i know there are many stereo threads....

[cmy_bimmer]

ok, i just wanted to know a simple answer,

say if i have a 50x4 watt aftermarket stereo, and have 50 watt speakers all around. will the built in amplifier of the stereo be pushing the speakers, or will the stock amp be pushing the speakers? ive had experience with stereo's for a while always swapping speakers in and out of my car. all i know is more wattage, more power in some cases and set-ups but i dont know the seperation of wattage through speakers.

just a simple question, and how do you guys like JVC? i know, i know there are MANY brands that can out perform it, but i got a steal deal getting a brand new one for only $25 :sabrina: so i couldnt pass it. i am currently borrowing my friends blaupunkt stereo (for all you guys who know what happened to my old one) and its working pretty well but its an old model and im not too fond of blaupunkt.

sorry for writing too much, but you get the jist of it. thx

[E36 Phantom]

ok, i just wanted to know a simple answer,

say if i have a 50x4 watt aftermarket stereo, and have 50 watt speakers all around. will the built in amplifier of the stereo be pushing the speakers, or will the stock amp be pushing the speakers? ive had experience with stereo's for a while always swapping speakers in and out of my car. all i know is more wattage, more power in some cases and set-ups but i dont know the seperation of wattage through speakers.

just a simple question, and how do you guys like JVC? i know, i know there are MANY brands that can out perform it, but i got a steal deal getting a brand new one for only $25 :sabrina: so i couldnt pass it. i am currently borrowing my friends blaupunkt stereo (for all you guys who know what happened to my old one) and its working pretty well but its an old model and im not too fond of blaupunkt.

sorry for writing too much, but you get the jist of it. thx

It depends how you have it wired. If you don't know, then the stock amp is driving it. Neither the onboard amp nor the stock amp are really any good. The onboard amp is probably marginally better than the stock amp. But, that means extra wiring. You'd need to create a harness to mate with the one coming from the stock amp to the speaker, and make the new harness come from the HU to mate with the harness to the speakers.

Really, if it's in your budget, the best deal here is to get an HU that supports low-level outputs (RCA) and jut run heavily insulated RCAs down to the trunk, and run a good 4 channel amp off of the RCAs. Even better if you get an HU with a pre-out for a separate sub. Then you can run the amps off the RCAs and plug the stock line levels from the 4-ch to the stock speakers.

Forgot to add,
More wattage = more power to push the driver from the magnet. Doesn't necessarily mean better sound. But you need to have the right combo. If you've got speakers with powerful magnets that are designed for powerful amps, and have a weak amp pushing them, it'll sound distorted because it won't have enough excursion.

JVC is TRASH. Not a Blaupunkt fan either. Hate Sony. Dual is a joke. For HUs, Pioneer & Alpine generally make the best sounding ones available to the average consumer. Kenwood's aren't good, but for the price they usually have a lot of features. It's what I ran. Nothing special, but not as good as Pioneer or Alpine. If you're serious about a system, Nakamichi makes some amazing HUs.

[cmy_bimmer]

It depends how you have it wired. If you don't know, then the stock amp is driving it. Neither the onboard amp nor the stock amp are really any good. The onboard amp is probably marginally better than the stock amp. But, that means extra wiring. You'd need to create a harness to mate with the one coming from the stock amp to the speaker, and make the new harness come from the HU to mate with the harness to the speakers.

Really, if it's in your budget, the best deal here is to get an HU that supports low-level outputs (RCA) and jut run heavily insulated RCAs down to the trunk, and run a good 4 channel amp off of the RCAs. Even better if you get an HU with a pre-out for a separate sub. Then you can run the amps off the RCAs and plug the stock line levels from the 4-ch to the stock speakers.

Forgot to add,
More wattage = more power to push the driver from the magnet. Doesn't necessarily mean better sound. But you need to have the right combo. If you've got speakers with powerful magnets that are designed for powerful amps, and have a weak amp pushing them, it'll sound distorted because it won't have enough excursion.

