my "semi-mild" mid life crisis system

[shovelbill80]

so....i got around to getting some real tunes in my K5.

Pioneer 4200UB head unit
JL Audio XD 700/5 amp
Q Logic C series kick panels
JBL P660C 6.5" components up front
Pioneer TS-D1602R 6.5" 2 ways behind front seats
Rockford P2 10" ported box
RF circuit breaker
RF wire all around
ran the Pioneer 4 X 10's in back that were there off the HU(for shiits and giggles and when the gate is opened)

it sounds unreal. even when i was a kid i didn't have a system that would compare to this one. i'm very glad i listened to the indy that i got most of the stuff from. he told me that i'd be happier with a removable 10" sub than with a shallow woof mounted in the rear quarter like i wanted. i may just be getting smarter in my old age, considering i listened to a guy that is years younger than my riding jacket . i'll get some pictures up later or tomorrow...it's dark out and i don't have my camera with me.

man....am i psyched. Tony Iommi's guitar blew my hair outta the pony tail

 

[shovelbill80]

lousy cell pictures.....i just cranked up some Joe Bonamassa Live. WOW

 

[shovelbill80]

now....i need to try and not crush the weirdo grill guards i'll be fine. i think i've read that Rockford Fosgate isn't very good stuff anymore, but i can tell you that this thing works just fine for my stuff.

hmmm...forgot the amp pic.

 

[4xcrazy]

I don't think it's so much of a matter of Rockford Fosgate being "not as good anymore" as the fact that there are several other companies that have come out in the past several years with similar performing equipment, or even better now due to research & developement.

And with the right advertising, people buy into it, like the JL Audio thing, people like change, even if it's just a name change, cause they think it may be better than a previous popular named product, when most likely it's about the same in performance anyways.

Me personally, i still like the Kicker name, and am running all Kicker speakers in my truck But i don't think this is a name you really hear much lately, especially with all the big name stereo and equipment chain store pushing the masses the products they buy in bulk.

I bought my complete system from a small (mom & pop) store, guy knew his schtuff about systems, told him what i was looking for, he had done several Burbs in the past, he knew the budget i was on, so he recommended certain things, i listened to samples of different speakers , made the choices and he even installed it all for me, including custom building the box for the 2-15" Kicker Comp VR's in the back.

MUCH more than i needed, but i had never had a nice loud, extremely clean sounding system in a vehicle. I love it, although more in the past couple of years i really don't drive around with it blaring as much as when i first got it must be getting old

As far as those Q-Logic kick panel speaker thingies, i was watching the other thread about them, just my opinion, i don't like them, they intrude too far into the foot resting area for my lilking. I can see them in 6-12 months time, being all smashed or scratched from people feet hitting them or whatnot.

I got excellent quality sound, 10 times better volume and clarity out of a new set of 3.5" Kickers powered with an amp and set in the factory dash location at the corners, the sound bounces off the windshield, i was amazed at the sound difference when i first went to the shop and checked on the status of the install, he was building the box for the subs, but had everything else already installed and working, and told me to go ahead and check it out.

 

[shovelbill80]

the Rockford/Kicker thing? that's what i've "heard" from other people, but i'm not into competition type quality......or ego for that matter. same people told me the JBL's i bought weren't going to sound that great either.

i really liked the Pioneer 3.5's and 4 X 10's the PO had in the dash/rear running off the Sony, it was pretty loud and clear compared to a stock setup. i just had it in my stubborn head to do the kick panel thing when i upgraded and i'm quite positive that those JBL grills, at the very least, will be junk in short order too . i need to be mindful of them intruding into the foot well. they do take up real estate............

soundwise? i'm very happy that i did this though. the first box i heard at a different shop was a ported Kicker unit with a square woofer in it, that thing sounded great also. my local indy sells popular JL Audio, Rockford and Pioneer stuff mostly. he has the "made in Germany" MB Quart too, but i didn't want those type of tweeters. he has all the top shelf stuff too, but we agreed that's wasn't what i needed to meet my goal.

i always prefer to buy local when it's feasable, service and personal relationships are worth more to me than saving a few dollars. it helps keep these neighborhood mom and pop shops survive through these times of "internet sales" frenzy...main thing 4xcrazy is that we're happy when we drive our trucks.