mrflood

Hi Guys, I would like to introduce myself, as I have just signed up. I am pretty much a newbie, so if I ask stupid questions forgive me.

My main question right now is if anyone can recommend a really good install shop in the Brampton/Mississauga area. I'm even willing to travel a little for a good clean installation done for a reasonable price. As you can see in my signature, I have already purchased my complete audio setup. Now I'm just waiting for my car. I would love to attempt the audio install myself, but have zero experience with this stuff, and dont want to screw anything up. It would be an awesome service if install shops allowed you to help them with the install on your own car. That way people like myself could learn while still having a professional to the bulk of the work. Anyways, I look forward to replies, and many good conversations on this board.

Marco
(I know there is another Marco registered on this board...I hope he doesn't mind...lol)

Sorry guys for double posting. I wasn't sure where this topic would be most appropriate, and get the most relevant responses. Since I'm from Brampton, I am posting here. Mods, feel free to delete my other post in the general discussions area if necessary. Thanks.

MTA

iTrader: (1)

I'd talk to Frank from Car Audio Haven...it's in Brampton...they do nice work over there

mrflood

Anyone have enying dealings with Peel Audio in Brampton? They are close to my work so it would be easy to drop off, and they seem to have won alot trophies.

Regal One

Audio Illusions is just outside of Mississauga in Oakville. If you take the QEW go south on Dorval and hang a left on Speers then it's just on your right.

If you talk to Arlindo you will not look anywhere else. He is THE MAN. Just tell him that Mike and Jamie sent you.

mrflood

Audio Illsuions quoted me $350-450. That's a crazy price...way too expensive for 4 speakers and and an amp on a Mazda3

ICEman

iTrader: (1)

$350 - 450 isn't that bad of a price for 4 speakers and an amp Brand new and installed.

Some people here have spent more than that.

Sassmaster

iTrader: (2)

450 for an amp? geez, that's cheap. I've never spent that little. my new amp is costing me 750 US.

mrflood

No.no...lol. That's for the install. I have all my own equipment already!

Regal One

mrflood,

I thought I would wait a couple of days before responding to this post in order to see if anyone was willing to give you a significantly better price on your install. No replies yet.

You remind me of myself when I first got into car audio five years ago; unsure of how things work and somewhat naive about the costs.

See the thing is there may be a few items included in Arlindo's price that you didn't understand. For example:

-The speaker baffles are custom made of MDF and sealed to the factory mounting. (not prefabricated plastic that could rattle and buzz)

-You may have the wiring kit for the amp but that doesn't mean you're not going to need some other installation supplies that aren't expensive individually, but add up pretty quickly, such as:

-L.L.A. (Line Level Adapter) converts head unit power to RCA signal for source input to your amplifier. $30 each X 2(front and rear)

-Miscellaneous accessories such as the mounting board for your amplifier, carpet, extra wiring and terminals not included in your kit, clips, clamps, screws, looming for all wires, etc... ...it all adds up.

Plus, don't forget that it's going to take the better part of the day to complete this install; I think Arlindo probably would have quoted somewhere around six hours.

Not to mention the fact that you would have the best in the business doing all the work on your car, not some butcher that doesn't care about it.

See, it's all about the little things, like actually mounting the crossovers for your component set rather than just stuffing them up under the dash or something, and putting your door panels back on properly.

Attention to detail is everything.

I've been to a good portion of the car audio shops in the area, and had work done at a couple of them. I've experienced some of the butchery firsthand and let me tell you there is nothing worse than paying for an install and then paying someone else to fix it.

Through my experience, I would only recommend Arlindo at Audio Illusion; I will not let anyone else touch my car but him now.

[ July 09, 2004, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: Regal One ]