Car Audio
 

Anyone overhauled their cars audio system? I did slowly over this past summer. Such a pain trying to find the right equipment especially speakers but I finally ended up with a great budget setup.

- Alpine CDE-121 Headunit
- Alpine PowerPack Amp 45 Watts x 4 RMS
- 4 Alpine 60 Watt Coaxial Speakers 240
- 8 inch Sound Ordance 120 Watt RMS Compact Powered Subwoofer - Fits under the seat. And best of all doesn't annoy the neighbors.

All in all I spent like $700 but $150 of that was trial and error.

If I had known what I needed it all would have cost a lost less, as I learned halfway through the process to only pay car shops for installs and not to buy anything from them as their extremely overpriced.

Crutchfield on the other hand is a great place to buy equipment since they include everything or at least discount the parts you need. For example they included something like $30 of materials that I would have been charged for by any audio shop during install on my headunits. They also included a $40 wiring kit for my sub free. Speakers can be a little pricey though if you buy from them. Free 2 day shipping to Georgia was also pretty awesome.

PowerPack is an awesome product to if you're looking for a budget amp. No wiring kit needed all you do is plug into the back of any Alpine head unit and you're done. With a regular amp around the same power level it would have been something like $400 (Amp, parts, labor) all for a 50 watt RMS x 4 channel.

So with that said what do you have? What are you looking into? Etc.

Re: Car Audio
 

- Kenwood kdcx-994 HU
- Rockford Fosgate Prime Amp 500 x 1
- Rockford Fosgate Prime Amp 75 x 4
- Focal 6.5" KR Splits (Pair)
- Rockford Fosgate P3 Sub

I actually forged a friendship with the car audio shop owner and was able to get everything less than retail (especially the components- I saved close to 30 percent through his Focal distributor). Pushing all four channels of the 300 watt amp to the splits and kept my rear stocks powered by the HU (I don't want to interfere with the front stage too much by adding more in the back).

I love my Kenwood, as I've got a parrot mic and bluetooth installed. I sync my iPhone's Bluetooth and when I have it docked, everything's set through the speakers- music, gps, phone.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;870222]Anyone overhauled their cars audio system? I did slowly over this past summer. Such a pain trying to find the right equipment especially speakers but I finally ended up with a great budget setup.

- Alpine CDE-121 Headunit
- Alpine PowerPack Amp 45 Watts x 4 RMS
- 4 Alpine 60 Watt Coaxial Speakers 240
- 8 inch Sound Ordance 120 Watt RMS Powered Subwoofer - Fits under the seat. And best of all doesn't annoy the neighbors.

All in all I spent like $700 but $150 of that was trial and error.

If I had known what I needed it all would have cost a lost less, as I learned halfway through the process to only pay car shops for installs and not to buy anything from them as their extremely overpriced.

[B]Crutchfield on the other hand is a great place[/B] to buy equipment since they include everything or at least discount the parts you need. For example they included something like $30 of materials that I would have been charged for by any audio shop during install on my headunits. They also included a $40 wiring kit for my sub free. Speakers can be a little pricey though if you buy from them. Free 2 day shipping to Georgia was also pretty awesome.

PowerPack is an awesome product to if you're looking for a budget amp. No wiring kit needed all you do is plug into the back of any Alpine head unit and you're done. With a regular amp around the same power level it would have been something like $400 (Amp, parts, labor) all for a 50 watt RMS x 4 channel.

So with that said what do you have? What are you looking into? Etc.[/quote]

Totally! Their planning advice, compatibility and support is.....ridiculous

Re: Car Audio
 

Speaking of Crutchfield...

They are usually great, but they sent the wrong adapter harness with the head unit I ordered for my brother in law's Christmas gift. So, the car is sitting in the garage until I can source the correct pigtail, which will hopefully be tomorrow.

