So I want to start saving up to buy my stereo system..I have an 06 Base Z, ive already purchased a headunit (avic-d3) and my goal for my audio system is to have something that sounds really nice and balanced. I am not interested in having the guy down the street hearing my stereo so I am not sure whether or not I should even bother with subs in the trunk.

Can you guys recommend replacement parts for my stock stereo to accomplish this and whatever else I need? My budget for everything (not including the headunit) is $1000-$1500.

 

You need more money , your budget covers the head unit and a set of good front speakers. Just a little more $ , maybe $500 and get a set of rear 2 ways , a small amp and a 10 to throw in the factory placement.

 

let me clarify, the $1500 is for speakers etc...ive already payed for my d3

 

1500 will get you a decent sounding headunit sans install and headunit, if you go to my site: www.simplicityinsound.com most of the casr on there have equipment combos int hat price range...if you are interested in a package deal from me, just send me a PM

b

 

I would say if you have 1500 for speakers. Getsome Focals for in the doors. Scrap the rears all together. Then get one 10 for a little bit of boom to balance out all the highs. Maybe a 10W3 or W6 in a Zenclosures box?

 

what model Focals for the doors?

 

and amp?

 

focal 165w3 are disscontinued, well reviewed

 

A quality install is what you should spend a good chunk of the dough on. It is important that you will find an installer who will ground and power the unit properly, in addition to running speaker wire and making spacers for the speakers etc. I could see a TOTAL install (depending on equipment) be about $300-$800. Im a cheap bastard and I do all the install myself, but its a sucky chore and my last install with the OEM head unit and RF 3sixty.1 OEM processor was challenging.

Speakers are the stereo's window to the world.... dont skimp. But to find the right ones, the CORRECT advice is to audition them yourself. You just have to hit the streets and do some work. If you will not do this, be aware that focals can emphasis midrange, alpines can lose midrange, and everything else is in between. Jl audio is a speaker that many many people will recommend. VR or XR series will run about $300 and recommended if you will accept a subwoofer into the system. If you dont like the pain in the A## of a sub install, then get the ZR650-CSi ($600) and call it a day.

If it were me, we would need a decent amp + subwoofer. The JL audio e series is alright. Most car amps are the same. The car makes a crap load of road noise, so being picky about amplifier sound characteristics is futile. So far, with install, JL amp and speakers we are at about $1k. Now you should add a box (zenclosure custom 10") and an IDQ sub and BINGO.... about $1500 total.

ps. dont worry. An IDQ sub will be more smooth and seamless so that sound quality is best, not boomy and loud like JL subs.

 

Oh yeah... and please dont ruin the whole thing by installing rear speakers. They will cost $$$ and take away from the other components. (not to mention take away from the sound quality). Just say no to rear fill (http://www.betteraudio.com/Geolemon/...e/multiple.htm)

 

In Focals I would probably go with the 165KF series with the polykevlar cones. They run about 400 a pair. Then I would go with either a 10W3 in a Zenclosures box. Or if you want really good sound quality go with an Image Dynamics sub or an Elemental Designs. 16PSIBrick would be the one to tal to about those 2 brands. But as stated above, you have to go out and listen to some stuff and see what you like. You might think focals are garbage, where I think they are some of the greatest **** since reversable sandwich bread

 

yes. Focals are so controversial... Which is why if you just want to buy without auditioning speakers, then you might not like them.

Me, Im so sick of car audio never reaching the level of home audio, I just bought what was on sale... a pair of polk audio coaxials.

 

Arc audio speakers would be my choice .

 

+111111111


I would go for a non-amplified front component set, and a single 10 with an amp for the rear.

 

i would go with 500/1 with 10W7......
amp wire kit + RCA + Box + Dynomat (did i spelled right?) + amp + sub
that is going to be come out around 1500ish..

cant beat that... no need speaker..
you can do speakers later..

 

yes, I forgot to say that. The pio headunit should power the speakers quite nicely. No need to amp the fronts, unless you want to go loud.

Regarding the w7: with all due respect to other opinions, the W7 is a massive SPL monster of a subwoofer. I think the OP wants subtle, and so for that, I always recommend Image Dynamics IDQ10v2. It does SQ well, but Ive also heard that the adire shiva is better!

 

ya I am looking for quality not quantity

Also should I remove the rear speakers completely when I replace the fronts or leave them as is?

 

well, the article I read, and knowing what I know about the rear speakers, you can just connect them up and fade them in just a touch./

the rear speakers are 32ohms, so they already wont get to too loud, ya know. More importantly, they do NOT have a tweeter and thus will not negatively interfere with the sweet treble you just paid $1500 for. If you can do alot of adjustments to the crossover for the rears, you should crossover everything 650Hz and above (the stock speakers dont even go that far up the spectrum anyway, so dont worry about this). This will maintain imaging on the fronts, and give some "fill" in the back.

 

there seems to be a lot of varied opinions on this thread, some are good, some are pretty far from the truth IMO...

since you are in LA area, i can hook you up with a few customers of mine i have done audio installs for down there and peraps take a listening demo of their cars and see how you like them?

several have equipment that range int he 1500 bucksish

 

your clients drive to SJ to have you do installs? impressive