Complete noob, looking to do a total overhaul
08-18-2010, 11:35 AM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
Complete noob, looking to do a total overhaul
I've got a 03' VW GTI with the stock Monsoon stereo and I just cannot stand listening to it anymore.
As the topic says I don't really have a clue as to what I'm doing. I've gone to a couple places for quotes and advice, and between all the spiel of what I need, and how their shop will give me the best deals, or has the best installers in town and so forth... I'm having a bit of trouble knowing what to believe and if I'm being taken advantage of.
Budget $1200-$2000
99% of what I listen to will be from my IPod. I'm more interested in a very clear and tight sound, I'm not looking for a huge amount of volume, I do not need a sub that can be heard from a block away.
As far as the sub goes, it's a bit of a sticky issue. I actually do use the space in the back of the car. I've been told that I can put an enclosure in the sidewall at the back, or on top of the spare tire, and have been quoted anywhere from $500-$900 for this to be done. Are these fairly reasonable prices, and if so can anyone think of alternate solutions for a sub that will take up as little space as possible.
Amplified speakers vs non-amplified. I've been told that it's fairly important to go for amplified speakers if I want to have a sub, however none of the shops I've been to have been set up to really been setup in a way that they could demonstrate just how much difference adding amplification really would make. Only one shop really tried to demo the difference, but it was only through a single speaker, with no sub or anything else, and the difference to me was slight at best and certainly not worth the extra cost.
So beyond that, any suggestions on brands/models I should look at for the type of sound I want would be great. If anyone wants to throw out sample builds within my price range that would be even better. Otherwise any links or reading material that will help someone with zero knowledge of this stuff would also be appreciated.
Also, if anyone can recommend some shops in Vancouver or the surrounding area that I should check out, it would be appreciated.
As the topic says I don't really have a clue as to what I'm doing. I've gone to a couple places for quotes and advice, and between all the spiel of what I need, and how their shop will give me the best deals, or has the best installers in town and so forth... I'm having a bit of trouble knowing what to believe and if I'm being taken advantage of.
Budget $1200-$2000
99% of what I listen to will be from my IPod. I'm more interested in a very clear and tight sound, I'm not looking for a huge amount of volume, I do not need a sub that can be heard from a block away.
As far as the sub goes, it's a bit of a sticky issue. I actually do use the space in the back of the car. I've been told that I can put an enclosure in the sidewall at the back, or on top of the spare tire, and have been quoted anywhere from $500-$900 for this to be done. Are these fairly reasonable prices, and if so can anyone think of alternate solutions for a sub that will take up as little space as possible.
Amplified speakers vs non-amplified. I've been told that it's fairly important to go for amplified speakers if I want to have a sub, however none of the shops I've been to have been set up to really been setup in a way that they could demonstrate just how much difference adding amplification really would make. Only one shop really tried to demo the difference, but it was only through a single speaker, with no sub or anything else, and the difference to me was slight at best and certainly not worth the extra cost.
So beyond that, any suggestions on brands/models I should look at for the type of sound I want would be great. If anyone wants to throw out sample builds within my price range that would be even better. Otherwise any links or reading material that will help someone with zero knowledge of this stuff would also be appreciated.
Also, if anyone can recommend some shops in Vancouver or the surrounding area that I should check out, it would be appreciated.
08-22-2010, 12:15 AM
#2
I've got a 03' VW GTI with the stock Monsoon stereo and I just cannot stand listening to it anymore.
As the topic says I don't really have a clue as to what I'm doing. I've gone to a couple places for quotes and advice, and between all the spiel of what I need, and how their shop will give me the best deals, or has the best installers in town and so forth... I'm having a bit of trouble knowing what to believe and if I'm being taken advantage of.
Budget $1200-$2000
99% of what I listen to will be from my IPod. I'm more interested in a very clear and tight sound, I'm not looking for a huge amount of volume, I do not need a sub that can be heard from a block away.
As far as the sub goes, it's a bit of a sticky issue. I actually do use the space in the back of the car. I've been told that I can put an enclosure in the sidewall at the back, or on top of the spare tire, and have been quoted anywhere from $500-$900 for this to be done. Are these fairly reasonable prices, and if so can anyone think of alternate solutions for a sub that will take up as little space as possible.
