Hello everyone,

I am looking into upgrading my sound system in a base '05 Z (Just bought it this week I love it)

The previous owner had installed an alpine cd9855 HU into the car and I find that it is actually really nice so I am going to keep it.

I listen to rock a lot and all sorts of genres but since I listen to rock a lot I would like SQ. That is what I have understood from searching the forums and looking online.

I want to put a 10" sub in the stock location, I understand this is not a popular choice but I want to keep the space I have. I am thinking of getting a 5 channel amp for the sub and upgrading the speakers in the front while removing the ones in the back. I went to an audio shop and the guy quoted me like $700 for an amp, sub, 2 coaxials, 2 tweeters and installation.

I do not remember the models he gave me since they were really hastily thrown out but I am looking into something i can get for a good price. I know my budget is quite low but I am not looking into making my car a concert hall. Just something for clear listening and enjoyment.

My budget is $300, I do not mind doing this slowly either. What I really need is just help in forming my system. Thanx.

 

$300 gets you into a relatively decent 2 channel amp with a fuse and wiring kit. You might consider sticking with replacing the front speakers only for now, check E-bay for used brands you see mentioned alot in the forum.

 

You're going to pay hell trying to find a free-air sub-woofer. Bose is about the only one crazy enough to try to get away with it - inefficient and inconsistent because the un-sealed volume behind the speaker is an important part of the science of bass. Sealed or ported enclosures are many times more efficient and much more accurate.

If you want to keep the woofer hidden I would recommend a "woofer in a box" approach like those made by Infinity. These small systems include an amplifier, enclosure, and sub-woofer. They're typically 8" but they're going to sound way better than any 10" free-air woofer.

And I'll concur with changing out the front speakers with fine quality separates. Best bang for your buck and they'll have the biggest influence on your sound quality. Grab your music CD and head off to a local store and audition those within your budget - and do yourself a favor and look up and down a bit budget wise.

 

^^ Hi Paul,

Do your comments above refer to the Infinity BassLink Car subwoofer?

I'm in TheCandi's position (not willing to sacrifice cargo space for the best SubW installation).

--Spike

 

then build the box into the spare tire well - you lose no space and you get a proper location (vs the factory bose location, which is horrendous)

as for the the budget it's going to need to be increased subtantially in order add a sub + box, and an amp, and new speakers. At $700 installed, you're going to end up with junk

The first thing I would do is replace your front speakers. From there, add on to the system as your budget allows.

 

^^ I agree with all you say.

For sure with such a tight budget, the first replacement should be the front component speakers. That will provide a huge improvement in sound, even if driven by the OP’s aftermarket H/U’s internal amp. Adding an external amp will make it better. (NOTE: When replacing the fronts, it’s wise to plan for an external amp.)
That’s a good suggestion, but then where do I put the spare tire?

--Spike

 

in your garage I just carry a can of fix a flat and the # to a few tow companies should the neet arise

 

I see your point, but...

I’ve only gone “completely-flat” one time in the last few years, but it would not have been solved by “a can of fix a flat.” I was thankful having a spare tire to help me escape. In this instance I was in a remote area where my AAA membership or a call for a tow truck was of little help. Mercifully I had the spare onboard to get me out of this predicament.

With this experience, you can understand why I am not willing to surrender my spare tire for a gain in my car’s CES.

--Spike

 

So I am back and taking things slowly. I have been researching and I am set on a sub already, I just have a question to find out what type of amp to get and from there I will set up which component system to get.

My question is this for the front + sub can I get a 4 channel amp to run them all? Or do I need a 5 channel or 2 seperate amps. I want to know because I went to another shop and the guy said I needed more channels so he could seperate lows, mids, and highs. The thing is I thought that the crossovers would take care of seperating the mids and highs and all I need to do was supply the crossover power that it would do the rest. That is why I want a 4 channel amp for the 2 front and so i can bridge the other 2 for the sub. I would also accept amp recommendations since I cant really test out a variety of amps. Thanks in advance. To those that said to raise my budget I am intending to do that but I need to first see the main thing I need then research prices then Ill plan out how to buy it all

 

You can power your fronts with and subwoofer with a four channel amplifier. Just make sure that you can bridge that second pair of amplifiers to run the subwoofer. This will give you twice the power for the subwoofer which is normally a good starting point.

If you want to biamp (bi-amplify) your front components you'll need four channels of amplifier for them: left and right for mid-range and tweeter and then another amplifier for your subwoofer. Nothing wrong with that either and it can allow for active crossovers vice the normal passive crossover you'll find in speaker kits.