Why does it seem like everyone in caraudio disagrees about everything?

Question

I'll ask a question about what speakers/amd/subs/wires i should get and everyone seems to have their own opinion about what is the best.

Some of the things I have heard::
-The W7 is great!
-The W7 is overpriced
-The W7 is not that great
-JL is overrated
-JL components are great!
-JL components aren't that good
-JL components can handle a lot of power
-Focal is the best
-Polk SR series over Focal!
-Audiobhan's top of th line is great
-Boston acoustics top end components = da best!
-Boston's G5 sounds better than a W7 Subwoofer!
-W3 sounds great, I'd get that over G5!
-Alpine/Soundtream/Kenwood/Boston/JL/Focal/Kicker/etc makes the best amps!

I give up!

So now after all of that plus researching I'm stuck on Focal k3p or Polk SR + 6x9s for regualr speakers and probably the bostonm G5104 x 2 for subs. How did I do? And why does everyone disagree and think everything they have is the absolute best? I hear people driving by on the street and their system sounds all

distorted. Are these some of the people giving me advice? I'd like to hope not

Answer 1

The fact is that EVERYONE who gives you opinions on brand names vs. other brand names is basically repeating what they've heard elsewhere. None of them have done any real testing of one component vs. another; comparing a system in one car to a completely different system in another car really doesn't tell you anything useful.

Here's an analogy: say you have a room full of monkeys with shock collars. You put a ladder in the room with a basket of bananas at the top. As soon as one monkey starts to climb the ladder, every monkey in the room gets a shock. Eventually none of the monkeys will try to climb the ladder.

Then you take a monkey out and put in a new monkey. The new monkey will try to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys will prevent him. Pretty soon he'll learn not to even try.

Keep removing and replacing monkeys, and eventually you'll have a room full of monkeys who refuse to climb the ladder and get the bananas, won't let any other monkey get the bananas, and have no idea why.

That's what you find in car audio right now. You'll find plenty of monkeys to tell you that "MTX sucks". Why? Because they learned from the other monkeys that MTX sucks. And that's all they've got.

From experience, I can tell you that any reputable subwoofer brand can give you excellent bass if it's installed into the right enclosure. Speakers are a little different; different brands and models can and do sound much different from each other. However, the vehicle and mounting location will also make a huge difference, and different people like different types of sound anyway, so opinions of others aren't all that useful in the end.

Just buy from a retailer who will let you return or exchange the speakers if you're not happy with them.

Answer 2

Kaezoo nailed it.
Another reason you see alot of opinions is because the questions are really vague, or they ask for opinions. for example:
"Which sub should I buy?"
"What is the best sub?"
"Why does my friend's lightning audio subs sound better than my Audiobahn subs?"

I know some people are not going to know to mention the amp specs or the voice coil resistance when they ask how to wire their subs up, but at other times I think they ask questions just to be vague and to see others opinions.
Some people are just going to give their opinion whether you ask or not.

You did the right thing, you noticed the difference in opinion, you questioned it, and you researched it on your own. I wish more people would ask "what should I look for in a sub?" instead of "what sub should I buy?".

If I could sum it all up simply, I would say you get what you pay for.

The more expensive brands like Focal, Morel, JL, Zapco, Diamond, Denon, McIntosh, and Audison are expensive because of their quality. They have been around for a long time, and have proven themselves. You don't make it to the top in this industry just by putting some pretty chrome flames on your product.

As far as your choices, I like focal's products. I have installed several 3 way polyglass component sets, and was very impressed with the sound. I am not familiar with the polk SR series, or the boston subs so I won't comment on them.

The important thing is that you are happy with your system.

Answer 3

Sounds like you've done a lot of research. See, there are so many different variations for a system and even speaker quality can change from year to year as new products come out. So in the end, listen to what people recommend and why, then go test it for your self. Decide what YOUR needs are and fill them based on the advice you get. Bottom line is does it sound good to you!? Everyone and anyone in the car audio industry has the "right" way to do something and it ends up being twenty different ways. See, i could now ask, "have you heard any Diamond audio speakers or subs?" not that I'm partial to the brand but, like i said - comes down to what sounds good to you for your needs. Don't read into any body's opinions too much. You got a system you like - do it! trust me, you'll be happier that way.

Answer 4

This also why most of the knowledgeable answerer's won't give you "brand" suggestions as it all boils down to what sounds good to you. No two ears are alike, so what sounds good to me may not sound good to you.

This is where 'research by listening' on your own part is going to be the ONLY answer.

I will give this advice for a better sounding system (no distortion) - be sure to set the gain (level control) right.

The purpose of the gain is to match the signal volts RMS coming from the source (CD player, etc.) to the input of the amp.

Here is a guide that will help you set the gain correctly http://www.datafilehost.com/download.php?file=6d26c621

You'll need a multi-meter (AC voltmeter), Microsoft Excel and a way to burn an audio CD from an MP3.

If you don't have Excel, e-mail me and I'll send you a condensed version [e-mail]

See my site for more info http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com

Answer 5

first and formost KaeZoo really desearves the 10 points hear, he put it perfectly...

I will add is that many times the questions are asking directly, what is a good brand. and often times it does help the individual to discover a new item they may not otherwise have known about. And remember opinions are based on a price point, usually set in the mind of the individual answering. And i am guilty of putting one brand over another basesd on personal prefrence, but that is only my opinion, and for every opinion there is a oposing opinion. I personally try to only recommend brands i have heard in a side by side comparison. And based on my experiences, give my "opinion".

As far as your setup goes, grade "A" stuff. those are all great companies, with great products and reputations.

Answer 6

Honestly it all personal opinion. I worked in car audio for over 5 years and believe me I have heard a lot about whom the best is and who sucks. Best advice I can give you is go and listen. Get the best equipment you can get for your money. I have sold, Alpine, JBL. JL, Kicker, Rockford Fosgate, Boston Acoustics, Infinity, Polk Audio, and others and have had all of these brands at one point or another in one of my cars, and they all are great, again, just my personal opinion.

Answer 7

Id personally run Focal comps over 6x9s and since it seems like your budget is nice...considering Focals....I would go to some DD subs or Re and it will sound great.
Its all up to you..I personally have Focals and like em.
I also have some nice CDT comps, Pioneer deck, eD subs and MA Audio amp....it works, its nice, it sounds good to me and thats all that matters.
2 15s=300
1600rms amp=200
pioneer 860mp=300
cdt comps=100
PPI 4800=400
accessories200
good sounds=1500
my happiness=priceless

Answer 8

I know the feeling. I've had so many people disagree with me and start yelling at me and calling me a fool. I feel like telling them to shut up if they don't agree with me. Some people are such a$#holes.

Answer 9

One more thing to consider is that people that might own a certain brand because of their budget, might praise it more than more expensive and better quality brands simply because they don't want to think that anything can be better than their system.

Answer 10

Car audio is the male equivalent of women talking about fashion or makeup or shoes. Just find what you are happy with and stick with it. After all, it's your car.