What's the best system I can get for XXXX dollars? Uptd 15/4

[Fhrx]

We're constantly asked what the best systems are for various budgets. The short answer is that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Everyones ears and tastes are different so the best thing to do is audition as many products as possible and chose based on what you like the most. Listed below are various product most commonly chosen by our customers. These are also amoung the products that win the most competitions in Australia. However, there are a few things to remember:

The prices listed are full retail and do not include labour charges at all. The more complex and intricate your system design becomes, the higher the labour costs will become.
These systems are based on the posters personal aural tastes. This may radically change depending on your own tastes.
This is a ROUGH guide. It is possible that your personal choices will differ from the ones listed below.
We have listed 12" subwoofers for these lists. Subwoofer size choice may differ depending on your situation and desires.
These systems are basic sound quality orientated systems and therefore only utilise a source unit, front speakers, subwoofer and amplifier(s). Systems often get much more intricate and can include surround sound decoders, equalisers, navigation systems, rear and center channel speakers and a myriad of other items. Add these as you so desire.
There are literally thousands of products used in audio / visual systems. These are only a few.

$500 System
Source Unit: Alpine CDE-9874E / Pioneer DEH-P2950MP
Front Speakers: Boston S95.3 / DLS426 / Focal 690CA / Hertz ECX 690 / Polk DB650

$1000 System
Source Unit: Alpine CDE-9884E / Blaupunkt Seattle MP57 / Nakamichi CD-300 / Pioneer DEH-P2950MP
Front Speakers: Boston S60 / Crossfire SX6.0 / DLSB64 / Focal 165V1 / Hertz ESK165
Amplifier: Audio System F2-130 / Audison SRx2 / Crossfire VR142 / DLS CA22
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

$2000 System
Source Unit: Alpine CDA-9886 / Blaupunkt Memphis MP66 / Nakamichi CD-300 / Pioneer DEH-P6050UB
Front Speaker: Boston SL60 / Crossfire SR6 / Digital Designs DDW6.5set / DLS MS6A / Focal 165V2 / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Ovation 6 / Oz Audio Vector 650S3 / Polk DB6500
Amplifier: Audio System F4-260 / Audison SRx3 / Crossfire VR354 / Digital Designs C4 / DLS CA31 / Focal FP4.7
Subwoofer: Boston G212 / Digital Designs 2012 / DLS W312B / Focal 30A1 / Hertx ES300 / Image Dynamics ID12 / Oz Audio Vector 12.3 / Polk DB124 / Treo TSi12
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

$3000 System
Source Unit: Alpine CDA-9886 / Blaupunkt Bremen MP76 / Nakamichi CD-400 / Pioneer DEH-P6050UB
Front Speaker: Boston SL60 / Crossfire SR6 / DLS MS6A / Digital Designs DDW6.5set / Focal 165KP / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Ovation 6 / Oz Audio Vector 650S3 / Polk MMC6500
Amplifier: Audio System F4-380 / Audison SRx3 / Boston GT-40 / Crossfire VR404 / Digital Designs C4 / DLS CA31 / Focal FP4.75 / Polk C400.4
Subwoofer: Boston G212 / Digital Designs 3512 / DLS UR12 / Focal 33V1 / Hertx HX300 / Image Dynamics IDQ12 / Oz Audio Vector 12.3 / Polk MM2124 / Treo TSX12
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Battery: Odyssey ESV1000 / Optima D34 / Stinger SPV44
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

$5000 System
Source Unit: Alpine CDA-9887 / Blaupunkt Bremen MP76 / Nakamichi CD-500 / Pioneer DEH-P8950BT
Front Speaker: Boston Pro60 / Crossfire X6 / Digital Designs DDW6.5set / DLS Iridium 6 / DynAudio System 242 / Focal 165K2P / Hertz Mille MK2 / Infinity Kappa Perect 6.1 / Morel Elate 6 / Oz Audio Matrix 180CS / Polk MMC6500
Front Amplifier: AudioSystem F2-300 / Audison LRx3.1k / Boston GT20 / Crossfire VR402 / Digital Designs C2 / DLS RA20 / Focal FP2.150 / Polk C300.2 / Treo SSX125.2 / Tru-Tech B2100
Subwoofer: Boston G512 / Crossfire BMF12 / Digital Designs 9112 / DLS Iridium 12 / Focal 33V2 / Hertx HXS300 / Image Dynamics IDQ12 / Oz Audio Matrix Me12.4 / Polk SR124 / Treo SSi12
Subwoofer Amplifier: AudioSystem F2-500 / Audison LRx3.1k / Boston GT24 / Crossfire VR1000D / Digital Designs SS1 / DLS RA10 / Focal FP1.800 / Polk C500.1 / Treo SSX750.1 / Tru-Tech B1800
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Battery: Odyssey ESV1000 / Optima D34 / Stinger SPV44
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

