Pro

For 2 eight inch DVC JLs. 8s are small yes, but they sound pretty decent. They use to be in my truck, which was right behind my seat. Now they are way back in the hatch, so obviously they have to work a little harder to get sound up front.
8s are good enough for me in my truck and probably in this car as well, but just barely. I wouldnt buy anything smaller than a 10 again, though (which is the size I have in my truck now).

onebadwagon

8's are GREAT for midbass, so stick them in the sails, and pick up some subs for the back.

to hell with having just BARELY enough bass.

Pro

Well, I really dont play like rap or listen to really loud music.

Just picture a 23 year old dude, black shades, hat on backwards, listening to sinatra.

Not sinatra.

But close.

I did crank it a few times and I could tell the subs were suffering. The box is quite big. Im sure I could just expand the holes if needed and upgrade to 10s later on.

Pro

Heres some crappy pics (taken at night, about 10 mins ago). As you can tell its still out of order and very dirty. Definitely not pretty. Hopefully new subs someday.

junkyarddog

If you put enough power on those, they will get pretty loud!

Try a JL 500/1 monoblock, that's more than enough power for those little subs.

8"s will pack alot of punch under the right conditions, but nothing rolls the lows like a nice 12".

ddn69

Ive gotta agree Ive got 2 12s in my t/a. They are sonys but I think theyre pretty good. Opposed to what everyone else says... Anyway. Stick with those 8s until you decide you need more umph. I mainly play techno and rap so I like the bass!

:lala:

nate

Pro

Thanks for the info on that amp.
The amp I have now is a crossfire cfa555. An old amp, but it gets the job done. Its 4 channels, plus 2 sub channels. Front channels are even being used (4x6s in the dash being powered by the cd player), but the 6x9s are.

DigitalMonarch0

Where did you get the box from? Did you carpet it yourself? I have 2 big RF 12's in my garage and all I need is a box for them.

Pro

I had a local stereo shop here in town build it.

Figured I would support the small businesses than pay up to like Best Buy or Ebay.

It cost a little over 200 bucks (cheap in this city, actually).

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

I lilked my 4 JL8's back in the day. This was befor the amp was installed etc.

JL8's
Phoenix Gold amps
Alpine CVA-1000
Alpine ERA-G320
Sound stream 6.5 splits front and back

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

8s can sound pretty good, but I've always found that the better sounding systems using 8s were ported. The rolloff on a sealed 8" is just too high for cabin gain to compensate.

Pro

Doesnt matter anymore. My stereo system was stolen yesterday night. Game over. Im done with the car. It goes into a friend's garage. I cant afford to keep replacing equipment (2nd time it has been broken into now). The interior is totally trashed - broken kickpanels, dash, shifter plate broken (for whatever reason), original owners manual ripped to shreds, wires all over the place, etc.
Even the damn lugnut key is gone. Sure as hell hope I have wheels tomorrow.

DigitalMonarch0

I hate people, I really really do.

Was there an alarm on the car? How/when did it happen? How did they get in? Was it possible to see your equipment in the car?

I'm not trying to add insult to injury... but maybe learning from whatever you did might help us keep from the same fate.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

Since I worked in various stereo shops, I saw a lot of people who were replacing their stereo systems thanks to theft.

What amazed me is that people would replace 3 stereos, or just give up all together before they'd even consider spending the money for an alarm system.

It just flat out baffles me.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

two words: limo tint..... i have it and noone is looking in my car at day or night. although i must say that as soon as i gather my cash for my system ill be putting a alarm in right after. im sorry to hear about ur car tho,,, shifter plate busted? maybe they wanted the whole car....

Pro

I didnt mean shift plate was busted, sorry, just a little scratched up.

Here are some pics:

http://68.1.231.79:8080/breakin/breakin.htm

I thought posting pics would be a problem, but it doesnt matter. Im canceling insurance and putting it into a garage for a LONG time (starting in about 30 mins). Might even have to sell it, not sure yet.

How much will a new kick panel and center console cost me?

DigitalMonarch0

Pics do not link correctly...

Pro

Sure? I have other people IMing me saying they work.

