New Stereo System

[drperry]

As for rear fill, let me ask you this, Harley. What percentage of the time out of all of your driving do you have passengers riding in the back? I wouldn't waste the money on rear fill if no one rides back there more than 70% of the time. That's money that can go elsewhere to greatly improve the quality of your system, especially on the $1K budget. If you're the main listener you don't want to pull the stage behind you. A front stage can easily fill a whole cab.

There are only a few reasons I'd put rear fill in a truck:
- If I had a 5.1 head unit with access to 5.1 material
- If passengers rode with me more than 60/70% of the time
- Competition

I have a set of amped components up front and rear speakers deleted. I have people ride with me quite often and all of them agree it gets plenty loud for them when they're in the back. It can get as loud as you can stand while retaining quality. What I'm getting at is that I see no reason to spend money on rear fill, especially on a budget.

I hate it when my rear speakers are turned off... The truck sounds empty...


I've been more than pleased with my Alpine setup... Great sound quality, not the loudest, but I can drown out all road noise... And that's perfect

Rear fill does make a difference... I actually prefer a little more rear bias myself...

And never pick your stereo setup for passengers... Only do it for yourself

 

[bubbatrucklover]

Didn't realize it was regular cab. I'd say try to save as much money as possible. Along with the head unit try out two components and a nice sub amped off a good 4-ch and see how you like the sound. Keep the other speakers stock and play with your fill. Fade it from front to rear with different sources playing. If you like the rear fill, then look at upgrading them. If the components are enough then you saved some money.

I could be wrong, but that's what I thought from her o.p.

The dash and rear replacements I suggested were only $100 all together. (to be ran off the HU) and felt them to be an upgrade over factory. I like to use all the factory locations provided without necessarily going overboard.

With 2 speakers bouncing of the windshield and 2 head level they don't need as much power as ones by your legs to provide noticeable sound.

Didn't feel that was out of line for cost especially since her budget was $1,000.

I do agree with you ,if she is hesitant as to which she feels she might prefer deleted or not and the $100 is an issue then try with factory first.

I just like to do all my stereo stuff at once (or in phases,but with everything in hand)

 

[bubbatrucklover]

I hate it when my rear speakers are turned off... The truck sounds empty...


I've been more than pleased with my Alpine setup... Great sound quality, not the loudest, but I can drown out all road noise... And that's perfect

Rear fill does make a difference... I actually prefer a little more rear bias myself...

And never pick your stereo setup for passengers... Only do it for yourself

Agreed.

 

[mblouir]

The dash and rear replacements I suggested were only $100 all together. (to be ran off the HU) and felt them to be an upgrade over factory. I like to use all the factory locations provided without necessarily going overboard.

If she prefers rear fill then I have no problem with it--it's all personal preference. $100 for four speakers, though? She'd be better off keeping the stock ones for fill until dropping more money into the upgrades. Cheap aftermarket speakers aren't necessarily better than stock, and $100 for four speakers is cheap.

Why did you PM her the stuff you recommended? Can you post it here?

 

[thunderstruck]

I will gladly agree to disagree as to "deleting" rear speakers. Most any sound system I've heard has better sound quality with a rear fill from them. Certain music (not ghetto shit ! that's NOT music) has certain notes and other sounds that are lost without them.

To me it's no different then a home theater surround sound vs. 2 speakers and a bass.(2.1)

I have a bone to pick with you now, I've heard that several times and I just don't understand what people are hearing. CDs, FM radio, MP3s, etc. all provide only 2-channel input, so unless you happen to have a headunit with a matrix surround sound decoder, 2-channel output is all you're going to get.

 

[Harley2]

Wow lots of info and I really appreciate it.

The truck is a crew cab... it has infiniti speakers it it now, my husband just informed me 8 of 'em (blonde moment) and it is DD. $1000 is a guideline a couple hundred more to save a headache later is worth it.

I used to know all about this stuff in the late 80s early 90s and had a boyfriend who taught me to install and rewire... so I was figuring on rewiring, based on past knowledge. That being said I no longer have a clue about it, but Mark says he does... so there you go... between the two of us we might get her done.

Back when I was into muscle cars we always upgraded and used Alpine, again this was circa 1988 ( I know I am dating myself but whatever). Stereos are definitely an individual preference, I was hoping to get some updated ideas in this old broad's brain to help steer me and I appreciate all teh input. I plan on having this truck for awhile so its worth the few more bucks to get it right....

 

[mblouir]

Alpine is still a legit brand. They have quality equipment across the board.

I have a bone to pick with you now, I've heard that several times and I just don't understand what people are hearing. CDs, FM radio, MP3s, etc. all provide only 2-channel input, so unless you happen to have a headunit with a matrix surround sound decoder, 2-channel output is all you're going to get.

x2. It just pulls the sound stage behind you--that's it. Personally I don't like the band behind me at a concert. Different folks, different strokes.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

I have a bone to pick with you now, I've heard that several times and I just don't understand what people are hearing. CDs, FM radio, MP3s, etc. all provide only 2-channel input, so unless you happen to have a headunit with a matrix surround sound decoder, 2-channel output is all you're going to get.

No you are correct. I used a VERY VERY piss poor comparison. Most HU aren't set up for seperation. So you wouldn't get the "surround sound" effect. I need to NEVER use that example as it confuses more then helps.

Though I will still never understand the argument that a set of components and sub(s) are equal or better then a complete sound system.

I just feel it doesn't take an audiophile to notice what is or isn't missing. IMHO

We can all agree though none of us has to ride in the other's vehicles and "put up with" a system we don't prefer.

 

[bubbatrucklover]

Back when I was into muscle cars we always upgraded and used Alpine, again this was circa 1988 ( I know I am dating myself but whatever). Stereos are definitely an individual preference, I was hoping to get some updated ideas in this old broad's brain to help steer me and I appreciate all teh input. I plan on having this truck for awhile so its worth the few more bucks to get it right....

That's funny.

We always had Kenwood and Sonys for a HU(no one could afford Nakamichi best auto reverse concept EVER) we had Alphasonic,Harmon Karter,Hifonics,Orion or Fosgate amps, Kenwood or Hifonics EQs(what a BITCH to get set right) for speakers the mids we used I forgot the spelling(cios?), Tweeters were poly/audax,JBL 6"X9"s and either Kicker,Orion or Cerwin Vega subs(some rear deck ported some boxed and fireing forward.)

 

[mblouir]

Why did you PM her the stuff you recommended? Can you post it here?