stuabroad

Accept my apologies in advance if this is the wrong place for this post.

I just bought a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (3.3 V6) and I want to upgrade the crap stereo on it.

First off, I know nothing about car audio in the sense of technical details. However I have a good idea of what I need in terms of audio quality and my budget.

The factory fitted standard stereo is a single-CD player (with MP3 capability - see pic attached). It has six speakers and is good for 112 watts. There's no auxiliary USB player jack - big problem - and no XM radio. The sound quality and bass output is poor.

What can I do to improve what I have? I would like the USB functionality however i can live without it. I am much more concerned with the speakers (6 of them) and how to improve the power. I do not need a CD changer although i am happy to look at them if the price is right.

I'm looking for a good all-rounder compatible with my vehicle, which gives clear audio quality and power/bass without going over my $800ish budget.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I have some great deals on equipment right now. I have been at work for 16 hours now and am headed home to bed. In the morning I have one job to get finished up and then I will build up a great package for you.

stuabroad

I read some of your previous posts, you seem to know your stuff. I'm damned if i'm going to canadian tyre or best buy etc.

PM me as i'd like to get some ideas moving quickly. I'd suggest you get some sleep in case you electrocute yourself

Cheers

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

Now I am at home and I couldn't leave you hanging.... do you want or need Bluetooth in your new cd player? Anticipate that Alberta will make it a legal requirement to have a handsfree device in the car within the next year.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

And as a subwoofer is a rather expensive part of the equation, would you be willing to set the system up properly so that you could add a sub in at a later date. While the system will sound great in the meantime, it will lack on bass really until you add the sub into the picture. One step at a time though. How quick do you want satellite radio in the picture and do you want a dash mounted unit (cheap) or a brand specific unit so that you have no unit on the dash anywhere and the cd player controls it all. Sirius is the better option in that case.

stuabroad

lol

it's nice to have the hands-free, but i hate using my damned BB anyway. So no, it is not a feature i need. Just a good all-rounder with good sound and reasonable power! Is compatibility an issue with the facia - i'm not sure i want my dash chopped up and it;'s linked to the steering controls...

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

Not a issue with the dash at all. For the steering wheel controls to work you will need a dedicated interface for it. It will eat up a chunk of your budget so it is always something you can add later on. Would a last years model work ok for you to same some $$$$?

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I have a package in mind that is going to land around the $800 mark inc. tax. What is in there is a Pioneer cd player, Eclipse 6.5" component speaker in the front, Pioneer Premiere 6.5" speakers for the rear, Pioneer 4 channel amplifier, installation kit and harness. What else you will need. A amp wiring kit + extra rca (kwality kit is cheap, quality kit is $100 inc. the extra rca), you will need speaker wire, you will need to decide if and when you want Sirius / XM and in what format and if and when you want the steering wheel interface. The amp is a 4 channel amp so that you can drive the front speakers immediately using 2 channels and save the other 2 channels for a sub. If you find that the sound is good enough with the 2 channels and do not want to add a sub, use the other 2 channels to power up the rear speakers. Shipping is what it is and will depend on the size and weight of the box to your postal code.

stuabroad

Interesting. I'd have to pay this end to have it installed - how much would that cost roughly?

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I don't want to guess at what another shop would charge you for the install, it would not be very professional of me to do so. If I were doing this install, I am by no means the cheapest shop around, I would be looking at about 4 hours of labour at $75.00hr.

If it means you need to again do it a step at a time, do it that way. Eliminate the amp for now and just do the deck and speakers. As long as you buy the right items now, you can always expand at a later date. The worst thing to do is to throw the wrong stuff in there and end up having to replace it when you want to upgrade. Down the road you can also add some sound deadener to the doors. This will help to eliminate some rattles and improve the bass response. I try and work with the budget you have given, thus the throwing so many options at you. This allows you to make the proper choice on how you want to proceed.