Need recommendation for a half-ass stereo upgrade for my car

[Squisher]

I want to upgrade the stereo in my Camaro because it sounds crappy (thin and strained) next to my 13 year old pickup's stereo, but the wife wants to maintain the factory stereo controls on the steering-wheel.

First, is their a aftermarket stereo with the capability of utilizing the stereo controls on the wheel?

Given that the answer is probably no, I probably will want get a stereo amp with speaker level inputs and a couple of 6 1/2" (I hope they'll fit in a '02 Z28) rounds for the doors. Or, maybe a 3 channel amp to add a sub in the back, later on.

I would think the Spouse Acceptance Factor would diminish after about $1000.

If I go with component speakers I'll want them to have the tweets mounted in the center of the woofer so I can put the stock grills back on.

edit/update:
Bump for the Memorial day crowd.

I need recommendations for a pair of 6 3/4" component speakers and a 4 channel amp that can be bridged to 3 channel that is good at speaker level inputting (noise canceling).

 

[Howard]

Crutchfield says your car uses 4" and 6.75" speakers...

 

[PCTweaker5]

Originally posted by: Squisher
I want to upgrade the stereo in my Camaro because it sounds crappy (thin and strained) next to my 13 year old pickup's stereo, but the wife wants to maintain the factory stereo controls on the steering-wheel.

First, is their a aftermarket stereo with the capability of utilizing the stereo controls on the wheel?

Given that the answer is probably no, I probably will want get a stereo amp with speaker level inputs and a couple of 6 1/2" (I hope they'll fit in a '02 Z28) rounds for the doors. Or, maybe a 3 channel amp to add a sub in the back, later on.

I would think the Spouse Acceptance Factor would diminish after about $1000.

If I go with component speakers I'll want them to have the tweets mounted in the center of the woofer so I can put the stock grills back on.

Wait your 13 year old has a pickup or your pickup is 13 years old? lol I see that your pickup is 13 years old but maybe you meant the latter which is shocking.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Howard
Crutchfield says your car uses 4" and 6.75" speakers...

I wonder if the 4" are in the door and the 6.75" are in the back? The grill covers on the doors looked like they could be covering 5 1/4" or 6 1/2". No wonder it doesn't keep up with pickup's stereo. 4" in the front is pretty anemic.

I wonder what I can shoehorn into the doors?

 

[Squisher]

Come on people. Give me some recommendations on speaker brands that put out a lot of sound for their size and amp brands that are good at beefing up speaker level inputs.

 

[kt]

Diamond Audio makes some good 4" component speakers.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: kt
Diamond Audio makes some good 4" component speakers.

Another update/bump the 6 3/4" are in the doors (according to Crutchfield), so that's cool.

They have Kenwood component speakers for $450. Spounddomain seems to recommend kicker and eclipse amps.

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: kt
Diamond Audio makes some good 4" component speakers.

Another update/bump the 6 3/4" are in the doors (according to Crutchfield), so that's cool.

They have Kenwood component speakers for $450. Spounddomain seems to recommend kicker and eclipse amps.

Kenwood speakers??!?! You can get way better speakers for the $450 than Kenwood.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: kt

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: kt
Diamond Audio makes some good 4" component speakers.

Another update/bump the 6 3/4" are in the doors (according to Crutchfield), so that's cool.

They have Kenwood component speakers for $450. Spounddomain seems to recommend kicker and eclipse amps.

Kenwood speakers??!?! You can get way better speakers for the $450 than Kenwood.

I have two sets of MB Quarts in the front of my '91 Dakota, but I find them a little harsh, (but, I couldn't pass up the deal I got).

Well what do you recommend?

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: kt

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: kt
Diamond Audio makes some good 4" component speakers.

Another update/bump the 6 3/4" are in the doors (according to Crutchfield), so that's cool.

They have Kenwood component speakers for $450. Spounddomain seems to recommend kicker and eclipse amps.

Kenwood speakers??!?! You can get way better speakers for the $450 than Kenwood.

I have two sets of MB Quarts in the front of Dakota, but I find them a little harsh, (but, I could pass up the deal I got).

Well what do you recommend?

