Stereo Upgrade Advice Needed
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Stereo Upgrade Advice Needed
I have a 99 FRC with the factory installed BOSE system with single CD player.
I am interested in upgrading my stereo system but don't want anything too fancy or expensive. Weight is also a concern as I intend to take the car to HPDE and other track events.
I listen primarily to rock and popular music.
I already bought an Alpine 9857 HU so I can play my Itunes.
How would you recommend I proceed?
Thanks for your help.
I am interested in upgrading my stereo system but don't want anything too fancy or expensive. Weight is also a concern as I intend to take the car to HPDE and other track events.
I listen primarily to rock and popular music.
I already bought an Alpine 9857 HU so I can play my Itunes.
How would you recommend I proceed?
Thanks for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
My first suggestion is to post your price goal, and how complicated/how much room you are willing to give up. 
And my second suggestion is for you to tell us how you like the music to sound. IE, flat and raspy, bright and thin, dark and muddy...
And my second suggestion is for you to tell us how you like the music to sound. IE, flat and raspy, bright and thin, dark and muddy...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Budget wise, I would like to keep it under $1,000. I would think that should be fairly easy to do since I already have a headunit, but what do I know?
It terms of sounds, I would like the music to be clear and crisp and to be able to hear (perhaps feel) the bass. A lot of the music I listen to has the undertones of heavy metal, although I would not necessarily classify the music that way.
Keep the questions and advice coming!!
thanks
It terms of sounds, I would like the music to be clear and crisp and to be able to hear (perhaps feel) the bass. A lot of the music I listen to has the undertones of heavy metal, although I would not necessarily classify the music that way.
Keep the questions and advice coming!!
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,718
Likes: 20
From: Dyer IN
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Ok wiring Knukonceptz.com 50-70 dollars
Sub box subthump, corvettecaraudio, NVTHIS etc
I would go with a 4 channel amp which would allow you to power some components up in the front door and then a sub in the back. Unhook or completely remove the rear speakers IMO you dont need them at all.
For components up front my favorites are http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=49 or CDT CL-61s or Polk Momo. Either one you will be happy.
For sub I would deff do a single 12. Check out the 13kv http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=31 Polk Momo 12, Kicker CVR 12, and others.
Amp you have options here and it also depends where you want to mount it, back wall, behind seat, etc. Killer deal on an amp right now is kicker kx650.4 last years model so they are cheap http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-KX650-4-Z...QQcmdZViewItem i just put this amp in a friends car a week ago its killer. That would power speakers and a sub. Other nice amps, Infinity 7541a, Polk Momo C400.4, eclipse, etc.
Let me know and i can answer any other ?'s
Sub box subthump, corvettecaraudio, NVTHIS etc
I would go with a 4 channel amp which would allow you to power some components up in the front door and then a sub in the back. Unhook or completely remove the rear speakers IMO you dont need them at all.
For components up front my favorites are http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=49 or CDT CL-61s or Polk Momo. Either one you will be happy.
For sub I would deff do a single 12. Check out the 13kv http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=31 Polk Momo 12, Kicker CVR 12, and others.
Amp you have options here and it also depends where you want to mount it, back wall, behind seat, etc. Killer deal on an amp right now is kicker kx650.4 last years model so they are cheap http://cgi.ebay.com/KICKER-KX650-4-Z...QQcmdZViewItem i just put this amp in a friends car a week ago its killer. That would power speakers and a sub. Other nice amps, Infinity 7541a, Polk Momo C400.4, eclipse, etc.
Let me know and i can answer any other ?'s
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
NVTHIS makes a nice box, PM him for some info. I just ordered one from him, it fits like a glove. I could not be more happy with the box. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
1000 is very doable for a nice system. i always ask this first though; are you willing to buy used? I ask this because my favorite gear isn't made anymore...actually soundstream is supposed to be releasing some ref series amp that are supposed to be onpar with the old ref series stuff.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Budget wise, I would like to keep it under $1,000. I would think that should be fairly easy to do since I already have a headunit, but what do I know?
It terms of sounds, I would like the music to be clear and crisp and to be able to hear (perhaps feel) the bass. A lot of the music I listen to has the undertones of heavy metal, although I would not necessarily classify the music that way.
Keep the questions and advice coming!!
thanks
It terms of sounds, I would like the music to be clear and crisp and to be able to hear (perhaps feel) the bass. A lot of the music I listen to has the undertones of heavy metal, although I would not necessarily classify the music that way.
