Any car stereo gurus?

Do we have any setreo gurus on here? I'm looking to upgrade my stereo from the crap stock. Nothing crazy, just like new head unit and door speakers.

I'm looking to spend around $600 any recommendations on stuff or maybe a shop to go to?

I found these Eclipse Nav decks and they seem to have a lot of features for a good price http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ECLIPSE-AVN...=72:134|39:1|65:12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1308

 

You might want to start with just a head unit. I've had three different head units in my car in the last two weeks, and they all sounded *much* better than the OEM unit through my old OEM speakers. But it really depends on what quality of sound you're going for. If you want to thump it out cruising the strip, yeah you'll need new speakers. If it's just for listening to the radio on your daily commute, well, you might not need to go for the added expense.

Stuart.

 

I'm just looking for daily commute. The stock stereo is so bad you can't hear it until you crank it and when you crank it it's all distorted.

 

Want to borrow a decent head unit for a week ? My JVC KD-HDR1 is just sitting here waiting to be sold. Takes about 12 mins to install (in my GC RS at any rate), and at least you'd be able to tell if you still wanted to splurge on speakers.

Stuart.

 

Cool thanks

 

Any Subaru head unit with SRS is a major upgrade. Otherwise Brands like Pioneer and Alpine usually have great sound characteristics. Stock speakers suck, but if you have the factory upgrades...they sound much better with a higher output head unit.

I personally prefer Pioneer, and I currently am using Sony Explode front door speakers, as they were a cheap upgrade.

 

I like pioneer as they seem to have the easiest user menu to get used to. but it is really personal preference.

Ksal on here used to be into the mobile audio not sure if he is still in that line of work, but I am sure he can point you in the right direction if nothing else.

 

I have an Alpine deck, Alpine Type S 6 1/4's and 5 1/2's in the doors and an Alpine Type 12" woofer ... I must say I love it!!! If I could change one thing I would run an amp the the door speakers and thats about it.

 

Ask KSAL, he will have tons of info.

 

ksal knows his shizzle....i like his sick setup on his tahoe....

 

The upgrade route will wholely depend on your end goals. You just have to progress in the most efficient manner. Realize that $600 can go a long way if used right.

Step 1 - figure out your exact goals and limitations.

Step 2 - think about the possible method(s) to achieve those goals. Realize there may be more than one path to achieve your goals, however, not all paths are are the best routes.

Step 3 - choose the most appropriate route.

Suggestion: Thing of building up an audio system as an engineering design exercise. There should be planning involved, researching hardware, weighing options, piecing together "compatible" parts, etc. Things will go more smoothing if you keep the whole picture in view and spend some initial time researching and planning.

One example is deciding between a single din HU and a pocket versus a double din unit. Which would you prefer? Which is actually needed? Are you sacrificing certain things by going one route over another? These are things you'll have to consider.

Note: ALL speakers sound different. You have specific preferences in sound. You may prefer a sound that's smooth and laid back or you may prefer one that's crisp and up front. You might like a strong bass punch or you may like strong vocals. Everyone has different preferences. Certain brands and models will fit certain people. It's helpful for you to tell us what you like. I don't mean if you like rock or country. I mean if you like a smoother, fuller presence or prefer something very neutral and natural or perhaps crisp and accurate. Depending on what you like, certain options will be favorable and we can point you to them. You can also go out and demo a variety of speaker sets available and getting a good idea of your preferences.

An amp, I feel, is a necessary thing for any aftermarket speaker. It's not a matter of "must have." It's a matter of getting only 60% output versus getting 100% output. Do you want to short change yourself? Do you want to have the speakers operate at less than their full capability?

Also understand how much power you actually need. Realize at quieter volumes, 150 watt rms speaker set X may only draw 0.5 watts of power total, a far, far cry from what they can thermally support. Then again, you may only be using 10% of their full capability at quieter volumes. However, if you crank them up loud, wattage needs go up exponentially, and if you want full capability, you will need a good deal more than the meager 10 to 15 watts an oem or aftermarket HU can provide. As far as getting 100% capability, the stock speakers are about the only thing that can do that. Most aftermarket speakers can make use of more power and will do so if you make it available.

Another decision of yours is the option between components and coaxials. Do you want the ease of coaxial or the freedom of a component set? What about braxial? If these terms are unfamiliar to you, Google them and get an idea for what's available to you.

You also have the option to just run a set of door speakers or a set of door speakers plus a sub. There will be added cost, but it's a route you can go depending on your goals and limitations (financial, space). Realize this may compromise some HU and speaker choices if you allocate some funds towards a sub and an amp to power it.

I want you to repeat after me: Ebay is my friend. "Ebay is my friend" Good. If you want the most for your money, chances are, you will buy just about everything on Ebay.

Make a great effort to install everything yourself. You'll save tons of money and you'll learn a lot. Plus you'll be far less fearful to do future work on your car. Tearing off a door panel shouldn't be a scary experience.

That's all I got for now. I can help point you in the right direction for specific hardware and specific goals, but I do like to make you do most of the foot work. Self-exploration and self-learning is a good thing.

 

Thanks for the props guys!! I did use to work at a car stereo shop however im back to selling snowboards and skateboards now! But yes as everyone said getting into a new headunit is the first priority. This will increase sound quailty 10 fold right off the bat. I also feel that pioneer and alpine are probably the best in the buissness. I really like the user friendlyness of poineer, (Z1 in the STi and AVH-7500 in the tahoe) BUT!! I love the Alpine iDA-x001 (only iPOD and am/fm) But all my music is on my ipod so that works for me. the best advice i can give is GO TO REAL!!! SHOPS and take a look at the product and see what you like best. You may HATE pioneer and alpine! and love JVC or kenwood. To each his own.

Onto speakers. Again the best thing is to go out and listen to many different brands and models. (BRING YOUR OWN CD) listening to the radio on a deck at Best Lie sucks!!! You need to know what your stlye of music will sound like through the speakers and you know what certain songs are gonna sound like, and what you want them to sound like. (i.e.--Clearer vocals or clearer instruments. different things like that) again when you go to smaller shops its (sometimes) easier to get better customer service and better info, than going to best buy or ultimate. If you upgrade speakers you will DEFFINATLY!!! notice a HUGE difference in sound quality. But if just changing the deck is good for you then thats awesome. (more money for PWR!! :biggrin

Lastly where you buy! People go on and on and on about ebay! Yeah its cheap but i FU***N hate it! It takes soooooo much business from your local guys. IT SUCKS! Nobody on ebay will give you advice or take care of you if there is a problem. I say STAY AWAY yeah you may save some $$ but might end up getting really bad headaches from it later with problems that might occur. IF you need help putting it in lemme know.I have all the tools needed at my house and will be more than willing to help when i get a free minute! So thats about all i can sugest sorry its kinda all over the place but if you have ?'s you can PM and i can see what i can help ya with.

Now the choices are yours and yours alone.