Ok, let met get this out of the way. I seriously know nothing about car stereo and audio. However, I am not an idiot and am willing to learn.

Anyway, I have around $350 I have lying around. I am hoping to upgrade my stock Pioneer/iPod stereo system. However, I don't know where to start!

Since I'm starting stock, it should be pretty simple to know what my current setup sounds like. So would it be beneficial to buy a new head unit? Upgraded speakers? An amp and a sub? I have no idea.

My previous car (Cirrus LXi) had a great system and incredible low end for not having a sub. I want this back!!!

Any advice is greatly appreciated. If even they are just links to learn more about car audio setup and installation.

TIA, everybody

 

Maybe I should clarify some things. I'm not looking for the "OMG LOUDEST STEREO WITH THE PHATTEST BASS". I want a nice, clean, full bodied stereo system.

Others are telling me that I should work towards an amp and a new head unit, but I still want to hear what the ScionLife community has to offer.

 

Upgrade the front component set first and foremost. Adding a powered sub (like a Basslink), will be affordable and likely give you the results you're looking for.

As to brands for the comp set... everybody has different opinions. I'm a fan of CDT, but not being driven off of HU power-- they really need to be amped. Shop around for a comp set with relatively low power requirements (35-50RMS or so), and higher sensitivity ratings are better (definitely over 90dB).

With your budget, look to put about $150 into the comps, and $200 into a Basslink or similar ( I love mine), and i think you'll be pleased with the results.

 

With the Basslink powered sub, do you have a box to put it in? Or do you flush it against the body? The reason I ask is, how can you have decent bass with the back being open like that?

Also, is there any place that documents the specifications of the stock stereo? Wattage, setup, etc.. For instance, where is the power-amp in the stock stereo? Or are the speakers just powered off the Pioneer head unit?

Sorry if these are newb questions, but I have to start somewhere.

 

I will sell you my Pioneer Premier DEH-P7700MP for a good 150 OBO shipped through Ebay if you want it. It's a great head unit and does everything you need it to do and more.

 

The Basslink is an enclosed, self-powered 10" subwoofer. You just need to run the power wiring, and splice into the speaker wiring for a source signal. Pretty simple in install terms. It also takes up very little space:


The 6 factory speakers are all powered by the Pioneer HU. Figure 8-15w RMS for most factory head units. Your final goals will determine whether or not you upgrade the HU; do you plan on adding amps in the future? Are you at all interested in DVD or Navi capabilities? I don't imagine the ability to fully tweak the output of the stereo is high on your list of requirements, as you're just starting out...

so before I go any further, beyond the $350, what do you think is the ballpark figure for the total dollar amount you are willing to spend on audio? WIll you be attempting installs yourself, or having a shop/friend do it for you?

 

upgrading your door speakers and nack speakers will give you the most improvement... you prolly want to amp them though... make them sound nice and clean and crisp...

 

i'll buy ur stock unit if you want more cash

 

Thanks for all the input.

In the future, yes I am planning on purchasing a GPS system. But that is way in the future. Right now I want to focus on audio and then work towards performance upgrades. I don't know if there is a limit on how much I want to spend on audio. However, right now I can only throw so much of my resources towards my car.

I plan on having my buddy help me do the install. He has done a couple other friend's systems, but he is a super busy guy so I want to try and get my ____ squared away before coming to him.

 

I will let you know.

 

So let me get some things straight:

The Pioneer Ipod HU is 160 watts, in which everything is compacted into the one unit. Correct?

The tC has a total of 6 speakers: 2x mid-range speakers in the door, 2x tweeters in the door near the handles, and 2 x mid-range speakers in the back seats. Correct?

So if I purchased a head-unit that did 50W x 4, could I power all the speakers correctly without purchasing an amp?

It seems like if I want everything work nicely in the future (i.e. no splicing and such), I want to first get a head-unit with RCA preamp outs. Then from there, I can work outwards. Does this sound right?

 

Gte a decent HU that will last and you would like! Im an alpine guy so im gonna recomend alpine.

Alpine is starting to release their 2006 line of HU's. I plan on getting the Alpine CDA-9857..........the CDA-9856 is only around $170 on ebay right now. Just released this month. I know they are some top of line HU's with one of the best car audio brands out there! I started off with a new HU cause i hated turning up the vol on the stock 05 HU's. These come with remotes! anywho....the stock speakers right now aren't bad but upgrading them would hurt either.

I say get the Alpine CDA-9856 with the Alpine SPR-17LS components? If you find the best price on ebay you should be able to spend within the $300-325 range? Not bad!

Here the link to the CDA-9856 HU --> http://alpine-usa.com/en/products/pr...model=CDA-9856



Link to the SPR-17LS components --> http://alpine-usa.com/en/products/pr...model=SPR-17LS


This is a great setup

 

I 4got you needed an amp with components. Here's a decent 2 ch. amp

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALPINE-MRP-T220-...QQcmdZViewItem

or this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alpine-MRP-T220-...QQcmdZViewItem

This will be good with your setup! Keep us posted on what you do?

 

i also want to upgrade my system and didnt want to start a new topic on the same thing, i already have a 10w6v2 and now want to either upgrade my HU or comps, i dont need gps so i would just get a normal HU but dont really like any of the dash kits that iv seen, does anyone have any nice dash kits they know of? on the comp suject, how good are those alpines mentioned above? what are some other comps in the 200-250 range?

 

The alpines a pretty good IMO. But ive heard of some better ones. If you have $2-250 to spend then i would think eD 6500's? Talk to "Mandos" on here, he works for them. I dont have them but ive HEARD that their pretty good.

$250 shipped.....ratail price is $350.
http://edesignaudio.com/product.php?...pid=29&cur=USD

 

So what usually is included in a comp set?

2 tweeters and 2 mid-ranges with 2 cross-overs?

 

^ yup!

 

Ok.... I'm just now joining in on this thread which is odd... I'm usually one of the first to reply.... Here's my suggestion

eDi6000s components $125 shipped
eD Eu-700 6.5" subwoofer $50 + shipping
eD NiNe.4 to power the front components and Eu subwoofer $185 shipped with right coupon code

I have 2 of the 6.5" subs from eD and with the correct enclosure, these things are mean!! they're not super loud but have great tone and range... they can hit Lil Jon low or slipknot fast and accurate...

I know this is a little under the $350 but with this setup and an aftermarket HU or your stock HU, you would get some very good, balanced, clean sound!!! this will leave you ~$80 for wiring, enclosure(built by you), and a Line Output Converter for the time being untill you save enough for the HU you want...

If you're interested in Elemental Design, either PM mandos here on SL, or you can visit the Elemental Design Website by clicking here

 

The 160watt figure on the stock HU is the Max power that it can push... the RMS MIGHT be 17RMS per channel and that's being optimistic...

Anytime you're looking at an amp, HU, speakers etc. you need to look at the RMS figure, not the max.... with amps and HU's, the RMS power is the power available at any given time... with speakers/subs, the RMS is the amount of watts that that speaker or sub can handle constantly...