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Damm that sucks. I agree with jimbo. Ive seen people drop $$ on replacing stolen stuff befor they buy a good alarm

Pro

I didnt drop tons of money on what i had. But, being that Im a college student making 5.50 an hour, ANYTHING THAT PLAYS THE RADIO is going to be a hit out of my wallet. It may be crap equipment to many others, but to me at least I have something. Now I dont even have that.

badjuju342

i agree with jim and tpi383, when folks ask me what the first component to buy for a really good sound system, it's always "a good alarm" , that's the best investment.the limo tint is a good idea but if you live in an area of the country like mine , the not-so-friendly officers will ticket you and force you to remove it.that little red led blinking can be your best friend when keeping the thieves away,who wants to try to steal a stereo with the alarm screaming bloody murder?it also amazes me how some people are willing to replace a radio and dash bezel 4 or 5 times but refuse to buy an alarm.

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

tint only helps not see it. If somene hears your nice system and wants it they will rem the car. and find you and take it.

PRO, I never said anything about it being crap stuff. I just think people would get the picture after its been riped off once to buy a good alarm. You and many others are lucky it was just ths stereo stolen and not the car.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

if ur creative u can wire a super bright red diode to blink automaticly when the ign is off... heh kinda like faux alarm. btw what are the two switches on either side of ur dash for( the ones under the light switch and the lighter socket)

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

true but limo tint makes it hella hard to see what ur doing at night... when most stuff is stolen. i know, my dome light is in-op right now and i have a minimag in mah car...

Pro

I do have this little blinking red light if it really matters.
And I never did play the system loud.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

i just got done talking to mah bud... he got his stuff jacked outa his mx-6 in our apt complex at night .... he had the lil light but no alarm ... maybe a real alarm is a better idea

Pro

I dont think it really matters anymore. A loud siren - most people just tune out to it. They just think "well another random siren".

Thieves dont care anymore, they will do anything. Especially if they absolutely need the money in order to survive (drugs, food etc). Its like a suicidal terrorist. Nothing is going to stop them.

Nevertheless, I would recommend EVERYONE here go write down the serial numbers on all your electronic goods. Makes it much easier to track.

Im moving in a month and a half or so, and at my new place, I will be looking into wireless cameras for my new house.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

rofl paranoia is dangerous.... but ive thought of cams in mah car to watch out at night..... Try this wired the siren to YELL help fire and everyone will flood outside to the area in time to catch the perp...

Pro

bahahaha
If I had the time and money I sure would.
Someone showed me a cool linksys wireless camera. Only problem is that the camera itself and the mount for it is HUGE. It makes a cool wall camera though.

I need something about as thick as a pencil. Something I can stick in one of the many cracks in the dash

Wi$h

hey man that sucks, where was the car at when your stuff got stolen? looks like i'm not gonna play mine loud until i get an alarm.

CAMp3RO

i dont see tint being a theft deterant. i tend to think if a car has only its back window tinted, they're hiding something. i went a bit overboard with stealthing my system. flushed headunit with a fake face from an old delco head, amps recessed into the rear seat (oddly enough, no overheating yet, but knock on wood), sub box for single 12" taking up bottom half of well. box is covered by what looks to be misc junk (towel or two, ttop bag, cardboard box). a little motto i've learned "never bump it where you park it". and if you know you're in a shady area, dont play it loud.

all of this comes from having my system stolen before. it sucks and i dont want it to happen again; it took me a few years to get this system together.

Pro

In the parking lot right in front of my damn apartment.
The complex is known for VERY high car break ins (like once a week at a max). I would say only about 50 cars are parked at this complex (residents). The problem is that the complex is RIGHT at the beginning of the mexican ghetto.
I have talked to the complex and they dont care. I have consulted with the family attorney, and he says that the complex owners (multi million dollar establishment) would be WAY too hard to sue and take too long.

So Im pretty much bent over on this one. The law abiding citizen screwed once again.

But for now the car sits in a friend's garage for at least another month before I have the car transferred to another city (moving soon).

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

ladies and gentle men paranoia at its finest.... lol thats great but all of my three tintable windows are limoed...

CAMp3RO

its paranoia, yeah, but for good reason. i'd rather be paranoid and keep my system in an area thats known for getting stuff stolen then end up with a broken window, a destroyed console, ripped seats, and missing equipment.

