Car audio

[vincedea]

Hey guys not sure if I'm putting this in the correct area.

So i just got a new car and I would like to put in a car audio system in it: head unit, front speakers, sub, and amp. But of course goign to these places you can easily get ripped off by these people. so what would be the best way to limit the chance of getting ripped off at a car audio place?

I was thinking getting something in between the mid to high end speakers.

 

[AMCRambler]

Hey guys not sure if I'm putting this in the correct area.

So i just got a new car and I would like to put in a car audio system in it: head unit, front speakers, sub, and amp. But of course goign to these places you can easily get ripped off by these people. so what would be the best way to limit the chance of getting ripped off at a car audio place?

I was thinking getting something in between the mid to high end speakers.

Well I guess you need to decide if you're doing the install yourself or paying someone to do it. If doing it yourself you can get better prices buying online. If planning to have it installed and purchasing from that same place, set a budget, figure out what you want ahead of time researching brands etc and let them know what you want. Expect to pay for their labor to install it in some way shape or form. That could be a markup on the equipment, a separate price for install or a combination of both. Go to more than one shop and get prices to do the job from each. Watch their installers if they're doing any work while you're there to make sure they do decent work.

That's about it. Educate yourself before you even walk in on what the msrp is for the equipment you want and they can't put one over on you. Know what you want and will need and resist their efforts to up sell you.

 

[vincedea]

thanks for the reply. Does anyone have any suggestions on whats a good brand in the mid to high end speakers? I was looking at hertz and morel speakers.

I will be having professional installers do it at some audio shop.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Look no further...
http://www.dynaudio.com/int/car_hifi/index.php

 

[Muadib]

Can't give suggestions until you provide a budget.

 

[vincedea]

Can't give suggestions until you provide a budget.

Since I am looking to get a head unit, speakers and tweeters for only the front, and a sub 10 or 12in ( not looking for something that can be heard from a few blocks away). i am assuming i would need to put my budget at around $1000?

I know that Hertz and Morel speakers are pricey but they sound freaking awesome. If it helps I listen to all types of music. I had the Hertz HSK 165 speakers before and they were amazing to me, but I would like to try out different speakers.

Again looking for something between mid to high end audio system.

Edit: also need an amp and its all going to go into a 2011 BMW 328i

 

[Muadib]

Is the 1k for all of your speakers or just for a pair?

 

[uclabachelor]

But of course goign to these places you can easily get ripped off by these people. so what would be the best way to limit the chance of getting ripped off at a car audio place?

Knowledge is power and in this case, money too.

 

[vincedea]

Is the 1k for all of your speakers or just for a pair?

hmm I guess I should actually push my budget to $1500 for everything.

 

[cabri]

If you are going to have it professionally installed; most places will have a way for you to sample the components in advance.

this way you can determine what you desire and adjust price points accordingly.

Check out multiple shops; their acoustic rooms may be different and also different mix of components available.

 

[cabri]

Also, realize that if you chose to sell the vehicle, the added audio equipment will not increase the value correspondingly.

And notify the auto insurance company that you have the extra gear added; if anything happens, it is easier to get it replaced.

 

[MiataNC]

Newer cars have body control modules, and some run through the OEM audio system. I am assuming your BMW is one of these cars. You REALLY need to do some research before making any changes.

Start Here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27

Also when it comes to speakers, how they sound is heavily influenced by the materials they are mounted in and around. Don't pick them based on name, or listening to them in a specially built room at a stereo shop. You need to find people familiar with upgrading your car if you want the best recommendation.

 

[QueBert]

JL Audio for speakers & amps. Pioneer for HU imho. Also I would also suggest Dynamat or similar sound dampening, not a whole lot extra money and will make it sound infinitely better.

 

[vincedea]

Newer cars have body control modules, and some run through the OEM audio system. I am assuming your BMW is one of these cars. You REALLY need to do some research before making any changes.

Start Here:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323
http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=27

Also when it comes to speakers, how they sound is heavily influenced by the materials they are mounted in and around. Don't pick them based on name, or listening to them in a specially built room at a stereo shop. You need to find people familiar with upgrading your car if you want the best recommendation.

What does this even mean?

 

[QueBert]

What does this even mean?

Some cars it's more than simply swapping out a head unit and speakers and calling it a day. I have a Saturn Sky and needed an aftermarket component so my new head unit would play nice with my car. Things like the door beeping when open and the alarm were tied into the brains of my original HU. I also needed this part to be able to use my steering wheel control. Most cars that need this will have an aftermarket solution, but some won't *yet* and if you need it and don't have an option yet it'll make replacing the head unit an impossibility.

