Car Stereo/Speaker installation

[cKGunslinger]

I'm looking for a decent place to get an inexpensive CD/MP3 player and a replacement pair of rear speakers for my Mazda sedan.

I used to get my equipment from Crutchfield and install it myself with my old truck, but this stupid Mazda is going to require a lot more work and tools other than a single phillips screwdriver. I think part of the whole dash has to come off, and the screws for the rear speakers must be between the back deck and the truck, as you can't get to them from either side.

Anyway, it appears that for this effort, at least, I have more money than time, so I'm looking for a professional installation. I was hoping to get a cheap player (~$110 - like this or this) and some relatively cheap speakers as well (maybe another $50-80 on a pair. ala these) I think the factory ones are 6x8 or some such, but one of them is cracked, and the other simply no longer plays.

I hate Best Buy, but is that the cheapest/fastest place to get the job done? or should I check out some of the dozens of non-chain places in the strip mall areas? Would it be better to get a good deal online, then have some shop install them for me, or will they gouge me? Can I get a better deal on local components and get "free installation?" I'd like to spend ~$200/installed, but am not really sure if that is feasible without doing it myself.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Soccerman06]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
I'm looking for a decent place to get an inexpensive CD/MP3 player and a replacement pair of rear speakers for my Mazda sedan.

I used to get my equipment from Crutchfield and install it myself with my old truck, but this stupid Mazda is going to require a lot more work and tools other than a single phillips screwdriver. I think part of the whole dash has to come off, and the screws for the rear speakers must be between the back deck and the truck, as you can't get to them from either side.

Anyway, it appears that for this effort, at least, I have more money than time, so I'm looking for a professional installation. I was hoping to get a cheap player (~$110 - like this or this) and some relatively cheap speakers as well (maybe another $50-80 on a pair. ala these) I think the factory ones are 6x8 or some such, but one of them is cracked, and the other simply no longer plays.

I hate Best Buy, but is that the cheapest/fastest place to get the job done? or should I check out some of the dozens of non-chain places in the strip mall areas? Would it be better to get a good deal online, then have some shop install them for me, or will they gouge me? Can I get a better deal on local components and get "free installation?" I'd like to spend ~$200/installed, but am not really sure if that is feasible without doing it myself.

Any advice is appreciated.

Its starting to become common that all decks require the whole dash to come off before the deck can be taken out because of theft protection. Its usually quite simple to take off the dash, and all you need to do is do a search on google.

For what speakers you have, you need 6x9s. I have never heard of 6x8s, but then again, I am not an expert in car audio.

BB is definitely the place to go and check out speakers for your price range. I thought BB did free install with a purchase of like $100+ (or was it $200?) and include a warrenty. They have a good selection of $50-$100 speakers, but remember, the more you spend, the better quality you get. Another thing, if you dont alreayd know, try to match the speakers and the deck with the RMS power. RMS is basically what power the component operates optimally.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Its starting to become common that all decks require the whole dash to come off before the deck can be taken out because of theft protection. Its usually quite simple to take off the dash, and all you need to do is do a search on google.

For what speakers you have, you need 6x9s. I have never heard of 6x8s, but then again, I am not an expert in car audio.

BB is definitely the place to go and check out speakers for your price range. I thought BB did free install with a purchase of like $100+ (or was it $200?) and include a warrenty. They have a good selection of $50-$100 speakers, but remember, the more you spend, the better quality you get. Another thing, if you dont alreayd know, try to match the speakers and the deck with the RMS power. RMS is basically what power the component operates optimally.

Yeah, I was checking out the BB site, and they have better prices than I first imagined. And yes, many of their "deals" offred free, same day installation. Perhaps I'll stop by and have a look and try not to let them up-sell me.

I'm not too concerned about quality, as long as they are >= to the factory equipment, which sounded just fine until they blew out after 5+ years.

 

[Injury]

A specialty shop in your area.

Search google's business listings for "car audio" and your zip code.

Places like Best Buy and Circuit City can do the job, but keep in mind that they are still the same people. They will try and sell you crap you don't need, half ass it, and use marked up installation components to complete the job.

Even if they offer "Free" installation, there are always catches. The actual install may be free, but the labor may not be. Again, they may require you to use only their insanely marked up installation components.

 

[bmacd]

a 5x7 and 6x8 speaker are essentially one in the same...a 5x7 speaker with a bracket to expand the surface area. I have 4 5x7s in my explorer. Call around and get quotes...see if somebody will beat prices (circuit city, best buy, etc.)

-=bmacd=-