Buying a new to me car, looking for car audio info.

[coolred]

I am about to purchase a used car, there are a couple I have my eye on, but am still looking. But from what I've seen most of the cars I can afford will require a new audio system. I'm not going top of the line, but not bottom of the barrel either. I was just looking for general info from the masses about which companies they favor for head units, amps(not sure if I will be using these or not), and speakers/subs.

 

[RossMAN]

It would help us if you tell us what year/make/models/trims you are considering.

 

[Operandi]

And how much you are willing to spend on a system.

 

[KingNothing]

Go to www.crutchfield.com, type in the cars you're looking at, put a list together of what you think you can afford, THEN come back and post.

 

[coolred]

I have more then a few possible choices, and I am still looking, so I can't really say for sure. I understand that i need to find stuff that fits the car, but i am just looking for info on who/what everyone likes in car audio.

I haven't even yet set a budget yet. That depends on a lot of things that I haven't yet figured out.

I am probablly gonna go for an MP3 capable head unit if I can afford it though.

 

[Operandi]

I have more then a few possible choices, and I am still looking, so I can't really say for sure. I understand that i need to find stuff that fits the car, but i am just looking for info on who/what everyone likes in car audio.

In that case might want to wait till you narrowed it down to what car you'll be getting. Aside from money the car itself is going be the must important factor in they type of system you install.

 

[coolred]

I understand this, but does that mean that i can't get recommendations on what companies produce the best bang for the buck products.

 

[flyfish]

Amps- US Acoustics
Speakers- Infinity, Crystal Mobilesound
Subs-JL Audio, Image Dynamics, many different opinions on this.
Ask your question here and/or here.

 

[prvteye2003]

Subs: Kicker, JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, Pioneer
Amps: Kicker, Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, HiFonics, Kenwood, Pioneer
Head Units: Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, Pioneer, Kenwood
mids and tweets: Infitiy, Boston Acoustics, Alpine, Kicker

just my .02 worth

 

[Operandi]

I understand this, but does that mean that i can't get recommendations on what companies produce the best bang for the buck products.

.... there are so many to choose from it really depends on 1. how much you want to spend, 2. the type of system you want (SQ vs. SPL), and they type of vehicle your working with. prvteye2003 and flyfish both have good recommendations, but as far as subs go I would check out Adire Audio, their performance is pretty much impossible to beat for the money.

 

[coolred]

Well okay, it looks like I will be getting a 1990 Ford Tbird SC. I checked cructhfield and I see that it has room for 5x7's in the front doors and the rear seat side panels, and 6.5's in the rear deck(although it looked to me like these holes were possiblly modified to hold some 6x9's or maybe 5x7's, they definately didn't look round, more oval shapped. I will have to look into this more.

What would be the disadvantage of just getting the 5x7's as opposed to the 5x7's and 6.5s? Or if i do find out that the holes in the rear deck can hold 6x9's would i be better off with the 5x7's in the front and 6x9s in the back without the other set of 5x7's?

I haven't fully decided yet, but I believe my girlfriend would like me to keep the budget under 500.00, and as I said I would prefer an MP3 capable HU, although I may forgo this in favor of better speakers or a better head unit.

So what do i need to know, what to look for? Also how are crutchfields prices? They seemed kinda high to me, but I didn't look hard, although I think I can get a 10% discount there, plus they seem to have deals if you buy head unit and speakers together? Unless someone tells me otherwise, I will do the install myself. I did 2 other installs. 1 in a ford ranger the other in a jeep wrangler, they both went well and sounded okay, so assuming this car isn't real hard to do an install on, then I should be okay.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: coolred
I have more then a few possible choices, and I am still looking, so I can't really say for sure. I understand that i need to find stuff that fits the car, but i am just looking for info on who/what everyone likes in car audio.

I haven't even yet set a budget yet. That depends on a lot of things that I haven't yet figured out.

I am probablly gonna go for an MP3 capable head unit if I can afford it though.

No, no...and NO. You MUST have a total budget in mind before you start, and force yourself to stick with it.

It sounds to me that you are a non-car audio person. I.E. you won't be doing any of the install yourself. A decent Car Audio place will charge about $50 (+parts) for a HU install. $50 ea. for door/rear deck speakers and $75-$100 for an amp/sub box install.

Add in the cost of power and signal cables, fuse holders, fuses, spade lugs, heat shrink tubing, etc, etc...figure another $200 total.

Get my drift? If you're buying $1K worth of equipment, be prepared to spend at least 1/2 that on the install.

The install is EVERYTHING. A bad install can make the best equipment in the world sound like crud, and mediocre stuff sound GREAT.

Solid install + good tuning/gain matching = great sounds for you.

You need to figure out a budget!

