I just bought Alpine speakers yesterday for the front of my car and...?

[Subject]
I just bought Alpine speakers yesterday for the front of my car and...?
[Question]
i had them installed at bestbuy.. so my total was $160

well im on day 2 and i still dont see how these speakers were any better then my stock.. i even think my stock may have been better...is it because i need to break these speakers in? or should i take them back?



and yes i do have an aftermarket radio that puts out 200 watts

Josh C @ 2009-06-03 09:34:14

[All Answers]
You bought lousy speakers. Good luck taking them back.

Don @ 2009-06-03 09:42:23

You don't break in speakers. You should notice a difference immediately. Every speaker manufacturer makes junk. Your best bet is to buy from a Manufacturer that makes home sound systems. Polk is my favorite, Bose sells a lot of junk, JBL are also good, etc. I would take them back if you don't like them.



Also check to make sure they are hooked up correctly. If they are phasing your sound will be bad. Switch the wires on one side and see if there is a difference. Make sure your stereo is off when you do this!

Aikidoka @ 2009-06-03 09:46:59

There are a lot of factors involved in that judgement. Many OEM car audio systems sound really good so there may not be that much of a difference. Aftermarket speakers are available with varying levels of sound quality. At $160 installed those aren't the best out there and may not sound tremendously better.



It may also be that you don't have the old speakers to compare to. If you were able to hear them both in a short period of time, you'd know if there was a difference. I know for me in many cases I can't tell as much difference going from a decent sound to a great sound until I here the decent sound again. Then it registers that there's a big difference.

Cardaba @ 2009-06-03 09:49:08

200 watts total...



your not getting any more power in to them than you did before, so you won't notice a huge difference,



if you where to amp them you would notice a big difference, loudness wise, and the quality would be more evident.





Just switching speakers, normally doesn't make a Huge enough difference in sound that you notice it when listening at normal levels, aside from some different tones to certain notes.

Chip @ 2009-06-03 09:50:28

Your still powering your nice new speakers of your old stock radio, of course you won't notice a big difference. Factory radios are made to work with the crappy factory speakers that came with your car... they know that factory speakers can't handle a lot of bass, so the radios don't put out a lot of bass. Cranking the available bass setting, just forces the unit to do things it can't fully handle, creating distortion. Quality aftermarket head units have less problem handling the full range of music.



A new CD player would have more power available, and also have EQ settings more in tune with a higher quality aftermarket speaker. Expect to pay about $200 for a good head unit, installation might cost a few bucks, or you might be able to get the cost included, depends where you shop.



For the best sound possible, you'll want to look into getting an amplifier, even for your speakers that your currently powering off your head unit. Just like the aftermarket has cleaner sound reproduction than a factory unit, an amplifier takes that to the next level. Aside from having still more power available, an amplifier uses far larger parts for stepping up the voltage, rather than a single "amplifier chip" found inside a in-dash head unit. This introduces even less distortion, producing cleaner sound. Being able to go louder is a side product of the extra power available too.



Adding a subwoofer isn't only for bass-heads who want go THUMP THUMP down the street either. By having a subwoofer available to reproduce the lowest frequencies, you can take the load of bass off of your smaller speakers... the speakers that can't handle the bass anyhow. Trying to make full-range speakers produce bass is the easiest way to make an otherwise excellent system sound like garbage. Even a small (10") subwoofer with as little as 100 watts will be enough to relieve your front and rear speakers of the stress of bass, allowing them to go louder and cleaner.



I'm sorry if the salesman at Worst-Buy told you that your $160 would produce immediate noticeable effects, but really, it's a start in the right direction.



