Audio Brand

[DippedRam]

Hey guys just curious on your advice. I'm looking to change out my head unit add some front and rear component speakers along with a 12" sub to compliment the highs. What brand would you say is the best to buy? I'd like to pick one brand for everything ie: head unit, speakers, sub, amps 4 ch and mono.

 

[BlkRamRt]

Depends on what you like...you can go with the most popular kicker alpine pioneer and so on...i once heard a car with focal speakers and i was really impressed. If anything you should look into that name brand. Highly recomended.

 

[White Beauty]

I've always been a kenwood fan. Everyone is different.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 4

 

[Etroze86]

I am a fan of Pioneer hu, not a huge fan of going complete one brand for everything since it limits my options to what that company makes ie I wouldn't buy pioneer speakers, amps and subs unless they were their stage 4 models but even then I think its over priced for what you get compared to other brands. That being said I have been pretty impressed with Sundown audio, Skar audio, and Soundqubed as of late, I actually am piecing my stereo around Pioneer, Soundqubed, and Skar. Big box brands you really can't go wrong with kicker, alpine, rockford fosgate, and focal. Good luck in your build interested in seeing what you come up with.

 

[autokraftgt]

One brand? The Best? Hu, amp(s), component speakers, & subwoofer(s)?

Nakamichi makes the short list

 

[UNBROKEN]

There's absolutely no reason to go with all one brand.
You do nothing but limit yourself on options.
Kenwood and Pioneer make some nice double din head units for a reasonable price.
Combine one of those with some JL Audio amps, a nice sub that's MATCHED TO YOUR ENCLOSURE, not just any sub in any box and go listen to multiple brands of components...let your own ears decide what to buy.

 

[kkreit01]

Don't limit to 1 brand. Buy a good HU. Next, pick your speakers + sub, and then amps to drive them. There's no need for components in the rear. You'll get a 100 different answers, as everyone's taste is different. Unfortunately, you are often very limited to listen before you buy. Around here, we only have Best Buy. There's not much there worth listening to. Thus, one has to search the interwebs, and buy based on type of music, or type of tweeter. I've read Focals are bright. Morels are mellow. Those are just a few examples.

 

[DippedRam]

Thanks guys for all your input. I gotta say I'm a big fan of the Pioneer HU. I've had my eye on the bhs-5500 or 8500. I am also big fan of the Alpine speakers and JL subs. I was just curious as to what you guys thought. I guess I'm going to take a few points from you guys and building this thing around my HU.

 

[Etroze86]

Also like UNBROKEN said have a box made specifically for the subwoofers you plan to run. The clarity and output changes drastically when you have the the subs in a box designed for them. Oh if you want to get a little crazy with the build Pioneer DEH-80PRS is a HU to look into or the 99PRS if you are very dedicated lol.

 

[UNBROKEN]

The P99 is about the only thing new that's actually worth owning.
I had 2 Clarion DRZ9255's...one in my last truck and one spare since they're no longer made. Those were at least 5-6 years old and I still sold them for $750 each.
Pure SQ headunits just don't exist anymore....save for the P99

 

[Etroze86]

Not to derail the thread how is the 3.sixty working out for you? Did you get it tuned to your liking?

 

[autokraftgt]

The P99 is about the only thing new that's actually worth owning.
I had 2 Clarion DRZ9255's...one in my last truck and one spare since they're no longer made. Those were at least 5-6 years old and I still sold them for $750 each.
Pure SQ headunits just don't exist anymore....save for the P99

Gotta love the DRZ9255! They just don't make them like they used to...which is a shame. Copper chassis goodness!
The P99 is wicked sweet....

 

[kkreit01]

Pioneer has always made good HUs.

Alpine makes decent speakers, but I wouldn't consider them high SQ -- unless you are going with Type X components. Type R and below are pretty mainstream.

JL has always made good subs, but may be over-priced compared to others (if buying from certified dealer).

 

[UNBROKEN]

Not to derail the thread how is the 3.sixty working out for you? Did you get it tuned to your liking?

I love it. Being able to plug in my laptop and tune it from the driver seat is great.
It has more functions than anyone short of a competitor really needs...it's nice to have them though. I like to tweak stuff so I'll save my good tune then just start changing things...once I screw it up bad enough just plug in the good file and it's all back to normal.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Gotta love the DRZ9255! They just don't make them like they used to...which is a shame. Copper chassis goodness!
The P99 is wicked sweet....

I do have some regrets with selling both of mine. I knew if I kept them though one would wind up in this truck. The only way to control myself was to get rid of them.
They are phenomenal HU's. Definitely in the top 5 ever made on anyone's list and still one if only 3 ever made IIRC that will do 4 way active without an external DSP.

 

[Etroze86]

That is pretty amazing that they have come that far where you can save your favorite tune and play with the settings all day then if not satisfied you can come back and load your favorite in. Now I might rethink using the 80PRS. DAMN IT!!!! lol

 

[autokraftgt]

That is pretty amazing that they have come that far where you can save your favorite tune and play with the settings all day then if not satisfied you can come back and load your favorite in. Now I might rethink using the 80PRS. DAMN IT!!!! lol

No Damn it...the 80prs is a fine hu esp for the price. It's got great features.
what other hu has 30 bands of eq adjustment per speaker at that price range...let alone, time alignment, auto eq, internal crossovers, slope adjustments, and more.
You can always create a custom tune, then tweak on Pioneers 5 or 6 "given" tunes...i think they are "vocals, bass heavy, flat," I forget the rest. but tweak on their given tunes to see if you can create something better...if you can, run it, if you can't, go back to YOUR custom tune. Thats what I did

UNBROKEN....any headunit that can handle 4-way active...well thats what separates the men from the boys lol
and you're right...that would be a tough one to give away...they pop up on diyma every so often just in case you get the urge to buy another one.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I bought both of mine on DIYMA. It's about the only place I've ever seen them lol up for sale.

 

[Etroze86]

Auto you are right that hu is great. I just have some many ideas about how I'd like to do this system right since I always seem to be setting something up for friends with little funds and still exceeding their expectations. So now im about $1500 deep in mine and was thinking whats another $300 on top of eveything for a DSP and keep things looking stock. Just a dilema of mine lol.