Re: Car Audio
 

Two 12 Kickers
1000 Watt Cali Pro Amp

Bass goes Ham

Re: Car Audio
 

yes. i built a box with my best friend before i moved, he actually had to finish it because we ran out of time. it's a med/lrg sealed. the box before that was a med/lrg ported. i grew tired of the sloppy ported bass, time to tighten up w a sealed.

alpine cda-7897 receiver
infinity kappa perfect 6.5" components up front
infinity kappa 6"x9" 3ways in the rear deck
alpine pdx 4.100 4channel amp
2 alpine swr-1242d 12" subs
jbl 1200.1 mono amp
and a barely useful 1.5 farad cap, i can't even remember what brand it is. it reduces the dim of the headlights by a slightly noticeable amount

in my next car i'm just going to use 1 10" jl audio w6 or w7 in a med sealed box

Re: Car Audio
 

I put aftermarket systems in every car I owned up to this point. Acura's have decent audio anyway but it's difficult to replace the head unit and still look halfway decent. I still get goose bumps whenever people talk about audio!!

My last system was a clarion unit and 4 channel amp to infinity kappa speakers and an MTX 2600 amp paired to 12 inch MTX Pro sub.

My one complaint about crutchfield is they originally talked me into pairing other subs w/ that MTX amp and the amp blew every single one...rockford, infinity kappa and one other I believe. Finally I called MTX home office and the guy asked why I wasn't using their subs since they're matched to the amps...the MTX subs were fantastic I should have started out w/ them. Not sure how good they are now???

Re: Car Audio
 

I used to be WAY into car audio, but is it truly a noticeable difference if I put in new speakers?

Basically, I have a 2004 Mazda3. When I got it, I LOVED the sound of the speakers and didn't want to mess with anything. Last year, I got tired of CDs and bought a new head unit with USB input. The car already has tweeters installed, but is it going to make a difference if I put in aftermarket stuff? I have 6.5" all the way around.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;904444]I used to be WAY into car audio, but is it truly a noticeable difference if I put in new speakers?

Basically, I have a 2004 Mazda3. When I got it, I LOVED the sound of the speakers and didn't want to mess with anything. Last year, I got tired of CDs and bought a new head unit with USB input. The car already has tweeters installed, but is it going to make a difference if I put in aftermarket stuff? I have 6.5" all the way around.[/quote]

In my experience only if you get an amplifier for the speakers. I made the mistake of getting new speakers before I could afford an amp (you should really get them all at the same time as aftermarket speakers sound like crap without them and it's easy to blow factory speakers with them.) and for a while I was longing for my factory speakers back as with some speakers I tried the bass was virtually gone and with the Alpines they were overpowering and annoying (still haven't figured out why that was the case).

Now with the speakers amped up and comparing them with my brothers factory speakers in his Camry I can definitely tell the difference and in my situation I didn't get a traditional amp, as the [URL="http://youtu.be/YgDiWwdz6Do"]power pack just plugs into the back of most alpine head units[/URL] (save like pre 2004 models).

I also notice that I use my sub a bit more though to round out the sound, nothing major just a powered[URL="http://youtu.be/BCAZCGx103c"] 120 watt unit that fits under the seat[/URL]. When I first got it though I was only using it 25% of the time. Now it's more like 95%.

Long story short, if you get new speakers prepare to get an amplifier of some kind. In many cases aftermarket speakers are worse than factory speakers when they don't have an amp but much much much much better when they are properly powered.

And the best part is you can do it without being like the local high school kids that spend like $5,000 on subwoofers and bass and $5 on their actual speakers. Which to me is like putting 10 tablespoons of BBQ sauce on your plate for one ounce of steak.

Re: Car Audio
 

Cool, thanks for the advice. I noticed that on my younger brother's 1996 Civic. He put in a head unit, aftermarket speakers, and I wasn't SUPER impressed. I was really trying to avoid buying amps and all that, but if that's what it takes I'll do it.

Re: Car Audio
 

Well, I'll throw in my 2 cents....
As DB says, it is all about matching the correct components together. If you do not know what you are doing (and I do not), spend a little time reading and learning. I love Crutchfield, but someone in this thread had a bad experience with them. I have always profited from their advice and if you choose wisely, much of the stuff is "Plug n Play"....no wiring. Speaking of wiring, make sure your speaker wiring, ground, etc will be heavy enough to handle your expansions. I am confident that there are many other organizations that offer similar services as well.
Forums....imagine that, are extremely helpful as they are....chocked with full metal jacket electronic guys that love nothing more than advise and research.
You can spend a fortune, but it is not necessary for killer sounds in your machine.
Good Luck!

