pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

How far are you willing to drive?

pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

Bruce- What don't you like about the system now? Lets look at that and build a proper upgrade path.........For what it's worth, I am a 25 year car audio veteran with lots or product and install experience...

Cheers
Scott

Hollandaze

Get some old school Soundstream Reference amp that's 2-channels (the blue color ones) and run a set of components. You can get Polk db's pretty damn cheap from a reputable seller on eBay and the fit like a glove on Subarus. I heard them at a store and they sounded nice. I used to run all Polk stuff in my old car. I love their old school db sub (I still have it!). If it's a simple "I want new speakers with an amp to my aftermarket head unit", then I'm sure someone here could lend a hand with installing that.

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

30-45 mins tops, and I'm in Fremont.


Why do you ask? You got something you wanna part with thats up my ally? Do you install too? If so, I will pay you for your install trouble.


I can't wait to get something done to it, its driving me crazy!

brucelee

iTrader: (6)

Speakers sound weak, distort the music, and crackle... Just overall bad speakers even in my opinion and I don't know jack about stereos.

I want them to be LOUD without distortion

I want them to be affordable, nothing cheap, but nothing expensive


I drive A LOT, and listening to loud music in the morning keeps me alert and wakes me up pretty quickly, besides, I HATE distorted music, it bugs the HELL out of me... Sometimes I just turn the music off because the speakers irritate me so damn much... They don't have highs, no lows, just a sort of generic sound that a Dodge minivan would probably come from in the mid 90s.


The dec I have is a 6 disc MP3/WMA/CD deck which I like... Doesn't skip AT ALL, is fast at doing its thing, and matches really well with my interior.


Another thing, when I do get new speakers and possibly an AMP, where's a good place to take it to get it installed? I want it done the right way the first time around, unlike best buy where they did quite possibly the worst install ever.


What do you guys think? If one of you knows hot to install the speakers and an amp, I'd be more then happy to pay you for the install... Someones gotta know how and need some extra cash... Anyone? I'd really appreciate it. I can't stand driving around with distorted music, aaaaarg!


Thanks for all the input and advice guys, I really appreciate it. Now I just gotta find someone to install my isht, and buy some speakers per your recommendations.

Ebolamonkey

hey i found out one of my buddies apparently has been working at an audio shop on the weekends for a looong time anyway, hes pretty cool and he knows his audio. most importantly - he wont try to sell you on anything that you dont need and will try to save you as much money as he can.

works at Auto Sound Specialist in Union City
http://www.autosoundspecialists.com/

name is Reggie. just tell him that kevin sent you to him

he can hook it up with tint too - metallic for all 5 windows for less than 200. i just had my car tinted. i've been at the east coast so my brother dropped my car off for me so i haven't seen it yet, but ill post up pics when i get back home...

OneManArmy

iTrader: (7)

feel like helping me redo mine... haaaa.

I haven't had a stereo in my car for I think close to a year now. Need to redo my whole system before snowboard season.


oh and daniel. Yeah for sound stage front speakers with properly placed tweets is where its at but your passengers won't hear much. In my car rear passengers get nothing but a head full of base. I am going to install speakers in the back for this purpose. Can tune them out when you're alone.

I have a bunch of stuff I'm gonna sell.
Gauge pod. Alpine 9855. All the alpine boxes to run whatever you want. A mattjk screen. On the cheap. But it's for 02-04 guys.

pignoseWRX

iTrader: (6)

hate to thread jack... but brucelee has me with the car stereo itch (i told myself i wasn't going to modify this car.... $5k later...)

i'm likely goign the same route... some good components upfront and a sub in back. question for the experts... i was thinking bout turning the spare tire well in to a free-air box. (hidden out of the way since i use my rear to transport guitars a lot, easily removable for auto-x) i previously ran a jl 10w3 paired to an mtx d-class nice tight bass. will i hate a free-air setup?

OneManArmy

iTrader: (7)

Lots of people run this set up. I personally hate them. I don't like the look. Don't care for the sound. Don't like the fact that you can't put anything in the trunk. Don't like etc etc etc. You can buy premade ones. If it were me I'd buy one of the the AI boxes that goes in the corner. Look better. Sound better. No permanent damage. Still use the trunk. Etc. MUCH better option. Plus you can buy their amp rack too and have everything you need to install everything without cutting up your trunk.

pdqwrx

iTrader: (3)

Bruce, are you still planning to go to EQ's grand opening next Sat? I am as well and we can talk there.....

As for your car. I would like to hear your system with the music you enjoy before we start talking upgrade. Your description of the factory systems problems are very normal and can be fixed by going down several different paths depending on your final goal and budget.

There are a couple of things to remember.....
Any time you use your stock stereo (Or any cheap indash for that matter) you will be limiting total system performance to what ever the head unit is capable of. Sometimes it's performance will excede your expectations and other times it will limit things. The headunit starts the signal path!

I have heard many dealers over the years put some really awesome gear into a really awesome install only to have it sound like **** because they used a poor sounding headunit.

If you are going to use the stock head at least do it right and buy something like the AudioControl Epicenter Plus. http://www.mobileaudiocontrol.com/pr...duct_id=257391
or there LC6

The Epicenter Plus will serve as a great interface between the high voltage speaker outputs of the stock radio and the high voltage line level signal you need for your amp(s). It will also give you some bass restoration that can be super important when listening to compressed content like MP3's.

You can then run that output into a good 4 channel (Or two two channel, mono block or whatever) amp(s) to run the system.

If on a budget, always do the front speakers first and since music almost always is drivin by a drum beat, I would plan on a sub as well.

As for rear fill, I don't personally care for the same music coming at me from all sides...It takes away from the concert experience where the band plays in front of you. But if you like rear fill, by all means add some rear speakers into the mix.

As for products....There are a ton of good sounding products available and there is 10 tons of crap so be careful...

As for install...Your idea to find a local shop that will take care of you is a great idea. They are just like a loyal tuner in that respect and might be insulted if you buy all your gear from the internet or other forum member and bring them just the install so make sure you are upfront with them on your intentions while shopping.

As for my helping you.....Lets talk at EQ's show if you will be there or you can PM me and we can go over some options. I seem to always have something for sale.......

Cheers
PDQWRX