JVC is TRASH. Not a Blaupunkt fan either. Hate Sony. Dual is a joke. For HUs, Pioneer & Alpine generally make the best sounding ones available to the average consumer. Kenwood's aren't good, but for the price they usually have a lot of features. It's what I ran. Nothing special, but not as good as Pioneer or Alpine. If you're serious about a system, Nakamichi makes some amazing HUs.

well ok, the first two paragraphs didnt make any sense to me (not the write up, but the material covered). isnt the stock speakers already hooked up tp the stock amp, so once you hook up the stereo it will automatically hook up with the amp? im pretty sure i read that totally wrong.

i know JVC is trash but you gotta admit 25 is nothing, it will hold me untill i get a nice deal on a pioneer or a dash (whatever you call it). i actually HATE dual. i would never purchace one. Oh ay, as a side question/opinion, i might get Jenson speakers for the kick panels. they are 50 watt RMS.

[bboyvek]

+1 on Pioneer, Alpine, Nakamichi, and also clarion and eclipse as well.

Most likely your running out of your stock amp. YOu mentioned 50w speakers, you changed the stock speakers?

[cmy_bimmer]

+1 on Pioneer, Alpine, Nakamichi, and also clarion and eclipse as well.

Most likely your running out of your stock amp. YOu mentioned 50w speakers, you changed the stock speakers?

im planning on changing them because my stock one's rubber rings are ALL rings so all i hear is rattling nise from the speakers :(.

[bboyvek]

ic. so have you already bought new ones?
Im asking coz the stock amplifier wont get you the best sound out of them, the amp has active crossovers built in that many times wont work well with a set of speakers but they may sound better than what you have now tho..

[the_brouhaha]

bavariansoundwerks.com

Thats where my speakers came from. They sound super clean, you heard them today. Sounds like you got sub's in the back.

[cmy_bimmer]

No, I didn't buy the speakers yet. U wanna give me the specs I'm supposed to get for the stock amp.

Yea and bro how much did u pay for those speakers? That had sume nice bass?

[E36 Phantom]

Don't like Clarion either. Eclipse is aight. Jensen is also total trash. For speakers - Boston Acoustics, Infinity, Alpine, MB Quart, some Pioneer, and other various good brands that don't come to mind immediately.

If you absolutely can't swing buying an HU now, then sure, $25 is a good deal. But it's still $25 more than just buying the one you really want.

What I was saying in my first paragraphs is this: when you hook up the wires to your new HU, those wires will be going to the stock amp in the trunk. The amp will do whatever it wants to the signal, then send it out again to the speakers. So if you're giving the stock amp 50W signal, but the stock amp can only send out 15W signal, guess what your speakers will be getting? (I'll give you a hint - it's not 50 :)). You'd need to do one of the things I mentioned to remedy this.

I'll try to make a "diagram." The arrows are the signal going through the wires.

STOCK:
Head Unit (unamplified) -----> Stock Amp (amplified, 15W) -----> Speakers (output, 15W)

When you just drop in a new HU:
Head Unit (amplified, 50W) ------> Stock Amp (amplified, 15W) -----> Speakers (output, 15W)

What you need to do for a new amp setup:
Head Unit (amplified, 50W) ------> Aftermarket Amp (amplified, xxW) -----> Speakers (output, xxW)

Or, what you'd need to do to properly use the HU's amp:
Head Unit (amplified, 50W) ------> {connector} (no change in amplification or signal) ------> Speakers (output, 50W)

Basically, just putting a connector to connect the 2 harnesses where the stock amp previously was. That's a hell of a lot easier than rewiring the whole car to get speakers directly from the HU. And, you can easily swap the OEM amp back in. The connector just joins the input (from head unit to OEM amp) and output (from OEM amp to speakers) so you don't have to rewire things. Hope that makes sense.

And the stock speakers have foam surrounds, not rubber. That's why they deteriorate like that ;).

