what can I get for $800?
 

I just picked up a 98 acura and would like something better than stock speakers, I know so little about car audio but I have been reading up the past few days. I think I need two decent 6 1/2" speakers, an mp3 deck with eq, a sub(s) (size unknown) and an amp but there are WAY too many brands to choose from so I would really appretiate it if you audiophiles could help me out.

ok i'm just throwing out a few random items that have good reviews...tell me where i'm going wrong:confused:


Pioneer 800W Class D Mono Amplifier (GM-D7400M) = $230

Jvc kd-r400 mp3 deck = $130

MTX Thunder 6 1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers (TDX6502) = $130

Mtx thunder dual 12" subs, comes in cheap box = $280


That should come up to a little over $800, half the price of my car:sly: What should I change?

many thanks,

nick

I have what you need. I will do up a estimate for you. I need your postal code to calculate shipping.

Thanks but I don't even know if that is what I need, i'm sure there are better brands or models for my $$, I just don't know it yet.

It's a decent start......:smokin:

I haven't heard too much in the way of good news around the JVC decks but that's just me.....:dunno: I have been a fan of the Kenwood Excelon series for years. Personally I would suggest you put a little more of your budget towards the deck, it is the source for everything else and you want a strong unit there.

As far as the speakers go, you need to take a CD with some music you are very familiar with to a few stores and listen to your tunes on as many different speakers as you can. Make sure the demo is done with any EQing or loudness controls off so you can hear what the speaker is capable of, not the electronics driving them.

Running the coaxes off the deck while you have subs running on an amp will get you fairly unbalanced sound.....tuning this setup will be critical to making it sound good until you can get an amp for your mids and highs......:smokin:


HTH

with a deck you need a kit, harness, antena adapter.

with amps you will need a wireing kit. 4 gauge at least with a distro block and you will need a 4ch rca

you will be suprised on what you can get for getting used also. amp wise.... thats where the cost is high anyway. and from talking with rob he can make you a better system for what your budget allows... but personnaly i would bump it up to around 1200$ since its a new system

Ouch... it's going to be hard laying down that kinda cash on a car thats only worth 2k:D

Ok scrap the amp and sub for now, now i'm only looking for a decent deck and speakers. I'll check out the kenwood series as bigred mentioned, what features should I be looking for to insure that the deck can one day support a large sub and amp?

btw lots of ppl put more money on the system than the car is worth lol.. my van with mileage is only 1500$ now :( but i plan to put a 2 to 4k of system in it.. if you love music you will do it but if its just a little upgrade then 800 might do it... talk with Rob at forbiden audio that responded to you earlyer and he will set you up.. be open minded

Nick, start out with a good cd player like the Kenwood Excelon KDCX493. It will support USB/IPOD and have the high voltage preouts x 3 that you will need in the future for full system expansion. Next a respectable set of 6.75" component speakers (this is a combination of 4 speakers that act as two, two tweeters for high end and two woofers for lower end sounds) for the front. Add a amp to them to bring them to life. Purchase an amp that can run a sub in the future (so a 4 channel amp). Forget about rear speakers if it means it, use the rears for now if you must. Add rears at a later date if you want them.

Down the road you can add a single sub and power it from the amp. Adding a second sub even further down the road with the addition of a new mono amp for the subs. Use the old 4 channel amp to power the front and rear speakers or double up available power from the 4 channel and run it only to the front component speakers.

I will deliver to you a good system that you can expand upon easily both now and in the future. It will have a highly predictable outcome for your expectations and in most cases, exceed them.

yup, Instead of setting an $800 budget to get everything at once and finding yourself dissapointed, then changing everything anyways. Do things in stages buy the equipment you will be 100% happy with the first time and expand from there. as a professional installer I see way too many people rushing to buy a full system on a smaller budget. then swapping out every single part within a few months because they bought cheap stuff the first time.

Take Mr2NR (robs's) Advice and it'll get you started on the right foot and cost you alot less in the long run

Well put, at first that was my goal, to get it over with as soon as possible but I see your point, i'll play it step by step and do it right the first time.