Text in bold for skimmers... Okay, I've had enough systems to know what I don't like to hear, but this time I'm asking for help. I'm trying to build a balanced system because builds in my previous cars have either been tinty or too bassy. I want to overhaul the audio in my 2002 Lincoln LS with the Alpine audio system (everything is stock). I listen to all types of music like: The Ying Yang Twins and Gorilla Zoe, Slipknot and Mudvayne, and Incubus and Lifehouse. My biggest annoyance is when I have to play with the EQ settings because a different genre starts playing. For example, I'm listening to a metal song that I had to turn the bass up for, but the next song is rap so I have to turn the bass down for fear that my bumpers are going to fall off. So here is my question. What is the best way to go about upgrading my system? If the stock headunit is junk, I will not consider anything besides a double din headunit to replace it. Come on... Its a luxury car, and a single din would make it look cheap. I want a rich sound that bumps, but I don't need a quad 15" setup... If I could avoid a box in the trunk, that would be great too. Since I'm saving for my wedding next year, I'd like to keep this under $500.
hmmm you want bass but dont want a box.. simple enough. get a sub that is IB capable. meaning free air. or if that won't work for you. you can buy an inexpensive sub or two like a hifonics 12 they run around 25 to 30 bucks for one. or a powerbass sub, not sure on the price for it, but in the right box either can and will sound good. so if you choose right your sub stage will cost around 100. including wood. thats if you build it. but a good shop shouldn't charge more than 150~200 for a good box. as far as having to eq the bass for diff songs. have you thought of using an amp with a sub vol control knob? either a good 4ch amp for the front and sub duties, and using the head to power the rear speakers, or a 5ch to power all the speakers. as far as brands go. i can't decide for you. but i am partial to polk speakers for their marine certification and silk tweets. they do have a nice sound for the money.... but again its your choice.
Do you have any experience with a free air sub? I imagine they would introduce a relatively deep tone to my system without bumping as much. My rear deck is enclosed, so how much does that influence my sub choice if I decide that I want to stay with the stock location? Can you elaborate on a marine certified speaker? I have had an amp with the remote bass knob, but the system just didn't sound rich or refined. Maybe I'm just crap for tuning. Any headunits with a sound processor that will recognize genres and do some work for me?
i've only heard a few free air set ups, and they played deep bass with authority, and all other kinds of music too. i like the polks cause they are tough speakers and i don't have to worry about them getting wet from the rain ( i live in FL and the doors can get a lil wet sometimes). in fact i just found a set of 6.5" coaxials in a salvage yard while looking for some air vents for my truck. they sound as good as new. thats why i like them. super tough and good sound. so your saying your rear deck has a factory sub in it now? if so how sealed is the enclosure its in?
Oh, ok. Yeah the deck has 2 6x8s that definitely are not full range speakers, and they are mounted in a flimsy "box." The bottom is just carpeted plastic held up by those plastic push pins.
