Car Audio Installation
J4320
24-11-2006 21:25:48
Buster389
25-11-2006 00:04:32
I have an idea save your $100 and do it yourself, its not that hard. I have installed 2 stereo systems and they are pretty easy. just do a little research online and you should be able to get it.
amir89630
25-11-2006 07:00:06
Im tellin you from experience, DUAL components aren't worth shiznat. Like bestbuy will throw in a free pair of 12" dual subs if you like buy a 100$ amp or something. They are like the natty of car stereo components.
J4320
25-11-2006 10:31:51
[quotee92ded5ff7="Buster389"]I have an idea save your $100 and do it yourself, its not that hard. I have installed 2 stereo systems and they are pretty easy. just do a little research online and you should be able to get it.[/quotee92ded5ff7]
Yes I know. I probably should. I'm too lazy and I don't want to spend all that time learning how to do it from various manuals and guides.
[quotee92ded5ff7="amir89630"]Im tellin you from experience, DUAL components aren't worth shiznat. Like bestbuy will throw in a free pair of 12" dual subs if you like buy a 100$ amp or something. They are like the natty of car stereo components.[/quotee92ded5ff7]
What's so bad about them?
shortys408
25-11-2006 10:51:50
its true. Dual is a terrible brand. First off, they do not get very loud at all. Second, the sound quality from dual is terrible. Third, all dual products self destruct after a year.
If you know how to take things apart on your car, a clean installation is easy.
J4320
25-11-2006 19:59:38
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Now I feel bad about buying the Dual stuff.
I'm not gonna go around bumping or blasting everything because I want to have good hearing when I'm older. I just want to have good sound quality in my car when I'm listening to my music.
I got this stuff at a MAJOR discount... should I really ditch it? I still haven't opened anything. I hate how the BestBuy people will just try to sell you crap and not tell you how bad it really is.
SonTenshinhan
25-11-2006 23:53:37
That might just be the most pathetic install I've ever seen thrown together.. I'm sorry, but between Dual, Sony, and a Best Buy installation crew, you might have the worst names in car audio. Best Buy and Circuit City are good for some things, but car audio isn't one of them. Look on ebay and you'll find that everything at best buy is 2 - 3 times more expensive then anything on ebay with shipping included. In fact even Best Buy's best Rockford components and Circuit City's best kicker subs (l5's - lol) you would still end up with a lame system - and worse than lame if you think you really are an audiophile. Oh and that amplifier installation kit.. you can get a 4 gauge one for cheaper than the 10 for about half that price at Meijer's. ^_^ No one uses 10 gauge wire for a sub amplifier, hell I even use 8 gauge for my highs..
J4320
26-11-2006 00:01:58
Okay thanks for the help guys. Yeah see I'm not a car audio guy at all so this is EXACTLY why I posted this - to make sure I was getting a good deal before I went through with the installation and all.
Okay so could one of you experts be so kind and compose a list of ebay links and what not of stuff that I should get instead? And can we keep this in the $450 and under range? Also, should I just ditch installation altogether and attempt it myself? It can't be [i231eb4c647]too[/i231eb4c647] hard. I would save a lot of money too.
Thanks guys. You really saved me from something I probably would have regretted. I'll get around to getting each of you +karma. )
So anyway, can you guys link me to some stuff I should buy instead?
afro_wolff
26-11-2006 00:05:21
8 for your highs!! Haha..damn! Ya i've got 4-gauge runn'n the whole thing. All i can say about the purchase is invest in what you buy. I've done the whole, buy a deal! "get this..get that...its cheap!" but honestly if your' going to buy car audio get something damn nice! I do polk speakers cuz i find those to be the best. And with bestbuy installation....When they first came to town 3 of 5 of my friends had to go back to get it redone. They went as far as to GROUND a wire to a metal screw sleeve on an area made entirely of plastic...Beautiful people!!
