Good or Bad Idea?

[Trayten]

Ok I had this idea. Since I kinda just started with Car Audio I figured I should probably learn how to do the stuff myself. I certainly don't want to have to go to a shop every time to get my system's installed. So I just wanted to clear this with other people..

What I had in mind was to just buy some not so great quality subs and amp.. and basically just learn how to hook stuff up, how to tune amps, boxes, etc.. That way as I get older I can continue doing my hobby and actually be good at it myself

I didn't look at amps yet but I was thinking of going with some cheap subs, like 50 - 100 a piece just to screw around with and learn.

Any suggestions for cheap equipment that I could use?

Also, if you were in my shoes would you do it?

[Skullz]

Buy it once and buy quality gear the first time.

Just don't use a box to large for the subs and over power them or they will not last very long.

If your going to buy the wood and build boxes for tuning and experiment, then i would get particle board as it is cheaper to use and experiment with, and once you get the hang of things and understand how tuning works then switch over to MDF for your final box once you have it where you like it.

[bbeljefe]

I think your idea is fantastic. But I wouldn't spend as much as you're thinking.

I pretty much did the same thing although not by design. My methods were more based on the fact that I had no money to spend, so I had to scrape and scrounge and use the cheapest (often free) stuff I could find.

Here are some things a young friend of mine is doing.... he scouts u-pull it salvage yards for door speakers and other gear that isn't in plain sight. He's even found some pretty good audio gear. He also has a couple of regular yards where the manager/owners allow him to pull audio gear for next t nothing, since they don't inventory or try to sell it at all. From those places he's gotten some decent gear also. Of course, there are always pawn shops and Craigslist but you have to stay on top of them in order to find good deals.

All told, the guy has a ton of car audio gear. None of it is spectacular but enough of it has been good quality stuff that he now has a pretty nice setup in his own ride. He's even bought some subs and amps that were thought to be bad and weren't... that makes for a good resale profit on CL.

In the end, your method will allow you to experiment with a lot of different products, it'll allow you to blow a few subs and amps without going into debt for nothing and, perhaps most importantly, it will give you a benchmark upon which to judge equipment. Because once you do finally get yourself a really good quality setup, you will understand what everyone means by good gear vs. not so good gear.

[LoudBimmer]

go with SQ subs. They're under $100.

[Trayten]

Buy it once and buy quality gear the first time.

Just don't use a box to large for the subs and over power them or they will not last very long.

If your going to buy the wood and build boxes for tuning and experiment, then i would get particle board as it is cheaper to use and experiment with, and once you get the hang of things and understand how tuning works then switch over to MDF for your final box once you have it where you like it.

I already have my good setup.. good for me anyway it's in my signature here.. but my dad has this Honda CRX that was going to be my first car but I decided to go my own way.. but I'm going to talk to him and ask if I can experiment with it.

I think your idea is fantastic. But I wouldn't spend as much as you're thinking.

I pretty much did the same thing although not by design. My methods were more based on the fact that I had no money to spend, so I had to scrape and scrounge and use the cheapest (often free) stuff I could find.

Here are some things a young friend of mine is doing.... he scouts u-pull it salvage yards for door speakers and other gear that isn't in plain sight. He's even found some pretty good audio gear. He also has a couple of regular yards where the manager/owners allow him to pull audio gear for next t nothing, since they don't inventory or try to sell it at all. From those places he's gotten some decent gear also. Of course, there are always pawn shops and Craigslist but you have to stay on top of them in order to find good deals.

All told, the guy has a ton of car audio gear. None of it is spectacular but enough of it has been good quality stuff that he now has a pretty nice setup in his own ride. He's even bought some subs and amps that were thought to be bad and weren't... that makes for a good resale profit on CL.

In the end, your method will allow you to experiment with a lot of different products, it'll allow you to blow a few subs and amps without going into debt for nothing and, perhaps most importantly, it will give you a benchmark upon which to judge equipment. Because once you do finally get yourself a really good quality setup, you will understand what everyone means by good gear vs. not so good gear.

I may do that, that's a really good idea!

[Skullz]

This might work out fairly well for his car and at a decent price.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_40345_Pioneer-TS-W254R.html

Don't knock it till you try it. lol

Pretty solid box for $20 actually, just line the inside with some poly batting and you good to go.

Use titebond 2 if you get it instead of the supplied glue.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/10-dual-ported-flat-pack-subwoofer-enclosure/9854216.p?id=1218186321523&skuId=9854216&st=categoryid$abcat0302036&cp=1&lp=2

Nice powerful and reliable amp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alpine-MRP-M500-1-Channel-Car-Amp-/321254804439?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item4acc474bd7

[stroupe79]

Rockford P1 10s are $69 on Sonic http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_36293_Rockford-Fosgate-P1S4-10-11P1S410.html...rated for 250rms 500peak and can be run in ported or sealed enclosures and getting a decent 500w amp shouldn't too hard...here is a nicely priced Rubicon for about $70 http://www.amazon.com/RUB1-400-Soundstream-Monoblock-Subwoofer-Amplifier/dp/B004H2FXQI/ref=sr_1_17/185-9242110-5545528?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384984391&sr=1-17&keywords=soundstream+amplifier

[jarrius]

Soundqubed hds subs are cheap and I know they will be better then a lot of other cheap stuff out there I run there hdc3 series and love it

[Soccerballzs]

Hey I agree with bloodrises SQ has good products check them out!

[g2shuck]

maybe do a rubicon amp on a set of hds200 soundqubed subs