<![CDATA[Favorite Brand of Equipment and why?]]>I started this thread on MNSC, thought I'd throw it up over here to see what kind of responses we get, I'm not trying to start a pissing contest, just trying to see if there are some brands out there that I (and others) need to know about.

What is everyone's favorite brand of car audio gear and why? Better yet, what is your favorite Entry Level and High End of each of the following categories:

CD Players
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT] Clarion DRZ9255 - Possibly the most pure modern CD Player available...period, sonically this thing is AWESOME adding no coloration to sound and doing exactly what a CD player should do: Play CD's as they were recorded. Close 2nd choices would be Alpine 7909 and Pioneer DEXM88
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT] ** JVC KD-A305 - 5.0 Volt Preouts, Ipod control, HD Radio Ready, Bluetooth Ready. Really hard to argue about this $130 CD player
**
DVD Players
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT] JVC KW-NT1 - The only thing this lacks if high voltage preouts, though 2.5 volts isn't just too bad. Ease of use, built in Nav and all the other features you'd expect from a high end unit are built in. Close 2nd would be Clarion NX-509...in fact the 2 are so similarly matched that I could go either way on them.
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT] JVC KW-AVX720 - Ease of use, straight forward install. Just ground the parking brake wire and you are set to go. Valor also makes some decent entry level products.

Processors (EQ's, X-overs, DSP's, etc...)
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT] Zapco DSP6-SL & DRC-SL. If this combo can't do what you are looking for, you are too damn picky. Selectable x-over slopes, infinitely variable eq points, input gain, output gain, phase inversion, digital time alignment, etc...
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT] ** I honestly don't have a favorite here. Maybe an Audiocontrol EQX (or whatever the current equivalent it) **

Subwoofer Amplifier
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT]Zapco C2K-9.0X - Class D amplifier over built to be sonically excellent. All the efficiency of Class D w/ none of the degradation of sound quality. This thing is BRUTAL, but clean. Hand built in the USA using nothing but US parts (including screws, washers, etc...)
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT]**Zapco I-1200 - This would be any other companies high end amp. Plenty of power, over built, good SQ. **

Mid/High Frequency Amplifier
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT] Zapco DC Reference Series. Sonically amazing, built in DSP/X-over/EQ/Time Alignment. All gains/adjustments are made internally, there are no buttons/knobs/screws....just a mini-usb cord to connect via laptop
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT] **Zapco I-Force. Great amps, great price. Best bang for buck around IMHO.
**
Subwoofer Size 15" Providing you have enough power and a clean enough amp to control it....next choice is 8"

Subwoofer Box Type (Vented, Sealed, Bandpass, Infinite Baffle, Transmission Line, Horn Loaded, etc....) Slot Vented

Subwoofer Brand & Model
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT]RE Audio XXX15 - Loud & clear...with a STRONG emphasis on clarity. This is a 15" SQ sub that just happens to be really good at SPL. Complete Dr Jekyl/Mr. Hyde sub. Plays Jazz as good as it plays Jay-Z.
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT]Atomic Speaker Manhattan MA8D - 8" sub that thinks it's a 12. Very efficient with plenty of low bass extension. Great for those that want bass with sacrificing space

Component Speakers
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT] Focal Utopia Be Kit No 7. If you haven't heard these, take a listen to them. I can almost assure you that you will agree with me that these speakers are worth the $5000/set that they list for
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT] Zapco I-Force and for a bit more money (getting out of entry level, more of a mid-high level...or even extremely high level, but definitely worth the money) Zapco Reference/Reference SlimLines.

Coaxial Speakers
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT]Focal K2 Power - No one makes anything even close in my mind.
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT] Zapco I-Force - I-Force is the bang-for-buck best at nearly everything in their product line. Amazing products.

Overall Favorite Brand
[INDENT]Highend[/INDENT] Zapco DC Reference and Competition Series are amongst the best I've ever used
[INDENT]Entry Level[/INDENT]Zapco I-Force Series provides the best bang for the buck that I've ever seen from a company. Again, their entry level is most companies mid or high level product

My answers are in bold

Again, please indicate WHY you like the brands/models that you chose in more detail than "it sounds good"

]]>https://fargostreet.com/topic/18383/favorite-brand-of-equipment-and-whyRSS for NodeWed, 27 May 2026 22:41:38 GMTSat, 05 Dec 2009 18:17:09 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:22:56 GMT]]>For CD player I have always gone with Alpine...why? Usualy a good price with pretty good quality

For subs and speakers: Kicker... why? I bought kicker from a tent sale when i was younger and they have never broke and sound great

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283953https://fargostreet.com/post/283953Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:22:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:33:48 GMT]]>12" pioneer impp's, 15" jl w4's, and 15" vega vega's

loud sloppy highschool rowdiness dirty cheap

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283947https://fargostreet.com/post/283947Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:33:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:53:20 GMT]]>

zbrown;295525 wrote:
Sony Xplod for eveything...

why?

Xplod >>> all else

If it can't be spelled with a X...it's not worth it.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283915https://fargostreet.com/post/283915Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:53:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:49:12 GMT]]>Sony Xplod for eveything...

why?