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

everyone stand up and clap this is the first person to be honest to himself and everyone else. we need to band together as 3rd gen owners and come up with a anti theft deterent...

ill start off.. maybe electrified door handles?.. in africa there is a anti theft called The Balster.. basically it is a flame thrower that goes on the side of ur car and when someone tries to car jack u, u push a button that shoots a flame at them.. rig it to and alarm to pulse really fast when some one jolts the car..

Pro

I think in texas they call that unreasonable defense of property.
Or something like that.
But Im buying a set of jimmy jammers this weekend probably. Will install them over break between semesters.

Pro

BTW one other thing I began doing is giving false addresses when I have my car worked on by shops. I cant trust these businesses anymore and if I give them my real address, they can just come right over and take my car. Especially the shop that put in my alarm.

DigitalMonarch0

Here's what I was thinking about doing....


1) Bullhorn somewhere inside the car that turns on 5-10 seconds after the alarm.

2) Strobe light on the dash facing into the drivers seat to blind anyone who may be trying to steal the car.

3) Pager alarm to alert me so I can be there with a baseball bat when they blindly come out.


Just a start... but I think it's more realistic than flamethrowers

Pro

The pager is an awesome idea.
Dont the newer cars have this?

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

ive seen this in some aftermarket alarms.... i like that idea... but flames is soo cool. plus a falming perp is less likely to steal ur car.

jimmy jammers?? useless. i locked my only keys in my car(luckily i dint shut the door all the way, but enuff to not be able to open the door agin..) needless to say my friend who happens to be adept at car jacking or so he says( hes jamaican and chinese) tried to jimmy my doors and... nuthin. unjimmiable

CAMp3RO

i dont blame you for giving false addresses for getting work done. there's one shop in ct thats well known for stealing back the equipment they install....

but i know i can trust my regular mechanic. he's a friend of the family and i'm good friends with his daughters. and seeing as i worked for him and know everyone there, i know nothing shady will happen after i leave.

Pro

So you are saying the jammers do or dont work?

Wi$h

ya there used to be a shop around here like that, pro you'll prolly remember MGM electronics, they used to track some of their customers, then pay people to steal their stereos back, and thats why they are now known as Speaker City, cuz they had a bad rep

Bluebird

I have had this stereo in my car for almost three years and noone has even touched it. I have a alarm, tinted window, Plus the cargo cover, pager for alarm, baby monitor, and of course ol Heckler and Koch and SMith and wesson are always standing by for any late night disturbances.

Metal

Pro

Oh yea, I remember MGM.

The only places here in town I know of is MGM, Stans, and then Vison Audio (there is also best buy, circuit city, etc).

I last was in MGM about 2-3 years ago. I was looking for a good place to put my truck box. I settled on Stans mainly because of a more professional staff and environment. MGM was just plain nasty. Vision was a little better. But I settled on Stans for the truck box. Then of course I got the box for the camaro at vision.

I know for a fact that the Best Buy stereo department got into huge problems for breaking into people cars after installing stereos. Had no idea that MGM did as well. This city is just full of thieves.

Wi$h

ya, there's also custom sound works. i've only dealt with stans, and that was for my keyless entry/remote start. vision is too expensive, speaker city(MGM) still has a bad rep in my mind, but Custom does some badass stuff, and stans is my next choice, but from now on, i think i'ma just drive down to dallas to buy my stuff, since its a lot cheaper there, so this town is really full of thieves, if they don't steal the actual merchandise, they steal your money through high prices

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

no im saying they are unneccesary.. we couldnt jimmy my car.. it sucked have oyu seen that one scene from pirates of the caribeen where theyre fishing for the keys??

Pro

Well, whoever did get into my car jimmied it. MY alarm (the old one) locked itself automatically, so I know for a fact that the doors were locked that first time I was robbed. Im pretty sure it was locked the second time I was robbed.

Whats interesting is that the screws that hold the interior pieces together (like right about the side ground effects, where power wire was run under) was unscrewed. Its like these guys just took their time or something.

But of course they got pissed apparently and just ripped it out of the kick panel anyway.

white91formula

iTrader: (4)

or a decent 15 in a good box, sounds 100x better than 12's and much lower

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

that totally depends on what subs you're comparing, and what type of boxes they're in.

There are plenty of 12" subs out there that'll play flat to 20hz and lower. Likewise, there are 15" subs that won't.

Size doesn't determine sound quality.