Buying A New System
08-19-2003, 01:38 PM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 3
Hey guys, I have a 2002 Hyundai Accent (****ty car, but I'm a student) and one of my factory speakers blew out. I took this as a sign to finally get a good system in my car, but I'm completely lost. Hopefully some of you can offer suggestions...
I'm definitely not looking to do it myself. I plan to go to Best Buy and buy the system there and have them install it. I'm just not sure what brand of parts to look for.
I would like a system with great bass... something I can feel when I'm standing outside my car, and across the street. [img]smile.gif[/img] My budget is in the $1000 - $1500 range.
In all honesty, I don't have time to learn everything about car stereos, so that's why I came here. I'm looking for the best system my budget can get me with deep bass.
Oh, and the one thing I know I want for sure is a deck that plays mp3's.
Thanks for any suggestions!!
Gary.
I'm definitely not looking to do it myself. I plan to go to Best Buy and buy the system there and have them install it. I'm just not sure what brand of parts to look for.
I would like a system with great bass... something I can feel when I'm standing outside my car, and across the street. [img]smile.gif[/img] My budget is in the $1000 - $1500 range.
In all honesty, I don't have time to learn everything about car stereos, so that's why I came here. I'm looking for the best system my budget can get me with deep bass.
Oh, and the one thing I know I want for sure is a deck that plays mp3's.
Thanks for any suggestions!!
Gary.
08-19-2003, 02:23 PM
#2
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 342
my best suggestion to you is to go out and look around for different types of gear. do not get pigeon holed into what one person says to go with. my personal preference is to go to small independent dealers. i worked in the stereo biz for 12 years. my experience has taught me that the best people to got to are not the big box stores.
i know i might get blasted for saying that from a few of you but the best systems i put out in 12yrs were in the small stores. i had more time to do the system, and i didn't have 8 managers down my throat to close now.
check with 2 or 3 different shops in your area. the people on this board can tell you who to go and see. feel out their opinions, and go with the guys who are really trying to do right by you and your car. not the guy who's slinging deals like bullets [img]graemlins/deal4u.gif[/img] , cause that's the guy who'll screw you first chance he gets. make sure that everything is included in the price.
when you got some gear picked out post the models here and we'll be able to tell you if it's good or not. it's a pain in the a$$ but a good learning experience if your just starting out in this stuff. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
i know i might get blasted for saying that from a few of you but the best systems i put out in 12yrs were in the small stores. i had more time to do the system, and i didn't have 8 managers down my throat to close now.
check with 2 or 3 different shops in your area. the people on this board can tell you who to go and see. feel out their opinions, and go with the guys who are really trying to do right by you and your car. not the guy who's slinging deals like bullets [img]graemlins/deal4u.gif[/img] , cause that's the guy who'll screw you first chance he gets. make sure that everything is included in the price.
when you got some gear picked out post the models here and we'll be able to tell you if it's good or not. it's a pain in the a$$ but a good learning experience if your just starting out in this stuff. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
08-20-2003, 08:58 AM
#3
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,026
If you are going for a full system you won't be able to spend too much on a deck. Ones I would look at if I were you:
JVC KD-S890 Approx $230
Kenwood KDC-MP522 Approx $250
Pioneer DEH P4500MP Approx $280
I personally don't think much of Sony so I won't put there name up there. Also Panasonic I believe is a lot of hype without much go. I personally wouldn't buy them either. - But those are my preferences, others may disagree.
Try and get a reasonably good front stage - components if you can, but your budget is quite limited and you want lots of bass - so Maybe components will wait.
You will have to let your ears tell you what sounds good.
I would say buy 2 amps - one for front stage, one for subs, but your budget may not allow for that. Deck power is fine in the mean time.
For a sub Amp - I think JBL gives a good bang for the buck.
For the Sub - Pioneer gives good bang for the buck. But if you cheap out on the front stage and don't use a front amp - you can easily get something beefier.
My .02 - others will give you their .02
JVC KD-S890 Approx $230
Kenwood KDC-MP522 Approx $250
Pioneer DEH P4500MP Approx $280
I personally don't think much of Sony so I won't put there name up there. Also Panasonic I believe is a lot of hype without much go. I personally wouldn't buy them either. - But those are my preferences, others may disagree.
Try and get a reasonably good front stage - components if you can, but your budget is quite limited and you want lots of bass - so Maybe components will wait.
You will have to let your ears tell you what sounds good.
I would say buy 2 amps - one for front stage, one for subs, but your budget may not allow for that. Deck power is fine in the mean time.
For a sub Amp - I think JBL gives a good bang for the buck.
For the Sub - Pioneer gives good bang for the buck. But if you cheap out on the front stage and don't use a front amp - you can easily get something beefier.
My .02 - others will give you their .02
08-20-2003, 09:31 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
my suggestion for a system
get a fairly high end deck, its the basis for all system upgrades, buy on that you like the look of and is easy for you to use......you have to look at this thing day in and day out
features I would say are a must are: 3 pre out pairs (front, rear, sub)......built in highpass and lowpass crossovers......if going mp3 id3 tag support (shows song names)
I recomend kenwood excelon head units, good built in crossovers and excelent mp3 playback will run about 600 dollars
then I'd get a pair of good coax's for the front and leave the raers stock for rear fill (again go out and listen) should run about 200 dollars
buy one 12" sub and put it in a ported box should run about 300 total (200 sub, 100 box)
and an amp for the sub 150 watts and up should do well should be able to pick one up for about 300 dollars
you'll need a dash kit and wire harness adaptor, asa well as an 8 guage amp install kit .......should be about 100 bucks
run the front and rear speakers off the deck with the highpass filter on them, run the sub off the amp lowpassed ......should be good
most decks now make an honest 25 watts per channel and do get fairly loud
get a fairly high end deck, its the basis for all system upgrades, buy on that you like the look of and is easy for you to use......you have to look at this thing day in and day out
features I would say are a must are: 3 pre out pairs (front, rear, sub)......built in highpass and lowpass crossovers......if going mp3 id3 tag support (shows song names)
I recomend kenwood excelon head units, good built in crossovers and excelent mp3 playback will run about 600 dollars
then I'd get a pair of good coax's for the front and leave the raers stock for rear fill (again go out and listen) should run about 200 dollars
buy one 12" sub and put it in a ported box should run about 300 total (200 sub, 100 box)
and an amp for the sub 150 watts and up should do well should be able to pick one up for about 300 dollars
you'll need a dash kit and wire harness adaptor, asa well as an 8 guage amp install kit .......should be about 100 bucks
run the front and rear speakers off the deck with the highpass filter on them, run the sub off the amp lowpassed ......should be good
most decks now make an honest 25 watts per channel and do get fairly loud
08-20-2003, 09:49 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
here's an example of what I'd buy
deck
front speakers
sub amp...400 watts
dual 4 ohm sub
that leaves you with just install stuff and a box to buy .....
deck
front speakers
sub amp...400 watts
dual 4 ohm sub
that leaves you with just install stuff and a box to buy .....
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