So I've been out of the car audio scene since the early 90's rolling through PCB. Budget - $1000 (less preferred) headunit - really just looking for a quality unit that i can plug phone or USB drive to supply the tunes. Single din preferred but not opposed to double din setups. Component setup - Looking for a quality setup here that will work with the 2.5RS. Is the door clearance an issue like the wrx/sti? Rear deck should have plenty clearance. Amp - to push the above component setup. I know we have some real guru's here and want their thoughts. Also, looking for a shop to do the install near East Cobb if possible.
I've been using Rockford Fosgate components and Amps for awhile and have been pretty satisfied as well as my family and friends, although i have used a Kicker amp in the past, my current Rockford blows it away... Onlinecarstereo.com i've shopped with these guys for years and always loved my products
I'm running a massive audio nanobit bx4 with polk components and a 12inch polk sub through a pioneer head unit and couldn't be more happy. I know you said you already had a sub so you could get everything else under 1k. I'll post links when I get to a computer.
Pioneer on the HU. Check out the Alpine Type R components. For get about the rear speakers. Fade everything up. Massive Audio Nano or PPI 900.4 on the amp.
so just the door speakers and a sub is sufficient? this is the coupe so no rear doors but figured something needs to go in the rear deck to fill the holes. Any suggestions on a shop?
Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Kenwood Excelon, or higher end Alpine units. I have had them all plus some and use to compete with Pioneer Elite and old school Alpine units. Unless you get into the super upper high end decks, they are all about the same quality wise in the $200-$400 price range. I would look for features like HD radio, Bluetooth Streaming, Pandora Controls, and hands free. I put in a Kenwood Excelon deck in my Minivan and think it is pretty awesome. Competition quality? Absolutely not but it does everything I need it to do in my van including using steering wheel controls. Speakers JL Audio, ALpine Type R, DLS, etc If you worried about depth on the front doors, I would look into the DLS UP6i components. They use a neodymium magnet which cuts down on depth and still sound fantastic. Rears just a cheap pair of coaxils as they are just there for rear fill. Amps - JL Audio, Massive Audio. Installation? Do it yourself. Your car is pretty simple to work on. Should take you a day to replace all speakers, headunit, and amp.
Thanks Eddie, thats the kind of info I was looking for. I'll pay a shop for install unless someone wants to tackle that for some cash but I steer clear of electrical. Matt I am still waiting for the model so I can check it out and isn't that thing wider than my trunk? haha
Im in the same boat. I decided to keep my sti and now want to upgrade the stereo as well. Like Techlord, I'm not trying to spend a grip either. I already have a sub, box, and single channel amp. I'm really looking for a nice HU (DIN), and speaker setup (4 speakers). Also, I plan on powering the speakers off the HU, so i don't need high power speakers/components that would require an amp. But I do want something decent. The HU, i can decide on myself, but I would like some suggestions on four speakers that will sound good powered by the HU. Also, whats the best size speakers to purchase that will directly fit once the door panels are put back on. Ive read about people putting in different sizes. The ride is a 2005 STi
Rick I would offer to help you in stages but I live on the other side of the planet from you now. I still get pretty good discounts down at the car audio shop I worked at in Auburn and planning on going down there this weekend. Let me know if there is anything you want me to keep an eye out for.
Does anyone ride in the back of the GC normally? If Yes, then you may want some speakers for the rear deck, but if normally No, then there is no need. You really won't hear the rear speakers all that much, and you want the car set up like a sound stage, all sound coming from in front ideally. Why not have an install day? I used to love wiring up stereo equipment. It is easy to do and will save you a couple bucks which you can put into better component/amp.
Not worried too much on the deck I'll find one but here is what I was thinking on the component setup. I wanted to do JL Audio but the better stuff (as far as I can tell and I don't know squat) seems to be double the price. so what do you guru's think about: Alpine SPR-60C 6-½" 2-Way Component System @ ~$140 shipped per pair. Any of you know of a JL Audio component setup comparable in technology and price range of the above? My sub is JL Audio figured keep all speakers in the family. Since most recommend massive audio for an amp what model would be suitable to run these 2 pair of components?
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/p_23906_Jensen_Power_1050.aspx I have the above which should still work. You can have it for free.
Thanks Eddie, I found them for the same price as the alpine. Now to find the correct model Massive Audio amp to push them. Is the theory to over buy and turn it down or buy that suits the speakers abilities. Trancetto - I think that is more of a sub amp which I already have. I love free but honestly I doubt I'd use it so it would collect dust until I could trade for beer.
I have a sub setup but that is pimp. I might be interested IF the price is right and it fits a GC trunk.
I'm not sure the sub enclosure will work on the sedans. I had it built for my hatchback. However door speakers are the same and you can always get a enclosure built for your trunk. PM me for more info.
i'm the type who prefers tone over imaging while in the car. not having any rear fill would annoy me to no end. I'm in the minority, i know, but staging when you're unequal distances from the speakers without having digital signal correction seems like a Sisyphean effort...
well here is what she's getting. KDC-X996 Massive Audio BX2 and NX4 JL Audio C2-650 component JL Audio C2-650X coax JL Audio 12W6 wasn't planning to do a sub setup but use the old but my buddy doing the install said he sold it and to buy something better. LOL So I did!
I don't know J, I guess I've always liked a single 12 vs 10. This 12's RMS is right in the wheel house of the BX2 so it should be right. AND he sold my existing box for more than half the price I got this sub/amp combo so it was a deal.