[the_brouhaha]

No, I didn't buy the speakers yet. U wanna give me the specs I'm supposed to get for the stock amp.

Yea and bro how much did u pay for those speakers? That had sume nice bass?

The stage 1 upgrade kit is 499.99 for everything, then you gotta buy a 25 dollar tool kit, then you're good to go, everything is plug and play. You just gotta have some patience.

It sounds nice, I got the uprgraded "business cd" stereo with the cd changer in the front, and it is ipod intergration ready but thats annother 2 hundo.

But it sounds really clean for sure, I'd go with that, its a bit pricey, but its very nice.

[cmy_bimmer]

Don't like Clarion either. Eclipse is aight. Jensen is also total trash. For speakers - Boston Acoustics, Infinity, Alpine, MB Quart, some Pioneer, and other various good brands that don't come to mind immediately.

If you absolutely can't swing buying an HU now, then sure, $25 is a good deal. But it's still $25 more than just buying the one you really want.

What I was saying in my first paragraphs is this: when you hook up the wires to your new HU, those wires will be going to the stock amp in the trunk. The amp will do whatever it wants to the signal, then send it out again to the speakers. So if you're giving the stock amp 50W signal, but the stock amp can only send out 15W signal, guess what your speakers will be getting? (I'll give you a hint - it's not 50 :)). You'd need to do one of the things I mentioned to remedy this.

I'll try to make a "diagram." The arrows are the signal going through the wires.

STOCK:
Head Unit (unamplified) -----> Stock Amp (amplified, 15W) -----> Speakers (output, 15W)

When you just drop in a new HU:
Head Unit (amplified, 50W) ------> Stock Amp (amplified, 15W) -----> Speakers (output, 15W)

What you need to do for a new amp setup:
Head Unit (amplified, 50W) ------> Aftermarket Amp (amplified, xxW) -----> Speakers (output, xxW)

Or, what you'd need to do to properly use the HU's amp:
Head Unit (amplified, 50W) ------> {connector} (no change in amplification or signal) ------> Speakers (output, 50W)

Basically, just putting a connector to connect the 2 harnesses where the stock amp previously was. That's a hell of a lot easier than rewiring the whole car to get speakers directly from the HU. And, you can easily swap the OEM amp back in. The connector just joins the input (from head unit to OEM amp) and output (from OEM amp to speakers) so you don't have to rewire things. Hope that makes sense.

And the stock speakers have foam surrounds, not rubber. That's why they deteriorate like that ;).

Ok, makes mucho more sense. So If I want to hook up my 4x1000 watt amp for example (I do have one by the way but its generic, Road Rage... Never heard of it) to my speakers, do I have to splice into the wires going to the stock amp? That's the only way I could think of.

[E36 Phantom]

It would be best if you could make a harness that would fir the OEM BMW ones. Or, just a use a T-tap so the original wires could still be directly plugged back into the stock amp when you're done with your amp. It will make taking your system with you a lot easier.

[jelizondo_20]

I just bought a Dual head unitfrom crutchfield, which didnt work when I got it. If I only knew about this forum before I bought it...

[E36 Phantom]

I just bought a Dual head unitfrom crutchfield, which didnt work when I got it. If I only knew about this forum before I bought it...

Meh. I'm always wary of things with low price tags. Dual sells (or they did last time I saw them) pairs of high wattage 6.5" speakers for $29.99. That should be a giveaway. Same with the HU's. They sell headunits with flip out LCD screens and DVD players for the same price other brands start their basic models at. If that doesn't tell you to run, I don't know what does.

[FenderBender]

Phantom, you should like you know a good bit about stereos.

I just bought an Alpine IDA X-100. Any word on those? And I got it used, only $150, retail $400

Also, I'm getting two Alpine Type R 12's. What's a good amp to run with those? One that won't kill my wallet. Combined they'll be 3000W.

