I am a newbie when it comes to anything Audio related and I need help when it comes to designing a system for my car. I've never had an audio system in my car nor home, so I'm hoping to get insight on the best parts/design for my needs from all you skilled Z folks! I want to get this right and not regret any of the decisions after the install. Any information on this all is greatly appreciated!

About the car and music:
- I have a coupe Z with no upgraded bose nor navigation. I listen to almost exclusively electronic, with some rock and hip hop occasionally.

Criteria for the system:
- Clarity: I am looking for something that is CLEAR. I want to be able to pick out the layers of the music, especially since electronic music is so heavily layered.
- Volume: I'm not looking for some competition system to blow the ears off some grandmother 2 blocks down the road. But I'd like for it to have a moderate volume that I and others can notice. I'd like for it to have a good kick and be proud of it.
- Price: I am looking to spend no more than $3500 out the door. Max.
- Features: The system needs to support an Ipod, XM satellite radio, and have the ability to expand if needed to navigation down the road.
- Integration: Ideally, I'd love for the system to be as 'stealthed' as possible. I don't want some large box or obvious components laying out both for space reasons, and for aesthetics (I like a cleaner less noticeable look to people peeking in the car when i'm not around).

I'll try to break this down into categories to get any help.

Overall system:

- I have no idea how many amps, what power amps, how many subs etc I need. Obviously, a head unit and front/back speakers make sense to upgrade. I'm thinking that combined with minimum one sub and an amp to support it. Or if money allows and it's reason enough to get, maybe 2 amps and 2 subs (one amp powering subs and another the speakers instead of the head unit?).
- I have visited alpine's site since they have the headunit I want. I did a system builder there and it seemed to recommend the one amp, 2 sub combo with head unit and speakers. Installer I went to recommended 2 amps, and preferably 2 subs or at least 1. Any pointers?

Head unit:
- I've narrowed the head unit down to Alpine's IVA-D300 model. It does everything i'm looking for, so I see no reason to change that part.

Speakers:
- Alpine's site obviously said alpine speakers. In the past i've been told to check out polk momo's. And in expeirence listening to some speakers at a local electronics shop, the infinity kappa's sounded great. What are thoughts on any of these?

Amps:
- Alpine's site says Alpine amps. Dealer recommended JL amps. What are thoughts on any of these?

Subs:
- Alpine's site says Alpine subs. Dealer recommended a JL sub. Again, in the past i've also been told to check out the polk momo's for this as well.

Integration:
- I'd love to somehow integrate the amps, subs in a way that lets me have my trunk space through the brace in the middle (doesn't block it) and still lets me keep my spare tire. Dealer told me that stealth box blocking the brace in the trunk is the best way to go for sound. They said using the space behind seats is not really that good, and that there is no space between bracer and seats or bracer and rear of car, unless I wanted to remove the spare tire and not get as good quality.

If I ended up with what the dealer recommended, I would be paying out the wazoo for the following:

Dealer's quote:
Alpine IVAd300
Alpine RX series speakers in front
Alpine S series speakers in back
JL 500/1 amp
JL 300/4 amp
JL 10W3v2 sub
Xm tuner
Ipod module
dynamat X-treme throughout
Installation of sub behind driver's seat (since i complained that stealth box took too much room)
Installation of amps/modules behind passenger's seat
Total out the door is 5700 + tax

I'm really not compelled to get any equipment from the dealer especially seeing what a good bargain I can get on parts through reputable online dealers. I sure as hell don't plan on spending 5700 bucks.

So, guess i'm looking for info on any of these topics or things that raise red flags. Once I have more info I can then start making more choices and refining question some more. Thanks!

 

Everyone here is going to recommend something different because there are so many vendors to choose from. One thing I would suggest is to do your research and get opinions on each piece. Don't just settle for one vendor because they make good head units. Personally I would stay away from the sub in the cubby area. Also recommend putting the tweeters in the kick panels and forget stock location, and last forget about 4 channel amp and rear 6.5s.

 

Personaly this is what I am in the process of doing.

Putting a pair of these in the doors.
http://www.mbquart.com/2003/en_US/pr...&model=PCE+216

I am powering these off a 4 channel amp I already have, and will be bridging to 2 channel. Depends where you go, but 250-300 pair. for speakers. My eclipse 4 channel amp ran me around $200.

I am putting decent speakers in the rear, since they aren't as important. Infinity Kappa series left over from my old car, I am powering these off the deck. Kappas would run you around $100 pair, probobly less.

I am putting the JL Audio stealth box in the back, it has 2x 10" W3s, and fits behind strut bar. I am using an amp I already have that isn't the greatest, but I am worthing with a budget. For you a JL 500/1 amp would be great. The stealth box with the subs is around $700 I believe.

If you were to put together a similar system, it should sound damn good, and run you alot less than $5700, and probobly much closer to your budget.

As far as the head unit, eclipses newest decks can have navigation added, and they cost around $300.

I would definatly look around, the dealers quote is way out of line if you ask me. And unless you really want the dynamat then scratch it, should save you a good chunk of $$ in labor.

 

yeah


Ill stand by what I said already.....

 

Ahsmo, I didn't know you were in TX. Whereabouts?

 

Round tyler