Top Car Audio Manufacturers
This link is basically a manufacturers link page for now, where if you need some information on various companies, this is the place to find it. We hope to make this page not only into a manufacturers listing page, but to also rate differant companies based on the following criteria (such as a top 5 for each piece of equipment); subwoofers, mids/highs, amplifiers, enclosures, alarm systems and other accessories. Check back for progress on this page.
Nick: "JL, in my opinion, make the best subs on the market! The W6 series are the best subs I have ever used; I have 3 12's in my truck now. I also have the new 6 1/2" components which are very crisp and clear. No complaints about JL."
Patrick: "JL Audio makes some of the, if not the, best subs on the market. If you ask most people
they would say that JL makes the best subs on the market, but there are some subs that are just
as good as JL for a fraction of the price. Still for that great look nothing tops JL's in a nice
custom enclosure."
Nick: "I own an ///Alpine cassette headunit and they are awesome! Alpine went back to the 'rotary' system for volume control and other adjustments which makes it so much easier to control volume, inctead of having to go "click, click, click" for each volume step in other brands. I have also heard and seen their new line of V12 amps. They are very powerful and crisp!"
Patrick: "Alpine makes some great head units and changers. In the thousands of head units on the market,
Alpine definately stands out among the best. But once you get into the elite class of head units it
is really a personal preference."
Boston Acoustics
Nick: I have never owned anything by Boston Acoustics because no one in my area is an authorised dealer. From what I've I heard they make one of the best components and co-axials around. I've listened to a set before and that statement is no lie; very clear and defined.
Patrick: " Boston Acoustics make very nice seprates, I have seen some very nice pictures and installs of
there components and they look yo be very nice, and they arent wildely expensive. For highs, I really like Boston."
Nick: "I own a Clifford 700-IQ security system and the only thing I have to say to describe is that they're the shit! They have a coded valet so a thief cannot just flip a switch to turn it into valet mode. We also added an auto start to the unit. Clifford products, though, do run pretty high in the price ranges. For alarms, there is Clifford, and then there's "not exactly." : )
Patrick: " In alarms there are many names, but Clifford stands alone. There is no alarm that can
come close to clifford's technology, quality, or protecion. In ever model there are hundreds of
features, they thought of everything. Clifford is the best.
Nick: I have never owned anything by these guys, but my friends brother had 8 15's in his minivan and they hit *very* hard! The prices on American Bass products are lower than other brands as well, but offer similar performance.
Patrick: " I like American Bass, the subs that I have seen have had good, clean, hard-hitting bass."
Nick: "I have never owned anything by Kenwood, but have demoed and seen their headunits and they respond with performance and function. The new headunits offer many features as well as their stealth colors that can match almost any dash."
Patrick: " I have owned many Kenwood products, which have all performed great for me. I dont have any
kenwood pices now in my car, but I have a few pices in my home stereo, and they all have
exced their expatations."
Nick: I do not have very much expierience with Rockford Fosgate, except that when I first became involved with car audio and until now, I have learned that the name Rockford Fosgate carries along a very solid reputation for quality products. I have seen their new amps and they look amazing!
Patrick: "RF makes nice equipment; I havent had much expirence with RF. From what I have seen has been
ok. The problem with the the RF that I have seen was very poorly installed. In a good install, RF is
very nice."
Nick: Clarion is known for car audio head-units and changers. Although I do not own any Clarion products, two have my friends have a piece by them; one has a cassette headunit and the other a 6-disc changer. Both items, I would have to say, are definitely above average if I were to give them a rating. The changer is the newest model out and it packs all the features. Check them out at the link above.
Patrick: " I like Clarion. The head units and changers that I have seen deliver claan and well
defined sound. They are definatley among the elite class."
Nick: I love Orion products, especially their amps; I love the raw, clean power they deliver. I own a 2150 and a 250 and the only problem I had was that my 2150 fried due to a bad ground connection (not Orion's fault, my installers'). "
Patrick: " I have owned many Orion Proudctus over the years and I have been exteramily pleased with all
of them. Currantally I have Cobalc's, 97's And they hit extreamily well, as good as an higher
priced sub and they were only $100 each. There HCCA and extreme amps are some of the
best!"
Nick: I would have to say that Kicker stacks up as one of the best subwoofer maufactuers on the market right now. Even though I am a big JL W6 series fan, it is possible to rate the Solobarics up with the JL's.
Dyna Audio
Lightning Audio
Avitel
Nick: "We do not have many Avitel dealers around the Pittsburgh area, but I have seen some advertisements and demos for the new motorcycle security system. The system is very ingenious in it's design and function and is a very good idea on Avitel's part."
Patrick: " I have very little experience with Avitel, but from what I have seen they seem to be a very respectable company that offers top-notch security."
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