I'm looking at spending some money to have a whole new audio system installed. I'd like to get a pair of components for the front, a pair of 2 ways for the back (needed?), a 10" sub (custom location; you'll see pictures when its done), and an amp. I don't want/need my car to be heard from miles away I just want it to sound nice. I'd like to keep the car looking stock so I don't attract too much attention for theft reasons. Is there any reason to get a HU? If I should go aftermarket HU, which brand should I get to retain the factory orange look? What brands should I look into or stay away from? I'd like to stay under 1k$ if possible.

 

The Bloze headend is pre-warped to counter the carp for speakers that they dump on us for too much.

Technically it's called equalization to compensate for the "weaknesses" in the speakers. If you hang $30 Audiovox speakers in your car you couldn't do worse than the Bloze. The problem will be that the Audiovox speakers will have different parameters and the Bloze headend equalization will distort the sound.

I highly recommend removing it all - speakers, amplifiers and headend. Keep the antenna and its RF amplifier, they're alright.

 

If you wnt to keep your stock look get the JL audio Clean Sweep. It gives you all the output an aftermarket head unit will while keeping the stock look. Great setup and worth the $200 its costs (which is cheapers than good aftermarket headunits).

If you upgrade speakers you will want an aftermarket headunit or the clean sweep for sound quality as well as a 150-200 watt amp pending on what speakers you get. (Steer clear of Rocksford and Audiobahn).....Infiniti, JL, Kicker, or Eclispe are prolly your best sounding door speakers out there now. Each are roughly $200 a set of component and $99 for none component system speaks for their best kit.

 

Not sure what Audiobahn is like now, but I had a pair of Audiobahn 12s on a Memphis 1000D amp awhile back that sounded fine. Listening to stuff yourself is the best way to figure out what sounds good.

 

I agree the Audiobahns sound ok but there is more to picking out a system than just sound, such as quality and how much abuse they can take because we all know everybody likes to show off from time to time.

 

Thanks for the advice. Maybe if I mentioned the type of music I listen to it would help? I mainly listen to heavier alternative stuff (Staind, Slipknot, etc.) but I occasionally go for the R&B stuff. Is there a website that rates speakers from an impartial viewpoint?

 

Alpine
JL audio
DynAudio
Boston Acoustics
Focal


all top quality, good sounding, dependable pieces