If you are worried about theft, I would keep the OEM headunit for that OEM look at a glance.
The prices below are shipped from various places. Some products may be cheaper now versus when I purchased a year ago. Google and Ebay will help you find the best prices.

Amplifier: Alpine MRV-F545 $312.00
Front Speakers: Diamond Audio D661S $174.50
Subwoofer: Diamond Audio D610D2 $156.50
Door Pods: Zenclosures Door pods $140.00
Sub Box: XtremeKustoms 1-10" enclosure $129.98
Power Wire Kit: Directed Audio 68110 $49.00
Interconnects: Directed Audio Graphite 4-ch, 12 ft $43.02
Speaker Wire: Stinger Pro 25' 16awg 4 cond, 25' 12awg $39.00
Sound Damping: FatMat eXtreme 36 sq. ft. Bulk Pack $67.98


Grand Total $1111.98

 

^^ It’s a matter of taste and budget. I’ve had Diamonds, and thing they are OK. The Focals I have now are much better (but cost a lot more). After listening to the Focals, it would be difficult to consider the Diamonds. Of course the Focals move your CES budget past the Op’s limit.

--Spike

 

Right, and then buy some Morels or Rainbows and you will think the Focals are just OK......then go full active with some Scan Speaks and you will think the Morels and Rainbows are just OK.

Obviously the OP's personal taste in speakers is a huge factor in choosing components and subs, my post was more of a suggestion for a very nice sounding setup including sound damping and wiring (which most people forget about when budgeting for a CES) for a hair over his budget.

 

^^ But you get the point. I't all relative. One person's "throw-away" is another's treasure.

--Spike

 

i believe he has enough information in this thread to come up with a quality system..

and Spike i'm curious what Diamonds you had prior

 

Of course I do. Which is why every thread (except this one) where people ask for advice on components you will read me telling them to listen to as many sets as possible to formulate their own opinions on what sounds nice to that individual. I guess that's what I get for not sticking to my standard answer.......It's all good.

 

hell i suggested diamonds comps and IDQ Subs and i have rainbow comps and RE Subs in my car.. thats how unbiassed i am

 

DLS UP6 components
Elemental Designs 11Ov.2
Elemental Designs nine.1 and nine.2

Could possibly downgrade a few things like the nine.1 and components but I paid about $800. HU is a different story though.

ID sub was the second runner up as far as subs goes.

 

The problem with that size budget is that you lose so much to installation. If you can't do it yourself, do you know anyone that can do it for you or help you that has a decent amount of experience? I install all my own stuff so the tradeoff for the installation expenses goes to getting better products.

 

^^ Paying an installer pushes the price way up (two or three times as much). But, if you cannot do this yourself, it's the only option.

--Spike

 

It’s been awhile, but whatever was their best in 2004/5. The installer I was working with at that time recommended that speaker, so I went with his suggestion. It was a disappointment.

I really like the Focals (that I have in my car now). Much better.

--Spike

 

Thanks again for all the info guys.

 

Hey guys.. What are the speaker dimensions on the z?? So I know what size speakers I should be ordering..

 

6.5S .. which is basically 6 3/4