Then I want to replace my speakers, also thinking of going with Alpine. Suggestions? Then probably a new amp to power those as well.

[cmy_bimmer]

It would be best if you could make a harness that would fir the OEM BMW ones. Or, just a use a T-tap so the original wires could still be directly plugged back into the stock amp when you're done with your amp. It will make taking your system with you a lot easier.

Oh yea I totally forgot about the t-tap. Isn't it like this sorta clip that you clip the wire with and then add the extra wire to it from another spout? Yea that'll do better than cutting.

Haha, yep it gets a little irritating when people post problematic issues after you just went through it and learned the hard way. Happens a lot.

[bimmerbarbie]

If you don't like the steal deal you got, don't forget you can always check out the MSRP on it and sell it on craigslist for much more than you paid for it. In that case, I'd keep it in the box, not even install it, then use the money you make off of it to buy the one you really like.

As for brands....... I like Kicker comp stuff, sounds great with all the same components, and pretty good with decent quality components if you don't want to spring for the entire system. Infinity is my choice for speakers. Eclipse and Clarion are great, but whats the point in paying so much if you aren't going for sound comps, and you can get almost as decent quality sound from the less expensive units? Clarity in tone is what I go for, not how loud I can hit. If that's what you're looking for, then get used to rattling.

Oh, and with wiring harnesses.... check online before you go to your local sound shop. Much better prices.

[cmy_bimmer]

Yea I checked online and it goes for like 70-80 bucks. Still worth it, yea I might sell and rebuy. I'm also a big fan of kicker.

[bboyvek]

Don't like Clarion.
wow, hold it right there. Clarion have really high end hu's. What you dont like about them?
the ability to run 3/4 way active? time aligment?? they have some affordable entry level units too with great sound...

http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-DRZ9255-Alignment-Parametric-Crossover/dp/B000QF7822/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1230313937&sr=1-6

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=896836-2-0-ARTICLE-rss_dealnews_today&Item=N82E16882647014&nm_mc=AFC-DealNews&cm_mmc=AFC-DealNews-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA


The stage 1 upgrade kit is 499.99 for everything, then you gotta buy a 25 dollar tool kit, then you're good to go, everything is plug and play. You just gotta have some patience.

It sounds nice, I got the uprgraded "business cd" stereo with the cd changer in the front, and it is ipod intergration ready but thats annother 2 hundo.

But it sounds really clean for sure, I'd go with that, its a bit pricey, but its very nice.

the beauty of BSW speakers its that they are built for your stock amp crossovers points and THEY ARE PLUG AND PLAY.. You can do a lot better for your money tho...

Phantom, you should like you know a good bit about stereos.

I just bought an Alpine IDA X-100. Any word on those? And I got it used, only $150, retail $400

Also, I'm getting two Alpine Type R 12's. What's a good amp to run with those? One that won't kill my wallet. Combined they'll be 3000W.

Then I want to replace my speakers, also thinking of going with Alpine. Suggestions? Then probably a new amp to power those as well.

Alpine is always a win win. Many dont like any of their products, other only like their amps, other their hu's... alpine alrite but not regard as a high end brand except of course for their incredible expensive F1 line...

Alpine type R comps sound fine yet if you have more money their type x pro sound great..

[bimmerbarbie]

I know this sounds wrong, but if you're thinking about selling and rebuying, list it on craigslist as willing to trade for whatever brand you decide on. Sometimes you'll get lucky and get an idiot that doesn't realize what they have/you have.

Clarion is awesome, but do you really need that many options if all you're going for is crisp sound? I'd go with Eclipse if you want to pay out the nose. But yeah, the HU is where you should spend the most, in my opinion. If you have a strong HU with the options you like, you can usually get away with not so great components and still have a decent sound. Then when you've saved a bit, resell the components and buy the upgrades.

And Alpine? Yuck! Trash! At least in my experience, haven't liked a thing they've made. Maybe the upper level series, but if they make icky intermediate level, sorry but they lose my trust when it comes to the upper level.

