Ok, while I've installed some audio equipment in friend's cars... to this day I've never actually purchased my own... so brand quality and all that jazz (or rock, R&B, etc. ) are really lost on me. While I'm not shooting for the best "OMGZ!!1!" setup I have no problem paying the extra dollar to get a high quality system.

So, I guess I'll lay out what I have down and what I need help with:

Head Unit: I'm pretty dead-set on the AVIC-D3... so you might as well not even try to sway me otherwise But I would like to know what I need to buy to (a) keep my steering wheel controls and (b) hide the area between the HU and the console bezel.

Front Speakers: No idea...

Rear Speakers: ... Same

Sub: No idea BUT I would like one that is 10" so I can use the Bazooka box I already have... unless you guys think it's pure garbage in which case I also have no problem making a new box (never done it, but I'm always up for a project...).

Deadening: Ok, brand preference? And I was planning on deadening just the trunk floor, sub side of the trunk, hatch latch area, front doors, rear panels around speakers... is that good enough?

Thanks guys.

 

Get this and you'll be happy...

Elemental Designs 11Ov.2 Subwoofer:
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=34

2x Elemental Designs NINe.2:
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=45

Elemental Designs eDi 6500s:
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=50

11Ov.2 Vented Enclosure:
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...roducts_id=118

I can almost be possitive that this will sound killer! I plan on going with this setup in the near future (minus the components, I love my CDT comps) along with a BassForms side enclouser for the sub instead of having a big MDF heavy box. However im sure the box built for the subs specs will sound very nice. I want something small yet have a nice kick and i believe this will do just that! Whats your budget and i do suggest getting another box for the sub. Another thing, i would leave the rear speakers stock since you'll mainly be hearing the front components.

 

I like to consider my budget limitless... not because I have an infinite amount of money, but I'll do whatever it takes and/or take as long as it takes to get the setup I'm looking for.

 

There is a part sold at crutchfield specifically designed for our cars to fit indash navs. I don't have the link but i'm sure only a few minutes of searching and you can find it easily. It basically replaces the stock HU mounting brackets with brackets that have a black plastic piece at the end, acting as a filler. It's like 12 or 13 bucks I believe.

 

Here ya go, since I want to get that HU pretty badly I decided to just get the link myself.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TNvfEEQ...sp?i=120958202


If you're on a budget for the speakers, I'd end up getting Pioneer all around. I was testing out different types of speakers at a Circuit City the other night, and the pioneer's they had had crisper, louder sound...for about half the price of Eclispe, Polk, Kicker, Sony, and MTX.

 

if your budget is limitless go for some of these:

http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...roducts_id=510

no rear fill

 

metra dash kit and wiring harness:::::::::: 95-8202 70-1761
for your steering wheel controls use pac audio Part Number: SWI-PS

 

jl 13w7 for FTW

 

Front speakers: eD 6500s powered by a Nine.2
rear speakers: none
Sub: depends how loud you wanna go, but def ditch that stock box, as it is junk

 

Forgot to list first... what about an amp preference?

 

All depends on how much power u wanna run. If you wanna get crazy get zapco. Personally I like orion, eD, hifonics. eD gives discounts on package purchases and their prices cant be beat for what you get.

 

I was looking at eD... so say if I was going to run new fronts, that D3, and 1 (or possibly 2) subs, which of their amp(s) should I go with?

 

the d3 is seperate from the amp. the only amp you'll need is to run the fronts and the subs. depending on what you want you'll probably want a nine.1 for your subs and a nine.2 for the 6500's if you go with them.

 

Well your amps have o match the components and sub(s) that you chose. Chose the comps and sub you want and we can help you pick an amp. That or give us a budget an we can start picking subs and amps for you. If you are gonna run comps Id def amp them though, as the deck will give them like 22 watts RMS

 

lol thats not true at all. people run different branded amps, comps and subs all the time. for ex. i'm running an eD amp on dls components. nothing wrong with mixing it up.

 

He's referring to matching up ohms.

 

im not meanin to bash eD cause i own a lot of their stuff, and its all extremely good....but if your budget is limitless then i'd look elsewhere for front speakers. stick with DLS, CDT, Focal, Seas, Rainbow, or Morel.


The morel stuff is expensive but hit up ebay or woofersetc.com and you should be able to find some decent prices there. also, djdillodion stocks their stuff for cheap on AIM.

http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=4754

i would go with these if you're really gonna hold to not having a budget....if they're too expensive i'd look at some morel hybrid ovations, or dls ultimate 6.2s. if you love midbass, cdt m6 drivers matched up with 560 x-overs and drt-26 aluminum tweeters would be a very nice setup. i have that set myself and i love it. that'll run around $450 with an aluminum tweet instead of the silk one.

 

Indeed! I love my CDT comps thanks to him. I was talking to him for the longest time when i was going to buy them making sure i made the right choice and i did! I got the CDT EF-61CFi (06 model) comps with the Sat-Net 560 xover and 1" silk tweet. MmMmMmMmMmMmM.....the midbass is sooo nice! Check out ebay also, they have an authorized dealer selling on ebay. its "The CDT Store".

 

Just to clarify... my budget is not limitless... I can't afford the best-of-the-best... what I meant was for the midrange, good quality system I'm shooting for I don't have to cut corners 'cause I will just wait longer to get the rest of the cash up...

 

aight so up to like 500 or how far up? if you can do 600 that would open your options big time (boston z6's, etc)