Car Audio for Dummies?

So I am looking to get something nice sounding in my volvo. Right now it has an 8 track player that is hooked up to house speakers that are under the seats, and I am looking for a little more haha. What I am looking for is decent mids with tweeters, a decent headunit with an input for my mp3, and some subs and an amp that sound good but aren't over the top and are decent in price. Basically I am looking for a stereo on a budget. Anyone have any systems like this that I can base mine off of?

Thanks:shredder:

Blapunkt.

How much are you looking to spend?

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Originally Posted by Hauptman

How much are you looking to spend?

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I would say about $500-600.

for that price range you could probably pull off a head unit with the features you want and new speakers but not with separate tweeters

i would just hit best buy...they always have sales and it doesn't sound like your needs are too demanding. Plus, anything is going to sound better than what you have. A good system with everything you listed will run @ $1200

Was looking at maybe 2 of these...
And these...
And this...
And finally this...

Just to give you an idea of the price range I am looking at.

My car has a Pioneer Premier DEH-P980BT full colored head unit (with Sirius, Bluetooth, iPod everything), 4 Pioneer speakers and 2 tweeters. Just the head unit was over $700, add another $400 or so for the speakers, and more $$ for the iPod connector.

The sound is very nice as it is (with no amplifier). Next thing to be added will be an amplifier and maybe 2 more speakers in the rear window, ya know...so I can really be deaf by age 40. :D

that amp won't power everything. You'll need another amp to power the speakers correctly. Plus at least another $100 in wiring.

I'll support a couple things already said here. I had a really nice sounding system a few years back. HU was Pioneer Premier - had all the settings I could want including crossovers for the amps and whatnot. Blaupunkt speakers, "pro competition" I think. They were expensive at the time, I found the same ones a couple years later for like $50/set and bought them without even having a use for them. I don't recall what i had for amps, the interior amp was a moderately priced high watt deal that I just ran at like 15%. Sub amp and sub were nice, don't remember what though.

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Originally Posted by Hauptman

that amp won't power everything. You'll need another amp to power the speakers correctly. Plus at least another $100 in wiring.

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Could those speakers handle an amp?

I have a pretty nice sounding system in my truck. Head unit is a Kenwood Excelon, door speakers are Memphis Audio and JL Audio. Sub is a JL, so is the amp for the door speakers. Sub amp is Memphis. Check Crutchfield.com, they have sales quite often on HUs. But remember, you generally get what you pay for, especially in head units. The cheap ones can ruin an otherwise good system, and a good head unit can even make many stock speakers sound pretty good.

Yeah...those speakers would sound best if powered by an external amp.

So you think this amp would work better?
And I would go with one of the 600W subs and bridge the amp, and the other 2 would go to the 4" speakers. Would that be sufficient considering that the sub is 120w nominal power? I don't want to go for too much more power in the amp cause the 4" speakers are rated for 2-45w RMS, and the amp is 40w RMS. And when I bridge for the sub it will be 130w and the sub is said to be able to handle 120w. Will this work?

let me steer you away from pioneer please....

they are not the best systems out there, and through all the systems i have been through have always hated pioneer. the sound quality sucks, plain and simple. but they do look cool.

check out alpine, kenwood (pretty much a better sounding pioneer), blaupunkt, eclipse, etc......

Remember as always you get what you pay for... if your looking for something that looks cool then go to best buy and just buy whatever you like. If your looking for sound quality then i think i can help you out.

I would give you a killer price on a turnkey system but unfortunately i am sending the deck out to family as no one wanted it I had it up for sale for over a year and had many offers, but no follow through....

I still have the subs, amp, and wiring kit, plus everything you would need to install the system. I would also do the install for free just to get rid of it and to lend a hand with an area i have always loved and wish i had the money to continue with the hobby.

trust me, you can get a killer system for your budget if you know what you want.

what is more important to you,

sound quality or looks?

check out these sites...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xwRxcupNihX/

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...category=AV_HU dont mind the prices there. if you play your cards right and go to the right dealer then 9 times out of 10 you can pick up one of the demo units for up to 200$ cheaper than the listed price.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/cd/index.html

dont mind the prices there. if you play your cards right and go to the right dealer then 9 times out of 10 you can pick up one of the demo units for up to 200$ cheaper than the listed price.

as for installs. keep in mind any shop will charge per hour for a full system. best buy is a rip off, i have taken apart entire systems the day of install for friends of mine because they were hooked up so wrong that the shit didnt even work, but they will install just a deck for free if you spend over a certain amount.

but if you do decide to do it yourself or have someone else do it you will need a mounting kit, wire harness, possible speaker cables, wire harness (for amp and subs this will be sold seperately)

just some info for you.

