Need Help With Sound
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2
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Need Help With Sound
So I've had a 2005 Dakota 4 door for a while now and I'm looking to do some sprucing up on the sound system. I want to have an in-the-dash Video Touch Screen radio/dvdinstalled and upgrade the sound system. I've decided to go with the Jensen VM9412 for the video/radio and add a sirus reciever with that. My question lies in the sound system. I'll admit I am completly ignorant when itcomes to this soforgive me. I listen to everything from Classical, tocountry, to hardrock, so I need something that can go fromthe sound of a violin, to ACDC. I plan to have eveything professionally installed (Since I would Just Screw it up), soI am wondering what a decent system would cost installed.I know that it can vary greatly, but im just looking for a ballpark figure that I can start whith before Igodown to the audio shop. I would like to move the sound "up" in the back seat so its more pointed toward my head.Ha anyone considerd putting a sub between the front seats in the vacant area?And does anyone have the Jensen VM9412 and can vouch forit?
Justin
2005 - 2008 Dodge Dakota Truck V8/V6 3.00" AWD/AWB
Justin
2005 - 2008 Dodge Dakota Truck V8/V6 3.00" AWD/AWB
RE: Need Help With Sound
I had a Jensen HU in my first truck, not a fan of them at all. It didn't work very well and crapped out after about a year, personally I stay away from anything Jensen.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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RE: Need Help With Sound
If walmart sells it its not good! I am not too familiar with video touch screens since I prefer to set it how I want it and focus on driving. Talk to the guys at the stereo shop and see what they recommend. One thing I have to have in ALL my head units is a FULL equalizer. I love tinkering with the sound curve to get the best sound "bubble" Currently I use Pioneer as a good bang for the buck and has awesome EQ features.
The biggest misconception i hear in terms of speakers is that brighter tweaters are better! WRONG. take the time to listen to different sets of component speakers. Ones with really bright sharp sounding tweaters may sound nice but they can be harsh on the ears and cause listener fatigue causing you to turn the volume down. True audio enthusiats prefer a "flatter" sounding tweater. That doesent mean you cant hear Ella Fitzgerald breathe! You still hear everything (from a good set of speakers) it just doesnt sound as sharp!
A good bang for the buck speaker would be the likes of Alpine, JL Audio
A top quality speaker would be something like Morel (expensive as f**k but sooo worth it) or Focal (great sound but a little overpriced in my opinion, not as good as Morel)
Subwoofers are another key element. There are a lot of space confinements in a truck (unless youre happy just sitting a box on top of the rear seat) There are some special setups designed for pickups but woofer size is usually limited to 8" or 10" There is always a custom setup to get exactly what you want but that is $$$$$ (money well spent in my opinion) the size of the woofer will give you a different sound. generally the bigger the speaker the more (not necessarily louder) bass you get. a 12" Sub will produce more low end frequencies than a 10" but both can still hit pretty hard. I prefer the 12" subs for that reason. Placement is key as well, the farther away from your ears it is, the more it will resonate around your head.
I have always loved the JL Audio 12" W3 subwoofer. But preferences do vary. Other good brands include Alpine andKicker
Lastly you will definitely need at least one amplifier for the subwoofer. you do not need crazy amounts of wattage to power one sub! I had a 600 watt amp bridged into 2 subsand they were freakin LOUD You will also want to consider a good 4 channel amp for your speakers to help out the head unit.
The basic goal I try to achieve with my car sound systems (ive had four in my old cars) is to create a "bubble" of sound around me where I can hear a crisp clear sound without anything too piercing. IE I can turn up the volume and still be comfortable listening. Not too much highs, not too much lows, just right and balanced.
A FULL top of the line system can run upwards of $5,000 or more for full custom work and top of the line components. in a nice truck I plan on keeping forever one day I will eventually go that route. For now I stick with a $1,000 to $1,800 budget and Ive been pretty happy.
The biggest misconception i hear in terms of speakers is that brighter tweaters are better! WRONG. take the time to listen to different sets of component speakers. Ones with really bright sharp sounding tweaters may sound nice but they can be harsh on the ears and cause listener fatigue causing you to turn the volume down. True audio enthusiats prefer a "flatter" sounding tweater. That doesent mean you cant hear Ella Fitzgerald breathe! You still hear everything (from a good set of speakers) it just doesnt sound as sharp!
A good bang for the buck speaker would be the likes of Alpine, JL Audio
A top quality speaker would be something like Morel (expensive as f**k but sooo worth it) or Focal (great sound but a little overpriced in my opinion, not as good as Morel)
Subwoofers are another key element. There are a lot of space confinements in a truck (unless youre happy just sitting a box on top of the rear seat) There are some special setups designed for pickups but woofer size is usually limited to 8" or 10" There is always a custom setup to get exactly what you want but that is $$$$$ (money well spent in my opinion) the size of the woofer will give you a different sound. generally the bigger the speaker the more (not necessarily louder) bass you get. a 12" Sub will produce more low end frequencies than a 10" but both can still hit pretty hard. I prefer the 12" subs for that reason. Placement is key as well, the farther away from your ears it is, the more it will resonate around your head.
I have always loved the JL Audio 12" W3 subwoofer. But preferences do vary. Other good brands include Alpine andKicker
Lastly you will definitely need at least one amplifier for the subwoofer. you do not need crazy amounts of wattage to power one sub! I had a 600 watt amp bridged into 2 subsand they were freakin LOUD You will also want to consider a good 4 channel amp for your speakers to help out the head unit.
The basic goal I try to achieve with my car sound systems (ive had four in my old cars) is to create a "bubble" of sound around me where I can hear a crisp clear sound without anything too piercing. IE I can turn up the volume and still be comfortable listening. Not too much highs, not too much lows, just right and balanced.
A FULL top of the line system can run upwards of $5,000 or more for full custom work and top of the line components. in a nice truck I plan on keeping forever one day I will eventually go that route. For now I stick with a $1,000 to $1,800 budget and Ive been pretty happy.
