I have a 94 Chevy Astro. This is just my "test van" seeing as it only has a year or 2 left in her. I do plan on getting a newer model Astro and 'blacking' it out. Sujestions on model? My current system probably runs about 1100 watts peak (guesstimate). I have a component set in the front and 2 way speakers in the rear. Subs are on the floor behind the middle bench seat. There is no rear bench.
Specs:

Head unit - Blaupunkt Memphis MP66

Speakers - JBL GTO607C 6.5" 2 way component (front)
- Bluapunkt GTx 652 6.5" 2 way coaxial (rear)
- Kicker dual 10" Comp subs (rear)

Amplifiers - Kenwood KAC-8104D Class D mono 1000 watts max
- Dual XPA4100 Class AB 4 channel 600 watts max

Power - Stock battery
- Stock alternator
- Powerstor Accusonic High Voltage series 1 farad capacitor
- Grounds are in rear of van, volt meter tested
- Power distribution block with 2 fuses
- Main power cable has 100 amp fuse inline next to battery

I want to upgrade. I'm not an idiot wanting to blast my ears off with 39879797watt subs. I'm very keen on sound quality. Suggestions please? I do notice I'm lacking some mid range. Also what do you think of my current system?

 

Before you can expect to receive much advice worth listening to you should post your budget. At that point recommendations can be made given the dollars to work with.

Lots of cargo space to work with there and the fact that you already have some equipement on hand will make it a much less daunting task. Once you get your budget up the suggestions will fly in.

One thing that I am gradually learning as I spend my hard earned dollars is that I under estimated how loud I really wanted my stereo to be. My personal opinion is to plan the stereo out so it achieves the SQ you desire however, does not max out the potential of your equipement to get loud. That way you can always turn it up if you want to.

 

I found the tweets to stage best in the sail bezels or in the far corners of the dash. Yours seem really high. I then made pods that held 2 6.5" mids and my front staging was pretty good in my '88 Astro. I also had 3 12" JLW6v2's (not cheap) on the bottom end and it sounded great. Had a RF Power 800a2 on the subs and a 800a4 on the highs.

 

A fellow astro owner! i have a 1991 Astro. love it!
I'm in the rebuilding stage right now. You should do the Big 3 upgrade, helped alot for me. i'm at 14.7 volts when idle, and it doesnt drop below 14.2 when playing.

I'd go with the older model astro's. like anything before 95, as i've seen the newer vans have alot of problems with the fuel spider. $$$

you on any astro/safari forums?

Cheers

 

No I wasn't aware of any Astro or Safari forums to be honest. Surprisingly I played around with the tweets and I found that it sounded really good with them beside the windows. They are angled down towards the seats. On my capacitor the digital meter is constantly above 14.2 v, how ever the capacitor is only powering the subs. I found this odd because I was expecting a 12v reading. As far as my budget goes, free? I wish haha. I think a grand total shouldn't exceed $1500 seeing as I still have to pay for a new Astro.

 

Purchase smart and scoop the deals where they can be found then. A solid set of component speakers up front is where I would start. The most important speakers in the vehicle are these ones. For deals I have the Eclipse 3way component set up ready for the front for this vehicle and a good pointsource or good coax is all you require for the rear. Take note of the the deals that I have listed in the vendor sales area.

You have a solid cd player, I see no need to change it unless you think you need more features like bluetooth or time alignment. Ideally for now, I would keep the Blaupunkt in the system.

I have a couple of nice class D amps up for grabs right now as well. A 1000w rms mono into 2 ohm amp and a 125w rms x 4 amp that would be a nice addition for you. If it is left in your budget then we can look at subs. Solidify the front speakers and amplification first, then if you must save up a little more for some subs. The alternative is you go for the new subs now, use your existing Kenwood amp on them and add bigger power later.