Hey all,
I think its time for me to upgrade my sound system in the tC. I've waited because I liked the HU, but now I have a seperate sirius satellite unit attached to the windshield, so I want to upgrade, but I know very little. Where do I go first? My goal is simple to raise the quality of the sound - I don't plan on blasting the stereo, I just want a nice quality system.

1) Speakers
2) HU
3) Amp
4) ...

I'm very ignorant to the subject, so if someone can guide me in the right direction or in case I missed it in the search, guide me to a thread that covers all of this. Thanks!

just get some components and a new head unit. and see how it goes from there..

what kind of components are you refering to? speakers?

Guys, I could really use some info about this stuff, so anything that you can tell me would be appreciated. What to start with, what does what (omitting the obvious), what works well with the tC, etc. Thanks

alot of people have these components up front:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MKm5BM0cgrs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=410&I=107DB6500

and one of these in the back:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MKm5BM0cgrs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52000&I=107DB650
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MKm5BM0cgrs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52000&I=107MMC650

as for cd players, I'd say these 3 are pretty popular:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MKm5BM0cgrs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9856
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MKm5BM0cgrs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9853
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-MKm5BM0cgrs/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=500CDA9857

it all depends on how much you want to spend.

Actually, I upgraded my HU back in March and the difference is night and day! I ordered my gear from crutchfield.com . Great customer service and speedy shipping! I HIGHLY recommend them! I just wanted something basic because my commute to work is like 10 mins. Here's my HU...

Alpine CDA-9856 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-i5kk9Rg5a0m/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?wm=fp&I=500CDA9856)

I am VERY impressed with this HU! For an extra $30 you can hook up an iPod. I also have my Sirius Satellite Radio hooked up too. For the iPod it scrolls the artist, name of the CD, and track name. If you don't have playlists, finding a track on the iPod can be a pain. The HU may seem expensive, but with all the extras, it definitely worth it!

Here's my Sub...

Audiobahn ATB8AT (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-i5kk9Rg5a0m/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=51000&I=037ATB8AT)

Since I'm not in my tC that much, I just wanted a little more punch. Something simple with everything included. This sub had everything I was looking for and the sound is terrific! Nice tight bass. Its not washed out at all. The funnny thing is; if you compare the 8" and the 10" Sub, they are EXACTLY the same! Save yourself some $crill and get the 8". Hooks up to the RCA jacks on the back of the new HU.

I haven't switched out my speakers yet. But when I do, these are what I'm going to get...

Polk Audio db6500s (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-i5kk9Rg5a0m/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=410&I=107DB6500)

The front speakers are actually pretty good with the new HU. The rears, those definitely need to be upgraded. I've heard (and read positive comments about) the Polks and they sound very good. These will sound even better because of the separate tweeters and included crossovers. I will be getting probably 2 sets of these. (One for the front, the other set for the rear.)

With the help of a fellow scionlifer, we installed the HU and Sub in about 90 mins. :P I'm not trying to win any audio contests with my set up. I just wanted something better than stock. So far, that's what I have. Eventually I will upgrade the speakers. After that I might run an amp. I guess I best start saving my ducket$ to get what I want! :silly: Good luck!

alot of people have these components up front...
Damn it! You beat me by 2 minutes! :evil: :lol: :lol: I type too damn slow!

Wow, thats good info. One of my biggest worries is that, since I have the '06, I don't want my steering wheel controls to not function. They are ugly enough, so I want them to at least work!

When I went to circuit city (just to do some research), they told me that I could leave the HU in there so the steering wheel controls will remain functional, and I can upgrade the speakers (polks were recommended there as well), and throw in an amp. This way, the HU not actually putting out any power so much as simply being the control unit while the amp puts out all of the power. The speakers need to be upgraded (according to circuit city) because the stocks only put out about 30 watts per speaker while the polks or some others can put out as much as 150 watts from what i've seen.

Does this make sense to you guys or would it be a mistake to run this route without swapping out the HU? I mean, the guy at cc sounded knowledgable and it makes sense what he was saying about the HU no longer having to put out the power (the pioneer 160 watt is at that point arbitrary). He demonstrated a 200 watt HU with the speakers w/ and w/o the amp and the amp seemed to make a BIG difference!

What do you all think?

Just to clarify, here are the links to the amp and speakers that i'm looking at:

Amp: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-njvUAFYjmJg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=489HA1040

Speakers: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YNUycyf1UuM/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=410&tab=essential_info&i=107DB6500#Tab



By the way, how many speakers come with that. It just says that it is a speaker system. I believe we need 4 in the tC (correct me if i'm wrong). Is that a complete set?

how about this question first of all, how much are you willing to spend?



have you heard of CDT Audio for components :D

I'd like to keep it around the $350 range.

