Speakers/Amps for Range Rover - please dont flame

**RoyN** · 01-21-2005, 12:08 PM

Hi,

I realize this might be a fu-ed up question, totally noob and all... but here is the situation.

I own a Range Rover and I installed a carpc in it (just so u have idea of size...kinda like a Grand Cherokee but a bit bigger if u have never seen one...

)

Anyways:
I was using a lame-*** tape adapter to have the audio from the computer to my original headunit so I could keep my steering wheel controls.
THEN, my HU crapped out, and I'm not replacing it due to the $1800 price tag. So I am set on replacing the audio.

I was going to go HU-less, or at least set on hookin up the CPC direct to amps. However, after getting my hands on a cheap amp in Brazil I was told by more than one sound expert that I should replace my speakers otherwise they would blow because of the power of the amp. (The amp is a 600Watts total I believe or 400Watts total)...

I thought that was BS, until I put a temporary HU in my car (borrowed an Alpine from a friend)... This new HU, even at the lowest volume is pretty loud through my speakers... and if I put the volume on like 20% its already REALLY loud, so I thought "ok, these speakers are really flimsy...

Anyways... I am looking to spend around $500 if possible (tell me if I am on another planet with this budget, I have little clue).

And I would like to get 4 decent speakers for my car. My car also has a sub (which needs replacing though), so I would also need a sub.

Here is dilemma number 1: Should I power 4 speakers+sub with my "Hurricane"-brand amp? Or should I get 4Speakers with a good amp (Fosgate is a brand I'm familiar with or whatever other brand u recommend) and get a subwoofer an power it on its own from my hurricane amp?

Basically what speakers would u guys recommend (I'm not really big on HUGE pumping audio systems, I want something that I can hear loud when going to the club or when I have a bunch of friends in the car, and at the same time I want it to sound good for day-to-day listening)...

I'm sorry for this post... I'm really in the dark, and I dont know what to look for....

Sorry for the long post... I hope I made myself clear...

PS: other alternative, ditch everything I have. What setup (Amps+Speakers+Sub) would u recommend for a Range Rover?

PS2 - Background Info: My Hurricane Amp (it might be rebranded, build quality is pretty good with small knobs on one end, sloid case, etc dunno where it is made)... But it has spearate low output for a sub, I guess, and also has FOUR RCA inputs... 2 Front 2 Rear. Also please note my current Sub is blown (I bought the car second hand and hadnt noticed that)

**sygad** · 01-21-2005, 12:17 PM

$500 seems a little on the small size for a budget of 4 speakers and a sub, then again im UK based and don't know how far $500 will go where you are, in UK not very far at all.

Have you tried the http://www.talkaudio.co.uk forum, they have very good people there from all over the world who know a hell of a lot just about car audio.

Give them a go, I dare say a lot of people here are already members

Hope this helps in a small way

Cheers

**DRWeside** · 01-21-2005, 12:23 PM

if you don't want a powerful system, just get a HU with plenty of features. ie. Built-in high-pass and low-pass filters and pre-amp subwoofer output. Then get 4 quality speakers; don't skimp on these. I don't know what size speakers the RR has, but $100 should buy you a good pair of 6.5" coaxial speakers.

You can power these off your HU and then use the pre-amp output from the HU as audio input for the "Hurricane"-brand amp powering your subwoofer.

**RoyN** · 01-21-2005, 12:23 PM

I really dont know what to look for... Ignore my $500 budget then and tell me how much I'm looking at... that might be easier...

I'm not going bezerk high-end here, I just want something that I wont outgrow rather soon... Although I'm no audio freak... I just want something solid, good quality... no need for the best

**DRWeside** · 01-21-2005, 12:43 PM

Are you going to be doing the installation work? I don't know much about RRs, but they are expensive and at $1800 for a HU, I would imagine that they come with factory amplifiers for the speakers. That might explain why the speakers sounded so loud at such a low HU volume. You need to be more detailed on how that Alpine HU was connected so that others here can help. What size speakers does the RR have?

Edit: From your original post, I can only assume that you are in Brazil. I don't know what prices are like over there, but if you are in the states, I can say that you can work with a budget of $600.

1. Headunit - You can get a decent HU for less than $250.
2. *Assume* 6.5" speakers - 2 pair of Pioneer coaxials for less than $200.
3. You said you needed a new subwoofer; you can get a good 12" sub for less than $150. Again, we don't know what size sub you have, etc. etc.

**RoyN** · 01-21-2005, 12:53 PM

DrWeside,

Can you recommend a brandname and model? That is what I am looking for...

I am not doing the installation myself. I have a sound equipment store that I trust (I usually double check in other places too)... The sound store guy told me that the RR has crossovers in the doors to split the HU signal between the tweeter (which I'll probably have to part with if I get different speakers) which is mounted spearately from the speaker.

The Alpine HU was loud, but the sound quality wasnt good! It really sounded like too much for the speakers. And the original Clarion unit wasnt "unusually" loud... it was less loud (at the lower volumes) and more quality. It didnt really get to high volumes with good quality, and wasnt a REALLY powerful/loud system by any means.

Thanks for what is being said so far.

The recommendation from the sound guy was:

2 sets of DB Drive 6" by 6" two-ways (4 total) costing a total of $400 + inst. I couldnt find these speakers on the net to compare pricing (although since this pricing is local in brazil I expect they cost around half if I buy them and take them with me on my next trip). Are these a sensible choice maybe?

He recommended powering it all up using the hurricane RCA-amp.

**DRWeside** · 01-21-2005, 01:01 PM

How old is your RR? What size is the subwoofer?

**RoyN** · 01-21-2005, 01:03 PM

Its a 1999. I'm not sure the size of the sub, I'm gonna ask (I'm not in Brazil right now, but I can have it checked)

**Phythorian** · 01-21-2005, 01:14 PM

RoyN,

my car is also a range Rover, model P38 from '95. I don't know if you have the same model car,

But a Range is factory equipped with an superb audiosystem, it has an Harman Kardon speakersystem which can easily compare with expensive car audio components.

I'm also installing an carpc into it, and got rid of the HU.
I bought a Magnat 360 Classic amp with 4x90 watts RMS, at Ebay for 80€.

The car sounds like never before!!

If you want a nice sound, like factory installed with HU, and no price winning boom car,
is my advise, keep your speakers, buy a good soundcard, and a pretty good amp.

**hd54321** · 01-21-2005, 01:19 PM

SUB - Save money on a sub by getting an all-in-one unit like the Infinity Basslink. It goes for $200 on eBay. It has 2 10" subs and a 200 watt amp. It's not a sub you will hear down the block, but it will fill in your system VERY nicely and it is a great bargain.

AMP - You can get a cheap 4-channel amp off ebay for about $200. Just search for "Audiobahn 4 channel", "Pioneer 4 channel" or "Rockford Fosgate 4 channel".

SPEAKERS - Get a set of Infinity components up front (Infinity's are nice and well priced) and a set of 2-ways for the rear.

Here is a tip to save some cash, purchsae from one seller to combine shipping charges - (new age electronics on eBay is AWESOME).

You're looking at a little more than $500 or $600 and this is a bargain system. Don't forget that you will also need the installation/wiring accessories as well and this will run you another $40.

-HD