Keep the questions and advice coming!!
thanks
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
1000 is very doable for a nice system. i always ask this first though; are you willing to buy used? I ask this because my favorite gear isn't made anymore...actually soundstream is supposed to be releasing some ref series amp that are supposed to be onpar with the old ref series stuff.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Want to thank everyone for their replies and advice.
If you have anymore ideas I am open to them.
Couple of people mentioned sub-boxes and I will look into all of them.
Since I am concerned with weight I was wondering what people's thoughts are on the new JL subs that are out or soon to be out. From looking at the specs they appear to be pretty light weight. Don't know about the sound though.
If you have anymore ideas I am open to them.
Couple of people mentioned sub-boxes and I will look into all of them.
Since I am concerned with weight I was wondering what people's thoughts are on the new JL subs that are out or soon to be out. From looking at the specs they appear to be pretty light weight. Don't know about the sound though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
For best weight savings. and practicality, i'd suggest a large 4 channel amp, quality component front speakers and poossibly a 10" sub in a stealthbox. (Aftermarket head unit of course)
since dynamat isn't exactly light by any standards, i would use a couple slabs of sound absorbing foam in the area right behind the seats and the cargo area (weight of this isn't more than 5 pounds for the foam)
As for a new head unit, this is highly subjective based on the options you want and how much fine tuning you like to do.
Knukoncepts has excellent wiring material. just makes sure you measure out how much you will need by plotting your wire route using thread or string.
since dynamat isn't exactly light by any standards, i would use a couple slabs of sound absorbing foam in the area right behind the seats and the cargo area (weight of this isn't more than 5 pounds for the foam)
As for a new head unit, this is highly subjective based on the options you want and how much fine tuning you like to do.
Knukoncepts has excellent wiring material. just makes sure you measure out how much you will need by plotting your wire route using thread or string.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
you can also check out the liquid deadner. you can put it anywhere you want and the amount you need. Someone here was able to deaden their car with a gallon.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
Want to thank everyone for their replies and advice.
If you have anymore ideas I am open to them.
Couple of people mentioned sub-boxes and I will look into all of them.
Since I am concerned with weight I was wondering what people's thoughts are on the new JL subs that are out or soon to be out. From looking at the specs they appear to be pretty light weight. Don't know about the sound though.
If you have anymore ideas I am open to them.
Couple of people mentioned sub-boxes and I will look into all of them.
Since I am concerned with weight I was wondering what people's thoughts are on the new JL subs that are out or soon to be out. From looking at the specs they appear to be pretty light weight. Don't know about the sound though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
well, based on my own personal experience i would recommend either the xtant 603x or a soundstream refrence amp (never owned one but i've heard a hand full installed in cars and i loved them)
my xtant was among my favorite amps only to be outshined by my current amps..but my current amps color the sound a bit here the xtant and soundstream will give you more accurate sound reproduction.
for a sub i was very happy with my id12v3 by image dynamics, it paired well with that xtant amp and pounded nicely. I recently swapped it out for a tc-sounds tc-9 which is supposed to be an amazing sq sub. I haven't been able to hear one yet but I took the dive and purchased one to see how it sounds. both of those subs are very reasonably priced.
for speakers, i had the cdt cl-61's and was pleased with them, but If i were you i'd go audition a few to see what speaker characteristics you like (warm, accurate, etc...)
definately put 2 layers sound deadinging and one layer of ensolite or similar in the doors. if you're that concerned about the weight it'd add...then go on a diet and call it even
that'll give you some great midbass/bass and round out the system very nicely.
my xtant was among my favorite amps only to be outshined by my current amps..but my current amps color the sound a bit here the xtant and soundstream will give you more accurate sound reproduction.
for a sub i was very happy with my id12v3 by image dynamics, it paired well with that xtant amp and pounded nicely. I recently swapped it out for a tc-sounds tc-9 which is supposed to be an amazing sq sub. I haven't been able to hear one yet but I took the dive and purchased one to see how it sounds. both of those subs are very reasonably priced.
for speakers, i had the cdt cl-61's and was pleased with them, but If i were you i'd go audition a few to see what speaker characteristics you like (warm, accurate, etc...)
definately put 2 layers sound deadinging and one layer of ensolite or similar in the doors. if you're that concerned about the weight it'd add...then go on a diet and call it even
that'll give you some great midbass/bass and round out the system very nicely.
Last edited by scott_fx; Mar 8, 2007 at 01:45 PM.