Spend maybe $200 for a good head unit, $150 for a subwoofer with a box, and maybe $100-150 for an amplifier. A single four channel amp could power all 4 of your speakers plus a sub, if the install guy knows how to use it to it's full potential, otherwise you could use a 4-channel amp and a dedicated mono-channel for the sub. Also, I'd replace the rear speakers too, to match the new pair up front.

travis m @ 2009-06-03 10:20:48

[Subject]
Does my stock stereo need a certain code if l disconnect my battery?
[Question]
I was told that if I disconnect my battery my stereo may not be able to activate without some kind of factory code. Is there any truth to this?
It's a 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan and I was told that if I disconnect the battery I would need a code to reset the stereo. If so, where can I find this code? Looked in the owner's manual but couldn't find anything.

icecold @ 2009-06-03 07:56:59

[All Answers]
Yes. That's the anti-theft function that's labeled on the radio. No alarm, no fancy deterrence, just a freakin code that you gotta put in. lol

imthewill @ 2009-06-03 08:05:16

yes and no....ive seen cars do both..i have a 99 s 10 chevy with security 2...in the owners manual theres a code to use if it dies from no battery or theft attempt,,,that said ive disconected/killed battery 10 times at least with no problem.. but i know people whose radio died after a battery change... some got a new system [my choice] some gave up...i guess the car makers dealer should know...i say should know...often they are no help and charge money for a simple answer.

pedro7of9 @ 2009-06-03 08:05:55

Yes, this is true, in the stock stereo from many brands, is the function to avoid resell you stereo on the underground market.

JB @ 2009-06-03 08:38:39

People on here don't list model or makes for some reason. I know if it is BMW or high end this is true along with midend like Acura and some american cars, this makes installing a new stereo a pain in the ass BTW

buddah @ 2009-06-03 08:47:59

[Subject]
What are the best subwoofers to get for your car?
[Question]
i heard kickers are but im not sure.

Oscar E @ 2009-06-03 10:41:56

[All Answers]
depends on budget, available space, and taste.

RF_lover @ 2009-06-03 10:48:16

unless you are trying for competitions, go with alpine or kenwood

Vlad @ 2009-06-03 10:49:16

Go to your local car audio shops and talk with them. They can help determine what's best for your taste and budget.



There's no real "Best" out there. Everyone just gives their own opinions based on their experiences. If you look at competition winners, the brands they use vary quite a bit. Setup has a lot to do with good sound.

Cardaba @ 2009-06-03 12:08:18

[Subject]
how can i make a box for a 6x9 speaker?
[Question]
what tools and materials do i need. or should i buy a box

cozy @ 2009-06-03 10:36:56

[All Answers]
it would probably be cheaper to just go buy a box for 6x9's i would look to ebay or a pawn shop for the best prices.

loganross46 @ 2009-06-03 10:43:01

yeah, its cheaper and easier to buy one,



You could buy Med density fiberboard and use wood glue and screws, but that alone is like 20-30 bucks.



Where as you can get boxes in walmart for what 20-25?

Chip @ 2009-06-03 10:47:12

it would be easier to buy a box, but if you want to make one, here are the materials:

1 big sheet of MDF board

screws

drill

wood glue

a saw that will cut corners (jig saw, band saw)

you will need terminals to put in the back of the box

and carpet if you want it that way, or just paint it

Vlad @ 2009-06-03 10:48:16

[Subject]
i have a GMC sonoma ex cab and i want to put 2 12in subs and amp in how?
[Question]
i would like to put them under the back seats they fold out of the wall and i would like to put the amp bolted up on the back wall....is that posable if not how can i set it up so i can still use the seats and have room for people back there?

joe @ 2009-06-03 07:09:14

[All Answers]
As the song says, "Some things are not meant to be".

Don @ 2009-06-03 07:17:33

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dmptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories?_nkw=GMC+sonoma+sub+box&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=GMC+sonoma+ex+cab&_osacat=0

nick @ 2009-06-03 07:18:29

Try Thin mount subwoofers in custom boxes($$$)



your amp, if you can, put it under the passenger seat.



the wall will be more likely to raddle the amp to where bolts come undone if its loud enough.

izzy @ 2009-06-03 07:36:02