Xplod vs. Audiobahn

Sir Posts A Lot · 10-22-2005, 11:19 AM

For my car I want to put in a big sound system, and Ive noticed that amps subwoofers etc. by Sony Xplod, are far cheaper than others. Are they bad quality, or just cheap? I like the look of Audiobahn amps and subwoofers, and they seem good quality, but their stuff is expensive. Are they worth the extra money?
One more thing. I saw some Audiobahn Immortal subwoofers advertised in Import Racer magazine for $550 (10"), and then I saw the same ones for $80 at onlinecarstereo.com. Whats with this?

Peoples · 10-22-2005, 11:22 AM

a lot of people don't like sony. I like them fine....if I had a ton of excess money I'd go JL. I dont know that I'd waste my time with Audiobahn. Their products are good, but I've seen a lot of stupid pricing with their products as well. At circuitcity I saw a plastic chrome finish grill cover....$70. This thing goes for like $8 on the internet.

xdjxklusivex · 10-22-2005, 11:32 AM

i personaly dont like sony... car audio that is audiobahn is like jl subs the first day and after a while it sounds like swapmeet stuff is what ive noticed. best bang for ur buck would be like 3 jl audio w0 10 inch or 12 inch subs they go really cheep u dont need too much power to push em but with the right box omfg ur head will spin! its all about tuning the setup and having it to optimal settings which sometimes takes a long time to do but if u buy 2 or 3 w0 subs and grab like a jl 300/1 amp (bomb *** amp) u can run em all on there and jl acctuly has guides how to setup their subs with their amps and tune it up and all that check out there website .... www.jlaudio.com

Sir Posts A Lot · 10-22-2005, 11:44 AM

Thanks guys. Jl looks pretty good, and not too expensive. How would sony compare to JL, are they not even worth getting, because they are really cheap, and Im not made of money.

StrataG · 10-22-2005, 11:55 AM

I personally would never buy anything Sony for the car, although I did have a Sony head-unit in a previous car. Only reason I did this was because I had an Audi and the headunit matched the interior lights well. If you are not overly concerned about sound quality at high volumes, then you could be happy with Sony stuff. The problem is when you pump your system, their equipment sucks when pushed to even close to it's reported max. If you go the Sony route, get equipment that handles double the power specs it states and it would decent. With that in mind, you'll quickly realize it's not worth it.

Go with higher quality, lower power setups. You'd be suprised how well a relatively lower power system can sound if you set it up properly and with quality components.

Vinister · 10-22-2005, 12:11 PM

Focal has a new entry level line of speakers that are arguably the best sounding speakers in their price range.

I wouldn't buy anything sony, audiobahn, or anything else that's so mass-manufactured. Alpine amps have proved to be pretty decent, but if you can get into an entry level audison or similar amp, even though it will have lower rated power, it will sound much much better. It's quality over quantity.

Maybe its just me I just hate the sound of some cheap subs pounding with a cheap class D sub amp (ie 95% of sub amps out there). Its just such a dry nasty bass sound, more distortion than musical output. Then if you try to listen to anything transient (not hiphop or techno), the bass guitars sound terrible.

$.02

accentsound · 10-22-2005, 02:19 PM

They don't call them EXPLOD for nothing.

But, buying stuff that cost more than the down payment on a house does not mean you get something exceptional either.

Audiobahn is an improvement over sony. Audiobahn used to be better but hey have cut quality on some of their products.

In car stereo the BIGGEST factor on sound quality and volume is Component Placement, matching and equalization. Enclosure design!

Poor system design and installation will make 10,000 system components sound like crap while proper design will make 200 coaxes sound like gold.

One of the SQ winners at the last Spring Break nationals used Kicker mids and highs in thier system. Proper design, placement and equalization gave them a win using stuff that most SQ enthuiasts would shun like the plauge.

Vinister · 10-22-2005, 03:11 PM

well put. installation is key. amateur installs will produce amateur sound, with any gear.

djXternal · 10-22-2005, 03:33 PM

I have two jl 10w0's and wouldnt trade em for anything except maybe some 10w3v2's and for speakers i should be getting some mb quartz soon, but focal are also excellent speakers (but pricey).... and DEI makes some good amps if you dont care that its not a major brand name