car sound system

[donkbee]

I want an awesome sound system in my car but I have no idea what to buy and where to buy it. I think I need new speakers too.

What brands should I be looking at? Can I just go to somewhere like Best Buy or are there better places to go for this?

I don't really need bluetooth or GPS or anything, I just want the sound system. I guess a lot of the new receivers include that stuff anyway though?

How much should I expect to spend? I want to spend ~$400 (including installation) but if I had to spend more to get something really good, I would.

Someone help me!

[givememyleg]

first

[Galapogos]

You're azn. Talk to your peoples in Richmond to get the hookups on some real cheap "second hand" stuff.

[boost]

lol@400$..

lol..


Just like anything tech you need to constantly keep up with this, which I havent with car audio. However a decent setup is going to run you at least 1500.

Head unit ~250
Amp ~ 200
Sub/box (a single quality 10inch sub is plenty I think. Anything else is overkill and just going to give you a horrible headache)~ 250
upgrade midranges/tweeters ~ 600
installation, Im not really sure on this one. While best buy might have cheap or even free installation, Im not really sure Id trust them. Im sure some do great jobs, but some are probably terrible. So that being said, Id probably try to find a reputable independent local shop.

But this is all general stuff. Dont just go see your options, then buy based on price. Because depending on your car you could end up actually DOWNgrading your speakers. Like my cars speakers are bmw's DSP factory upgraded version, and while they arent great, if I just went to best buy and replaced them with some budget speakers, Id be doing myself a disservice.

[jyms]

Back in the day, I bought an Alpine cassette deck, equalizer/amp and Kenwood 6"x9"s for $400, It was an 87 Honda Civic off the lot with 8 kilometers on it.

[WtfFml]

I agree with boost, it will take around 2k to get some decent bump in your system. If you want to spend $400 you might as well go to WalMart

[OP]

^^^
Agree 1000% (edit: with Boost)


Don't let Best Buy install your system! They'll hire any chump who can plug in an RC cable.

It really depends on what you want you're stereo to sound like. You can buy your basics (CD player and midrange speakers) at Best Buy but let that be the extent of your business done there for this. Best Buy's selection of subwoofers and amps are weaksauce and for noobs and broke wiggers.

I worked sales at a car audio shop when I was in undergrad and I'll try to catch you up before you buy anything.

Do you want the:

1.PLATINUM PACKAGE: "here me before you see me" thump
2.GOLD PACKAGE: mid-level bass with a solid knock but I can still hear after I get out of my car
3. ECONOMY PACKAGE: It's noone elses business what I listen to in my car

[boost]

ya, a side note. Go with what OP describes in his gold package. I used to think the whole 4x 12in competition subs that you could hear a mile away was cool. But seriously... wtf? Thats cool for like 17 year olds. It costs a ton and gives you a headache and worst of all it attracts the wrong kind of attention. Not to mention all that heavy vibration rattles things loose in your car. Im not saying your wheels will fall off, but interior trim pieces and what not can be rattled loose and then even when the music isnt on youll get a rattle when going over a bump or whatever.

[donkbee]

I definitely don't need anything too crazy, I just don't want it to sound like shit anymore when I turn the music loud.

Thanks for the tips!

[Warpe]

boost is crazy

[speedcake]

what kind of car?

[swiggidy]

Found this with a quick search
http://www.crutchfield.com/ISEO-rgbt...-Speakers.html

Just get some good speakers. Doesn't sound like you want an actual "system"

[CoccoBill]

Headunit: Alpine or Pioneer, e.g. Alpine iDA-X series if you just want to use an iPod, CDA series if you use CDs.

Speakers: Some lower end 6.5" 2-way component set, brands to look for: Focal, DLS, Rainbow, Hertz, Peerless etc. Stay away from the cheap Alpine/Pioneer/Kenwood/whatever sets, they suck. Make sure you get your doors dampened with vibroplast or something similar.

Amp: Probably some 4 channel class D would fit the bill perfectly, 2 channels for the components and 2 bridged for the sub. Try Alpine PDX-4.100 or something similar, again not the cheap ones.

Sub: Some cheap 10" in a sealed box, don't pay more than $200 but stick with name brands.

Take that list to a dealer that does professional car audio installs, NOT BB or some other silly place. If they know what they're doing they will recognize the brands, if Alpine and Pioneer are the only brands they recognize, run. If they know the others, they should be able to build a similar set with components they have available. You might want to post on diymobileaudio.com forums and ask if there are any good shops in your area. The whole thing installed should cost you around $1000-1500, and yes, that's how much you need to pay to get a nice sounding system.