Any reason not to buy from best buy?
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New member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 1 Registered: Jun-08 | I'm going to be buying my first car in next few months and want to have a decent system in it. After researching for a month or so, right now I'm planning on getting a pair of 6 1/2" infinity kappa components for the fronts, 6x9" kappas for the rear, the lower end rockford 400 watt 4 channel amp, and an alpine cda-9886 HU. I'm thinking about getting the whole setup from Best Buy because I don't want install everything myself and their prices seem reasonable, but I want to make sure that the quality of installation is going to be good (just stuff like looking clean, mounting the tweeters of the components in a good location). I'm also wondering if the alarm systems at Best Buy are decent or if I should go to a specialty dealer for that. One other quick question, all that equipment is decent, right? I know the Rockford amp is a low-end model, but is it still decent? With those speakers would it be worth it to get everything at a store that had the Power 400 watt amp? And lastly, the nearest Best Buy that has Kappa stuff is a 45 minute drive away, and I'd really not have to make too many trips there and back to compare speakers. My local BB has Infinity Reference and Alpine Type R components, and listening to the two of those amped, I like the highs of the Infinitys and the lows of the Alpines more, so I'm hoping the Kappas will have the brighter highs of the Reference with a bit better bass? I also plan to make a trip out a specialty shop that's also a bit of a drive to listen to some MB Quart and Diamond Audio components, but I can't seem to find what those retail for online, and from what I've heard they might be a bit out of my price range ($300 for the fronts and $200 for the rears is the most I'm willing to spend). Whoops, just remembered I had one last question (this time I promise). I think there may have been threads that discuss this a bit, but I haven't been able to find a definitive answer so: I want to get rear speakers because I'm used to listening to music from a 5.1 system in my house. Am I correct in believing that 6x9's are going to provide more bass than 6 1/2" speakers. I'll add some subs later on, but it's going to be around six months at least, so I want some decent bass in the meantime, and I've heard mixed reports on whether 6x9 or round speakers have more pronounced bass. Keep in mind that I'm not really willing to put another set of components in the back, I'm just wondering whether I'll get more bass out of 6x9 or round coaxials. Sorry this post is so long, and huge thanks to anyone who reads through that and helps at all. I want to get a decent system that I'll be happy with for a few years, so any help will be greatly appreciated.  |
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Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18Northwest PA Post Number: 7605 Registered: Jul-06 | Alpine speakers will be WAY better than infinity. Those are the ones to get if you're stuck with best buy. The tweeter is so harshly bright on the kappas it gives you listening fatigue after 10 min of loud music. The rest of that is decent equipment, and alpine HUs are as good as it gets. Don't put too much effort into rear speakers though, they don't hardly matter much. Good SQ systems don't even run rears. |
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New member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 2 Registered: Jun-08 | Yeah, I've been told and read here and elsewhere that I shouldn't even bother with rears, but I'm used to listening to music in 5.1, so it sounds weird to me. Are Infinity really that bad? The Type R basically blew away the Reference components, but I thought the Kappas would be better? And are the Kappas even brighter than the Reference? Those were definitely brighter then the Alpine speakers, but I like to have a little detail in the highs, and they didn't seem so harsh that it would get bothersome too quickly... How bright are Diamonds and Quarts? Like I said, I want a little detail, but if the Kappas are extremely bright, I might have to look into something else... |
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Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18Northwest PA Post Number: 7611 Registered: Jul-06 | Diamonds are good, mb quarts are in the same boat as the infinitys. |
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New member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 3 Registered: Jun-08 | Do you how much Diamonds typically cost at dealers? I would think they should have a pair of speakers for around $300, but whenever I see them brought up everyone makes them seem like more of a high-end brand. |
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Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18Northwest PA Post Number: 7615 Registered: Jul-06 | IDK what the Diamond HEX cost, but they are very good or so everyone says. But if your going to spend that much it's hard to beat a CDT ES set. Get at Exige Audio on this forum for an unbeatable price on those. |
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New member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 4 Registered: Jun-08 | I don't remember the name of the model, but I just listened to some Arc speakers that were about $210 that sounded really, really good. The only thing that kind of sucks they didn't have quite the bass I want, and the next step up in Arc speakers (at the dealer I was at anyway) were $450. I'm definitely leaning towards those now. The guy at the dealer said that he would recommend an Arc amp to go along with them, are there amps pretty good, or was he just trying to sell me an expensive amp? Unfortunately the Diamond dealer in my area went out of business, so I probably won't get to check any of those out. The place I went today also had MB Quart speakers, which I'm kind of curios to listen to, there wasn't enough people in the store today to help everyone and I couldn't figure out how to amp them, so I'll have to wait until later to hear them. The only set of MB Quart components they had were $550, so I'm thinking maybe if I just got a set of those and added subs later, I wouldn't mind the lack of bass in the meantime? At least with the Arcs, I could tell a huge difference in the amount of bass with 6x9s in the back... I hadn't heard of CDT yet, I'll have to check those out as well, thanks. |