I'm sure the CDT would be just dandy! lol, I don't think I can afford that on a college students salary...but nice system you have there!

By the way, how many speakers come with that. It just says that it is a speaker system. I believe we need 4 in the tC (correct me if i'm wrong). Is that a complete set?
They come with woofers and tweeters. (So 4 speakers in a set.) The fronts will use 4 while the rears only use 2. But you could add the tweeters to the rears. Use the 'search' function and you'll find out ways to mount the tweeters in the rear. Are you talking $350 TOTAL? I've spent that much on the HU and Sub already. You might want to bump that figure up to at least $600 if you also want a decent amp and speakers.

save up for a while and bump that total up!

check out www.elementaldesigns.com


good stuff, low prices

They come with woofers and tweeters. (So 4 speakers in a set.) The fronts will use 4 while the rears only use 2. But you could add the tweeters to the rears. Use the 'search' function and you'll find out ways to mount the tweeters in the rear. Are you talking $350 TOTAL? I've spent that much on the HU and Sub already. You might want to bump that figure up to at least $600 if you also want a decent amp and speakers.


So I need to buy that set, which is 4 speakers, and then buy 2 more speakers for the rear? I'm not understanding the sound system layout of the tC. There are 4 or 6 total?

I say $350 because I see that those speakers are $200 and the amp I have there is $120. That is $320 total and then I can install it myself. If I need 2 more speakers for the rear though, then it will be a little bit more. I don't want to swap out the headunit as I said because I want to keep the steering wheel controls. And I don't really want a sub anyway!

there are 6 speakers total in the tC

2 tweeters up by the door handles, 2 midbass woofers in the lower front part of the doors, and 2 full range coaxial speakers in the rear cupholder area.

Don't forget when your installing an amplifier, your going to need ring terminals, power wire, ground wire, RCA cable, fuse holder, and a fuse. Account these costs into your total also.

I haven't looked into keeping the stock headunit when building a system, but IIRC your going to have to get a line out convertor so that an rca cable can hook up and go to an amplifier.

You can get a separate head unit and still retain steering wheel controls. You just need to grab one of these-
http://www.pac-audio.com/products/productsCatagory.asp?mmSearch=Steering%20Wheel%20Interface

What is the downside to keeping the stock HU? I thought that the power will now be coming out of the amp, so the HU is ONLY for controlling the music, not putting out the power.

bump

elemental designs and there a site sponsor and will hook u up call em!

Sounds good, I will do that. But like I said, is there any downside to keeping the stock HU and using an amp?

ummm dont think so? Unless you have a sub to the stock HU

Right, that's what I thought...I really only have one more question assuming i'm not bothering you guys too much.

The amp i'm looking at is 80 watts per channel:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-njvUAFYjmJg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=489HA1040

These speakers say that the "recommended amp wattage range" is 2-55. RMS power handling (Watts) = 55 and Peak power handling (watts) = 270. (all info available here in the following link):

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/146008/originURLEncoded/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.circuitcity.com%252Fssm%252FSpeakers%252Fsem%252Frpsm%252FcatOid%252F-13092%252FN%252F20013088%252B20013092%252B740%252Flink%252Fref%252Frpem%252Fccd%252Fcategorylist.do/rpem/ccd/productDetailSpecification.do#tabs



Can these speakers work successfully with this amp? and is iit a good setup for the $?? If you don't mind, also add what factors are important to look for when buying speakers (such as RMS, peak wattage, etc - I don't know whats really important)! Thanks again

bump

Dont buy sony for car audio.

Dont buy sony for car audio.

why?

cause they make everything else on electronics!

cause they make everything else on electronics!

lol...isn't that a good thing that they make a lot of electronics? They probably know what they are doing!

But anyway, if they are really that bad, anybody have any nice alternatives to those for a similar price?

my recommendation would be the Polk db650's in back
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZMEqThgw9Qb/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52000&I=107DB650

and the Polk db6500 components up front
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZMEqThgw9Qb/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=410&I=107DB6500

with this amp powering them
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZMEqThgw9Qb/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=489AP740

if you like ebay you can get it all for about 310 shipped, if you buy crutchfield it's about 430 + shipping.

Thanks for the good information! That kind of recommendation is exactly what i've been looking for...just one question:

rather than the amp listed above, wouldn't this amp be superior for less $? If not, why (b/c I can't figure it out):

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-njvUAFYjmJg/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=489HA1040

^^ that amp would be good, and i would say no to rear speakers! Just IMO!

your sticking with the stock HU right?

yep, stock HU

How much should I expect to spend on wiring, harnesses, and anything else that I may need for the installation?

well this looks like a great kit to go with! STINGER too which i love! I bought my products from this guy! Very fast shipping. everything you need for your amp and speakers!

