Sportivo AMP and Head Unit Upgrade

[Jonn0]

Hi All

I am currently trying to find out what Amps fit well in our Sportivo’s under the seats.

I only need a basic single four channel Amp, to drive the fronts and a sub. What would you recommend. Any particular brands you guys have been happy with? (Price under $400 if possible)

Also looking for a good quality head unit (there seems to be so much crap out there). I am after an MP3 head deck that has at least 2 RCA out’s, can display MP3 Tags (Song info), built in crossovers would be good, and possibly a colour LCD screen. Trying to keep MAX price for Head Unit under $500.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

:D FB :D

Edited February 8, 2006 by fudgebottom

[Hsien]

Do u mean under $500 for both amp and head unit?

[Daz]

amp under passenger seat here

4ch 800w Kenwood amp. powers front splits and 10in Sub.

PM me if u want a pic of the gap btwn seat and amp.

happy with the amp.. but the Sub is underpowered.. wouldnt mind getting a mono or single ch 250w jst for the sub.... mayb one day hehe

[Jonn0]

Sorry guys, was not clear, I have updated my post, the $500 is only for the HeadUnit... but this is absolute MAX I can go.. Obviously would like to stay under this... but with a colour LCD I've noticed they are more expensive :-D

Also with the sub I am after somthing that does not take up too much back seat leg room (so "longer" Amp is better I think), but would also like access to the tuning of the amp :-) LOL, I know I'm being fussy, but I though I'd try and see if I can find something that would fit best first if I can't find any thing I'll have to lower the bar a bit :-)

Many thanks for the replys so far guys :-)

Cheers

FB

[Hsien]

Sorry guys, was not clear, I have updated my post, the $500 is only for the HeadUnit... but this is absolute MAX I can go.. Obviously would like to stay under this... but with a colour LCD I've noticed they are more expensive :-D

Also with the sub I am after somthing that does not take up too much back seat leg room (so "longer" Amp is better I think), but would also like access to the tuning of the amp :-) LOL, I know I'm being fussy, but I though I'd try and see if I can find something that would fit best first if I can't find any thing I'll have to lower the bar a bit :-)

Many thanks for the replys so far guys :-)

Cheers

FB

OH thats easy then...just get an alpine cda 9851. It has 3preouts and BBE and will cost u below $500 from gold coast car sound. And for amp..get the one i mentioned earlier..when i PM you. Anyway, if u want.. u can have a listen to my car sometime. I got that 9851 head unit and 4channel amp. I'll fade out the sub so u can hear whats its like without a sub..hehe..just have a look at my garage on my audio set up..

Cheers

Hsien

[Jonn0]

Cheers for the reaply again: Hsien

I might head up to GoldCoast Car Sound and see if I can have a play with the unit :-)

What are the pro's and more importantly the cons that you have found about having this unit?

Again sorry for all the questions just want to make sure I get the right head unit the first time round :-)

Does any one else have any other sujestions on what units I should be looking out for?

Cheers

FB

[Hsien]

So far the only con i can find is that...it would do better with a full on EQ....but then again..if u fork out $100 more and get the model above it..u'll get a better EQ. U can always go to alpine's web site and look up the full spec of the headunits. That what i did. I looked up alpine and JVC units and had comparison of specs. But yea..go have a listen on saturday and talk to George. I got my unit for $470. So use that as a reference, its retailed at $599. Ask him to give u a special deal if u get amp and head unit from him..better yet..ask for a free install......hehe

When i got my amp..i got a free install from him....just tell him u know me and that i sent u...not sure if he remembers me..but oh well.....i got all my stuff from him....

even if he doesn't remember......he'll pretend he does and give u a good price anyway... :P

cheers

Edited February 8, 2006 by Hsien

[Jonn0]

Hi all, does any one know what the Epsilon Brand is like?

[JBop]

Have a look at the new Jaycar 4x100 channel amp. It's rated at 4x130(rms) and well under ur budget. I've got the older 4x100 (rms) and that thing rocks. It's been driving the same setup as u want for about 2 years and still going strong.

[Jonn0]

Thanks for all the help guys..

I ended up with the following

Alpine Head Unit (CDA-9853R)

http://www.alpine.com.au/products/product4.asp?id=229

Alpine 4ch V12 Amp (MRV-F345)

http://www.alpine.com.au/products/product4.asp?id=213

12" Eclipse Sub (SW6123.4)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/sw6100/sw6123.html

6.5" Fronts (SC8264)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/component/sc8264.html

6.5" Rear (SE8365)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/integrated/se8365.html

I have not got it all installed yet, I have also ordered one of those customer 12" Sub boxes from Urban Auto Tech.

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...indpost&p=66901

Planning on having it all done in about 2 weeks once I get the sub box :-)

Thanks once again for all your help... :-)

FB

[ktse1881]

Thanks for all the help guys..

