Hi guys,

I am helping a friend design and install a system (we have done a few before, so installing/construction will not be a problem) in his new ute, so I was hoping for a few suggestions in terms of components. His budget is $3-3.5k, music preference is biased towards techno, and is after SQ, so what I believe a good breakdown would be:

$500 Headunit (alpine 9831 or 33 or thereabouts)
$500 for splits - I believe focal would be fairly bright, perhaps too bright for techno? I havent auditioned them personally.
$300 for single 10 or 12" sub
$1300 for amps - 2 channel and a monoblock
$500 for deadening + cabling

Any recommendations for products would be greatly appreciated, as I do not know what would be decent 'SQ' brands to go for in this budget, besides mainstream stuff like alpine and eclipse, of which I am sure there is better available.

Thanks

-CB

i reakon 300 on deadening and cabling. and get a 4ch amp, bridge the last 2 .. ex PG 100.4 .. then spend a bit more on the splits !! actually i think u should spend about 6-700 on the amp ! try go for a 2x75wrms+1x300wrms. plenty of power for a use.

also: focals are DEEP speakers .. consider diamond audio or dynaudio

The best way to allocate budget:

Head 15%
Speakers 50%
Amps 35%

Phil

The Best way for SQ

H.U 50%
Amp 30%
Speaker 20%

20% speakers? I disagree! Massive percentage for HU's belong in the big-budget setups. In smaller budget setups, front stage speakers get you the best bang-for-buck, hands down. (note that i'm not disagreeing with you AQ, just i think your breakdown is in the wrong thread!).

CB, you've listed a budget of just over $3k, if i'm not too drunk to count.....

You've listed it as a SQ system, so "balanced bass" is more important than "big bass", and in a ute that equals "savings!".

$400-500 HU: good quality, no sarcifices, moderate to good features.
$800-1000 Speakers - 2 way for install convenience and reduced install costs
3/4 channel amp, $700-800 - quality Medium range, or entry level top end.....
Sub - 10-12": $400-500
Install - $400-500

$2700 - 3300: a excellent break down IMHO, that brackets your target budget nicely!!

ahh WHATS A BUDGET !!!!

Just go get it done and worry about the divorce papers later i say thats what i did with my ute if ya want pix let me know

I think I was to drunk to count, did not see the $3K budget. Anyway speakers is always the last in my list. H.U is the most important. Shxt in Shxt out. For installation I am only willing to spent super installtion for the front stage speakers. Sorry I may post in the wrong thread.

You can't be serious? You've read to many Alpine catalogues!

Phil

Wrong Phil, I don't read cataloguesand and buy the products . First I Listen to them, if good then I buy them. All experience.

You should always evaluate each products on it's merits...but I think your breakdown is a little out of whack audioquest...the pristine SQ of the HX-D2 won't be worth worrying about if your running speaers that don't do it justice...garbage in/garbage out is true...but using avery high end source unit and speakers not up to the task is like ptting retreads on a Ferrari Enzo

Compare the difference in perfromance verses cost from:

1: A very good CD player to a high-end transport/external DAC/RMVC combo (say $600 vs $8000)

to

2: Good Speaker vs Great speakers (say $500 vs $2000)

On a cost/performance basis, there is more to be gained from speakers than a head unit.

Phil

well i just calculated up my sq install (something i told myself i would never do).
and this is how it worked out. i will work out the percentages later.
(note: all gear was purchased second hand apart from the 8" mids and h/u which were very cheap anywayz)
head unit: 800
Front end: 910
Sub: 700
amps: 1150
external xover: 150
overall: 3710.

the system consists of:
Head unit that can do my eq and t/a.
3 way active front stage(8" 4" tweet)
1 single sub.
3 amps (4 channel, 2 channel, small monoblock)
1 external 2 way active xover (4 channel amp has no xovers).

I am very happy with how my money was spent and find that i have everything i need to get some very very good sound.

As I said before I didn't see the $3K budget in the post. I took it as a much higher budget. And I am sorry for that post. Have you ever compare a $1,200 split againts a $6,500 split.
Both are the same brand equal power rating. The result both are as good. In a blind test I would say I may not be able tell which is the $6,500 split. I have to admit that the $6,500 split is still sleeping under my bed.

gear with percentages.. i would recomend spending around these percentages.
head unit: 800... 21%
Front end: 910...24.5%
Sub: 700...19% (speakers together:43.5%)
amps: 1150...31%
external xover: 150 4%
overall: 3710

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys!

reading the responses, it seems to make more sense to spend around $1k on the fronts. We aren't high SQ fanatics, so whether we end up with a pair of 240GTs or eton splits, or something else wouldnt make *that* much of a difference. That said, are there any dealers/shops in melbourne that allow auditions of high end speakers like these. Are there any recommendations for speakers in this range that we can start to research? There isnt much of a short list at the moment, sans

dyn 240GTs - is there a 6" equivalent (perhaps the 220 mk2? Custom pods are not an option at this stage, so 6" speakers would be preferable)
focal polykevlar

I'm looking at audison's range of amps, and both SRx.3 or an LRx 4.300 are on the short list.

-CB

What type of ute is it?

The normal Dyn MW160 from the 240 set fit in Commodores etc.

If it's a Hi-lux you can get more depth by extending the lower window track mount, either by welding more thread on or have an engineer make a deep nut to join more thread on.

Phil

I'm fairly sure that the GT will fit in most 6.5" mounting holes, so if you'got factory 6.5's, it's all good.