Re: Car Audio
 

whatever it is, make sure you listen to it for awhile before you spend any money. that's the best advice i can offer. tweeter may have what you're looking for

Re: Car Audio
 

whos tweeter?

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=PWNED;904954]whos tweeter?[/quote]maybe they don't know tweeter in detroit rock city?

Re: Car Audio
 

seriously, should i talk to tweeter? im so new to stereo stuff.

does he work at crutchfield?

Re: Car Audio
 

he works at dogfood in america

Re: Car Audio
 

is that a chain? If so, which one should i go to?

Re: Car Audio
 

pray to the east

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=los panda;904425][B]alpine cda-7897 receiver[/B]
infinity kappa perfect 6.5" components up front
infinity kappa 6"x9" 3ways in the rear deck
alpine pdx 4.100 4channel amp
2 alpine swr-1242d 12" subs
jbl 1200.1 mono amp
and a barely useful [B]1.5 farad cap[/B], i can't even remember what brand it is. it reduces the dim of the headlights by a slightly noticeable amount[/quote]i named the wrong receiver. i also looked and saw that my cap is only a 1.2 farad, it's made by american legacy (a brand i have never heard of)

alpine cda-7998 - i remember i also bought it when it was $800, then crutchfield cut it down to $400 w the free kit, harness, and shipping. i pulled the trigger

[IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/subdubstp/x500cda7998-f.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Car Audio
 

has anyone done the "big 3" upgrade?

looking into for a weekend project, depending on the results, hope to get rid of my capacitor.

Re: Car Audio
 

I did in a previous car. It's well worth it even without a car audio system...it smoothed out my idle and probably helped extend the life of the alternator.

Re: Car Audio
 

Back in the 80's I knew evrything there was about each brand but that's when I sold and installed them. I had a blaupunkt system which would blow the doors off with one of these wild floor mounted EQ"S. Alpine was also big in the 80's. I wouldn't know where to start now days.


[IMG]http://s04.trixum.de/upload2/S/K/SKF3xUQPHgEc130600252684P1888.jpg[/IMG]

Re: Car Audio
 

it's funny, since i moved here, and i don't have many tools at all, i enlist the help of my gf's brother. he is a very experienced mechanic, he always looks at me like "wtf?". especially in regards to the fact that i have no tools, and i hadn't changed my own oil until this year.

i would always find dealerships offering an oil change for under $5. didn't have a decent jack, didn't have access to a pit, and oil is expensive. he has a pit in his driveway, it's really nice.

anyways, i'll definitely be using his help w this project. sanding, soldering, and wiring galore.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=los panda;959860]it's funny, since i moved here, and i don't have many tools at all, i enlist the help of my gf's brother. he is a very experienced mechanic, he always looks at me like "wtf?". especially in regards to the fact that i have no tools, and i hadn't changed my own oil until this year.

i would always find dealerships offering an oil change for under $5. didn't have a decent jack, didn't have access to a pit, and oil is expensive. he has a pit in his driveway, it's really nice.

anyways, i'll definitely be using his help w this project. sanding, soldering, and wiring galore.[/quote]

Most of the stuff now days you just buy a wiring harness for your car and everything else plugs in.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=firstdown;959872]Most of the stuff now days you just buy a wiring harness for your car and everything else plugs in.[/quote]i'm getting ready to upgrade the "big 3" w 1/0 awg.

alternator positive to battery positive
battery negative to chassis
and engine ground to chassis

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=firstdown;959872]Most of the stuff now days you just buy a wiring harness for your car and everything else plugs in.[/quote]


Yup.

These guys will hook you up big time with knowledge of how to do it.

[url=http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7IobsEdRa4p/]Crutchfield: Car Stereo, Speakers, Home Theater, LCD TV, Digital Cameras[/url]

Re: Car Audio
 

love crutchfield, great customer service

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=los panda;959877]i'm getting ready to upgrade the "big 3" w 1/0 awg.

alternator positive to battery positive
battery negative to chassis
and engine ground to chassis[/quote]

Is that to power a big amp?

