Re: Thoughts on an audio system
SOOOO update this thread instead of starting a new one.. I sold some stuff and made some unexpected money before the paycheck!!! so Head unit is prolly being bought today
Farenheit TID-735NRBT (tid735nrbt) Double DIN 7" TFT-LCD
This is the one Ive been looking at forever. From my research things say this company is for begginer audio systems (what i want out of mine). Just wondering on a few opinions before I hit the buy button!
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
I wouldn't be able to buy that HU. Based on the pic of the controller and some other tray looking thing on it.. I'd say it's not refined yet. New company, maybe a great price, needs a little more time to get things up and running to refine the product.
Like Hyundai in 1985-1990. They were known as a less than 100,000 mile disposable car. They broke into the market with a super low cost car that worked. After time though..it proved out that it was low cost. These days they are a decent car and have a pretty good name for themselves.
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Hmm bill I see where your coming from. But all of the reviews ive ready have been decent. And I dont want to pay for a primier company (as its just a build to hold me over until i roll into a lot more cash) and itll still be much better then stock right?
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
I upgraded my deck to a pioneer DEH-P6000UB which has USB input (in the glove box).
I also upgraded my speakers all around with Sony Xplods.
Volume went from about 25 with distortion to about 40 with no distortion.
I just need to have a harness I bought, installed, to get my steering wheel buttons working again.
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Look on the used stuf sites. I got my hu for $250 pioneer touchsceen etc it's good for now once I get more dollars that might change
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Idk why mobile video is even a priority for the front seat of the car, unless you spend a lot of time sitting in parking lots.. I say keep it simple.
I did a ton of research and ended up with the Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X595 for a source unit. It has 4V preouts and direct ipod connectivity, along with a 3-line color-adjustable display. $160 from a local audio shop, which is massive bang for the buck in my opinion. Everything you need for good sound, nothing you don't. And don't let anyone tell you 2V pre-outs are fine. The stronger signal is where it's at. Period.
I know it's been suggested, but i'll suggest it as well. Forget rear speakers. They just suck power and muddy up the sound. If the people in the back seat like to complain, they can buy their own stereo system. My suggestion is find a set of front components with a tone you agree with that have a very high sensitivity rating (92db @ 1w or better). That way, you can run them off the head unit and simplify your installation with just a sub amp. 20w will be more than enough for speakers with that kind of efficiency. You may have to jockey with installation a bit, but 6.5" is the way to go. I found a set of components for $150 I am seriously considering. They are made by Hertz, which is owned by Audison (good stuff). It's their entry level speaker, just google them. 93db efficiency, really good tone, and in-line crossovers for a simple install.
For the lows, decide how much you want. Two 10" in a sealed enclosure with 600-1000w will have enough cone area and oomph to give you loud, crisp bass and still leave you with most of your trunk space because you only needed ~1.5 cu.ft. of box. Again, efficiency helps here. Also, a sealed enclosure will be more forgiving for the novice system. Get the cubic feet right and you can make a mistake or two with distortion and not ruin your voice coils.
Any idea what your overall bass budget might be? I say buy the best quality amp you can get, even if it has more power than your subs can take. Speakers do what you tell them to. If the amp is straining to supply the juice, your speakers will let you know in a hurry. Better to underdrive the amp than the speakers. I could make some suggestions if I knew what you were looking to spend on the setup.. $500 for two subs, a box and amp will get you started. $750 opens up a lot of options for good sounding bass. Obviously the sky is the limit. Enclosure size is key. Most ppl screw this up. Read the owner's manual for the woofer, or call the manufacturer if you have to.
You'll spend $100 on a wiring kit (go big, like 2awg) and a head unit mounting kit. No need for fancy rca's, just run power and rca's on opposite sides of the car to avoid adding unwanted noise.
Hope that helps clarify what a good sounding entry level system should look like.
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BillBoost37
I think he's suggesting getting rid of the rear speakers completely. I had this suggested to me as well. It wasn't for me.
Soooo when are we gonna talk cabling? :D
I was suggesting use whatever is already existing. Your front stereo channels should NEVER compete with your rear stereo. Therefore, you should attenuate, bandpass, and time correct your rear speakers so that they SUPPORT the front stage vs. compete. In that regard, pretty much any 6x9 will do. :)
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
OK Head unit will arrive tomorrow. From what I understand that swap is pretty simple correct? Anything special I should know? The unit I got is a double din setup got the mountin kit for it and antenna adapter.
Hw much time should I plan for this? Could I knock it out in a couple hours after work (get home around 6ish.) Or should I wait for a weekend to have all day?
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
You did buy the $100+ wiring harness right?
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Um no? Sonic Electronix stated I didnt need one. And since they gave me all the other stuff I needed I assumed i didnt need one...
Shoot crtuchfield doesnt even tell me I need one.
Does this speical wiring harness hook up to essential things?? Or are they just things that are nice to have? I dont use onstar or any of that junk. I know I wont have steering wheel controls as of now.
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
if you want to retain your chimes/onstar/monsoon whatever, you need a install kit
go here and check out what you need to install... iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future
or go to cruthchfield.com and see what they say...
when i did my install the other day, i needed an antenna adapter, dash kit (the plastic bits to hold it in) and the GMOS-01 wiring harness (i have onstar)
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
So as long as i dont care about the Onstar and door chimes it wont matter?
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Ok ive been looking over this stuffs and im still questioning alot. People say the stereo itself wont work if there is no wiring harness. I understand that the door chimes etc wont work without it. However, will hooking the stereo up for a small amount of time without the harness hurt it? And will I still be able to wire it so that I can still use it until the harness gets to me?
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Well you would have to cut the stock harness and splice into it directly.
Amazon has harnesses pretty cheap. I found a local guy since I couldn't ship them using amazon (stupid Canada USA craplol)
You usually always want to have a harness. On the 97-03 it's like 20. We get screwed.
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Yes... Yes we did. This is rough too cause it means delaying the install process... And knowing shipping lately were talking middle of next week before I get parts so end of next week before I have time to install everything
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Ya it happens. I had my unit sitting on my shelf for a week
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
It blows I was ready to go.. Why did we want newer cars again...
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future
is this what im going to need to keep the Stock system? If so its almost 200$ and im thinking baout returning my HU..
I mean honestly I could care less If i get to keep my Onstar.. thats not worth it. If theres a cheap one that doesnt connect to onstar and maintains the Stock amp Ill do that one!
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
Oh ya you have Bose.
Now that you know what you need start to google the part find it cheap online lol
Also a company called Metra makes harnesses (what I used) on amazon you should find the Metra version for like $100
Metraonline.com
Re: Thoughts on an audio system
I did find a GMOS04 unit that keeps everything for 50$ and yes that annoying Bose (Monsoon) system.
Found another GMOS04 on ebay that was returned and doesnt come with box or anything for 25$ granted it hasnt been tested either to know if it works.. Im thinking about it