I'm looking to build an entirely new sound system from top to bottom, and front to back. Currently I am running stock front amp and speakers, 2 12" RF Punch subs, an old (I do mean old) RF amp running the speakers, Sony xm-5026 running Alpine 6x9'*, and a Pioneer deck (good, but past it'* prime).

So here are my criteria. The budget is $1500 for speakers, amps, and deck. I have more set aside for wiring, caps, cables, etc. I just don't want that stuff to get in the way. I am also gonn abuild a custom sub box and do the install myself. I don't think any of my current stuff is up to the challenge. Either it is too old or too cheap.

I have been looking and I like the Boston Acoustic subs and the Alpine Type R speakers. I want something that has a decent front sound stage and hard hitting but clean bass in the rear. I tend to listen to music like KoRn, RATM, Cinder, Oleander, Nelly, Outkast, and stuff like that.

So if you were let loose in the local audio store, what would you get?

Hmm. I listen to different type of music. I have Infiniti Kappas 5 1/4 and componets in front and 6x9 three ways in back, with 2 10in JLs. My system is very clean sounding and well balanced. The BAs are a great speaker, sound very clean. Head units are negotiable, just get something with the right preouts and blah, blah, blah you want. Sony has not impressed melately with any of their stuff, but if you have had good luck with it stick to it.

I heard both the Type R'* and the Kappas at the local store but I thought the Type R'* had better mid and bass than the Kappas. Both were real good though.

I was looking at the BA and Infintiy (Premier?) and they both had some real nice, hard, clean bass. I've heard good things about JL Audio and Kicker too. I currently have the RF Punch and I'm not all that impressed with them. Then again, they were cheap.

The Sony amp I currently have is the older ES model. I've heard a lot of mixed emotions on the new Xplode series. I will probably just move the old amp to my beater truck. I was looking at a couple Pioneer and Kenwood amps.

I haven't decided which way I am going to go on the desk yet. I do know I want preouts for all speakers. I am considering the Pioneer model that will allow me to interface with my steering wheel controls. But I also LOVE the ones with color graphical displays. I guess I need to decide between looks and functionality. :?

i'd siwtch the sub and the interior speaker idea. i would go with the alpine type r subs before boston, and the boston interiors before alpine. rockford makes good amps, along with alpine and xtant. kicker components are supposed to be decent, along with kappa perfects for subs.
i'd go boston pro for interior speaks, along with alpine type r'* for nice accurate bass. rockford amp for the subs, along with alpine or xtant for interior amps.
just my thoughts!!!!

I've had my bonney for about 13 years now and have gone thru many speakers.

After blowing up my factory speaks, I first had Infinity Kappas 5 1/4 separates. They sounded OK for about 3 months until they blew up. I took them to the store for a replacement and the freaking replacement blew up faster.

Next I went to Kickers resolutions. These worked real well, especially in the midbaass range, and were not to expensive. Plus they took major abuse for about two years.
I finally had to retire them.

Then I went to Boston Pros 6.5 about 2 1/2 years ago and they are great. They sound terrific, take a boatload of power, and abuse, still they rock. My Bonney has 5 1/4 holes so I had to some fanagling with some vaseline and a hammer but it was well worth it.

I throw about 100 Watts to them with a Rockford 200x2.

So my recommendation is definitely Boston Pros!

As for subs.

First I had two Kappa 10s in a sealed box. Sucked.

I had two kicker comps 12" in a ported box. They were definitely LOUD, but they didn't reproduce music very well.

I've installed a JL 12W0 in a sealed box, with the intent of buying a better one later. Well five years later I still have it. I cant beat it. It thumps nicely, but sounds incredible. I've been beating it up with another 200x2 bridged (about 450 Watts).

As far as wiring, I would buy the best I could. I wouldn't do anything less than 4 gauge power and ground feeds. I made the mistake of putting in 10 gauge for my first amp then had to upgrade later when I added amps. My speaker wires are 11 gauge.

I have a pioneer DEH-P46dhr as a head unit. Sounds OK but if you can swing it I would go with a Sony or Alpine.

I've had my bonney for about 13 years now and have gone thru many speakers.

After blowing up my factory speaks, I first had Infinity Kappas 5 1/4 separates. They sounded OK for about 3 months until they blew up. I took them to the store for a replacement and the freaking replacement blew up faster.

Next I went to Kickers resolutions. These worked real well, especially in the midbaass range, and were not to expensive. Plus they took major abuse for about two years.
I finally had to retire them.

Then I went to Boston Pros 6.5 about 2 1/2 years ago and they are great. They sound terrific, take a boatload of power, and abuse, still they rock. My Bonney has 5 1/4 holes so I had to some fanagling with some vaseline and a hammer but it was well worth it.

I throw about 100 Watts to them with a Rockford 200x2.

So my recommendation is definitely Boston Pros!

As for subs.

First I had two Kappa 10s in a sealed box. Sucked.

I had two kicker comps 12" in a ported box. They were definitely LOUD, but they didn't reproduce music very well.

I've installed a JL 12W0 in a sealed box, with the intent of buying a better one later. Well five years later I still have it. I cant beat it. It thumps nicely, but sounds incredible. I've been beating it up with another 200x2 bridged (about 450 Watts).

As far as wiring, I would buy the best I could. I wouldn't do anything less than 4 gauge power and ground feeds. I made the mistake of putting in 10 gauge for my first amp then had to upgrade later when I added amps. My speaker wires are 11 gauge.

I have a pioneer DEH-P46dhr as a head unit. Sounds OK but if you can swing it I would go with a Sony or Alpine.

If I were you i would sell everything on ebay and buy a nice 4 chanel JL and a mono JL with 2 JL subz . Infinity surround and a Kenwod deck . Monster RCA'* an 2 gauge wire.
But that'* just me , BTW that sony amp is probably the last good thing sony made for mobile audio.

if you are gonna do subs, you should go with polk momo'* or get kicker'*. stick with a RF amp or a kicker. the alpine type r speakers are freakin awsome. you can't go wrong with them

how are you guys mounting your 5.25'* in your front doors? On my brother'* 92 when he installed some Kenwood 5.25'* (which don't sound good.. don't go with Kenwood unless you absolutely have to) there was about a 1/4" gap between the speaker and the mount. How did you guys fix this? I was thinking when I buy a Bonne to just cut the hole bigger and top mount some 6.5'*. I'm not sure how I want to do it. I'd rather keep it looking stock, but I don't know how you are supposed to mount them to the stock locations while having them seal good.

I put 6.5 in my doors. I built it out of the doors using fiberglass and 1/2" MDF. I had to cut the door panel away and bring the speaks out about an 1 1/2". Nice thing about that was the I could aim them toward the center of both seats. It took about 2 weeks to get it fabricated and painted right.