J4320
26-11-2006 00:17:43
emoney
26-11-2006 12:19:54
to make this simple, I picked components similar to my system (which I love) but the cheaper versions to meet your budget
<$100, solid, good brand amp
http//cgi.ebay.com/P3002-ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-300w-2-CH-AMP-NEW-P3002_W0QQitemZ280050374310QQihZ018QQcategoryZ39744QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$150 2 12" subs
http//cgi.ebay.com/Pair-ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-STAGE-2-P212S4-12-SUBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ140057738853QQihZ004QQcategoryZ39779QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$150 alpine cd/mp3 head unit. only 1 set of preamp outs, but with only 1 amp, you won't need more.
http//cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-ALPINE-CDE-9852-CD-MP3-WMA-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ110059673259QQihZ001QQcategoryZ39750QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
<$50 Phoenix Gold 4 gauge wiring kit for
http//cgi.ebay.com/PHOENIX-GOLD-COMPLETE-4-GAUGE-WIRING-KIT-RCA_W0QQitemZ250053982964QQihZ015QQcategoryZ32808QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If I were you, I would just start doing some research and continue to watch ebay auctions until you find some great deals. When I bought my system, I paid maybe 1K total, and it would've cost me 2.5 easy if I went bought the components retail. A good starting point for your research, aside from my awesome suggestions, would be to get a copy of crutchfield and compare prices there to the prices on ebay for the same components.
Stroid
26-11-2006 12:28:46
yeah Dual speakers suck ass definitly get something better. I love JL subs they are expensive but totaly worth it. Also alpine and Rockford Fosgate make good subs. Save more money and buy more expensive equipement you will definitly appreciatte it in the end.
J4320
26-11-2006 12:37:43
[quote1271e9af15="emoney"]to make this simple, I picked components similar to my system (which I love) but the cheaper versions to meet your budget
<$100, solid, good brand amp
http//cgi.ebay.com/P3002-ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-300w-2-CH-AMP-NEW-P3002_W0QQitemZ280050374310QQihZ018QQcategoryZ39744QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$150 2 12" subs
http//cgi.ebay.com/Pair-ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-STAGE-2-P212S4-12-SUBS-NEW_W0QQitemZ140057738853QQihZ004QQcategoryZ39779QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$150 alpine cd/mp3 head unit. only 1 set of preamp outs, but with only 1 amp, you won't need more.
http//cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-ALPINE-CDE-9852-CD-MP3-WMA-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ110059673259QQihZ001QQcategoryZ39750QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
<$50 Phoenix Gold 4 gauge wiring kit for
http//cgi.ebay.com/PHOENIX-GOLD-COMPLETE-4-GAUGE-WIRING-KIT-RCA_W0QQitemZ250053982964QQihZ015QQcategoryZ32808QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If I were you, I would just start doing some research and continue to watch ebay auctions until you find some great deals. When I bought my system, I paid maybe 1K total, and it would've cost me 2.5 easy if I went bought the components retail. A good starting point for your research, aside from my awesome suggestions, would be to get a copy of crutchfield and compare prices there to the prices on ebay for the same components.[/quote1271e9af15]
Alright thanks for the help. D
If I were to buy all of those items you linked to, it would cost me $120 alone just for shipping.
shock
But yeah, I realize you were just suggesting some good brands and their prices, not to get all of those things from the auctions right away.
I'm kind of thinking about just going with this crappy set up that I have. I'm gonna be selling the car in a year or so anyway, and I think I could get away with asking for about $450 more than I normally would for my car to cover what I paid for this audio system.
I'm not going to be blasting or working the equipment very hard so hopefully it won't break or crap out on me before I sell the car. lol
I have a '97 Honda Accord anyway. I'm not even considering totally pimping it out. It's just here to pull me through until I want something better.
emoney
26-11-2006 12:55:56
yeah, I included the shipping in the $ amounts I listed for ya. I also saved money by buying the heavy stuff (amp and subs) at the flea market. Half price, brand new stuff. D
and a 97 honda accord is perfect to pimp out, at least with a audio setup. My 2 cars with audio systems are a 91 civic hatchback and a 99 accord coupe.
also, I helped JKirk when he was in the market, so you may wanna hit him up if there is any chance you're going to take back those off brand components to get better stuff.