I ended up with the following

Alpine Head Unit (CDA-9853R)

http://www.alpine.com.au/products/product4.asp?id=229

Alpine 4ch V12 Amp (MRV-F345)

http://www.alpine.com.au/products/product4.asp?id=213

12" Eclipse Sub (SW6123.4)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/sw6100/sw6123.html

6.5" Fronts (SC8264)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/component/sc8264.html

6.5" Rear (SE8365)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/integrated/se8365.html

I have not got it all installed yet, I have also ordered one of those customer 12" Sub boxes from Urban Auto Tech.

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...indpost&p=66901

Planning on having it all done in about 2 weeks once I get the sub box :-)

Thanks once again for all your help... :-)

FB

hi FB,

pardon my blurness but you managed to get all those for $500 and below? :)

[Jonn0]

LOL

Hay ktse1881

ya I was trying to keep each main item under $500, although I did end up stretching the budget a little :-P

[kelvin33]

hhahaha!!!

FB, pardon ktse1881. :)

He has got no idea that your $500 AUS is stretched to $500 pounds .....

[iniff]

Thanks for all the help guys..

I ended up with the following

Alpine Head Unit (CDA-9853R)

http://www.alpine.com.au/products/product4.asp?id=229

Alpine 4ch V12 Amp (MRV-F345)

http://www.alpine.com.au/products/product4.asp?id=213

12" Eclipse Sub (SW6123.4)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/sw6100/sw6123.html

6.5" Fronts (SC8264)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/component/sc8264.html

6.5" Rear (SE8365)

http://www.eclipse-web.com/integrated/se8365.html

I have not got it all installed yet, I have also ordered one of those customer 12" Sub boxes from Urban Auto Tech.

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...indpost&p=66901

Planning on having it all done in about 2 weeks once I get the sub box :-)

Thanks once again for all your help... :-)

FB

EXCELLENT CHOICE!!!

I'm currently in the process of migrating those exact same speakers and sub into my stivo :D :D :D

Far out, what a good choice. Can I ask how much the total budget ended up being? I paid $2500 for my entire eclipse system, HU amps speakers cables everything.

Let me know how well the tweeters go with the factory mounts!

[Jonn0]

Thanks for the reply's guys...

Also to answer the questions from iniff :-)

It ended up costing around $2300 all up including install and dynamat (fround doors).

However that does not include the SUB box! box is still getting made up and should be ready next week :-)

Getting all the other stuff instalelled and ready to go tomorrow (Saturday), I am puting in an older sub box I have for now untill I get my new one :-)

Should be good :-)

Also with the tweetieessss, they ended up glueing them in, I told them to use the brackets but "apparently" they did not fit, but to tell you the truth I'm not sure if they even tried. I have not been hapy with Northfield Car Sound at MtGravat. Final insatll getting done at GoldCoast Car Sound (slacks creek) so far been hapy with them.

Cheers

FB

[iniff]

Sounds good! And looks like you got a pretty good price.

I've been looking at the brackets and it looks like it might work, if not ill make a bracket. I don't like the sound of glue After installing my first stereo myself and seeing how easy and rewarding it is I'd never let a dodgy car audio shop do it.

I just need to figure out where to put my amps... No way I'm putting them under the seats. It's not practical for my amps. *ponders teaching himself to fibreglass*

[mick0082]

Sounds good! And looks like you got a pretty good price.

I've been looking at the brackets and it looks like it might work, if not ill make a bracket. I don't like the sound of glue After installing my first stereo myself and seeing how easy and rewarding it is I'd never let a dodgy car audio shop do it.

I just need to figure out where to put my amps... No way I'm putting them under the seats. It's not practical for my amps. *ponders teaching himself to fibreglass*

I have been pondering the same thing.

I dont really want to have a amp under my seat, had one there in my last car and it actually caused it to heat up and go into safety every now and then. The amp in question didnt have a built in fan though.

I was thinking of mounting in amp in the space opposite to where your putting your custom sub box and have it flush mounted and carpeted so it matches the custom box and looks all factory.

[Romp]

Sounds good! And looks like you got a pretty good price.

I've been looking at the brackets and it looks like it might work, if not ill make a bracket. I don't like the sound of glue After installing my first stereo myself and seeing how easy and rewarding it is I'd never let a dodgy car audio shop do it.

I just need to figure out where to put my amps... No way I'm putting them under the seats. It's not practical for my amps. *ponders teaching himself to fibreglass*

I have been pondering the same thing.

I dont really want to have a amp under my seat, had one there in my last car and it actually caused it to heat up and go into safety every now and then. The amp in question didnt have a built in fan though.

I was thinking of mounting in amp in the space opposite to where your putting your custom sub box and have it flush mounted and carpeted so it matches the custom box and looks all factory.

nice stuff :)

the headunit rocks

Alpine definitely best in the market

i got a pioneer P1Y and its good .. but alpine would of been better:)