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New member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 5 Registered: Jun-08 | I'm not sure how good of a deal Exige Audio could get me or if he would since I've only been here a day and this is the only thread I've even posted in, but so far all the CDT ES component sets I've found on line are $700 at least... way more than I want to spend, and I'm guessing I'd also need a much more expensive amp to drive them? |
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Silver Member Username: Snowball123West Allis, WI United States Post Number: 803 Registered: Oct-07 | why not buy online? could save you a bunch of money and then maybe bring the equipment to bestbuy to have them install it. Then pay them for the install and i bet it would be cheaper. |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 3 Registered: Apr-08 | OK here is my opinion... 1. You do not need best buy! In most cases they are amatures with bad advice. Buy online there are reputable online sellers do your research and then buy. 2.Alpine makes a great HU I have read that this yrs line has less SQ quality. Check out Pioneer Premier they are outstanding as well I like the DEH-P980BT. 3. Alpine's weakest line is there speakers, there are much better out there steer clear of them. I have CDT and love them. Memphis makes a good line to. Hit up Exige he really knows his stuff and even if it isnt CDT he will offer good honest advice. Listen to as many brands as you can and ask lots of questions. Lastly find a GOOD local installer even if you have to travel. Not BB or Circuit city. Install is important gotta trust the installer! |
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Silver Member Username: Snowball123West Allis, WI United States Post Number: 822 Registered: Oct-07 | or you could install yourself. if you look up some info on how to do things or just ask around here, you shouldn't have any problems. |
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Silver Member Username: ExigeCDT, Audiopulse Dealer Post Number: 411 Registered: Nov-07 | Boberson, email me at sales@exigeaudio.com . I think you'll be pleasantly surprised |
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Gold Member Username: Nd4spd18Northwest PA Post Number: 7624 Registered: Jul-06 | " Alpine makes a great HU I have read that this yrs line has less SQ quality. Check out Pioneer Premier they are outstanding as well I like the DEH-P980BT. " Fail...... Alpine kicks Pioneers azz in quality. Even the newest ones |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 4 Registered: Apr-08 | I would disagree that Alpine completely takes premier out of the picture, normally I would take an Alpine fisrt but I am not that impressed with this yrs line regardless they are both nice HU what ever you decide on make sure it has at least 4 volt pre outs. |
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New member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 6 Registered: Jun-08 | Chris W, I actually like the look of the Pioneer HUs better than the Alpines, especially the P-700BT, which seems to me to be pretty similar to the 9886 in terms of features, but it looks a whole lot cleaner with all the track controls on the volume knob and all the other buttons flush with the rest of the unit. I'd definitely prefer it over the Alpine, but I hear that the current Pioneer receivers have some kind of RCA grounding issue? I have no idea what it means, but I've read its kind of a big problem and it seems fairly widespread. Also, for some reason, all of the five or so car audio shops I've been to in the last few months carry Pioneer HUs, but for some reason none of them had the Premiers, which is what I think I would want to get. Alright, so I got to listen to the Arcs again yesterday, along with some MB Quarts, JL, and Boston Acoustics speakers, and so far I really, really like the Arcs. I'd still like to look into a few other brands, like the CDT's, and then I hear Focals and Diamonds are really good, but as of know, I've revised my ideal setup to: a pair of Arc 6000 components powered by an Arc FD2200 amp with the same Alpine HU I was going to get before The only thing I'm wondering about now is whether or not the 6000s will sound much better than the lower-end Foose components in my car. On other forums I've often seen people go off on how expensive speakers are pretty worthless because most shops won't install them well enough for them to live up to their potential. |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 5 Registered: Apr-08 | I also read a post on another audio site about the RCA problem I just spent 10 min trying to find it and couldnt. Anyway as I remember the problem is on the install the installer has to be very careful plugging and unplugging the rca's so as not to cross the connection if I remember right as long as it is done correctly there is no problem. Again check with the local Pioneer dealer and ask about it and the warranty policy(should be covered) also do some looking on audio forums about it. As far as Premier availability in your area if there isnt one then find the pioneer that is the same and take a close look at it test it etc. then if it is the right unit buy the premier online. I know premier is sold in Chicago might have to make a road trip. And don't let bias people tell you premier is junk next to Alpine because it isnt. I have done alot of research on both and they are both quality HU. My next deck will be premier. But again do your research and take your time and you will be happy, I did my research for over a yr before I bought. Found people with opinions I could trust. I bought every piece online and only saw the HU in the store the rest was sight or listen unseen and I was very happy. Talk to Exige on here