I want to buy my g/f a sound system but I need a source for good but cheap subs and especially amps.

I worked as a car audio installer for 3 years, and we always had these great sources for audio equipment that was usually about 1/3 of retail. Used or last-years models are fine with me, but I'm out of touch now and don't have the cool sources anymore. Ebay seems too expensive, and private sellers always want too much.

Misc questions:
Do people still use standalone active crossovers, or do have car amps have good enough built in crossovers now?

Is there such thing as a "compressor/limiter" for mobile audio yet? We had one (http://www.dbxpro.com/166XL.htm) on our rackmount concert system... Basically it keeps girls from clipping/blowing their systems when they decide to "rock out".

Thanks!

iv had luck with www.mmxpress.com , www.cmtelectronics.com , and of course www.ebay.com :thumbsup

crossovers on amps are just as good as external ones, the only reason you would run an external is for a supperior slope, more accurate labeling, and a wider range of freqs. to mess with. unless you plan to activly bandpass speakers, most any amp will do fo ryour crossover needs.

compressors/limitors have been around for a while, i know some people have converted the home/stage models over to 12 volts, but im pretty sure there are car models out (seems like ppi or image dynamics might have made one? not sure though!). personally, i hate them. i see no reason to limit and/or compress my music, in fact thats what im trying to eliminate, lol! if you dont want your girl to blow any speakers, just set her gains appropriatly on the amp(s). the preamp compression from the headunit wont hurt anything assuming the amps are set up correctly (besides the sound).

here's a good site
http://app.infopia.com/Shop/Control/fp

www.mmxpress.com
^^^ AWESOME, exactly what I was looking for :thumbsup

www.cmtelectronics.com
^^^ This site seems to be down/typo?

> i see no reason to limit and/or compress my music

Well you have to use a good compressor (DBX or Behringer) to really get a grasp of how they can work for good. Most likely overkill for car audio though. The DBX166 I used was just amazing for ADDING sound quality, it really brought out the full body of the recording. Plus I can't count how many times a DJ/promoter asked for full power, and then some assclown tripped and smacked into the decks. Saved my equipment soooo many times. :rolleyes

If you're playing DVD audio all day, then true there's no reason to touch your preamp output levels. But if you play old casettes, shitty burned CD's, and FM radio like she does, then you're going to have a nasty signal going out, most likely at full volume. I'm going to do like you said though, and just lock down the gains, that's cheaper. :)

ahhhh...i see what you are saying about the compressor/limiter. i hardly ever listen to anything but CDs (except NPR), so i automatically assume that for everyone else, lol.

i *THINK* cmtelectronics.com was the site, but i could be wrong. the last time i bought anything from them was 4 years ago, so it doesnt suprise me if the site is down, lol. try this forum, its specifically geared to car audio shopping:

http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=59

edit: may have to copy/paste that link. :thumbsup

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/default.aspx

stuff is soooooo cheap here and free shipping on orders over 100

and always ebay

carstereotime.com

I could care less for cmttrading.com , but I currently do alot of my shopping at etronics.com I get alot of stuff anywhere from $100-$150 less than what Crutchfield or any other major retailer would ask, and this place ships fast, and good customer support. Based in New York, so my stuff only takes 1 day to get here if i order early in the day its here by the next afternoon.

www.millionbuy.com has very cheap name brand stuff.

Dan, we live like 30 min form LA, why not just go to the electronics district?

I dont speak Spanish? :shrug

Heheheh nah lets go... you can interpret. :cheers

Originally posted by Chamuko
Dan, we live like 30 min form LA, why not just go to the electronics district?

WHERE! WHERE!

PM me let me know

lol...actually most are Indian.saudi lol. just the workers are mexican ...lol The armenians and russians are kinda mean. Maybe its just me.

The trick go to each one and say the other one is cheaper lol.

best buys? Alpine type S' 12" for 30 bucks each. and infinity kappa componenets for 50.