I'm still torn between doing a complete Bose-ectomy or leaving it "as is" in my 96 Coupe. Now that I have the fade adjusted it sounds pretty good, but radio reception is still fairly poor.

I went into a local car stereo shop the other day (Car Toys, a 4-state chain) and got something of a rude shock when pricing a system. Adding everything up and applying their "sale" (I don't consider a 5% cut a sale), the quote was $1100 installed. The system was an Alpine HU $200, an Alpine low power amp $200, JBL GTO speakers front $90 and rear $150. When you add in the labor, wires, hookups, kits and shop charges, it came to nearly the $1100...PLUS TAX! Yikes! So much for a very modest system.

So I'm back to DIY or leave it alone. Where are the best places to buy Alpine and JBL or Infinity equipment? I know a lot of audiophile guys hate "classic" setups of 4 modest full range speakers, but that's what I'm used to and will probably go with. Is a decent amp putting out 40w RMS per channel enough for moderate listening (even with the windows down or top off)?

Does anyone use a classic setup of 4 full ranges anymore? I know some guys here (Bogus and others) are fans of just a good set of component speakers up front and nothing but subs in the rear. I've never heard a system like this before, so I'm hesitant about it. I also don't want to fill up the back with sub enclosures.

Anyway...where's the best place to buy online (in terms of price, shipping price & speed, no grey-market stuff)? Am I out of my mind for only wanting to spend $5-600 for a modest but good system without subs? Thanks.

(as an aside and just for info...my home theater setup at home is an Onkyo Dolby Digital receiver with Infinity Delta fronts, CC3 center chanel and BU1 sub with Canton surrounds, so I do appreciate good sound stuff)

Rob

 

Hi Rob,

Well, Here's what I did, just as an FYI. Most of my head unit purchases have been and will most likely always be, through Crutchfield. Reason is that they throw in the DIN adapter and Antenna adapter as well. If you buy speakers they throw in speaker wire adapters. How you use said adapters is up to you, especially if youa re goiing to do a complete sytem, ie removing the Blose, the speaker wire adapters can be cut (GM plug) and you can still use the push on ends for the speakers.

As far as going without the sub, a good set of 3 ways in the rear and 2way or components up front would probably satisfy what you are looking to do. I would definitely amp them though, dont skimp on that. Most HU's dont have enough juice to do the speakers any justice, even the lower end priced speakers.

What I was runnin in the truck and will place in the Vette is an Alpine 9847 HU, Blaupunkt ODc660 Components up front, Alpine MRV-F450 5ch Amp with the fronts bridged to 100watts and a JL Audio 10W1V2 Sub pushing 150 watts. It's enough for me

Doing the install yourself is not only cheaper, but the rewards can be amazing, even if the headaches at the time seem insurmountable. There is a ton of support here no doubt...

Good Luck on your install. Take pics

 

i'm a big fan of not having rears but if i were you i'd get a good h/u maybe some low line eclipse or alpine units. then get a four chan. ED amp (nine.4) for about $185 a nice set of 2 way components for the front -edi600v.2 ($95). a moderate 10" sub 11kv.2 ($65) and listen to that for a month. if you are still unhappy with not having rears then just hook up a pair of efficient 2 ways coaxials (infinity comes to mind) and run them off of the h/u's amps.

 

HIGH END Used eqipment, under classified section...
www.caraudio.com

Used eqipment, under classified section...
www.sounddomain.com

New...
http://www.ikesound.com/

 

http://www.woofersetc.com/

 

gray market for the most part

 

Scott,

Can you elaborate? I have not bought from them, but they seem to have good prices. I know you have a lot of knowledge on the audio side. I'm wanting to change my audio system on my C6 as well.

Thanks,
Martin.

 

Here is my system for sale.


http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showth...62#post5489462

 

sonicelectronix.com is really good and edesignaudio.com make some top notch stuff adn we get forum discounts as well. What were you really looking for components or coaxials for the fronts and did you wanna put actual speakers in the rear or did you want some small subs like 8's in there instead, its all very doable. You can make this an easy DIY project and save tons and it will sound tons better then what they wanted to set you up with

 

i know someone that had sent an audison amp back to get fixed and audison wouldn't touch it because it was purchased through there. unless the company is an 'authorised dealer' it is considered 'gray market' hope that clears it up.

 

My current thoughts on system:

-Kenwood Excelon X590 HU
-Polk, Kicker or Focal 5 1/4" components in front
-Rockford Fosgate 8" subs in rear stock locations (only $72 for the pair right now, so if I don't like this setup I won't be out too much)
-Amp--something like the Alpine MRP-F250 (40x4 RMS) but open to suggestions. This HU has sep front/rear/sub outs.

Rob

 

Sounds go soo far the polks are by far my favorite compoents out of the bunch I find them to be the smoothers. I would get a bigger amp something with more power output. Phoenix gold octane r8.0:4 or elemental designs nine.4 or a bigger alpine, or kicker, etc

 

how is PG now that they have been bought out?

 

How much is the discount at ED and how does one get it?

EDIT: found it in another thread. Cool! Looks like the nine.4 is doable!

Rob

 

The PG is still the same stuff as of now, I find that the nine4 is a more stout amp in a smaller footprint, prly a little higher quality with roughly the same output cause its deff underrated.

Go to elementaldeigns.com and search forum and it will pull up all the forum discount pricing

You wont be dissapointed with that amp or any of there stuff for that matter, also where did you find the deal on the subs

 

Yes, thanks for the clarification.

 

The RF Punch 1 8" subs are at Crutchfield for $55 each or two for $72 (ish).

Rob