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Originally Posted by R1

let me steer you away from pioneer please....

they are not the best systems out there, and through all the systems i have been through have always hated pioneer. the sound quality sucks, plain and simple. but they do look cool.

check out alpine, kenwood (pretty much a better sounding pioneer), blaupunkt, eclipse, etc......

Remember as always you get what you pay for... if your looking for something that looks cool then go to best buy and just buy whatever you like. If your looking for sound quality then i think i can help you out.

I would give you a killer price on a turnkey system but unfortunately i am sending the deck out to family as no one wanted it I had it up for sale for over a year and had many offers, but no follow through....

I still have the subs, amp, and wiring kit, plus everything you would need to install the system. I would also do the install for free just to get rid of it and to lend a hand with an area i have always loved and wish i had the money to continue with the hobby.

trust me, you can get a killer system for your budget if you know what you want.

what is more important to you,

sound quality or looks?

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I do not care about looks at all. I am just interested in performance. And what do you have that you are looking to get rid of?

I have 2 Alpine 12" type R subs in a sealed enclosure. they are rated for 1200 Watts per, but i have them powered but 600 per bridged.

the amp is an eclipse 1200Watt, but the power rating is proven to be underrated, and I am running a 4 gauge wiring kit....

Its definitely a serious system...

if your looking for sound quality, i would steer you towards the alpine, eclipse, or a clarion deck.

couple that with the system i could set you up with and a decent set of speakers, then the sound quality will be immaculate.

the more power you can use the clearer you can have the system. sure it sounds messed up , but if you can power everything down then you can tune it to your ear without peaking out the power ratings and blowing up your components.....

I can get you some pictures tomorrow as i plan on pulling it out of my car tomorrow.

heres a quick picture of the deck i just got rid of that was part of the whole system i have.

I had it for sale for a year and no one would take it so i sent it out to my family in Cali for their jeep, sorry bro.

the sound quality is amazing.


pics

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...1&d=1235967420

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...1&d=1235967420

Quote:

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Originally Posted by R1

let me steer you away from pioneer please....

they are not the best systems out there, and through all the systems i have been through have always hated pioneer. the sound quality sucks, plain and simple. but they do look cool.

check out alpine, kenwood (pretty much a better sounding pioneer), blaupunkt, eclipse, etc......

Remember as always you get what you pay for... if your looking for something that looks cool then go to best buy and just buy whatever you like. If your looking for sound quality then i think i can help you out.

I would give you a killer price on a turnkey system but unfortunately i am sending the deck out to family as no one wanted it I had it up for sale for over a year and had many offers, but no follow through....

I still have the subs, amp, and wiring kit, plus everything you would need to install the system. I would also do the install for free just to get rid of it and to lend a hand with an area i have always loved and wish i had the money to continue with the hobby.

trust me, you can get a killer system for your budget if you know what you want.

what is more important to you,

sound quality or looks?

check out these sites...

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-xwRxcupNihX/

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...category=AV_HU dont mind the prices there. if you play your cards right and go to the right dealer then 9 times out of 10 you can pick up one of the demo units for up to 200$ cheaper than the listed price.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/us/cd/index.html

dont mind the prices there. if you play your cards right and go to the right dealer then 9 times out of 10 you can pick up one of the demo units for up to 200$ cheaper than the listed price.

as for installs. keep in mind any shop will charge per hour for a full system. best buy is a rip off, i have taken apart entire systems the day of install for friends of mine because they were hooked up so wrong that the shit didnt even work, but they will install just a deck for free if you spend over a certain amount.

but if you do decide to do it yourself or have someone else do it you will need a mounting kit, wire harness, possible speaker cables, wire harness (for amp and subs this will be sold seperately)

just some info for you.

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Hahaha. A little biased are we? If a good higher end unit is bought combined with good speakers, ampli, wiring done correctly, Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood...it will sound good.

My Pioneer was installed by a professional car stereo shop who installs and modify vehicles for competitions. Not BestBuy/CircuitCity crap who's technicians, I will give you that, don't know what they're doing 3/4 of the time. I'm an audiophile, music is a BIG part of my daily life and I hate crappy sound. I have to hear as close as possible, every note (high and low, bass, etc.), in my tunes. The head unit I got is the best one in Pioneer before you get into their competition quality units. I LOVE it. To each their own of course, I guess it's like cars...some people are sold to their favorite makes. I'm just saying...walk in a car sound stereo shop and listen to different units if you can. Go from there. In the end, it's what YOU think sounds best to YOUR ears, we all have different tastes and different ways to hear sounds with our set of ears that were given to us. You can't only rely on someone else's perception of what is good sound. :)

I'm with MissTwisties on this one. I've seen and heard some horrible Pioneer stuff, but I've heard some great stuff too. My premier deck was great. Sound quality was awesome, had full controls right in the deck, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to use another.

