Amp Advice

[TheBRZsKnees]

Originally Posted by Chimera

Active setups will give you more control, but I'm not gonna lie, going active right out the gate without even having a sub installed yet is prob not right for you.


Sounds like right now you have stock HU, stock rear speakers, an alpine MRV-V500 (which is a good amp) and a set of 2way passives up front.
If I was you, I'd recommend getting a sub for the sub channel and a head unit which will let you control what that MRV-V500 is doing much better, and you prob wont need new speakers for your needs.


budget becomes a question, but if you are doing a Hu I would def recommend something with android auto or apple carplay if your an iPhone person. I'm using a pioneer 4100NEX. Alpine, kenwood, etc all make good units with good feature sets.

once you have the sub figured out and the head unit, I'd recommend learning the basics on crossover control from the headunit before investing in full active. I'd go with HPF 100hz 12db on fronts, HPF 125 12db on rears, and LPF 80hz 18db on sub.

cost wise this is somewhere around 800~1500 for a nice sub and a nice head unit and will make better use of what you already have installed.


You might decide later you still want to use the 3.5 (I did)
if so you can install a set of 3.5s on headunit power, and have the 2ways run off the amp. but I wouldn't do that until you have done the other things here, as its prob not necessary.

This is a lot of good info. I appreciate it. I've had my eye on the JL Audio Stealthbox for a while. Just waiting to see a good deal pop up on one.

For the HU, I'm a bit hesitant to commit to Android Auto or iOS Carplay since I haven't always stuck with one over the other. I was looking at the X4800BS. Is something like the 4100NEX worth the extra cash?

[Chimera]

Originally Posted by ph4zon

This is a lot of good info. I appreciate it. I've had my eye on the JL Audio Stealthbox for a while. Just waiting to see a good deal pop up on one.

For the HU, I'm a bit hesitant to commit to Android Auto or iOS Carplay since I haven't always stuck with one over the other. I was looking at the X4800BS. Is something like the 4100NEX worth the extra cash?

Most of the units are supporting both. Pioneer is anyway. From my experience with the 4100 nex in an frs, I would recommend a unit like it, but without a removable screen. In my car sometimes it creeks. It's barely noticeable, but seeing how much I spent for it, I feel entitled to nit pick. Features wise, I love the 4100. Recently added backup camera, use it a lot more than I expected for parking backwards

[TheBRZsKnees]

I realized I never made a follow-up post in this thread. I figured I'd close the loop in case anyone ends up in the same situation as me.

I ended up getting a Pioneer AVH-X5800BHS. Between the Source Level Adjuster, Speaker Level settings, Loudness and Equalizer, I was able to improve the music quality a lot. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I'm still looking for a good deal on a JL Audio Stealthbox, but the HU was a big step in the right direction.

Big thanks to everyone who posted advice in this thread.