I just ordered an alpine head unit (I've always been an alpine guy) for my car. I want a new sub too. I had a RF HE2 (350rms) 12" sub in a ported box, and it did OK but sometimes it just didn't hit hard enough and the sound quality wasn't that great.

What do you guys think of alpine subs/amps? I want to go with a single sub. I enjoy bass but I don't want to damage my hearing. I like people at stoplights to know that I'm bumpin' too...

I've heard that alpine amps can sound harsh on midranges and tweets.

And what do you guys think about the stock speakers? Are they OK for someone who's not picky? I put an amp behind my stock infinity's in my truck and was satisfied. If I'm going to see a big gain on some basic aftermarket components then I'll go for it, but I don't want to dump a bunch of cash in especially if I'm not going to see a big difference.

I'm thinking a 500rms sub would fit my needs, do you guys agree? And what's your advice on my q's?

 

In my opinion you've already made a great start by adding a new deck. That tends to be the brain of your system. But now you need to ask yourself a serious question, do you want people to hear your music at a stop light, or just a bunch of bass. This is what i'd do after a new deck.
1. New set of components in the fronts.
2. New set of coaxial in the rear (I believe they are 6x9's.)
3. 4ch amp for your speakers.
4. mono amp and subs.

That is a basic system, but will make your car unbelieveably clean sounding , loud, and, will let people know you are comming down the block.

Spend the money on upgrading your speakers and 4ch amp. You won't be sorry.

 

I always go HU first... it's the most cost effective way to get better sound quality.

I don't like 6x9's... I'd rather put some adapters in and run 6" coax's in the rear.

Ok, so apparently the stock speakers suck, so are some inexpensive components going to make enough difference? Or am i only going to see a noticeable difference with expensive ones?

Do you think 500RMS is enough for the sub? I don't want rediculous, but I do want people to hear it comming down the block like you said.

How many watts for the 4 chnl?

Do you think I can go alpine all the way around? I like to match brands but I heard alpine amps are harsh. I also need to get some bass blockers... and some sound deadening...

 

Deffently you can go all alpine. They make a solid 4ch amp, and your idea of getting adapters to fit 61/2's, I did that and I'm pretty happy. I'd go with some middle of the road components. You will be able to tell the difference between cheap and expensive, so middle of the road would be just fine. A nice set of comps will deffently sound great, especially powered buy a 4ch.

Watts wise for the 4ch, 350-400 watts tends to me enough. It will filter out all of the bad sound, making your music cleaner, as well as getting the maximum use out of your speakers.

500watts rms for your subs should be fine.

As for sound deadning, I recommend tsunami silencer. Its just as good as dynamat, but cheapers. Its just as thick but doesnt have the dynamat name attached to it. What ever you do, do not buy elemental design stuff.

 

How much RMS does that equate to for each channel? BTW: thanks a lot for the tips.

 

Anywhere between 75-125 will be plenty. It will had that crisp sound to your music, and then you can bump the $hit out of your system, and you'll be able to hear the actual music. Once you finish your system, alpine or not, post up some pics. I'd like to see them.

 

Cool... looks like all my Q's are answered... thanks a lot man!

 

The HE2 was pretty damn loud in my g/f's jallopy hatchback (escort... she had that before we bought the 05 neon) in highschool and it hit hard... so I'll bet in a car like this 500w should be plenty for the sub.

In fact, I'm going to throw my he2 in first and see how it does.

 

wait so what was it 500w or 500rms? If it is 500 rms it will be more than enough. I am running 2 12's and have 300rms and everyone can hear me coming a block away.

 

^ yeah I'm running 2 Infinity 10" on ~350RMS from an Infinity amp and it slams. I turn the boost up on the amp and control it from my Kenwood deck, I rarely ever put it above half. I think sometime I'm gonna get a decibel rating.