$10000 System
Source Unit: Alpine IVA-D310E / Blaupunkt Bremen MP76 / Clarion HXD2 / Nakamichi CD-700II / Pioneer DEX-P90RS
Processor: Alpine PXA-H701 / Pioneer DEQ-P90
Front Speakers: Boston SPZ60 / DynAudio System 242GT / DLS Nobelium 6 / Focal Beryllium Kit 6 / Hertz Mille MK2 / Infinity Kappa Perect 6.1 / Morel Supremo 6 / Oz Audio Matrix 180CS / Polk SR6500 / Phoenix Gold Ti6
Front Amplifier: Audison LRx2.9 / Boston GT24 / Digital Designs C2 / DLS A2 / Focal FP2.150 / Polk C300.2 / Treo SSX125.2 / Tru-Tech B2100
Subwoofer: Boston G512 / Crossfire XT212 / Digital Designs 9512 / DLS Nobelium 12 / Focal 33KX / Image Dynamics IDMAX12 / Oz Audio Matrix Me12.4 / Polk SR124 / Treo SSX12
Subwoofer Amplifier: Audison LRx1.1K / Boston GT28 / Crossfire VR4000D / Digital Designs Z1 / DLS A3 / Focal Dual Direct / Polk C500.1 / Treo SSX750.1 / Tru-Tech B1800
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Battery: Odyssey ESV1000 / Optima D34 / Stinger SPV44
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

$20000 System
Source Unit: Alpine IVA-D310E / Blaupunkt Bremen MP76 / Clarion HXD2 / Nakamichi CD-700II / Pioneer DEX-P90RS
Processor: Alpine PXA-H701 / Pioneer DEQ-P90
Front Speakers: Boston SPZ60 / DynAudio System 362 / DLS Nobelium 6 / Focal Beryllium Kit 7 / Hertz Mille MK3 / Morel Supremo 9.3
Front Amplifier: Audison VRx2.400 / Boston GT24 / DLS A4 / Focal Dual Monitor / Polk C300.2 / Treo SSX250.2 / Tru-Tech C-7
Subwoofer: Boston G512 / Crossfire XT212 / Digital Designs 9912 / DLS Nobelium 12 / Focal 21WX / Image Dynamics IDMAX12 / Oz Audio Power P12.1 / Polk SR124 / Treo CXS12
Subwoofer Amplifier: Audison VRx1.500 / Boston GT28 / Crossfire VR4000D / DLS A3 / Focal Dual Direct / Polk C500.1 / Treo SSX3000.1 / Tru-Tech C-7
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Battery: Odyssey ESV1000 / Optima D34 / Stinger SPV44
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

We continually update these lists so keep an eye on them.

[vti-2]

Marty, i'm making this a sticky.

cheers.

[Fhrx]

Thanks champ.

[Usual Suspect]

Nice one, gives me something to aim for when building the rest of my system.

[euro77]

would be great if you can put an indicative price (or price range) on each system.

[nedgeworth]

What do we need prices for i'm sure Marty will deck us all out free of charge...:P maybe i should put that differently... i'm sure he can make stuff disappear just for us!

I have found this very help in my bid for my next system! Thanks Marty.

[Fhrx]

Well I do have piles of stock in our warehouse but alas; it's all carefully catalogued by myself so I know if anything goes missing. :P

[Javed]

Mate im looking for a new sub to take over my Alpine Type R 12's duties, what would you recommend in the budget of say $350. I am heavily considering a boston pro 12.5LF or maybe a focal polyglass/kevlar what do you think? SQ would obviously be the main priority but going loud once in a while would be awesome I could ask on CAA, but I thought I would just ask the man with the answers right here! Cheers Marty,

Javed

[Fhrx]

If you can stretch your budget to $499 I'll give you a new Boston Pro12.5LF.

[Fhrx]

Otherwise, there are other options for the afore mentioned $350 budget. These include:

JL Audio 12W0-4
Image Dynamics ID12V.3
Diamond M312
Hertx HX 300
Boston GS1204
Phoenix Gold R12D

[soul4real]

For interstate OH members, do you just courier it out ?

[Fhrx]

Correct,

We ship around the country everyday. All packages are registered and insured.