he can help alot. I hope you get to hear CDT before you make yor speaker decision. HU- Alpine CDA-9831 Sub-RE Audio-SR12" Amps- Alpine MRV-F450 & MRD-M301 Speakers- CDT CL-62, 2 way comp. & CL-6 Midrange Vehicle- 2004 Toyota Rav 4 |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 6 Registered: Apr-08 | Ok I found a post that explains how to avoid the problem I tried to lnk it and it wouldnt work on here so I will cut and paste it: Thtas pioneer at its greatest. Sounds bad as i sell them as well. Don't hold me to this but works well, no problems with pioneer decks since I started this..... On your pre wire, go ahead and solder a ground on the outside of ALL the rca jacks, do not use the ground from the radio harness, ground it to the chassis of the unit. No one has come come clean about why the rca's tend to loose ground, thats why the isolator won't work. I like pioneer and have used for over a decade, something needs to be done, thats what I do and have no problems,,ever. Just a heads up, if you try and ground the rca to the GRND of the wire harness, you will get feedback, it takes the on another LOOP. Hope this helps. Simple solution for a decent product. and always plug in the RCA's to your amp after all other amplifier connections have been made...and do it while the system is off. A bit of a hassle to me but worth it to insure SQ and no shorts. |
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Bronze Member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 11 Registered: Jun-08 | Earlier Snow mentioned buying stuff online and then having a shop do the install. Is it common for places to do that? I thought about doing that before, but I assumed that most places would either refuse to do the install or possibly wouldn't do as great a job than if you had bought everything from them. I could ask at the local place if I could do that, but I live in the Central Valley in CA, no way am I going to Chicago just to buy a head unit. |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 7 Registered: Apr-08 | LOL I am sorry I thought you were in IL to many different posts. Well this changes a lot you should be able to find a premier dealer somewhere near you also CDT is in Buellton California I dont know where you are but hopefully close. Also if you go to there website they have some retailers in CA as well matbe you will get to hear those awesome speakers. And yes a good install shop will install equipt. regardless whether you bought it there or not. Not BB or CC or any of those but a good audio shop will. Dang if your in the cental valley google maps comes up with you are 500 + miles from CDT that sucks. Well keep pluggin |
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New member Username: Mxcrazy123Post Number: 1 Registered: Jun-08 | I had a Pioneer Premiere HU. I sold it to a friend and bought an Eclipse CD4000. Features are better on Pioneer but man with the Eclipse 5V it sounded like a different stereo. SQ on the Eclipse was way better and less bright. I hate harsh, bright highs. I haven't heard em all but so far Eclipse HU's sound really good. |
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New member Username: Mxcrazy123Post Number: 2 Registered: Jun-08 | Also... if you can buy local or online do it. Best Buy is a coorporation that already makes enough money on TV's and sorry computers. Help a guy tryin to run his own stereo business. Or buy online it will always be cheaper and you can read all the reviews you want. |
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Bronze Member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 12 Registered: Jun-08 | Yeah I've pretty much given up on the best buy idea. Anyone else feel eclipse HUs have better SQ than Alpine or Pioneer. I've heard this before, and they seem to have awesome features, but damn are they ugly. |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 8 Registered: Apr-08 | Eclipse is supposed to be a great HU but... I have read they have had some trouble, 1 guy had his replaced 4 times in 6 months. Most polls I have seen as far as rating brands have Alpine and Premier neck and neck and then eclipse and kenwood next. I still think even with the RCA out glitch premier is still the best bang for the buck. I think you will be happy with anyone of those brands, just make sure you get a HU with at least 4 volt pre outs. I also like the Alpine Amps for good clean reliable power, the new amps are really nice compac and sharp looking. I have a feeling once you get set up you will end up wanting a sub when I built mine I started with no sub that lasted 2 weeks and what a difference 1 sub made for me. Even if its only a small 8" it really helps. To me that would be more important than rear fill speakers. Good Luck |
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Bronze Member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 13 Registered: Jun-08 | Yeah, right now I'm thinking I'll skip on rear speakers and get a 10" JL W7 down the line. I'm not sure if that sub is what I want though, I want something that will hit reasonably hard when I want it too but won't make rock music sound overly bassy. |
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Silver Member Username: ExigeCDT, Audiopulse Dealer Post Number: 418 Registered: Nov-07 | W7's are very nice subs, though for the price, there's lots of other great options. |
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New member Username: HairbandloverPost Number: 9 Registered: Apr-08 | I really like resonance engineering (RE Audio) I just got a 12" SR series shipped for less than $130 bucks it is a clean sounding sub and RE is quality. I also like the memphis upper end line. I cant comment on CDT's sub line I have never heard them. |
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Bronze Member Username: KielbasaPost Number: 14 Registered: Jun-08 | Bass is sorta important to me, and I've heard JL subs are really good at hitting hard without making rock music sound bad. If I could get the same quality for cheaper, that'd be cool, but if I was sacrificing even a little sound quality it would bug me. |
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