Non-Main Brands?

[Ajaxus]

I know the usual main brands for car audio: JL Audio, Pioneer, Rockford Fosgate, Sony, etc..

But I know there are other brands out there that specialize in specific components of a sound system and produce some amazing quality products. I was wondering if someone could give me a list of these other companies to consider.

My amp recently bit the dust (got 3 good years out of it) and I've decided to replace it and my subs. Looking at a single 10" now in ported box to give you an idea of what I'll be using the stuff for. If you have specific models for me to consider post them up.

As far as price goes since some companies are pricier than others..I'm not going bottom of the line, I can afford a good bit..but I also won't be needing anything on competition level.

Mostly I want a list of names..but if someone wants to help me get some ideas together of replacement pieces that'd be awesome as well.

Oh, and I'll be getting a Pioneer DEH-P980BT to replace my current HU fairly soon.

Edit: I should add that I listen to Rock and Metal the most, so I want a sub to compliment this type of music more than a pounding sub for Rap/Hip-Hop.

[Bryan]

Diamond Audio is sweeet.

[llsht14]

Sweet isnt the word. Diamond audio is freakin awsome

[cardude007617]

hifonics amps are good too i believe. i run mine at 1ohm and doesnt even get warm no matter how hard i beat on it.
infinity makes some good speakers if your looking to upgrade that as well. pretty much for speakers though, you have to go with what sounds best to YOU.

[Mike Jung]

AJ,

So, what caused the 30-amp fuse to melt into the amp ?

[Rosado]

For what you listen to Diamond Audio is great.

Critical Mass have some really good stuff too. Subs are flexable enough to play everything and not loose anything. A little expensive but worth is. I would only use the subs from critical mass. The amps are way over priced.

Also MB Quart have great ( I mean ) great subs and amp that will fit your taste..
MB have a few lines that will work really good. I will say the the higher end will work better for you for what you listen to.

In order i would go with Mb then Critical mass then diamond.

Last but not lease I still have the 15 critical mass and the amp that goes with it. It will work in a small box so that it does take alot of room. Its tight sound to it. More for SQ than SPL. We can work something out..LOL

[Ajaxus]

Rosado: I'd love to buy those, but the numbers I'm thinking of right now are probably ALOT lower than what you're thinking.

Thanks for the recommendations though, I'll start seeing if I can find small specialty shops that carry some of these lines.

Mike: Not sure, may have something to do with age..it was a Legacy amp afterall, the fact that it lasted me 3 years before that fuse melted itself to the amp is amazing. Could've been as simple as a fault in the amp..I don't think it would be the capacitor and I haven't noticed any surges in my electrical system anywhere else that could be the culprit.

Paul: I understand the whole what sounds best to me part, but I also know that some things are great quality and I may not be able to find someone that has them available for me to listen to. But I trust the people on this site to make great recommendations, and if I find something that fits my budget and puts out the power I want then I'll go with it.

[cardude007617]

i mean i like infinity speakers cuz they sound realy good to me and dont cost and arm and a leg. at least i give u credit for seeking out the good brands. personally what i did was i listened to some stuff and found the same thing online for less haha. so ya good luck on your quest.

[Metallman56]

I'm gonna have to agree with Diamond Audio and MB Quart. both companys make great subs. you can get a referance MB Quart sub on woofersect.com for $100. i'd also add Image Dynamics, and Boston Acoustics to the list. and if you need a reminder what BA sounds like, let me know.

[Wallflower]

Back in the day, before my system was borrowed by unknown persons, I ran Eclipse 8710s in a sealed box, Boston Rally components, with Sony power and tuning ... the good ES stuff, before the Xplod crap.

[cardude007617]

sounds like someone stole your system huh?

[Ajaxus]

well, its looking like I'll be picking up Rosado's old amp and sub that he was trying to sell. Thanks anyways for the help in here everyone.

[Metallman56]

be careful AJ. i "bought" a TPS from him a couple of years ago. and when i say "bought" i mean i sent my money, he sent nothing. he wouldnt respond to PMs and to this day i'm yet to see my money back, or a TPS. just remember buyer beware.

[Wallflower]

Originally Posted by cardude007617

sounds like someone stole your system huh?

Nahhhh ... They borrowed it. Overnight. They left me a note on the car saying they will bring it right back the next day. The note looked just like a lock cylinder pried out of the door. Still live in the same apartment complex, almost 5 years now ... waiting for them to knock on my door.

[Ajaxus]

ill be careful jim, no worries.


btw, how much dynamat will i need to uh...do the whole car?

[Metallman56]

if i was going to do the whole car, this is what i would buy. its cheap and easy.

http://www.fatmat.com/fatmat/bulk/100ft.htm

[Bryan]

Yeah Dynamat over the whole car would be crazy expensive. That's a sweet deal for the Fatmat..my buddy used that. I used eDead from Elemental Designs. With a discount code I got it for under $1/sq. ft.

[jperryss]

Originally Posted by Ajaxus

ill be careful jim, no worries.


btw, how much dynamat will i need to uh...do the whole car?

Good read on sound deadeners here:
http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/

I'm a big fan of Raammat, and the owner's a super-cool guy. Found him from a bunch of recommendations from several car audio forums.
http://www.raamaudio.com

Plus it's butyl, not asphalt, so it won't stink and fall off after a year.

Im a newbie here, but no audio newb...thought I would throw in my 2 cents.


There are MANY great brands out there than just your normal mainstream brands such as MTX, RF, JL, etc.
The only reason you dont hear about them as much is because they have no advertising market...its mainly 'word of mouth' over the internet.
Great products, and your not paying a load of cash for the name, like you would be with JL or the like. Your paying for the product.

I have a setup in my truck with some equipment that some people have heard of, some havent.
Eclipse 8053 HU
Arc Audio XXK series 4 channel and mono amp
Rainbow ProfiVandi components ran active
Two Stereo Integrity Magnum 12's

I personally believe its hard to find a mainstream brand that makes as quality equipment as some of these. Now that doesnt count for all mainstream, as some of it is great quality stuff (JL, older Diamond, Boston Acoustics, higher end Eclipse models). But a lot of time, like i said, with a mainstream brand you are paying for a name.

Example..my SI Mags. If you have never heard of them think JL W7. In the same class (I actually prefer the Mag over the W7) for half the price.

Im going to get off my soapbox because I feel like I am rambling, Ill just though out a few brands to take a peek at though...

Amps...
Arc Audio
Zapco
Brax
Helix

Subwoofers...
Ascendant Audio
Stereo Integrity
Resonant Engineering
FI
SoundSplinter
Image Dynamics
TC Sounds

Component sets...
I will stand by Rainbow, VERY hard to beat. They have anything from lower level 300 dollar sets up to $10K sets. Great prices, incredible SQ.


If your wondering, I havent used EVERY SINGLE one of these brands, but more than a fair share of them...you can give me a product from one of these companies over a product from a mainstream brand anyday.

Should give you a little start

[Trigga-T]

well the only brand i mess with is a local company around here called american bass. they are really good and pretty affordable. i messed with them even before i worked for them. now that i work for them and see all the new stuff they got out they got the title hands down.we did a test with one vfl subwoofer and a JL audio W7 same amp on both and the JL cone blew right thru the front.