Xplod >>> all else

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283913https://fargostreet.com/post/283913Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:49:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:25:52 GMT]]>

2wheeler;295473 wrote:
JL Audio

Didn't know they made CD/DVD players 😉

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283905https://fargostreet.com/post/283905Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:25:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:13:25 GMT]]>JL Audio

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283861https://fargostreet.com/post/283861Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:13:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:07:55 GMT]]>Deck :
No real fav. as i have only had 4 aftermarket decks. But i loved my old alpine i think 9827.

Speakers:
I love the new RE Audio speakers i got chuck would know the model number but they rock.

subwoofer:
I had some old MB Quart 10" subs back in 01' and they sounded good for what i used them for. They wouldn't win any sound comps but they would play all sorts of music fine, although they did struggle on some rap songs with poping.

Amp:
I think it a toss up between jl audio and zapco for me. Jl wins atm just based on it not dieing on me but zapco was a better price and pounded my little 10" thunder 4000 mtx. haha

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283858https://fargostreet.com/post/283858Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:07:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:17:34 GMT]]>

weshole;295461 wrote:
Its because your too cheap to buy anything nice. Hell, look how long it took for you to buy a flat panel. I'll guarantee that still hurts your vag to have spent that much.

no the only thing it hurts is that it'll take longer to save enough money for a swap...

also, i dont really care about car audio, as long as i have something to listen too...

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283852https://fargostreet.com/post/283852Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:17:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:13:50 GMT]]>

bubba;295459 wrote:
stock...

cd player - whatever is cheap, or for the scoob a factory 6 disc...

reason- dont really care bout bumps.. just as long as i can hear the radio or play cds...

Its because your too cheap to buy anything nice. Hell, look how long it took for you to buy a flat panel. I'll guarantee that still hurts your vag to have spent that much.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283849https://fargostreet.com/post/283849Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:13:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:10:32 GMT]]>stock...

cd player - whatever is cheap, or for the scoob a factory 6 disc...

reason- dont really care bout bumps.. just as long as i can hear the radio or play cds...

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283847https://fargostreet.com/post/283847Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:10:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:23:44 GMT]]>So...make it simple, what Scott is saying is: If it was made after 1998 or so, it doesn't hold a candle to what was made before then. I'd have to agree for the most part.

My favorites aren't entirely based on products I sell, it's kinda the other way around in that the products I currently sell are based on my favorite equipment. I should add Memphis to my list of faves as well, great equipment, too bad I can't sell them in Fargo.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283812https://fargostreet.com/post/283812Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:23:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:36:57 GMT]]>PPI Pro subs nothing else compares and I don't sell them. I do like ID subs though, good sq for the money, they don't sound like fartin' turds like most subs, I don't sell those either. Old PPI amps PC and art series, soundstream reference 405, old PG amps.:icon_rr:

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283798https://fargostreet.com/post/283798Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:36:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:27:36 GMT]]>

tjamz;1464114 wrote:
even though i'm sure this will end in a pissing match, i'll ask it anyway:

What is everyone's favorite brand of car audio gear and why? Better yet, what is your favorite entry level and high end of each of the following categories:

Cd players
[indent]highend[/indent]
**clarion, alpine
**
[indent]entry level[/indent]

alpine

dvd players

[indent]highend[/indent]
clarion, eclipse

[indent]entry level[/indent]
clarion, motevo

processors (eq's, x-overs, dsp's, etc...)
[indent]highend[/indent]
zapco, old school image dynamics
[indent]entry level[/indent]
eclipse
subwoofer amplifier
[indent]highend[/indent]
zapco, macintosh, old school pg, old school kicker
[indent]entry level[/indent]
zapco, memphis, old schoold pg
mid/high frequency amplifier
[indent]highend[/indent]
zapco, old school pg
[indent]entry level[/indent]
alpine, zapco iforce

subwoofer size
no fav. Been on a 10" kick lately... Love 8's too

subwoofer box type (vented, sealed, bandpass, infinite baffle, transmission line, horn loaded, etc....)
for simplicity...vented otherwise sealed

subwoofer brand & model

[indent]highend[/indent]
no favorites... Too many that i like alot and way more out there i know are good.

[indent]entry level[/indent]
alpine, memhis, re audio, zapco

component speakers

[indent]highend[/indent]
zapco reference, id chamelions, old school boston pros's

[indent]entry level[/indent]
zapco i-force, memphis, alpine type r's
coaxial speakers
[indent]highend[/indent]
memphis, kicker
[indent]entry level[/indent]
memhis, kicker
overall favorite brand
[indent]highend[/indent]
zapco
[indent]entry level[/indent]
memphis
again, please indicate why you like the brands/models that you chose in more detail than "it sounds good"
it sounds good!!!!!!!!!!

LOL

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283694https://fargostreet.com/post/283694Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:27:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Favorite Brand of Equipment and why? on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:26:53 GMT]]>Not this again......

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/283693https://fargostreet.com/post/283693Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:26:53 GMT