+1 for Pioneer Premier. I have a new DEH-P600UB that sounds awesome. Every bit as good as any Alpine I've heard. (I have a degree in Audio Engineering and have spent my share of time as a front of house engineer running Meyer Sound systems worth several hundred thousand dollars.)

If your interested in the subs and amp i have PM me. I can also install whatever you get for components.

what mine opinion is of good sound in the right systems can be adjusted 100% to everyones opinion of good sound.

its all the in the tuning capabilities of the components you buy....

cuz all the systems i thought sounded like shit sounded great to the person that owned them.

its all subjective and what they said is 100% correct. if you you like it then theres no reason to even ask around

Car audio is all about dealing with 2 limited resources, power and placement. Your dealing with a limited amount of power, get as much of it as you can. Cars are loud and noisy places, and your sitting at an odd arrangement to the loudspeakers. Move them to the best locations you can and choose speakers that work best in the places you can use.

$500 is a pretty tight budget. You are going to need to install this yourself, I'd choose a retailer that is willing to offer free help. Crutchfield is famous for providing easy to follow DIY instructions, but you might also find a local shop with similar support. Car guys tend to be a friendly bunch.

I'd pick, the outlet version of the Sony CDX-GT430IP - high power for a head unit and iPod control for $116

component loudspeakers for the front, with separate tweeters you can mount up high like the Kicker 07DS6802 on clearance at Amazon for $74, if they fit.

and a sub with a built in amp, you can do better if you can build a box and mount an amp separately but the all in one is easier for a DIY project. Bazooka has been doing this since the dawn of time, the end result is reliable and cheap, a 250 watt driven 10" sub is under $290 new.

jcmitch

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Originally Posted by audiojeff

Car audio is all about dealing with 2 limited resources, power and placement. Your dealing with a limited amount of power, get as much of it as you can. Cars are loud and noisy places, and your sitting at an odd arrangement to the loudspeakers. Move them to the best locations you can and choose speakers that work best in the places you can use.

$500 is a pretty tight budget. You are going to need to install this yourself, I'd choose a retailer that is willing to offer free help. Crutchfield is famous for providing easy to follow DIY instructions, but you might also find a local shop with similar support. Car guys tend to be a friendly bunch.

I'd pick, the outlet version of the Sony CDX-GT430IP - high power for a head unit and iPod control for $116

component loudspeakers for the front, with separate tweeters you can mount up high like the Kicker 07DS6802 on clearance at Amazon for $74, if they fit.

and a sub with a built in amp, you can do better if you can build a box and mount an amp separately but the all in one is easier for a DIY project. Bazooka has been doing this since the dawn of time, the end result is reliable and cheap, a 250 watt driven 10" sub is under $290 new.

jcmitch

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Thanks, installation and doing it myself is no problem. I had installed a system in my truck on my own and installation was fairly easy, it was just I had not picked the best components for the application. And I would rather have a box and a sub rather than 1 unit. I made my own box for the truck so if I have to make a box for the volvo it should be much easier, as the space is not so constricted. In short installation it not a problem as I have family members who are car people and would help me out, so I am just looking for some good new or used components.

vincef2 has a bunch of usedstuff he is looking to get rid of but may not see this thread...pm him

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Originally Posted by csmutty

Thanks, installation and doing it myself is no problem. I had installed a system in my truck on my own and installation was fairly easy, it was just I had not picked the best components for the application. And I would rather have a box and a sub rather than 1 unit. I made my own box for the truck so if I have to make a box for the volvo it should be much easier, as the space is not so constricted. In short installation it not a problem as I have family members who are car people and would help me out, so I am just looking for some good new or used components.

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Rob used to manage the Circuit car audio department in Concord, beck int he day.... we have a bundle of stuff kicking around in the basement, but i think a lot of it is vehicle specific, or the stuff that we replaced with better stuff.

i'll keep you in mind if we stumble across wires, though, those can get pricey...

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Originally Posted by mzdagrl

Rob used to manage the Circuit car audio department in Concord, beck int he day.... we have a bundle of stuff kicking around in the basement, but i think a lot of it is vehicle specific, or the stuff that we replaced with better stuff.

i'll keep you in mind if we stumble across wires, though, those can get pricey...

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Ok thanks I appreciate it. I had a hard time finding wire last time, and had to use wire that was not the right guage.