So it seems like a lot of the audio gurus are downing JL and kicker. They say that there is a lot better for a lot cheaper, and these are brands that only people that are real into audio know about. SHARE YOUR SECRET!

What do you have experience with? Let the rest of us know some cheaper alternatives to name brand audio equipment.

MEMPHIS... Best bump for you buck

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2005 4.0 FX4
Tinted out (15% front, 1% back glass and quarters, 5% winshield strip), Line X Bedliner, Flowmaster Super 40, T-Bar Crank with 265 Firestone AT's
Memphis Power Reference 10 in a ported box, 400 watt amp, 8000k 55w HID's
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Mods to come...
4" Superlift

I'm still a fan of MTX.

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Alot of ppl argue this point often. As an installer I've come across all brands and models.

Kicker, alpine, JL, mtx, Memphis, massive and pioneer are all amazing brands. That's just the ones off the top of my head.

It's all according to what system you're trying to build for the sound you're looking for.

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2001 Ford Ranger Supercab (4dr), Oxford White, 4.0 Sohc, 4x4, Manual trans (hurst equipped), 4:10's, 3" body lift.

Memphis and MTX are legit ass brands. I have experience in MTX, Power acoustik, and Ascendant audio. MTX is a great brand, don't get me wrong. I loved every single setup I've had from them. I've had a single 10, 12, and 2 8's. They all played wonderfully. But my Chaos 15" is by far my fav. The power acoustik 15's I used to have got really loud, but not low, so i didn't get good quality from my bass. The Chaos gets really low and has almost 2" of full excursion. Now, that isn't alot by any means, but that will surely shake some stuff loose if you're not careful.

Just remember, OP. You get what you pay for. I've got about $800 in my current system so far and am really happy about it.

Also, there's nothing at all wrong about mainstream brands. It's just the people associated with the brand, and them praising it and saying it will beat the shit out of your system without them even knowing what you're running. Most people just don't like to associate themselves with mainstream brands' overly pumped fanboys, so they go with an alternate route. For instance, you can have a JL 12W7 that you paid 300 bucks for, or you can have an Fi BTL which you paid $200 for. I'm not gonna say JL sucks because you spent more for it, I'm just saying that JL is way overpriced and you can have quality bass for a fraction of the price.

/wall of text

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

To get good sound from kicker (meaning not blow my eardrums sound, but decent bass), you have to go more expensive. The lower priced kicker subs are loud, but generally don't get very low. I have had good experience with Alpine and JL. My favorite is still probably the alpine type r. They are built extremely tough, and if you blow them, you can get a replacement from alpine. Although, good luck putting a type r in your truck without cracking your rear window or vibrating your rear view mirror off, not including the fitment issues you will most likely run into.

I have JLs in my car. I am not really impressed with them, especially for the price. I had some 3-way Pioneers in my Ranger I bought on sale for 30 or 40 a pair that sounded great. Also had some of the lower model Alpines in my last Ranger that also sounded great, they were just 2-ways around 40 I believe.

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Sold:2004 XLT 4x2 Ext. Cab. 3.0 Mods: 3" spindle, AAL, shackle, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, billet grille, clear corners, flow 40 dumped, line-x, CB/PA, traction bars, lil sound system, auto up down windows
Sold:2005 XLT 4x4 Ext. Cab. 4.0 Mods: ProComp lights w/ HID swap on tabs, 32x11.5 on 15x8s, CB/PA, black out heads/corners, lil sound system, cranked t-bars, flow 40 dumped, line-x, shell, bed rug, 06+ tails, metal tail gate handle since plastic one shattered, OHC, Mustang Dome.

please let me know where you are getting your w7 for 300 bucks bwad, I want one hahaha

That was just a ballpark guestimate, and I guess I was way under the actual price you can find them for.... Which baffles me.

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1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L
It's lowered and stuff.
My Build Thread

Yeah, well you can find them on craigslist for that...for 300 that's probably around the price of a w3. I love my JL Audio but am not about to pay 6-700 brand new for one

I got a pair of JL 12w1s and a JL e2150 amp from a former member hear, that thought it would be a great idea to buy a Dodge, for $100. I know this stuff isn't top of the line, but my point is look around and you will run across a deal. For my liking though, I love my set up. The amp and 1 12 is way more than I need. Would I give the price for a new system out of the box that was JL, hell no. Like PT Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Oh, and his friend just sold me a Magellan GPS for $20, so find kids that need gas money, and help them out.

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'02 XLT ext. cab 4.0 4x4 Off Road
Usual mods
Unusual color
Only a real man can pimp DWB

Yeah, I want another w7 because they are just awesome, but unless drew wants to sell another one sometime soon I don't think I'll find a price I like.

I'm currently putting two 12" audioque subs in mine. I picked them up for 250 new. I think they retail for around 150. I heard them at a car show and they sounded great. I will let you know about the sound once I get my my build done. Also check out sundown and dc

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97 Ranger 2.3l 4x2, Pro comp 5/3.5 lift, Helo 17x8 rims, Toyo Open Country A/T, Blow thru with 2 12" fi Q's subs, audioque 2200 watt amp, Crescendo component speakers, Pioneer head unit

you cant go wrong with memphis. you can buy a 12 inch memphis sub for 120 and they sound amazing. i have 2 12's and an 800 watt kicker amp and it rattles my eyeballs. If you pair them with a memphis amp in my opinion there is nothing more clear sounding than that.

Thats exactly how I feel, but im kind of tired of hearing people say there is a lot better than kicker and JL for a lot cheaper....Ok, Like what?