Should be getting a new car within the next 12 months, & cause I'm bored & have nothing to do over the course of the school holidays, I thought I'd start planning roughly what I want in my next system.
It'll probably help if I say that it'll probably be going into a 1998 - current model Lancer coupe or possibly a '96 - '98 Celica, depending on what I can get. Both around the same size cabin, not like it's the difference between an MX5 & a Commodore
So far, it's looking something like this:

Fronts: Hertz ESK165 (Unless the new hertz range attracts my attention )
Front Amp: Audison Srx2 or Lrx2, or Coustic 240SE
Rears: Some two way paper cones
Sub Amp: Kenwood KAC-848 (I want to carry something over from my current system)
Sub: ???
Head Unit: ???

For the sub, I was thinking a DVC sub that would run alright with 150wrms to each coil, or maybe a pair of SVC subs that could take 150wrms each.
I would prefer a single DVC sub as I value my boot room as well as my SQ. Maybe an Alpine Type R or S, if 150wrms per coil is enough. Whatever it is, I wanna keep the system SQ orientated & I don't want it to over power the front stage or be too uncomfortable for the rear passengers.
Once again, I'm looking for a reasonable SQ HU. It doesnt need any expandability for a multimedia setup, I wont need it & dont intend to get one. So it doesnt need DVD capability or anything.
I was thinking possibly Alpine or Clarion for my HU, only because I've heard such good things about those two companies.

I'm trying to stick to a budget of around $1500 - $2000. Preferably on the lower side my budget as I will have to wire the car up as well, but there wont be any labour costs.
Only restriction brand wise, is I don't want to repeat any brands. So if it's an Alpine sub, then no Alpine HU.

So far, going off the prices on the online store, I've got about $900 - $1000 to spend on the HU & sub, once you take into account some Sound deadening & Wires & stuff.

[ January 09, 2003, 17:21: Message edited by: Big_B ]

For your headunit i would never go past alpine and their budget decks which are very good for around $400 awesome sound quality.

The coustic seems like a good amp but 60wrms may not be enough to give suffiecient headroom, then again if your not gonna go very loud then 60wrms will be perfect as the power will be clean.

Im not that familar with the Audison range.

With the sub the type R is a pretty good all round sub but definitely not a pure Sound quality woofer. But for $300 you cant really beat it as the dedicated SQ woofers from Focal/Image Dynamics and well above $400.

You should pick up an Image Dynamics IDQ12v.2 under $400 (there were some available for $299 a while ago) pm me for info if u want (legit....)

I would go LRx if u can manage the $$ or u might pick up something tasty at the right $$ in the For Sale (thanx GMHVNS for my mate's superb Soundstream at the right $$ )

HU's: a well-priced Alpine, Clarion, Pie-in-yer-ear etc that has what facilities you need will do the biz just fine

hmm, where's the sense in that?

ok, $1500 for HU, splits, 2-channel amp, and DVC sub.

i'd divide the budget up something like:
*HU: ~$400
*2-channel amp : ~$300
*splits: ~$400
*DVC sub: ~$300

as a suggestion:
*alpine CDM-7871 HU or jvc KD-S785 (if you want MP3)
*coustic 241SE 2x60WRMS amp for splits
*hertz HSK165 6.5" splits
*alpine type-S/R DVC 4+4ohm subs

hope this helps.