I have an 06 Enthusiast Coupe and want to upgrade my system. I have an Eclipse AVN 5435 Head Unit with Sirius, but with the stock speakers. I want to get the most bang for my buck (I want to spend under $500 if possible). Can you guys give me recommendations? I am thinking I should get upgrade the amp and get different speakers, but the other thing I could do is do an amp plus a subwoofer. What do you guys think would be the better choice to get a better sound?

 

most audio ppl here will tell you not to worry about your rear speakers, so you could just get some decent component speakers up front (~$200 or less), and an amp (and run the OE speakers from the HU power)...IMO, I like both front/Rear speakers playing music - so I did components in the front and coaxial in the rear w/ sub and 5 ch amp.

*for the Z, most aftermarket front speakers will need spacers - you can buy them online from Zenclosures, or some ppl gut out the OE speaker and use them as spacers...

-don't forget to add RCA cables and wiring into the final cost too...all the small stuff really adds up in the end.

if you get a sub, don't forget you'll also need some kind of enclosure. There's lot of custom enclousre's for the Z, Zenclosure's makes some nice ones from MDF (medium density fiber board) for around $100 and Nazar makes some from Fiber glass (a bit more expensive and probably out of your price range).

 

you can get a set of Zapco component speakers (c2k) for around 500 bucks. If I were looking for another set of speakers, those are the ones I would buy. Great speakers. But you would probably want a good amp to power the good speakers, and therefore your total spending would be a little closer to $1000.

 

Component speakers for the doors, an amp and a sub under the strut will be your best option, and just cut off the wires for the rear speakers. For such a small budget, you can build yourself a nice setup if you purchase the items below.

Kicker 6.5" component speakers for the doors - $199
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kicke...oductDetail.do

Spacer rings for the speakers - $21
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Metra...oductDetail.do

Pioneer 10" subwoofer - $55
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pione...oductDetail.do

Pioneer 4 channel amp - $160 (2 channels for front speakers, 2 channels bridged for the sub)
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pione...oductDetail.do

Amp install kit - $26
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Tsuna...oductDetail.do

Sub box from zenclosures to go under strut bar $140 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissa...5674QQtcZphoto

You could save the $140 for the box if you put the sub in the OEM location behind the driver's seat, but the bass will be pumping into your back and the sound would be worse. You'd also need to buy the OEM sub cover from your nissan dealer or courtesyparts.com.

Total $600 (with the sub box).... a little over your budget, but your sound will be much much better. Of course, you'll have to do your own install to save $$.