I have 3,700 bux to upgrade my car with. I'm hoping to spend less that 1,500 to replace my head unit, speakers, add amp, and replace sub.

I want to put this stuff in...

In-dash touchscreen dvd/navigation/stereo head unit
New speakers all around
Amp
New sub-woofer

Does anyone know of any peticularly good brands?

 

By far the head unit is the most important part because that is where it all starts. You could have the best amp on the planet, but if you are amplifying trash then it really doesn't matter.

The same would be true for your speakers, you could have the best in the world...well you get the idea.

Have fun and good luck.

Macka

 

I know about that stuff...i just put the poll cuz i like polls. LOL

 

You need another option:

Spend half and send the other half to Dave

 

That's ok...as of now the most extensive mod I have is the chrome door edging on my grill. Oh...and I put blue neon in the cabin.

 

Headunits: I'd look at Alpine or Pioneer for single-dins. I also have heard good things about the Kenwood double-din, but I have never worked with it myself.

subs: if you are tight on money, but you want subs that really thump, Kickers are great quality for the price (the solo-barics). Ive installed a few, and they are really loud and not very expensive. A little more expensive, but also very good quality is the Alpine Type-R. The Rockfords aren't bad either. If you are going to go nuts with your subs and go top of the line, look at Eclipse Titanium series (what I have in my M3) or IDMAX (in my Z). A lot of people recommend JLw7, but I dont touch those, as they are known to melt and JL doesnt offer any extended warranties.

interior speakers: again, kicker makes pretty good ones for the price. If you are gonna go with medium priced ones that sound very good, Crystal Mobile Sound and MB Quart Reference Series are good choices. If you wanna go high end, look into Focals or MB Quart Premium series, but honestly, it isnt worth the price difference to go from the midranged components to the expensive ones in my opinion. I have Crystal Mobile Sound components in my Z and MB Quart Reference in my M3 and they are both excellent.

amps: probably the largest expense. You will need two, one for the subs, one for the interiors (a 4 channel). If you go with the Kicker setup, Kicker makes good amps to complement them. Alpine also makes good amps, and so does memphis car audio. The Phoenix Gold Xenon series is very nice (M3) and Orion makes some really nice amps, but they are way up there on the price scale (thats whats in my Z).

 

Thanks for the great advice. :-)

 

Well, here's my list of brands I like.

HU: Clarion/Kenwood
Components: Boston Acoustics/Focal
Subs: JL w6v2 series/I hear the Eclipse are very good too. MTX has very good subs also.
Amps: Xtant/Zapco/Mtx/Phoenix Gold/Memphis Audio

I hear good things about DLS components. If you have a chance, check out PHD components too.

 

+1 on that


side note, if you want SQ check out the Xenon subs from Phoenix Gold, they are cheap and very very clean. The only problem is the air space they tend to like is a little big for our small sports cars or I would be running a pair.

Don't tell my installer but he is running a pair of coxas in his focus and they sound better than any components I've ever heard short of my A/d/s nobody can show me a component better hehe

 

are you an audiophile or looking for good quality sound.
Also what do you listin to a lot. (it makes a difference)

 

Try an Alpine 9835 Head unit, it puts out great sound quality and has lots of options for sound adjustment, the lights can be colormatched to our interior lights and the display is cool.

 

Heres my adivce:

Head unit Alpine 9835 about 400 on ebay
Front components type r 6.5" 120
2 10" alpine type r subs 220
Mrd 501 mono amp 245
box off of ebay 200
wiring kit 50
installation DIY or if in the NJ area gimme a call



total 1385

take the rest and get some performance mods

sorry im alil bias for alpine because i think they make great stuff for a cheap price all prices above were shot alil high

 

I listen to rock. Green Day, Velvet Revolver, etc...
I want to put a touch screen stereo/dvd in and im thinking about a kenwood audio keg(10,000 digital songs)

 

have you looked at the eclipse avn 2454. it has all the things your looking at in a head unit. i just had it installed and will post pics in another thread later tonite or tom. In terms of after market nav i think its one of the fastest compared to pioneer or alpine. the head unit is an all in one and no seperate brain to take up what little space we have. I got a great deal for it. paid $1750 installed with the trim kit and wire harness. Yes I bought it from a authorized retailer, al & eds auto sound. as far as audio, it's an eclipse. one thing is that the voltage output is really weak. you are required to run a line driver or look into an amp that has it buit-in like the zapco ones.

i was seriously looking at kenwood ddx715 cause that was cheaper and double din. IMO i think the double din keeps it close to the oem look. but quality is not there as the eclipse head unit.

 

That kenwood is what im looking at most seriuosly now. I wanna get the audio keg for it(totally sweet). I think all I need to decide on is amps and speakers. Should I replace all 6 speakers? I'm defn. gonna replace the fronts and tweeters but do I need to replace the rears?

 

Eclipse HU, Rainbow speakers and Arc Audio amp.
Most Kenwood HUs are crap. My friend had one and it fried inside his car. That was his third Kenwood HU.

 

couldn't agree with you more about the kenwood head units

 

Usually I take the same position too. My friend has a Kenwood 6.5 in TV in his car, and I think its real crappy. However, Ive heard some good things about the doubledin one, I dont know the model number offhand. I dont know, I have never worked with it myself so I cant tell you. Personally though, I would stick with a better company like Alpine or Pioneer. They are known for producing quality products.

 

For $900 you can buy the DDX7015, it's very good unit.

 

I spent $4,400 and haven't replaced my HU yet but did everything else on your wish list. If you shop around you can probably get everything on your list. If you do it all yourself then you're probably fine. See my sig for components installed.

Good luck!