Amplified speakers vs non-amplified. I've been told that it's fairly important to go for amplified speakers if I want to have a sub, however none of the shops I've been to have been set up to really been setup in a way that they could demonstrate just how much difference adding amplification really would make. Only one shop really tried to demo the difference, but it was only through a single speaker, with no sub or anything else, and the difference to me was slight at best and certainly not worth the extra cost.
So beyond that, any suggestions on brands/models I should look at for the type of sound I want would be great. If anyone wants to throw out sample builds within my price range that would be even better. Otherwise any links or reading material that will help someone with zero knowledge of this stuff would also be appreciated.
Also, if anyone can recommend some shops in Vancouver or the surrounding area that I should check out, it would be appreciated.
As the topic says I don't really have a clue as to what I'm doing. I've gone to a couple places for quotes and advice, and between all the spiel of what I need, and how their shop will give me the best deals, or has the best installers in town and so forth... I'm having a bit of trouble knowing what to believe and if I'm being taken advantage of.
Budget $1200-$2000
99% of what I listen to will be from my IPod. I'm more interested in a very clear and tight sound, I'm not looking for a huge amount of volume, I do not need a sub that can be heard from a block away.
As far as the sub goes, it's a bit of a sticky issue. I actually do use the space in the back of the car. I've been told that I can put an enclosure in the sidewall at the back, or on top of the spare tire, and have been quoted anywhere from $500-$900 for this to be done. Are these fairly reasonable prices, and if so can anyone think of alternate solutions for a sub that will take up as little space as possible.
Amplified speakers vs non-amplified. I've been told that it's fairly important to go for amplified speakers if I want to have a sub, however none of the shops I've been to have been set up to really been setup in a way that they could demonstrate just how much difference adding amplification really would make. Only one shop really tried to demo the difference, but it was only through a single speaker, with no sub or anything else, and the difference to me was slight at best and certainly not worth the extra cost.
So beyond that, any suggestions on brands/models I should look at for the type of sound I want would be great. If anyone wants to throw out sample builds within my price range that would be even better. Otherwise any links or reading material that will help someone with zero knowledge of this stuff would also be appreciated.
Also, if anyone can recommend some shops in Vancouver or the surrounding area that I should check out, it would be appreciated.
If you are going to replace everything in your car with new gear, count on spending at least the top end of your budget range or maybe even more. By the time you buy a new deck, amps, speakers, a sub and all the wire etc. to tie it all together, $2G will disappear pretty fast.
You should be able to get a system for that much that will sound much better than what you're listening to now and that may be enough for you. You can ease the financial impact by buying pieces of it over time and installing them as you get them.
It is also possible to save money by buying used equipment and/or installing it yourself or with the help of some friends, but you really need to know what you're doing......
Next time you go to look at a store or two, take a CD with you that you know really well. Ask to hear it on multiple speakers, preferably with all the tone controls set flat and powered by a fairly strong amp. This is a critical part because most of the sound you hear will be coming out of them, so take the time to audition them now. There is nothing like buying some new speakers and deciding a few days later that the tweeters are hurting your ears.
If you are not concerned about loud bass, listen to the largest speakers you can find that will fit in your car driven by as much power as they can handle........if you don't need a sub and it's amp you will have more $$ to spend on other things.
As for your specific questions......
You will have to buy at least 1 amp, probably a 4 channel, if you want better sound. One of the reasons your factory system isn't cutting it is it's lack of power, so.......
The prices you were quoted for a custom made fiberglass enclosure as you described seem reasonable to me......the labour costs are what make them so expensive........you could take a single 10" sub and stick it in a standard sealed enclosure that costs less than $100 and get the same sound but it won't look as pretty and it takes up more space.
Sorry I can't help with a shop reference out there.....the closest I've been to Vancouver is watching the Olympics....
Welcome to CCA......and your new obsession.....
HTH
08-25-2010, 07:38 AM
#3
While I am a very busy guy these days, I still have my shop up and running and can still put a system together for you. I will try and get something together for you this week. I am around in the evenings or early am only to send or receive messages. If you are after a respectable system and want to save some $ at the same time, I can most certainly deliver that to you.
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