MB Quartz is known to be a little harsh on the high's. Depends on what type of sound you want from your speakers. But you can start looking into some of the top speaker makers out there like CDT, Rainbow, Focal, Diamond Audio, and OZ Audio to name a few.

 

[Squisher]

Bump for the Memorial day crowd.

Remember, I need recommendations for a pair of 6 3/4" component speakers and a 4 channel amp that can be bridged to 3 channel that is good at speaker level inputting (noise canceling).

 

[chrisms]

Hell yes!

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: chrisms
Hell yes!

Thanks

 

[MikeMike]

go with a DIY component set.

Your front speakers are most likely the 6.5's i could ask around for you though. and the 4" are the tweeters.

as for DIY go over to partsexpress.com and pick up a set of http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=297-305&DID=7 those.

or check out http://www.madisound.com/ and look at the silver flute woofers. or i dont know how much money you want to spend, but check out Seas as i believe they are VERY nice.

also, for tweeters, check out parts express and madisound, scanspeak makes NICE tweeters.

And then, for your crossovers, talk with madisound.com and they will custom design you one for your exact setup you would like. and they will make it for you. cost will vary. However, madisound will also suggest tweeters, and mids for you for your specific application. DIY can give you an AMAZING setup for a small price. Just email madisound.com and tell them what you would like, they will suggest everything.

as for an amp. hmm. 4 channels again, we need a budget, i could go and reccomend a brax amplifier, or a tru amplifier to you costing into the 500 range for a single amplifier.

MIKE

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
go with a DIY component set.

Your front speakers are most likely the 6.5's i could ask around for you though. and the 4" are the tweeters.

as for DIY go over to partsexpress.com and pick up a set of http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=297-305&DID=7 those.

or check out http://www.madisound.com/ and look at the silver flute woofers. or i dont know how much money you want to spend, but check out Seas as i believe they are VERY nice.

also, for tweeters, check out parts express and madisound, scanspeak makes NICE tweeters.

And then, for your crossovers, talk with madisound.com and they will custom design you one for your exact setup you would like. and they will make it for you. cost will vary. However, madisound will also suggest tweeters, and mids for you for your specific application. DIY can give you an AMAZING setup for a small price. Just email madisound.com and tell them what you would like, they will suggest everything.

as for an amp. hmm. 4 channels again, we need a budget, i could go and reccomend a brax amplifier, or a tru amplifier to you costing into the 500 range for a single amplifier.

MIKE

Those are some pretty hardcore speakers at bargain prices, even the Seas are reasonable.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Those are some pretty hardcore speakers at bargain prices, even the Seas are reasonable.

wow, you must have some money LOL.

well then, for one hell of an amp to push them with, check out.

http://www.trutechnology.com
and check out the http://www.trutechnology.com/t_v2_series.htm 4.100 i believe it is called, it will put out MUCH more than rated power. but it will cost. email them and ask where to purchase from. or check out the TO3 series.

also, check out.
http://www.audiotec-fischer.com/index2.html

the brax and helix amplifiers are INSANELY sweet. but yet again will cost you. and they will put out much more than rated power.

MIKE

 

[MikeMike]

bump so others can give input.

MIKE

 

[myusername]

Get a bose acoustomass 7 system. The sub fits pefectly under the hatch, and you can use rearview mirror glue to attach the satellites to the windows at ear height.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: myusername
Get a bose acoustomass 7 system. The sub fits pefectly under the hatch, and you can use rearview mirror glue to attach the satellites to the windows at ear height.

I think I'll nix that Bose system recommendation, but you're not far off with the glue the satellites to the windows suggestion. Sound systems sound so much better when speakers are brought more near ear level.

I mounted a second set of MB Quarts in custom kick panels so the speakers were actually facing me and they sounded much better. I know some speakers have good off axis response, but they still sound better when faced straight on.

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: chrisms
Hell yes!

Thanks

Don't mention it brother! BADASS

 

[ThePresence]

I've got a Cadence setup that I've never had a problem with, the sound is really sweet, and the 5 channel amp does exactly what I need it to do. Does not come cheap though.

 

[phantom309]

I have a Phoenix Gold Tantrum 600 4 channel amp that will do the bridged 3 channel thing. Got it off eBay brand new for $200. I don't know where you'd get a better amp for that money.