SonTenshinhan
26-11-2006 13:13:12
I'm not completely fond of the list that was presented up above.. you can do much better for the money. Try this
http//cgi.ebay.com/2-Phoenix-Gold-Subs-Octane-ZR-12D4-Subwoofers-ZR12D4-NR_W0QQitemZ110057964331QQihZ001QQcategoryZ18803QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Phoenix Gold Octane Zr subs - pair - $75 + $50 shipping
The wiring kit reccommended above is great, but you won't need that much - an 8 gauge wiring kit will be fine. Get one from Meijer's or Walmart fo $25
Amplifier.. You have many choices for ~a 500 rms/1000 peak amp for under $100. Here's my choice - it's durable (and ugly). I had two before they were stolen. The spec's are slightly underated.
http//cgi.ebay.com/PROFILE-HA1000M-BAJA-1000W-MONO-CAR-AMPLIFIER-AMP-NEW_W0QQitemZ120056555912QQihZ002QQcategoryZ18797QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$95 Shipped!
Cd player - Pioneer deh-P480 - not as flashly as I'd like, but it's the best you can do for less than $150, unless you bid, then maybe you can jump up a model or too. Pioneer, Alpine, and Eclipse are the best commonly found Cd players on the market - go buy one.
http//cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PIONEER-PREMIER-DEH-P480MP-CD-MP3-UpGrde-deh-p470mp_W0QQitemZ270058125448QQihZ017QQcategoryZ39752QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
~$125 shipped
TOTAL $370 SHIPPED!! Please buy ~ this setup is better than anything Best Buy offers and almost better than anything from Circuit City - of course those setups would be $1000 +
Oh you'll need to make a box too - go ported (NO BANDPASS!!). It is very important that you make it exactly to specifications. The box that these subs require will easily fit into your trunk. If you think you can glue some mdf wood together then the box shouldn't cost more than $30 tops at Home Depo or Lowe's.
emoney
26-11-2006 13:35:26
Is Baja good? I've never heard of them. I thought we were trying to get him to upgrade the brand.
and the phoenix gold subs should be ok. Pioneer receivers are most people's favorite cash friendly receivers, but I've had bad luck with them, so I'm an alpine man now. Plus I like their design better.
SonTenshinhan
26-11-2006 14:01:02
The brand is Profile - the model name is Baja. They create solid amplifiers and are well known and respected among car audio forums, however I would agree with you when you say that this is not a brand name item. There are few quality non-brand name items when it comes to car audio, but I would say Profile would have to be an exception.. One thing's for sure though, you'll recieve much more from this profile amplifier than any Rockford Punch amplifier on the market. The Rockford Power series is Rockford's best line, their Punch line is just the garbage that they send to Best Buy.
Oh concerning my recommendation of Pioneer over Alpine, if you really like Alpine's looks better than Pioneer, then I'd have to agree that Alpine is a better brand, especially once you start comparing their flagship models.
shortys408
26-11-2006 14:01:29
the rockford fosgate list above doesnt work for me. The subs are 200 rms each at 4 ohms. Wired in series you would need an amp that can power 400 watts rms at 2 ohms. Assuming that this amp is even 2 ohm stable it would only run at 150 watts rms at 2 ohms. This amp would be perfect for a rockford fosgate p1 sub. It will not do the trick for a p2 sub. The head unit is not that bad but for the clearest possible sound a 2 volt preout is not good enough. I would look for a 3 volt preout or better. Also I would look for a head unit with more then one preout incase you want to install an amp for your door speakers in the future. Go with a 4 awg wiring kit. 8 awg would be good enough for the system you are looking for but if you wanted to ever add another amp for your door speakers in the future you could split the 4 awg into 2 8 awg with a distribution block. Brand is not important for the wiring kits. You should be able to get a 4 awg kit for around 25$.
SonTenshinhan
26-11-2006 14:11:53
shortys408, makes some excellent points. You will want to go with a monoblock amplifier and if you could find a head unit with at least a 3 or 4 volt preamp then you'd be in great shape.. Only thing is I'd be hard pressed to find one within his price range. I'm pretty sure J4320 will start to lose interest if we start inflating the price of his new system anymore. Of course hopefully he realizes that what is posted above is a system which isn't even comparable to his Dual's - not that that's saying much. Honestly, I think it would be best if he went with a one subwoofer setup and spent more money on the box and head unit. I dunno, maybe if someone could recommend another solid head unit.. ?
