so...I have the pc running in the car...the new seats...aiming for leather interiors but first i'd like to upgrade my audio system...eliminate the radio, run the sound just from the computer direct to the amplifier and try to use the 5.1 capability of the soundcard to creat a 4.2 sound in the car...Since I'm on a tight budget (still trying to get the money but I'm sure I won't be able to afford any "top end sound" since I'm a student) I've selected a few components...any tips on my selections?

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/2751.html ->6 channel amplifier

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/1198.html ->coaxial for the rear panel

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/3829.html ->2way component system for the front

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/3053.html ->to creat a "ressonance" box behind the subwoofers that will be installed where the rear panel speakers were

http://www.auto-a.com/product.php?productid=16275&cat=516&page=1 ->8"speakers to go where the rear panel speakers were

Looks like a good choice of kit considering yr budget. Am sure you could get a cheaper alternative to dynamat.

John

Have a look at the signal to noise ratio of that amp it's not very good. If you look futher down the list of 5/6 channel amps the alpine is 100dba which would give a far higher audio quality. Have a look at the amp underneath the 1 you are after on the website you are looking at for 8" speakers only slightly more but sig to noise is far higher which would give far better sound.

Alastair: do you believe that the difference between 79dB and 90dB would justify the extra price? it's 60€ more...that difference would be enough to buy sound and power cables...

I knwo nothing about car-audio so...

PS. and I don't need a very powerful system..I'm not after a lot of bass or a lot of power...just a better quality sound for my 80's metal and hard rock

Refers to the ratio of the signal power at a certain reference point in a circuit to the noise power which would exist there if the signal were removed. This ratio is expressed in decibels. For example, if an amplifier has a signal-to-noise ratio of 60dB, the signal power at the output is 60dB above the noise power. Therefore, the higher the rating, the better.
That not very clear is it, sort of means the higher the sig to noise the less rubbish you will hear coming through the speakers as this noise is generated by the amps circuitry and you cant get rid of it. With better quality internal components they create less noise hence a higher sig to noise ratio but of course they cost more.
I would suggest if possible have a listen to different amps in some car hifi shops to see what different makes sound like then get it off the net.
Might be some one else on who knows more.

huuuuum....now I get it hopefully someone on this forum owns one of those jbl amplifiers and can give me an opinion...if not I'll try to test one at a shop

The bigger the number the better the bits inside basically and the better built its more likely to be..

hum...so I should get this one instead: http://www.auto-a.com/product.php?productid=16222&cat=509&page=1

in the end it'll be almost the same price, if not cheaper because of the delivery cost (£60 from UK to Portugal :|)

At the current exchange rate buying that JBL from the UK then postage on top would put it at roughtly 333 euros meaning you could buy Xetec amp with money left over. I've had a quick trawl of the net for it and it looks like a German make so should be well built and I still think it would be better than the JBL which is on that site as well.

I know nothing about car-audio, so your word is the law I'll go for the xetec probably...I'me already saving up and I'll start to search for some reviews online on that amp thanks a lot...

No problem, you should always buy what you want at the end of the day, just make sure you install it all correctly or the best system in the world will sound crap and possibly go up in smoke . Let us know how you get on.

I won't be installing it until May/June...I haven't got time (€€€€€€)...student life s_ck§ anyhow...I searched a little more and found other items, that in the end will be cheaper 'cause they are nearer (at spain), but I'm not sure on some items...if someone has the time...could you give me another opinion on these links?

http://www.auto-a.com/product.php?productid=16222&cat=509&page=1

http://www.auto-a.com/product.php?productid=17507&cat=537&page=1

http://www.type-rsound.com/type-rsound/web.html?seccion=tienda&subseccion=caraudio&id=3437

http://www.type-rsound.com/type-rsound/web.html?seccion=tienda&subseccion=caraudio&id=3559

http://www.type-rsound.com/type-rsound/web.html?seccion=tienda&subseccion=caraudio&id=3516

http://www.type-rsound.com/type-rsound/web.html?seccion=tienda&subseccion=caraudio&id=3424

http://www.type-rsound.com/type-rsound/web.html?seccion=tienda&subseccion=caraudio&id=2957

http://www.type-rsound.com/type-rsound/web.html?seccion=tienda&subseccion=caraudio&id=734

http://www.auto-a.com/product.php?productid=16728&cat=522&page=1

anyone with tips on those speakers??

I just thought I'd update this since I've already ordered everything....

amplifiers:
Vieta ML4404 (for the front and rear speakers)
Magnat The Rock800 (bridged for the 2 subs)

Speakers:
Phase evolution CFS 165.25
Magnat Xcess 162

Subwoofers:
2x Hertz ES200

1F Monocar Capacitor

(the rest is just 2.5 and 4mm audio cable and bla bla bla)

I hope I can take some photos of the installation process as they may be useful to someone (just hope everything works out fine since I've never installed any car-audio stuff...just the computer)

mate, i'd stick with the infinity speakers, they are far superior to Vietta, alpine s types etc. i'd personally run two amps, a 4 channel for your speakers and a monoblock for your sub. dynamat extreme is about the best you can buy, save money, buy a bulk pack (9 rolls) and sell what you don't use, and use atleast 10% of your budjet on good cables!

forgot to say....

also make sure you have a good head unit, you wouldn't beleive how much a bad head unit will affect overall sound quality

I do have 2 amps...e 4channel amps, one will be used bridged for the 2subs, I won't be using vietta speakers, just the amp

the headunit is a carpc