I do not know much about car audio. I have a local shop that wants to do an install in my car. They keep trying to push Rainbow sub and amp, telling me they are top end. Problem is that I have never heard of them. Orginally I was just goign to do Zapco, FI, or Focal.

Has anyone heard of Rainbow? How is their SQL?

 

maybe they giving you a hint about the Rainbow thing.

 

Rainbow is good, not top of the line but much better than average. Subs I'm not too familiar with, but their amps are pretty good. The SLC components are good.

Focal, I don't like their mids, the 165v3's have too much midbass and drown the midrange IMO. Haven't heard the Utopia Be's, except for the tweeters, and those are nice. The Polykevlar's are good.

Fi makes some good stuff, I'm assuming you're looking into the Q. Not a bad choice at all. RE SE is another one to consider, a TC9 variant (TC9 motor from TC Sounds aka company that made older Eclipse subs) are a good choice, Mach 5 audio's IXL is another good choice and can be had for 2 bills for a single 12.

As for Zapco, I've messed with their DC Ref, Reference, and C2K amps, all awesome. Their CK-16.2 components are phenomenal, I regret selling mine, especially at the price I did. Tweeters are smooth and beautiful, mid bass is pretty good, but thats cos I got used 8" midbass.

How much is he asking for that equipment? Do you plan to buy authorized? Oh yeah, look into SSA, I believe they have a store and the website is soundsolutionsaudio.com. If you have a certain budget you wanna stick with lemme know, if space is an issue, state that, and exactly what you plan to get. Your main concern other than those 2 is enclosure design. If it's not built properly and well, you lose all the money you spent.

 

My orginal plan was getting a FI Q (red) series 12" with a 400w Zapco C2K amp, Zenclosure, 4 gauge memphis kit, and install for 1600

I priced out a 10" Focal Utopia with 400w Focal amp, Zenclosure box, 4 gauge kit, install for 1800.

He offered to do a 10" Rainbow Vanadium with 500w iPaul amp in a Raibow box, 4 gauge kit, install for 800. He said sound quality would be on par for fraction of the cost.

I would love to do a full Focal components install but that is a bit too much right now.

 

Thanks again for your help.

I have never even heard of Rainbow before. I just wanted to make sure it is good quality and not being ripped off.

 

Grrrrr, I didnt want it moved here. No one will see it.

 

rainbow as stated by donpisto are much better than average on speakers. I imagine their subs would be just as solid.

 

Wait so he's offering you that for 800??? Take that over the setup that's costing 1600 that you planned out. Those iPaul amps are sexy as fawk. I really think thats a helluva deal.

Don't forget, with the Zapco amp you will need a symbilink cable, which is expensive, but theres a way around that, get a PS/2 cable, not playstation 2 but the keyborad or mouse one. Same thing, works, and is 95% cheaper.