[BoomKing]

Phantom, you should like you know a good bit about stereos.

I just bought an Alpine IDA X-100. Any word on those? And I got it used, only $150, retail $400

Also, I'm getting two Alpine Type R 12's. What's a good amp to run with those? One that won't kill my wallet. Combined they'll be 3000W.

Then I want to replace my speakers, also thinking of going with Alpine. Suggestions? Then probably a new amp to power those as well.



OK dude. IDA is a digital head unit, good for running an ipod. but IMO it looks RETARDED. You'll like it though. Alpine is a great company, but they are sell outs.

as for the 2 type rs. YOU ONLY NEED 1!!!! type r's are power hungry beasts. I know people that will run 1400 rms to one of them daily. Get 1 and build yourself a ported box and it will rattle your e36 to pieces. (I know from experience)

There are many many many amplifiers out there to run. Tell me your budget and ill find you the best bang for your buck. (I have a kicker amp 850w@4ohm for 240 shipped if interested haha:rofl:)

Alpine speakers are ok. I suggest going w/ phoenix gold. They are inexpensive and very high quality for the price. just PM me for some more info.

Also, take your stereo threads here (www.caraudio.com/forums)

Just be careful cause the guys on that site will tear you a new one if you are not very knowledgeable with car audio.

[E36 Phantom]

Phantom, you should like you know a good bit about stereos.
I just bought an Alpine IDA X-100. Any word on those? And I got it used, only $150, retail $400
Also, I'm getting two Alpine Type R 12's. What's a good amp to run with those? One that won't kill my wallet. Combined they'll be 3000W.
Then I want to replace my speakers, also thinking of going with Alpine. Suggestions? Then probably a new amp to power those as well.
No, actually, not really. I'm mostly just telling you things I've learned over the last few years working w/ car stereos. I like good sound, but I'm not an audiophile. And I'm not familiar with a lot of the super-high-end brands.

But, uhh, did you forget you've got an E36? 2 Type R 12's? You'll be blown all over the road by the sound waves....:rofl: The E36 is a small car, you don't need all that much to make big sound.

wow, hold it right there. Clarion have really high end hu's. What you dont like about them?
the ability to run 3/4 way active? time aligment?? they have some affordable entry level units too with great sound...
Eh, I've known people that had trouble with their quality. I've never owned one first hand based on their recommendations. YMMV.


And Alpine? Yuck! Trash! At least in my experience, haven't liked a thing they've made. Maybe the upper level series, but if they make icky intermediate level, sorry but they lose my trust when it comes to the upper level.
The upper levels sound fairly good, and the nice thing about their cheaper ones is they're fairly well made, so they're a pretty safe choice for 90% of the people out there. I agree on Infinity speakers. They're pretty good off the shelf. I still think that Boston Acoustics are my favorite sounding speakers that I've heard in a car. I miss my Rallyes.
OK dude. IDA is a digital head unit, good for running an ipod. but IMO it looks RETARDED. You'll like it though. Alpine is a great company, but they are sell outs.
Alpine speakers are ok. I suggest going w/ phoenix gold. They are inexpensive and very high quality for the price. just PM me for some more info.

Agreed, that's one reason I didn't buy an Alpine HU - I think almost ALL of their units look STUPID. Lol. How's PhoenixGold, I hadn't heard much about them so I was always a little wary of them.

[bboyvek]

their rsd line is the best bang for your buck... they are like $70 and sound great...

[cmy_bimmer]

Ite guys, sorry it took a while to get back on, my dad was giving me a fat lecture about how I waste so much time on the comp, so now its back to my phone. I just got 5.25" pioneer speaks with 120 watts peak and 25 RMS and I still need the 3.5"s for the back later. But for the front the speaks fit but there is a little leak of air when the speak pulses. What can I fill it with so that I close all gaps? Ill post the model # later.