 

[vincedea]

Some cars it's more than simply swapping out a head unit and speakers and calling it a day. I have a Saturn Sky and needed an aftermarket component so my new head unit would play nice with my car. Things like the door beeping when open and the alarm were tied into the brains of my original HU. I also needed this part to be able to use my steering wheel control. Most cars that need this will have an aftermarket solution, but some won't *yet* and if you need it and don't have an option yet it'll make replacing the head unit an impossibility.

I see. The people at the audio shops would know that answer or would it be best if i went to a bmw dealership and asked about it?

 

[Muadib]

What does this even mean?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1094891&d=1411521234

Download this and read the pdf. This will give you an idea about the audio in your car, and what's involved in an upgrade.

 

[Muadib]

I see. The people at the audio shops would know that answer or would it be best if i went to a bmw dealership and asked about it?

You don't need a dealer. You should visit your local car audio guy. Yeah, some are crooks, but most want to do right by their customers.

 

[MiataNC]

Crutchfield has a unit for the 2011 BMW 328i
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120BMRC01/Axxess-BMRC-01-Wiring-Interface.html

 

[rommelrommel]

I see. The people at the audio shops would know that answer or would it be best if i went to a bmw dealership and asked about it?

Dealer will tell you not to mess with it.

Looking at the PDF quickly I can tell you that you aren't replacing that headunit and 1500 will get eaten up pretty quickly if you like stuff like Morel.

 

[vincedea]

Dealer will tell you not to mess with it.

Looking at the PDF quickly I can tell you that you aren't replacing that headunit and 1500 will get eaten up pretty quickly if you like stuff like Morel.

So I probably shouldn't or dont need to replace it at all then? I always thought getting a head unit is alot better than using the stock head unit.

I know that Morel stuff is expensive so of course I would love to get some if I can but other stuff that may be comparable to morel would be ok, I like Hertz so I wouldnt mind getting Hertz speakers again.

What would be the best plan to go about upgrading the audio system?

 

[Muadib]

As you are only spending $1500, I would keep your current unit like the guy in the pdf did. You can always upgrade it later.

 

[vincedea]

As you are only spending $1500, I would keep your current unit like the guy in the pdf did. You can always upgrade it later.

Yea looks like i just need front speakers, amp, and subwoofer. Any suggestions to get the most out of my budget? even save me some money if possible

 

[QueBert]

I see. The people at the audio shops would know that answer or would it be best if i went to a bmw dealership and asked about it?

Doubt the dealer would know much, audio shop would really depend on how good they are. I would ask around or go on Yelp for feedback. I had my car done a bit over a year ago, biggest shop in my town, they had just moved to a huge new location. They were still kind of clueless. They told me all my steering wheel controls would work with the module they had. Most of them do, but the track skip up and down don't. Every stereo shop I've been to they will talk the talk. So if you go in without doing research 1st they will probably be good enough at gabbing to convince you they know what they're talking about.

I've had stereos installed at 3 local shops and Circuit City, all did pretty poor jobs. Finding a quality shop that's not going to rip you off is a chore.

Yea looks like i just need front speakers, amp, and subwoofer. Any suggestions to get the most out of my budget? even save me some money if possible

This isn't ideal, while it can work, new speakers + amp + stock head unit can be disastrous. Years ago I bought 2 Alpine Amps, Infinity speakers and a Kicker sub and kept the stock stereo. It sounded horrible, seriously it was worse than with the factory amp. JL makes a product called the Soundsweep for this, but it's not cheap. YMMV but I dropped close to 2k on amps and speakers only to wish I was stock again. I had a Ford with the Mach system, and at the time no shop around here could do anything to fully remove it. You could always go this route and see, and if you're not happy upgrade the head unit afterwards.

http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=...-CL441dsp-CleanSweep.html?XVINQ=DST&XVVER=CCC

 

[Muadib]

Yea looks like i just need front speakers, amp, and subwoofer. Any suggestions to get the most out of my budget? even save me some money if possible

You aren't done with your budget, as you plan to have someone else do the install, and you haven't put that in your spending plan. Some places won't do the install unless you buy the gear through them, and that will add to the cost. Go out, talk to some places, and get a better idea where you stand. Once you have a better handle on where you stand, come back.