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=los panda;959881]love crutchfield, great customer service[/quote]

Best ever.

I bought some speakers to upgrade the stockers in the car I bought last year and they threw in free factory adapters. No wiring for me, just plug them in.

Once I bought a stereo and they gave me a free Skil cordless drill that I still use all of the time.

If you need to call with a question, they're there and speak English.

Them and Newegg.com are my two favorite companies to deal with.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=firstdown;959885]Is that to power a big amp?[/quote]well, to help the electrical system overall.

currently, i am only using a 400 watt 4 channel amp.
i will be putting my 1,200 watt mono amp back in once my box is built.

Re: Car Audio
 

so i did the big 3 upgrade this weekend. when i took the battery out and unbolted battery box/holder, i see the existing wire that runs from the battery negative to frame to engine ground. i see that it is bolted onto the frame (as it should be), but i also see that it is completely severed at the engine ground. :nono:

there was no point in leaving it in. i sanded the spot on the frame down to bare, shiny metal, i ran 1/0 awg from the engine ground to the frame. i ran 1/0 awg from the same spot on the frame to the battery negative. and 1/0 awg from alternator positive to battery positive. when idling, the voltage now reads 14.4v, it used to read 14.0v/14.1v.

great success! :woot:

next weekend's project is to make a new ground connection in the rear for the 2 amps. 1/0 awg to the frame, drill a hole, put a grommet/bushing in, run the 1/0 awg wire through, into a distribution block in the trunk, 4 awg out to each amp. :food-smil

Re: Car Audio
 

So both CD players are out in my 2003 Ford Explorer and my wifes 2006 Yukon. Radio works fine but the CD players are jammed and I'm thinking its because of the 6 CD holder in the radio. I want to replace both of them with a nice CD player that's not too expensive so what's recommended.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=firstdown;967804]So both CD players are out in my 2003 Ford Explorer and my wifes 2006 Yukon. Radio works fine but the CD players are jammed and I'm thinking its because of the 6 CD holder in the radio. I want to replace both of them with a nice CD player that's not too expensive so what's recommended.[/quote]


Best Answer:

[url=http://www.crutchfield.com/app/car/outfitmycar/car.aspx]Car Selector[/url]

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=los panda;959909]well, to help the electrical system overall.

currently, i am only using a 400 watt 4 channel amp.
i will be putting my 1,200 watt mono amp back in once my box is built.[/quote]

Only 400 watts? 400 watts should blow you out of the car and be louder then any concert you have ever seen. The equipment must be overated of not a true 400 watts.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=mredskins;967805]Best Answer:

[URL="http://www.crutchfield.com/app/car/outfitmycar/car.aspx"]Car Selector[/URL][/quote]

I was just checking that out.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=firstdown;967808]Only 400 watts? 400 watts should blow you out of the car and be louder then any concert you have ever seen. The equipment must be overated of not a true 400 watts.[/quote]but it does do that :woot:

it's alpine. it's rated 4 x 100w rms, but the certificate that came w the amp stated 4 x 130w rms upon testing.

400w rms/*520w rms

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=firstdown;967804]So both CD players are out in my 2003 Ford Explorer and my wifes 2006 Yukon. Radio works fine but the CD players are jammed and I'm thinking its because of the 6 CD holder in the radio. I want to replace both of them with a nice CD player that's not too expensive so what's recommended.[/quote]what's your budget for each? i've always been partial to alpine. you can't really go wrong w alpine, pioneer, or kenwood.

if under $150, i recommend this bad boy

[url=http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500CDE133B/Alpine-CDE-133BT.html?tp=5684#details-tab]Alpine CDE-133BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com[/url]

Re: Car Audio
 

firstdown, any interest in ripping your CDs and putting them on a USB key and just using that?

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;967839]firstdown, any interest in ripping your CDs and putting them on a USB key and just using that?[/quote]

This....CDs are for grandma.

Re: Car Audio
 

[quote=FRPLG;967860]This....CDs are for grandma.[/quote]i am grandma, but that unit plays cds, ipods, iphones, usb sticks, bluetooth streaming, etc.