Help on upgrading my car's audio

[DnG]

Hi,

I've recently decided to finally get involved in the car audio scene as I'm tired of all my buddies showing off their subs.

I have a 2011 BMW F10 with a 95ah battery and stock, standard speaker system (will upgrade soon, was thinking about a HK upgrade (2 underseat subs, 2 door speakers, 2 tweeters, 2 back speakers)) and I've got my eyes on a set of 2 Ground Zero GZIW 10SPL but I really need advice on the DO's and DON'T's as I want to be as professional and safe as possible, unlike the people I've seen that don't even know AWG their power wires are.

So, if I got for a 1000-1500W amp, will that be enough? If so, do I need a second battery?

I keep seeing people on here talk about "yellow top" and "big 3" batteries, and I just found out what they are from a quick search, will they be better instead of running wires for a second battery which might upset the car's systems?
Everyone I know with a sound system has one of those meters that they keep looking at saying "didn't drop under 12.0, so it's fine", where can I get one and how do I install it?

Any advice will be appreciated!

Thanks

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[metalheadjoe 10+ year member]

Budget?

 

[DnG]

Budget?

Don't have a set budget atm, I'm just buying one individual thing at a time, but I wouldn't want to spend 1-2k on an amp alone, I already spent $400 on the subs

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

Hi,

I've recently decided to finally get involved in the car audio scene as I'm tired of all my buddies showing off their subs.

I have a 2011 BMW F10 with a 95ah battery and stock, standard speaker system (will upgrade soon, was thinking about a HK upgrade (2 underseat subs, 2 door speakers, 2 tweeters, 2 back speakers)) and I've got my eyes on a set of 2 Ground Zero GZIW 10SPL but I really need advice on the DO's and DON'T's as I want to be as professional and safe as possible, unlike the people I've seen that don't even know AWG their power wires are.

So, if I got for a 1000-1500W amp, will that be enough? If so, do I need a second battery?

I keep seeing people on here talk about "yellow top" and "big 3" batteries, and I just found out what they are from a quick search, will they be better instead of running wires for a second battery which might upset the car's systems?
Everyone I know with a sound system has one of those meters that they keep looking at saying "didn't drop under 12.0, so it's fine", where can I get one and how do I install it?

Any advice will be appreciated!

Thanks

Do a lot of research using YouTube videos and other audio sites/forums. I also purchased several books on aftermarket stereo off of used books sites. My local library even had a few during one of their book sales.
I have 3 amps in my trunk, 1200, 160 and 300 RMS. They all work fine off of my aftermarket alternator (135 AMP). As it relates to the meter, I purchased an inexpensive voltmeter and wired it to my distribution blocks in the trunk. (Positive to the power block and negative to the ground block.) I installed a switch to turn it off and on. That allows me to check the battery current just before the amplifiers.