emoney
26-11-2006 14:27:42
[quote68d6956e73="SonTenshinhan"]shortys408, makes some excellent points. You will want to go with a monoblock amplifier and if you could find a head unit with at least a 3 or 4 volt preamp then you'd be in great shape.. Only thing is I'd be hard pressed to find one within his price range. I'm pretty sure J4320 will start to lose interest if we start inflating the price of his new system anymore. Of course hopefully he realizes that what is posted above is a system which isn't even comparable to his Dual's - not that that's saying much. Honestly, I think it would be best if he went with a one subwoofer setup and spent more money on the box and head unit. I dunno, maybe if someone could recommend another solid head unit.. ?[/quote68d6956e73]
I agree, thats why it was hard for me to find perfect components within his budget and why I stressed for him to do his own research first and foremost. To me, bigger and better amps (a 2 channel wired in parallel on DVC subs, and a 4 channel wired in parallel for the front 6.5 and 1" components is what I run) 3 sets of 4 volt outs, great rca's, etc are a must have. But if I listed that stuff and their prices, you're right, J4320 would've run. Plus the bigger and better you get, the more money you need to spend on the rest of your system to match the quality (fatter gauge, low noise rcas, capacitor etc).
To me, its always brand/quality over power/size so yeah, maybe a 1 sub setup would be more fitting for you J.
MyJobIsThis
26-11-2006 14:37:48
It's worth having someone install it professionaly..IMO if not then it probably will look like shit with wires hanging out or not set up right.
Anyway I bought the Duall set that bestbuy had for 129.99 the "box two "12inch" subs and the amp" Im happy cause I sold my last set which was better but im low on money and this was a great deal....
Don't ever buy car audio stuff from best buy ext....Car audio is like a 200-300% markup rate My sister worked at best buy and I was getting a $200 box for $50 the rockford fosgate amplifer that was like $400 retail for $120 and 12inch Power Aqustic subs for $50 each when retail was $160 my advise get a job at bestbuy buy your shit and quit.
doylnea
26-11-2006 18:50:44
Anyone have help for car stereo re-installation, since some asshole stole my head-unit last night?
At least the thief was nice about it, and pried open the window, to hit the autolock button, rather than breaking the window. Dumbass thief left the V1 in the glove compartment - guess s/he doesn't have access to eBay to resell the V1.
Fucker.
SonTenshinhan
26-11-2006 19:06:35
Guess that makes two of us that have had our cars broken into in the past couple weeks.. Damn criminals stole my head unit, 3 amplifiers, and 4 kicker speakers + their enclosures. So I also have hacked up wiring under the dash - easy fix for me though. It depends how deep they cut the wiring. If they slashed apart most of your factory harness then it might be a good idea just to head to the junk yard and pick up a new one; but either way it just takes common sense to fix. Actually you don't need a harness at all and you can connect the head unit directly up to your battery, but I don't recommend that for several reasons, including the safety of you, your unit, and your car. Maybe J4320 should rethink about getting a system at all, lol. They're a bitch to protect.. I live in nice fluffy little town, but my car still has been broken into 3 times in the past year.
doylnea
26-11-2006 19:10:56
Oh, the thief knew what they were doing/looking for. I was parked behind an X5, in front of an A8 and across the street from a F250, S500 and Range Rover Sport. My car was the least valuable, and easiest to enter. They took the time to unplug the wiring harness too. shock Oh well, I wired everything up myself, so I'll just do it again. Not much I can do, it's part of parking on the street.
shortys408
26-11-2006 19:16:52
it may be expensive but it is much cheaper in the long run to do your system right the first time around. You may find yourself in the future spending alot of money upgrading wiring or amps or subs. I would recommend a pioneer 306DVC sub. You can find them for around 50-60$. It is 12" the box for it costs around 25$ on average. It takes 400 watts rms and has great quality.
J4320
27-11-2006 09:39:17
Okay so if they're just going to die on me within a year, I'll just take all of this stuff back.
Are you guys sure that it'll crap out on me when I'm not even maxing anything out or blasting it? I don't need a top of the line system, I just want better sound quality than what I already have.
I'm not much of a car audiophile so does anyone think this system will be fine?
If it dies within a year of moderate use with no blasting or anything than I would be pissed though. Maybe I should just take it all back. It was at a really good price though. |
ragefu
27-11-2006 12:10:17
Unless you're poor and/or enjoy installing shit I can't see how it would be worth installing it yourself or buying stuff off ebay. It may cost extra but it's worth avoiding the hassle and getting warranties in case you blow out your speakers or subs