 

[coolred]

Oh you misunderstood me, when I said "my girlfriend would like me to keep it under 500.00" what you should have read that as was "thats what she would want, so it will be 500.00 or less or I will get no nookie for a while"

So max 500.00, but the cheaper the better as long as it sounds okay. I don't think the install would be too tough for me. I haven't even decided if I am gonna go with the full setup, subs and amps and the whole 9 yards. I may just get 4 speakers and power them off the head unit. The speaker wire is already run, even to the trunk, so it wouldn't be to hard to run the extra wires for an amp and sub if I so choose. Plus like i said, I did 2 other installs that sounded fine. I mean i appreciate you opinion and if it is above my head, then I guess I will take it to a pro, but i don't feel like paying someone else to do it IF I can do it myself.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: coolred
Oh you misunderstood me, when I said "my girlfriend would like me to keep it under 500.00" what you should have read that as was "thats what she would want, so it will be 500.00 or less or I will get no nookie for a while"

So max 500.00, but the cheaper the better as long as it sounds okay. I don't think the install would be too tough for me. I haven't even decided if I am gonna go with the full setup, subs and amps and the whole 9 yards. I may just get 4 speakers and power them off the head unit. The speaker wire is already run, even to the trunk, so it wouldn't be to hard to run the extra wires for an amp and sub if I so choose. Plus like i said, I did 2 other installs that sounded fine. I mean i appreciate you opinion and if it is above my head, then I guess I will take it to a pro, but i don't feel like paying someone else to do it IF I can do it myself.

For $500, you can FORGET about "the whole nine yards!"

You'll be lucky to get a foot and a half.

 

[coolred]

Yeah I kinda figured that, but I did put a system in my jeep for 650.00 total, that composed of a head unit, amp, 2 subs, and 4 speakers, that sounded okay to me. I definately don't want ground pounder sound. I hate the sound of metal rattling, when you poorly put big subs in the trunk. But your right, that would be very difficult if not impposible to do for 500.00

 

[coolred]

shameless bump

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: flyfish
Amps- US Acoustics
Speakers- Infinity, Crystal Mobilesound
Subs-JL Audio, Image Dynamics, many different opinions on this.
Ask your question here and/or here.

^-- Good recomendations.

 

[ZOXXO]

I really like Clarion head units but currently have a twelve year old Kenwood in my work truck which still works great.

I have three friends which have had Pioneers die prematurely and once bought a Jensen that was total crap.

YMMV

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: coolred
Oh you misunderstood me, when I said "my girlfriend would like me to keep it under 500.00" what you should have read that as was "thats what she would want, so it will be 500.00 or less or I will get no nookie for a while"

So max 500.00, but the cheaper the better as long as it sounds okay. I don't think the install would be too tough for me. I haven't even decided if I am gonna go with the full setup, subs and amps and the whole 9 yards. I may just get 4 speakers and power them off the head unit. The speaker wire is already run, even to the trunk, so it wouldn't be to hard to run the extra wires for an amp and sub if I so choose. Plus like i said, I did 2 other installs that sounded fine. I mean i appreciate you opinion and if it is above my head, then I guess I will take it to a pro, but i don't feel like paying someone else to do it IF I can do it myself.

For $500, you can FORGET about "the whole nine yards!"

You'll be lucky to get a foot and a half.

Oh, and BTW, you're whipped if your girlfriend is setting your budget. It's your car. Sure, she can make a recommendation, but what kind of bitch withholds booty because you dropped a little extra coin on your car audio?

...

Pics?

Edit - Oh yes, forgot to mention - buy anything made by Jensen and I will hunt you down and slash your tires. That is, if the head unit doesn't explode and take your entire car with it. Just a little motivation there. Jensen sucks.

- M4H

 

[coolred]

I was kidding, she hasn't even mentioned a budget, but I don't have a lot of money, this will most likely go on credit and I want to be able to pay it off quick, so thats why i set a somewhat low budget.

BTW technically it will be her car. Her current car is complete junk, so we are buying this one to replace her car, but she already knows I will likely be the one driving it, and she will get my olds.

I am still open on the budget to. I will actually set one right before I begin to buy, and i won't go over it, but first I need to find out what i want. I wouldn't mind having a little bit of bump in the low end, but nothing too powerful. And I would also prefer an MP3 capable HU, and I am undecided on what speakers to get yet. I still need to look at the car again, and check out the holes int he back, to see what if anything they can hold. I have not yet taken ownership of the car. I will likely do this on Monday

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Don't do squat until you've got the ownership. Why you'd want to put a few hundred bucks of equipment in someone else's car (yes, even your girlfriends) is beyond me.

- M4H

 

[coolred]

Well obviously I won't buy anything till we have the car. The reason I am putting this in my girlfriends car is cause I will actually be the one driving it. I guess I should clarify, she is not just my girlfriend, we are engaged, living together and have a child, but the car will likely be in her name. I mean it's not like we are gonna break up and then i will be out the system.

 

[coolred]

Any opinions on JVC, especially the JVC KD-SX980. I am readng reviews of it on epinions, and they all seem to rave about it, and its hella cheap, for being MP3 capable.

 

[coolred]

Yeah that deck seems to get great reviews from everyone that uses it. I will have to give it a listen, but it may be my new HU. Now on to speakers, any suggestions?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Ok, you said "hella" and weren't referring to off-road/rally headlights. Leave now.

Speakers or subs? Infinity and Alpine make some pretty good stuff for either/or. Picked out an amp yet?

- M4H