Brainstorming for my new car's sound system

[ski]

I need some help in deciding what to get for my 2006 Acura RSX (without the Bose system). If you can comment on any part of this system, I would really appreciate it :)

Generically, I want:

Head unit with AUX input, i.e. front stereo jack to hook up an MP3 player
10" Sub with mid-level power
Good, mid-shelf amp to power it
Small to medium box
GPS


Ideas for the sub/amp/box:
Kicker CVR10 10" Sub (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kicker-10-Subwoofer-CVR10-/sem/rpsm/oid/117480/catOid/-13093/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) - $130 from Circuit City
- 300W RMS
- Dual 2 Ohms Impedance (if that relates to the amp load?)
Kicker 06ZX3001 Amp (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kicker-Mono-Subwoofer-Amplifier-06ZX3001-/sem/rpsm/oid/146771/catOid/-13641/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) - $200 from Circuit City ($160 if I get a head unit at Circuit City with a current promo :) )
- 150W in 4 Ohms
- 300W in 2 Ohms
MTX 10" Single Sealed Box (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/MTX-Single-10-Subwoofer-Enclosure-BS110S-/sem/rpsm/oid/119721/catOid/-13094/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) - $50

Will that work out? Sub and box specs meet up with how much cubic feet needed, and 300W RMS matches with the sub and amp, but any thoughts on 2-Ohm mode, if that will work out splendidly?


Ideas for head unit
Anything with a stereo jack input for my MP3 player! I wouldn't mind something with an SD slot so I could share one media between my phone and car, but I haven't looked into that yet.
Pioneer? Alpine? JVC? Sony?

Ideas for GPS
Something around $350-$500. Nobody I know owns one, so I have no personal recommendations. Do the cheap ones work as well as the midshelf ones? I'm not sure where to start looking on this one :throw:

Appreciate any thoughts from people more knowledgable than myself :heh:

[zero2dash]

Will that work out? Sub and box specs meet up with how much cubic feet needed, and 300W RMS matches with the sub and amp, but any thoughts on 2-Ohm mode, if that will work out splendidly?

I don't know anything about Kicker products, really...I think they could probably be fitted in the "generic" column that Rockford Fosgate goes into. When I say "generic" I mean "sounds better than a Sony" but "not as good as JL Audio". You get what you pay for. :) (Not that I'm trying to sound like an elitist snob or anything, but you'll certainly be able to tell good sound from bad sound.)

Before I go any further - you might want to buy and install yourself from http://www.crutchfield.com. They will send you everything you need to hook up the stuff to your own car, including easy-to-follow guides. You'll save on installation costs.

If you get that sub + amp set, yes, if you wire it in 2ohm they match up perfect; the amp puts out 300w which is the RMS of the sub. Will it kick? Sure. I don't know how loud you're going to get out of a single 10", and I'd recommend listening to it at the store to get a rough idea. I say "rough idea" because most likely their demo units are running on more powerful stuff (unless you get lucky and they have that amp specifically hooked up to that sub).

Crutchfield has the 12" version of that sub + that amp + a box for $349...if you're only getting a single sub, I'd probably get a 12, but that's up to you. You'd save money + get a larger speaker with this set here. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lFcbnWK75DC/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=208250&I=700KCKPKG3&id=review


Ideas for head unit
Anything with a stereo jack input for my MP3 player! I wouldn't mind something with an SD slot so I could share one media between my phone and car, but I haven't looked into that yet.
Pioneer? Alpine? JVC? Sony?

Don't buy a Sony anything. Sony car audio products are 100% crap. You might as well buy a Jensen. :heh:

I'd recommend Alpine anything over any other manufacturer, but then again you could say I'm an "Alpine mark". Again - crutchfield.com might be your best friend 'cause they'll most likely save you some money (if you'd be comfortable installing the stuff yourself). JVC is supposedly not too bad; I don't like their head units myself but they're supposedly good on the power side. Clarion makes excellent h/u, as does Eclipse. Pioneer...dunno much about them other than they're probably a little higher up than Sony but not by much. :shrug:

H/U are available with USB ports in the front; I dunno about SD slots though.

