I'm looking at installing a sound system in my 8, going to get a professional competition sound tech to put the drivers into a custom fiberglass enclosure instead of a standard driver box. How do you think the quote sounds from them?

Kenwood 896 Single-Din - $259
4x JL coaxial 5x7 - $129 per pair - $260
2x Alpine SWS 12-23D 12" 500W continuous, 900-1KW peak - $299
JL JX 1001 AMP 1K continuous, 2K peak - $449
Custom Velocity Red & Black Trim Fiberglass Enclosure $550 (ish) <--- For both alpine drivers only

Labor - $200 approx for full install and lifetime warranty

Total: $2018 + 7.5% Tax
$2169.35 (approximated, depends on how much / little work the fiberglass turns out to be)

 

$1500 in just labor? We need to know exactly what that figure includes. Just the subwoofer will be in a fiberglassed enclosure? Or are they making custom door pods as well?

Which Alpine line are you going with? S? R? X?

Where's the amp(s)? Custom fiberglassed amp rack?

 

I updated original post with more specific details, prices, labor, etc. I posted with the intent to edit the original after I got home, I'm on my lunch break and posted at work to the best of my memory

 

Honestly no offensive, but the line of Alpine/JL equipment they're selling you is not high-end audiophile grade. I'm not sure if you intended on entering SQ competitions as well, but I think you're gonna need some more work before you'll be competitive. As for the prices you were quoted, the equipment is full blown MSRP. They're posted right on JL and Alpine's websites. Fiberglass work can be difficult to quote without knowing exactly what they're doing. If they're building a partial MDF box with a basic shiny fiberglass face, then $550 is a little steep. If they're building a very intricate fully fiberglass showpiece, then $550 is reasonable. $200 for install on everything else? Amp, headunit and 4 speakers? That's very reasonable. Keep in mind you'll need the Metra kit to install the headunit. That's another ~$150.

 

Thank you. It's going to be full fiberglass, not a partial MDF box w/ face. He said it would be less money if I didn't want it so detail oriented. As for audiophile grade equipment, what would you pick in place of the equipment I've been quoted?

I don't know much about what it takes for competition sound, but in the same respect I don't expect to go into competitions until I know more about it. This is more entry-level equipment for now to get the ball rolling until I'm ready to upgrade in the future - I'm big on aesthetics which is why i'm going for the fiberglass instead of a standard box. The drivers actually came with a box already built that I got for free with the purchase of both. I have 50 down on lay away for now while I think about it so it doesn't get sold in the meantime.

Also, do you think it's worth it to go for a dual-din head unit?

 

I just gave him a call back and he said when he quoted me he wasn't sure if I was going to buy it piece by piece or all at once. He will cut me a deal when I come in if I'm doing it all at once, which I intend to do

 

If your intent is for entry level equipment that you'll upgrade later, then by all means you're good to go. He's certainly not selling you garbage. But if there's a remote chance that you'll compete at some point in the future, I think I'd buy some of the high quality equipment now. Rather than buying all entry level/mid range stuff, then having to replace every single piece at a later date.

Stage 1: Subs, fiberglass box, sub amp, second 4-channel amp for cabin speakers, whatever cabin speakers you want, headunit

Stage 2: Replace cabin speakers with high end component set(s), custom fiberglass door pods for optimal SQ, maybe switch to a high-end SQ geared headunit

I think you'll want to do both amps right out of the gate because your installer is likely going to be building your sub box around them. We're not working with a lot of room back there. So adding/wiring in a second amp at a later date would be hell and would likely end in an ugly install.

How much bump are you looking for? Two 12"s is quite a bit. FAR more than would ever be required in an SQ competition. What's your thoughts on one high-end 12"? This would also give your installer some extra room to work with. More "per sub" airspace, more room for the amps, more room for creative designs. Maybe a single Alpine Type-X? Power everything with Alpine's PDX line of amps? Maybe the PDX-F6 and PDX-M12 amps? Or just a PDX-V9 to power everything? As for headunit, it's up to you. If you want to go with a double-din, then by all means. Just ensure you're getting one with 3 pair of 4V (or higher) RCA outputs. Ultimately, something like the Pioneer DEX-P99RS is what you should be shooting for.

Competing isn't cheap man. And there's many different paths you can take. Just trying to give you some insight. I'd just hate to see you dump two grand into a system now, then tear every last piece out next year.

 

As for pricing, the prices you posted are full blown MSRP. He's certainly not hooking you up. But if he told you he'd work with you for doing it all at once, then see what he has to offer. I'd look up those items online to see what they're actually selling for. Don't expect him to match all your online prices, but at least it gives you an idea of the deal you're getting.

 

I'll have to look up all of the prices. The only reason I wouldn't consider changing the driver setup is because I've put those on layaway already and I do not want to throw that money away. I'm happy with them.

For the head unit, I'm probably going to change the X896 to the X996. As far as dual din I'm not really sure what's out there that's worth it, it sure would be nice to have though.

As far as Coaxial vs Component, I don't have an outstanding opinion on one vs the other. I like coaxials becuase the tweeter and sub are on the same axis, which makes the sound more real if it were pointing directly at me, but the components are definitely nice for that three dimensional sound depth given from the distance between the woofer and the tweeter. They're both nice, and around the price I'm getting the 5x7's its really hard to tell the difference in SQ (not depth) to a similar price component.

I'll look up the MSRP for all of them, then what other vendors list them for. I agree it'd be good to know

 

Is your goal to be competitive or have a good every day sounding car? There is a BIG difference

 

I want a really good sounding everyday car with the potential for ear leveling bass and very nice ranges at the same time. I don't plan on going into competitions right now lol