[jelizondo_20]

Meh. I'm always wary of things with low price tags. Dual sells (or they did last time I saw them) pairs of high wattage 6.5" speakers for $29.99. That should be a giveaway. Same with the HU's. They sell headunits with flip out LCD screens and DVD players for the same price other brands start their basic models at. If that doesn't tell you to run, I don't know what does.

It was either that or a kenwood. I bought the Dual for 200 and the Kenwood was 250...shoulda went for the 50 extra..

[e36mike]

yea i just took mine in 2 weeks ago because the harness was fried and they rewired the whole car for 60$ and installed my kenwood deck, and its running ofthat amp and it sounds amazing for stock speakers and the decks amp.

[FenderBender]

OK dude. IDA is a digital head unit, good for running an ipod. but IMO it looks RETARDED. You'll like it though. Alpine is a great company, but they are sell outs.

as for the 2 type rs. YOU ONLY NEED 1!!!! type r's are power hungry beasts. I know people that will run 1400 rms to one of them daily. Get 1 and build yourself a ported box and it will rattle your e36 to pieces. (I know from experience)

There are many many many amplifiers out there to run. Tell me your budget and ill find you the best bang for your buck. (I have a kicker amp 850w@4ohm for 240 shipped if interested haha:rofl:)

Alpine speakers are ok. I suggest going w/ phoenix gold. They are inexpensive and very high quality for the price. just PM me for some more info.

Also, take your stereo threads here (www.caraudio.com/forums)

Just be careful cause the guys on that site will tear you a new one if you are not very knowledgeable with car audio.

Well I got the IDA because it looks different from anything else out there and it have a big screen plus it's an alpine. I don't have an ipod but I hook up my flash drive and it works great. I also plan on getting a CD changer to go with it sometime.

Ehh, I won't be spending a whole lot on the subs since they run pretty cheap on ebay. I'd say around 150 give or take. I'd like to get close to 3000w unless it's not needed to take advantage of the subs.

[FenderBender]

No, actually, not really. I'm mostly just telling you things I've learned over the last few years working w/ car stereos. I like good sound, but I'm not an audiophile. And I'm not familiar with a lot of the super-high-end brands.

But, uhh, did you forget you've got an E36? 2 Type R 12's? You'll be blown all over the road by the sound waves....:rofl: The E36 is a small car, you don't need all that much to make big sound.


Eh, I've known people that had trouble with their quality. I've never owned one first hand based on their recommendations. YMMV.


The upper levels sound fairly good, and the nice thing about their cheaper ones is they're fairly well made, so they're a pretty safe choice for 90% of the people out there. I agree on Infinity speakers. They're pretty good off the shelf. I still think that Boston Acoustics are my favorite sounding speakers that I've heard in a car. I miss my Rallyes.

Agreed, that's one reason I didn't buy an Alpine HU - I think almost ALL of their units look STUPID. Lol. How's PhoenixGold, I hadn't heard much about them so I was always a little wary of them.

Well as I said to another post, I got the IDA because it looks different from anything else. I like it a lot so far actually, more than my Panasonic in my truck.

Haha, I figured it'll make my car thump, but if I have to turn it down I won't mind. :D
Any suggestions for the amp for the subs and an amp for the speakers?

[E36 Phantom]

I've been a fan of my V-Powers.

[bboyvek]

Any suggestions for the amp for the subs and an amp for the speakers?

i juss ran into some interesting amps...

http://zukiaudio.net/

pick any of them you will no be dissapointed:thumbup:

[FenderBender]

i juss ran into some interesting amps...

http://zukiaudio.net/

pick any of them you will no be dissapointed:thumbup:

I think I'll pass....

[the_brouhaha]

i juss ran into some interesting amps...

http://zukiaudio.net/

pick any of them you will no be dissapointed:thumbup:

If you just ran into them, how do you know he won't be dissapointed??

[wippenberg]

Holy Crap.
For that price, you could have JL. And much more from JL, not just the amp.