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-Gauge-AWG-Twisted-RCA-Wire-Amp-Wiring-Kit-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ180006912386QQihZ008QQcategoryZ71529QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Wow, that is awesome. Thank God for you guys on scionlife! I couldn't do this without your help. Thanks!!

no problem, when do you plan on installing it, or taking it to get installed?

I'm not knowledgable enough in this area to do it myself. I'm sure that it will be well worth the money to have it installed professionally. My local circuit city does it for a decent price (i think), and the installation is lifetime warrantied! I'd need a DIY thread on installing an amp and speakers to do it myself

ooooo man, its a piece of cake!

The removal of the panels is what scares me the most. Also, having to get the wiring through the firewall for the amp to the battery is a bit over my head! I can set up a speaker system without difficulty in my home, the problem here is running the wires and getting to the speakers and getting em in and out!! AHH, too much!!!

cake bro, cake! im sure there's some thread around here somewhere with this!

Nah, i've looked...I couldn't find ANYTHING!

They want to charge $160 total installation at circuit city. 80 for the speakers, 60 for the amp, and 20 b/c I didn't buy it from them. I wish I could do it myself as that is ALOT of money

dont go to them! Thats too much money!

yea, i know its alot, but what other choice do I have if there is no writeup? it sux!

yea, i know its alot, but what other choice do I have if there is no writeup? it sux!
That's way too much! Plus, I've heard Circuit City does crappy installs. If I were you, I would make a thread about your install(s) in the "regional areas" forums. That way folks in your area can help you out. And they will probably do it for cheap!

Thanks for the tip...I posted a thread there this morning but not much information about an installation around here. I will bump it a few times within the next few days, but if its really that easy, we need to get a writeup on the forum for changing speakers and an amp install. With the writeups on here, I was able to change my brakes/rotors, oil changes, install sway bars, springs, etc. I'm sure I could do this too if I knew what to do, I just don't even know where to begin!

man i would do this 4 lunch? ill try 2 make an art drawing 4 this when i get out of wrk 2 c if that could help?

cool thanks! I've so far had 2 people pm me that they could do it. Neither one is set quite yet, but it looks good that I can get some help. - so don't knock yourself out making a drawing, i've been enough of a pain in the butt to u! lol

its kool man, thats why everyone is on here!

im sorry for the way it looks, im using the Microsoft Paint crap? So i tried my best and i hope you get it?
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/6791/untitled12451lr6.png

Nice picture, it took me a second, but I understand most of it. My only question, is the two RCA's running to the HU. What are those 2 wires for?

yes those are the RCA's, i think you need an adapter since you have the stock HU, ill try to find it.

Ah ok, so I guess I need to find out where to buy those because I bought this for the installation:

http://cgi.ebay.com/8-Gauge-AWG-Twisted-RCA-Wire-Amp-Wiring-Kit-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ200007141763QQihZ010QQcategoryZ32808QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I know you said that you'd try to find the adapter - i'd appreciate that!!


But also, what are the RCA cables function when running from the amp to the HU?

this is what you need for your stock HU to run the remote and the RCA's
http://nineworks.sc34.info/norcal/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSCF0043%7E1.JPG
http://www.norcalscion.com/ click on products and you should see it there, im not sure on how you buy it tho?

Yea, i've been looking for it, but so far, no luck. What exactly is it called so that I can do a google search for it? Or maybe/hopfeully someone has a link to where I can buy it from!

bump, i need some info on that RCA adapter for the stock HU...anyone know where to pick one up?

Alright, forget that question b/c someone helped me. So i'll replace it with a different question:

For a 1000 watt amp, is 8 guage wire OK, or should I get 4 guage wire?

This is the amp:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&item=120011548411&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

4awg

Cool, 4 guage it is. And lastly (i hope), how many speaker adapter plates? Do I need all 4?

well im still not recomending doing the rears along with everyone else, but yes 4. Where are you getting them from? Cause ED sells them, but their only the front i believe? I really would suggest you not doing the rears? There's no point?

http://www.edesignaudio.com/catalog/shopping_cart.php

^^ Your shopping cart is empty! =P

http://www.edesignaudio.com/sciontc.php

I found them on ebay for cheap. These are the ones that I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330009774990&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=014

It says xB but i'm told that its the same for the tC when it comes to these.

i would of gone with the wooden baffels!

Why? Do you think that the wood would be better than the metal? I'm not sure about sound quality, but i'd think the metal would be more durable and last longer

for this type of project the wood is better than the metal.

Ah alright. I already bought the metal though. Is it that significant of a difference that I should buy the wood as well and use that in place?