But I have no clue about audio. I don't understand watts, amps, or whatever.

All I know is that I want to replace my deck, speakers, add tweeters, and maybe subs. (not sure on the subs yet cuz my spare is sitting in my cargo area) Do you need an amp even if you don't have subs? I listen to mostly techno and hip hop stuff. So I gotta have bass and high treble as well.

My limit is $800. And I have a friend that will do install for me. So now I gotta get parts together. I went to a local audio store, but they didn't say one word to me when I was in there, so I walked out. I did however take a look at some of the decks, ones ranging from 199 to 499. What am I looking for with these things? Channel outputs? Watts? What is all this???

If there's pages I can read about then that would be helpful too.

Gracias mucho

 

you need a bigger budget.

yes you need amps, one for the stereo, and one for the sub(s)

 

I got a Clarion DXZ745MP CD/MP3 receiver and put Rockford Fosgate components up front with Rockford Faogate 2-ways in the rear doors. I matched that with a 12 dual voice coil sub on a cheap DUAL brand amp. I'll be adding another amp for the mids and highs, but I'll still be below your budget when done.

Clarion Head Unit: $240+$20 shipping (ebay)
Rockford 6.5" Components: $89 (clearance at best buy)
Rockford 5.25" 2-Ways: $79 (sale at best buy)
DUAL amp 170W into 4ohm: $59 (sale at best buy)
Homemade Box w/ carpet: $30 in materials
Viper DVC Sub: $75 (clearance at local audio store)

Total for me is in the ~$600 range. I still need a decent 4-channel amp (about $150) for mids. I'll also sell the DUAL amp and get one that's 2-ohm compatable when bridged. So far it sounds really good, but the mids need a little more power than what the Clarion can put out.

 

I think the wiring is like $75

 

You dont NEEED and amp for your speakers. The output on some of these new HU's is quite impressive.

I would start replacing the HU and then the Speakers. Some of the Mids out there put out osme pretty good base. JBL GTO's are pretty good if you are trying to avoid subs...

Ebay and froogle everything before you buy...the markup at retail stores is outrageous

 

The only good thing about buying at best buy is when .. oh I don't know, the inside of your truck floods, b/c you dunked it in a lake, and everything is fried ... they replace everything for free

 

hehe. Cool. I guess I have to start learning how to use ebay huh?

And shahzad, that wasnt' a lake, that was just an oversized pond (that even I made it through!)

 

Hah! I guess that is true...however did they know how you fried everything? Thier "extended waranty" doesnt include improper use of it. They have tried to burn me several times trying to get out of giving me new cell phones b/c I break them all the time.

 

Yeah the guy knew, but he still did for me anyway. Even if he didn't, I would have just wiped everything clean, and played dumb.

 

Rob one more suggestion for you. Stop by tweeter, and have one of the guys there explain everything to you. They do a great job educating people on everything. They have some pretty high end stuff though. The only good thing about that place is that you can put it on your tweeter card, and pay it off with 0% intrest over 18 months. So its like $50 a month for everything. The only thing that sucks is that a lot of their stuff is way over priced compared to Ebay.

but still stop by for the ed-u-macation

 

2 words: ebay

 

uuummmmm thats one word

 

lol

Shahzad I don't think we have a tweeters around here, but I"ll keep checkin out the other local audio stores

 

I got my amp wiring for about $25 total. I got a 100' spool of heavy gauge speaker wire for another $14. That took care of everything...

 

I'm not sure when it happened, but one day I quit caring about how well the car next to me heard my music. I haven't spent (wasted IMO) money on a stereo system for my ride in over 10 years. The OEM CD/radio combo works great for me and will only be replaced should it die an untimely death. I guess I'm just an old now! Nothing to installing your own stuff though Rob. Takes a little patience and effort, but it could save you some money or just buy some of your buds a six pack or two.

Good luck rocking (annoying) the car next to you!

 

I guess everyone is guilty until proven innocent too? Not sure about your area, but up here, it's generally just the young teenage punks that don't know any better that boom at stop lights. Wanting a system with a sub doesn't automatically lump you into this group. Last I read here, he wasn't planning on packing some 18's, tons of power and maybe a tweeter. Techno and hip hop sounds great out on the open road ya know.

A system with amplifiers and appropriately sized drivers will deliver amazingly accurate sound reproduction. This goes for all types of music. There are some full digital recordings of orchestra music and jazz recordings out there that will knock your socks off. Some folks just don't have an appreciation for this stuff - that's OK too.

Everyone's had the idiot next to us at a stop light in his Camaro, with the gansta' lean, stereo cranking, teeth rattling, etc. This is a bad stereo type (no pun) for audiophiles, just like those that don't tread lightly are to us responsible off roaders.

 

"Hello, my name is Cebby and I'm an audioholic"
I admitted I was an old about music these days. I still like great music all types (except cRAP), and have several systems in the house/garage, a collection of over 500 CDs in various places, but it is just not a priority to me these days that other people know I have a great stereo in my rig by letting them listen to it 3 blocks away. Great sound does not have to rattle your teeth and make your eyes spin is all I'm saying! :pat:

 

GUILTY AS CHARGED

 

You don't have to spend a fortune to get decent sound.

A good headunit with MP3 can cost you less then $200. I just picked up a Clarion DXZ545MP CD/MP3 Player Sirius Ready unit for $109 plus shipping on Ebay.

I then added a Rockford Fosgate 10" sub (factory refurb with 90 day RF warranty) for $35 from Ebay. I wanted the sub for the lower end harmonics.

I got an refurbed MA Audio 400-watt amp, with 2 year factory warranty, for the Sub for $66, I added it to the other speakers I already have. So less than $300 I improved my setup immensely.

You don't have to blow out your eardrums to get decent quality sound. Just take your time and shop around.

Also....a VERY good idea is to shop Ebay on holidays. People don't watch it then and you can get great prices.

 

thanks guys, and cebby you're right, I'm not out to blast everyone's ears off, but I do want some good sound.

Main reason I want to change decks is because the light burnt out so I can't even see anything on the display, and secondly the thing skips like a mutha.

But will anybody explain channels, watts, ohms, etc.? Any other functions or stuff to look for when buying? Gracias