next upgrade....sub or amp?

[Night Wolf]

right now my system consist of an Alpine CDA-9807, Infinity 693.5i 6x9 rear, and the factory 5 1/4" in the doors and tweeter sin the dash, the factory rear speakers sucked, factory front 4 are not too bad.....all being power by the head unit.

I plan to get the Infinity Kappa perfect 5 1/4" in the future for the front.

but I want bass, and there is pretty mcuh no bass at all, I know for a fact the Infinity 6x9 can pump out some serious bass, but not with 22wpc rms from the headunit, so I was first going to get an 80wpc rms 4 channel Alpine amp, and run it in 2 channel bridged to the rear speakers, and let the deck drive the front speakers, then later when I get the Infinity front speakers, run the amp in 4 channel mode and drive all the speakers.

I can get the amp (forgot the model #) for less then $400 online, new, with shipping and including the wiring package, about $150 less if I chose the 60wpc version......

Now, I really want bass, and money is tight right now, so I can get a used/refurbished Infinity Basslink all-in-one sub online for about $150 shipped, I have heard very good things about it.

After I got the 4ch. amp, then the front speakers, I was going to put together some massive sub system....

So my question is, should I get the amp, which would improve sound in general, take a load off the deck, improve midrange clairity and upperrange, as well as give the Infinity's the power they need to pump out the bass.....or just get the Basslink for now, turn the bass down on the HU going to the speakers, and just enjoyt he bass from the sub..... I woudl then decide if I like it (maybe get a 2nd in the future if I did) or when I am ready to upgrade and get seperate components, sell the basslink and go on.....

.....right now I am leaning far for the Basslink just becuase of the price...but then I think if I ge the 4ch Alpine amp, I am that much closer to getting the system I want, I will have very good bass considering I would not be running subs, but it is more money......

..... and I have narrowed it down, I want to stick with Infinity for speakers, and Apline for electronics, once I get into the subs any brand is a go, I am highly looking at the DSQ from partsexpress.....pretty? no but it will really kick out serious bass......

[btchn1]

I would get the 4 channel amp and hook it up in four channel mode. trust me, if you crossover the fronts high enough and don't go crazy with the gain control they will handel it just fine. I also suggest keeping your dream system in mind and don't buy anything you don't need. Its hard to get your money back out of car audio. My last peice of advise is NEVER buy anything with out listening to it yourself. Peace, Lee

[mitro]

My suggestion would be to maybe look for a somewhat cheaper 4 channel and pick up your components right away, although I think Kappa perfects aren't necessarily the best choice).

And I've had a Basslink, and it was a nice little piece of equipment, but in the cavernous trunk and interior of the Caddy its not going to be enough to make you happy, I'd be willling to bet.

New fronts, throw some power to them and the rears (those 6x9s should hit pretty good) and you'll be off to a good start, then start saving for a decent sub/amp down the road. :bigok:

You seem to be pretty well informed, I just think that there may be some better bargains to be had if you go searching for them.

[Night Wolf]

I dunno, everyday I go back and fourth....

if i got a 4ch amp, I could either bridge it in 2ch until I get the front Infinity's and have more power going to the rear speakers, or I could run it in 4ch mode (lot more inital work with wirse and stuff though) and run the factory 5 1/4" and tweeters from that..... the front speakers arn't too bad actually.....although if I ran it with the amp, I woudln't want to kill them or the tweets becuase I am not sure how much power they can take.

The front speakers have their own crossover stuff built in, and running them from my deck right now, I am surprised at the bass from the 5 1/4" although while driving the bass is not good, so I probally could cross it around 100hz or so, and that would save the 5 1/4" woofers from doing much below that.

Only thing with this is, I would have to spend almost $400 total....so it'll have to wait for a bit, where as with the Basslink, I could probally get it very soon (this Friday is pay day)

I know the Infinity, with a good amp will really pump out bass (the 6x9's) and mprove overall sound (maybe for fronts too?) but it is going to be more money.

I have limited it to pretty much Alpine AFA mass market....and Nakamichi, I don't want any Sony/Pioneer/Kenwood gear, Rockford Fostgate never appealed to me........ it seems like they all spend their money making the amps look flashy and cool, while Alpine has a very nice conservative look, and I trust Alpine with their products (both first hand and family with it) Nakamichi, I trust too (home audio) I like the look of them too, very conservative...... I think their best 4ch amp is like 50 or 60wpc though..... little less then Alpines 80wpc (both RMS)

This is the Nak:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=nakpa1004

This is the Alpine:

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=alpmrvf540

The Nak is almost $100 cheaper, but 30wpc rms less...... I know that will not be a huge differnce, and once i get subs, I doubt it would even make a differnce....

.....so I am asking.... would I tell a big differnce from going a 22wpc rms deck to even a 50wpc rms external amp?...... the Nak is really looking more and more appealing to me....

plus I am sure that would let the Alpind deck do it's thing a little better since it woudln't have to drive any speakers......

......ok, I guess my main questions are:

Basslink or 4ch amp right now?

50wpc or 80wpc 4 ch. amp? witht he smaller amp being almost $100 cheaper........ will it be enough to get some good bass?

and add anything else that may help.

Sorry to sound stubbern with this, but my hobby has always been home audio (well, one of my hobbies) and car audio, although similar, is quite differnt with all of it's ratings and such, and besides a few other newer car's stock sound system, I really havn't heard much AFA sound quality....which is what my system is....sound quality over pure spl, although it'll get plenty loud as well.......

....only thing i know is, my friend got a 12" single sub in a bandpass box with a 200watt amp (rms I think), not really name brand stuff either, never heard of them, he got it at a car audio show thing. and in his car ('98 Jetta) it really hits hard.....so maybe car audio isn't as overrated as I thought....

What are your opinions on this?

I also have that small 4ch Delco amp I got from a '93 Eldorado when I got my power antenna, although not sure how to hook it up, it's kinda small though, I wonder if that would be any benifit over the Alpine deck? I dunno, I'll proablly just sell it or something.

[btchn1]

Go with the 50x4 amp. Don't use the factory amp you have. Run the amp in 4 channel mode to your full ranges. Yes you will notice a HUGE difference form deck power to amp power. Support your local shop and let your own ears choice your system. Peace, Lee

[Night Wolf]

You think the 50wpc Nak will be enough?

we don't have any local shops...only BB (crap) and Circuit City, which although they do carry *som* good stuff, they charge wayy too much.

More I think about it, more I'll probally just go for the 50wpc Nak..... from the way it sounds, it'll make a nice differnce over the deck then....

[btchn1]

50 watts will be more then enough. At least you checked with the locals. Most people don't even do that. Lee

[Night Wolf]

ok, Nakamichi it is.....let's see, hoping that for amp, wiring kit and other misc stuff it'll be under $300...... then my Infinity Kappa's will really shine....

....my alternator is 140amp....I hope the wiring to the battery and stuff is good enough.

I know that when the car is at an idel, and if both power windows are up, and I push the buttons to make them both go up (not for extended time though, just making sure they were up one night and notcied this) then the headlights will dim a little....... is that a sign of the alternator going or just normal?

[btchn1]

thats basically normal. Just watch your lights when the bass hits and let us know what happens. Peace, Lee

[Pte Socks]

i know this is old.. but id say... save up as much money as you can and buy your sub and amp at the same time.. with about equal value on both.. this way you generally get a good balance

[Night Wolf]

This is an amp for the main speakers in the car, not subs...... I have Infinity Kappa 693.5i in the back, and the factory 5 1/4" + tweeter up front.