinity Kappa Components, they sound pretty good and don't cost that much (I got them for $269 way back/few years ago) their less now... make sure the amp you get is able to supply the recommended RMS for whatever speakers you decide to get... I have an Alpine amp powering my mids and tweets and a PPI amp for my subs... so you might look into those too... not sure how much u want to spend..

 

first for the advice..

Would this amp do a good job of powering the back, front speakers and tweeters?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-2J4EfsI....asp?i=575550X

I'm liking the Infinity speakers, is the Infinity Perfect Component series worth the $ or should I just go for the Infinity Kappa or Reference series. Also If I buy a component package, i'll still need rear speakers right? What are good deep bass speakers for the rear? I usually fade my music to the rear a little bit and turn it up louder, sounds better.

That Nakamichi CD-45Z looks really good!


Is there any way to bypass getting an inline converter so I don't take a hit in sound quality? I don't want subs, or a new HU, just a good speaker/amp combo. Trying to keep the total under $1000..

Alex - who his stock HU

 

that amp would work just fine. for the money though it wouldnt be my first choice.

ive never listened to them but most people seem to agree that infinity perfects arn't worth the money. if you're not planning to run subs id suggest trying to cram in as large of speakers as you can... maybe a 7" comp set in the front and maybe 6x9's in the rear.
i dunno how easy it'd be to get those size speakers into an integra but a 6.5" coaxial generally is gonna be pretty weak under 60 hz


pretty well your only options are to buy an amp with speaker level inputs or to use a line out converter. id go with the l.o.c but that might be more personal preference than anything.

 

hmm power wise that amp should be OK but for $400 you have other alternatives.. I really haven't looked into buying stuff for about 2 years.. so maybe someone else can supply you w/ some specific model numbers as I haven't looked at audio stuff since around 2000/2001....

if you want to keep your stock unit theres really nothing you can do.. either get an amp w/ speaker level inputs or get the inline converter/RCA converter... I'd suggest you wire and run the converter so that its in your dash.. then run the RCA's from there to the trunk where your amp is... that way when you DO decide to replace your stock deck (or you get the dreaded PE-0 error that my ex gf's car got THREE times) and you decide to get a new deck.. your RCA cabling is already run and you just plug and play the new deck (w/ RCA pre-outs) into the existing RCA cables which you've already run (less labor).. or maybe I'm just lazy Lolz..

as for the Infinity Perfects.. I can't comment on their Perfect components I've only heard the subs... Infinity's aren't really known for great bass though (at least not my Kappa component and rears).. or maybe I'm expecting too much cuz I'm used to 12" subs... but to me they aren't all that great for bass...

 

JL Audio 300/4. I put one into my friends R a while back off the OEM deck and it sounded pretty good.

The JL amps have a switch for a high level input using the RCA inputs, negating the use of a line level adaptors. You just take a pair of RCA cables, cut one end and solder/connect it to the speaker leads off the deck. It works better this way and it is one less component for the signal to transfer through. If you do use a amp that requires a line level, use a good one like soundgate's OEM4A.

OEM decks really aren't that bad. If I found someone with a OEM CD player for sale for cheap, I'd consider putting it into my car.

But as a generalization, car audio is 15% equipment and 85% install. It's all in proper installation and how you tune the system (gains, xo points).




[Modified by dc24me, 10:51 PM 8/8/2002]