So I've been wanting to put in a car audio system for a while now and have been browsing kijiji and craigslist but before I buy I'd like to pick your brains.

Yes I am on a budget. It may be very flexible when it comes to sound quality but overall I'd like to spend in the range of 400-500 dollars. I know it might not be a big budget but its still some decent cash!

Now when I ask anybody about which subs to get, they always tell me JL. I found a JL 12w6v2 on craigslist for 225 dollars Canadian. I thought it was a pretty decent price for what I would get (quality and power wise), but I hear these subs need some serious power. What amp would you suggest for this sub?
I've also read a bit about Infinity's Kappa Perfect 12.1 sub and the consensus has been that its a great sub. I can pick one up for probably 150 Canadian. What amp should I get for this bad boy?

And one final question (sorry for the long text), what deck would you guys recommend. Does expensive really mean better? or is it all pretty much the same?

Looking forward to your advice.
Peace

p.s. I listen to A LOT of trance and electronica

look in the for sell part
dady yuli
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...ual-0-5-a.html
and
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...893-150-a.html
i do not know them but i would look at them

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Both very good subs, but with your budget you'll have to keep looking until good deals pop up. For either of those subs you need an amp that puts out 350-500 watts rms. Look for a good brand name amp, you should be able to get a used one for 150.00-200.00.

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Hifonics BX 1205D
JBL c608 GTi
JBL p693
Infinity 2.5" center channel
Alpine type R 12"(2)
all active SQL set up with 1900 watts rms

$500? i'd like to know if thats including install and all accesories needed. Lets assume: deck, component set, sub, 3-4 channel amp - without install, wiring, etc.

For that much money for all these things, you maybe be able to get everything from Pyramid, or similar. Just kidding.

It seems you may wanna look into a used/new head unit for about $150.
Component set by like Phoenix Gold RSD set on ebay for about $100.
Sub by Kappa Perfect 12" on Ebay for about $150.
Used enclosure for the sub for about $50.
Any brand name 3 or 4 channel amp to run the whole thing for $200. You can run 2 channels for the components, and the other or the other two bridged and sub wired to 4 ohms.

Thats $650 right there. You may wanna think about Phoenix Gold RSD 12" sub, as it is cheaper than Infinity, and is sensitive at 94db, so it will get loud from little amp power. Or you can get a used sub in a box from this forum for around $200 you can get a decent driver.

p.s. trance rules!

Ok guys I think I'm set on getting that Kappa Perfect from ebay ($150). Thanks for all the quick responses and advice. I would have probably gotten hosed if it weren't for the great internet community you guys have here.
One question Sasha, what is a component set? I'm assuming it's 6x9 speakers. If so, are you suggesting I should replace the stock 6x9 speakers and that the improvement would be well worth the money spend?
Also, why do you recommend a 3-4 channel amp? I've always been told that mono is good enough...or does this once again have to do with the component set? I'm such a n00b.

I've was searching ebay like a maniac for a couple of hours yesterday and came up with the following amps. I've read quite a few times that Alpine and Kicker (as well as JL and othes) make really good amps.
ALPINE MRP-F550 500 WATT RMS 4/2 CHANNEL CAR AMPLIFIER
for $194 on ebay. [can't post links ]
Good price I think, no?

NEW KICKER ZX850.4 4ch 2400watt CAR AUDIO AMPLIFIER AMP for $294.
When it really comes down to it, I don't mind paying when I can get great quality out of something.

So these two are my options so far. I was also looking at a JL 300/4 amp, but they are pricey and put out 300 rms. I know JL audio is praised to have the loudest, most crisp and most powerful products, but will this 300 rms amp be enough for the kappa perfect?

Anyway guys, I'm going to try and keep this short and wait for your opinions.

Oh and btw, I've been lots of receivers ranging from $60 - $120. What do you suggest? Sony, Alpine, Pioneer? With an amp in the receiver? I like to play with EQ setting (manually or with pre-sets), any receivers you can recommend with good EQ settings?

Thanks

Oh, I think I get it. You do not want to change any speakers, just want to add a sub and an amp to power it, than monoblock amp is enough. Any of those brands are excellent. If you think your sound is bad now, and you are planning to add a sub, it is still going to sound bad, just with more bass. Most of the sound comes from your front speakers. A simple component set is installed to replace your front speakers, and is composed of a pair of midranges(5.25" or 6.5"), a pair of tweeters, and one or two crossover networks which come with the set. As apposed to coaxial set, which does not come with separate crossovers, but usually is cheaper, and does not sound as good. For best possible sound, all speakers need to be amped by an amp, as head unit has very little power. I suggested a 4-channel amp, cause you could power a front component set with 2 of those channels in stereo mode, and use the other 2 bridged in mono for the sub. This way you have to make sure the sub has a 4 ohm load ie single voice coil 4 ohm, or dual voice coil 2 ohm. And you can power the rear speakers like 6x9's from your deck power and fade them out a bit with the deck's fader feature. Alpine and Pioneer are my fave decks. It helps to get a deck with three preouts(front, rear, sub).

Depending on whether you like your sound currently, and just need more bass, than you are probably going to like this simple upgrade, but if the sound is bad, than adding a sub wont help, but if you replace the front speakers with a component set, and power it with an amp, you will be blown away by the difference. The nicest and cheapest set they have on Ebay now is probably Phoenix Gold RSD. You just need to figure out, what size speakers you have as factory set up, so you will match them for fitment.

For the 4-channel amp, get the biggest one you want to afford. Like that Kicker 850.4.

Here is a good set up if you need a monoblock amp and subs only. These sound excellent together.

http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...-subs-amp.html

Great advice in here, thanks a lot Sasha! I think I just suckered myself into getting the component speakers as well. So, so far it looks like I'll be getting:
- The Kicker ZX850.4
- Sony CDX-GT710 receiver
- Infinity Kappa Perfect 12.1 sub with Bassworks ported enclosure
- Phoenix Gold RSD Component set (I want that wow factor)

Coming in at a total of 700-750 dollars...not installed. Considerably more than I wanted to pay but, hey, its the amp that I'm really shelling the money out for. I figure I can always upgrade subs easily (if I ever even wanted to) and just keep the same powerful amp. I'm such a sucker for music

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice.
Peace.

Good, just make sure the sub's final impedance is 4 ohms to make it work with this amp. The only thing I would do different is go for a 15" sub for more bass, because even though this Kicker amp is strong, it is really only good to power one sub nicely on those two bridged channels. Depending on your car's shape you may or may not have enough bass. Hatchbacks are easier to get the bass out of. Enjoy your new gear, and be sure to chime back in and give us your thoughts after it is installed and tuned

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