***

The GPS I won't even attempt to comment on 'cause I have no clue there. :)

I spent about $850 on my car sound system back when we got our taxes earlier this year. What'd I get?

Alpine CDA-9851 h/u (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UazDKmlk5lg/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=500CDA9851) 18x4, 3 preouts, lots of features including RCA inputs (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UazDKmlk5lg/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=500KCA121B)
(I bought this over the new model I was looking at, the 9857, because I liked the display on this one a whole lot...even though the 9857 had HD Radio compatibility if you buy the box for it)

Alpine SPS-570A 5x7s (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UazDKmlk5lg/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=500SPS570A) (bought 4, one in each door)

Alpine MRP-M350 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UazDKmlk5lg/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=500MRPM350) 350w RMS @ 2ohm

I wound up buying 2 JL Audio 10w1v2 subs that are pushed nice with this amp; I could push them harder with a more powerful amp but there's already times that they make my chest hurt and they're in a sealed box (my box can be sealed or ported; I like the tight bass sound in a sealed box better). Had to buy them at a local car audio store though...Custom Sounds...JL Audio does not allow their products to be sold online (although you'll find them on eBay).

I really like Alpine's products (as you can see). Personally - you pay the same for Alpine stuff that you do everybody else's, but the sound quality is far and above what every other manufacturer puts out IMO (from what I've heard). Again - you get what you pay for. I'd say if anything - definitely get a GOOD head unit because that's essentially the heart of your car audio...think of it as the cpu in your computer. The sub...again I'd go listen to it and see what you find. I'd also recommend checking out http://www.carreview.com and see if you can find some reviews of the products you're looking at. There's also forums you can post in there as well (I've gotten some help from there myself). Crutchfield also has customer reviews, so I'd check the ones you're looking at on there as well and see what other people are saying about them. Crutchfield does also sell lots of combo deals/matched sets (in terms of buying 2 subs and saving money on both, or buying a preset amp + box + sub set that is matched in power).

[rollhard]

All it comes down to is what you want out of your stereo. What kind of music do you like and how do you like to listen. Do you want to show off the system? Do you want to enjoy the music yourself or do you want others to hear your gangsta bass? Ive built many systems throughout the years and my preference has changed since my highschool days. Now, I have a dvd/mp3/cd player in all my cars and I found no go more than 300watts. Ive used both kicker, JL, RF, mC amps...but my favorite of all time is my Soundstream Reference 604E. Its the best and cleanest sounding amp I have ever used. If you want some decent stuff at great prices check out www.millionbuy.com

I got my Panasonic dvd player there about $400 less than anyone on the net when I first bought it.

[ski]

I went to Circuit City, and they said they'd do installs with customer-purchased cables/harnesses from anywhere.

I'm wondering what kind of wiring kit I need to spring for for a 300W RMS mono amp. Also, the CC clerk told me I needed a harness, dash kit (both of these I knew about), and said some other kind of wiring thing that was going to cost $15. I thought I only needed to pick up a wiring harness and a dash kit for installing a head unit. Any thoughts?

[DarkFury]

Honestly, I bought most of my stereo components off of eBay and saved a ton of cash versus retail.

I just put a new stereo into the 300C now... I left the factory head unit (which keeps my steering wheel controls intact and pretty much throws off potential thieves...) and added the following:

1 pair of MB Quart DKE-108 3 1/2 inch 60W speakers (dash speakers)
2 pairs of Kenwood KFC-6970ie 6x9 400w speakers (front doors and rear deck)
1 Kenwood KAC-8452 800w (400w RMS) 4 channel amp
1 Kenwood KAC-9152 1800w (900w RMS) Class D mono amp
1 Audio Control LC8

To be installed later:
1 Kicker Solobaric L7 12" (750W RMS) sub with a custom made fiberglass enclosure in the trunk.

Bought all of that stuff, brand new on eBay for a fraction of the price in stores. (for example, that 900W RMS amplifier up there only cost me like $160.... and retail, I'd be paying well over $300 for it.