kingcarnage

I have a 94 gxe without bose. I bought a pioneer 3500 head unit at best buy for $169 and the install equipment is $55. The install labor is free. I need some help deciding on speakers. I am probably going to stay with 5 1/4 inch all the way around.

A local audio store suggested some kove 2-ways (not sure of the exact model) for $80 a pair. I don't know much about brands so I would really appreciate any feedback. Anyone have suggestions or advice?

Also I am not getting any subs now and I will be using the internal amps from the head unit to power my four 5" speakers.

Note: I already posted this in the audio forum, but no one responded.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

never heard of cove

Golden Ice

I can tell you that most people that I've talked that have had best buy do an install once wont let them in their car ever again..Its not hard to change the h/u, and you really wont need the install kit, just a wiring harness and antenna adaptor, as long as its a single DIN unit..

I buy most of my stereo equip off of e-bay (brand new, not refurbished, of course), only losing out on the warranty in some cases, which really isn't much loss when you consider the price savings..if you were buying really high end stuff, yeah you might be better off buying from a dealer, but for most people, e-bay is as good..

I don't know anything about those Kove speakers, but as a personal recommendation, put 5.25 in the front if you want, but put 6.75" or 6.5" in back..
I'm putting Kicker resolution 6.75" midbass in the rear when I can save up enough money. I heard the resolutions in a friend's car, and they sound good, especially in a 4 part component system (subwoofer(s), midbass, midrange, tweeters) and they are a decent substitute for subwoofers for most music..The factory amp and your h/u output SHOULD drive them reasonably well, but an aftermarket amp would be better..

You can buy Pioneer 2 way 4x6's at wal-mart for about $45, and 6.5/6.75 2-way for about $55 (or less if you check e-bay), and both sound pretty good and bolt in with little/no modification..You can also order a set of 6.5" speaker pods for the front doors for $32? from James here on the .org...

Oh, and if you need a wiring diagram for the Max, PM me and I'll see if I can dig mine up, or I can tell you what wires mate with what..my H/U didn't have a power antenna control (Pioneer DEH-1400), and I didn't want the antenna up whenever the CD player was running, so I didn't connect it to the "system remote" or whatever its called wire, yours may be different, but if you want the power antenna to be able to go up and down, you may have to connect it to this wire, its blue with a white stripe..

kingcarnage

I had the best buy guys do it today. I was in the garage while they did the work and I had it done by a tech that was highly reccomended by several people. I am not worried about the quality of the install.

final price:
$140 for pioneer 3500 head unit
$35 for installation wiring and adapters
free install labor.

about 190 after tax (taxes are high in tennessee now) which I think is a good deal for this quality of unit.

Even with my old busted speakers the sound is amazing, but I'm still gonna get new ones. I will defanitely consider geting 6 inch, and possibly 3 way.

Golden Ice

good idea about trying to get bigger speakers.. 6.5/6.75" are usually really good sounding midrange..if you get a set of pods from James, get 3 way 6.5" for the front, or a good component set and install some tweeters in or below the sail panels on the doors..you wont regret it (or atleast shouldn't, if you get good speakers..)

kingcarnage

I decided to keep the 4x6 speaker size in the front because I listened to some kove 4x6's yesterday and they sound way better that any speaker of any size at best buy or circut city.

Kove 4x6 is $110 a pair and the round 6.5" is $125 a pair. I already bypassed the factory amp from the active speaker system and I am going to install myself.
Still I am worried that 235 is a lot to spend on speakers(although I can get my mom to pay at least half for christmas, and I can bargain the price down some too).

does anyone else here have experience with Kove audio products, or directed electronics?

AscendantMax

iTrader: (7)

I never heard of Kove products. But I just got a pair of Boston Acoustics 4x6 to replace my fronts (had to save money, orginally wanted to do 6.5 for fronts with James92SE's pods). it was 80 bucks at Tweeters. Very nice treble and midrange output. I was aiming for improved treble response in my car, and these Bostons does a great job. The bass is poor, but I got a pair of tens to take care of that

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

I've heard of and sell directed electronics for alarm systems. Very good reputation in the alarm field
But have never heard of Kove

eric93SE

iTrader: (1)

I had a 12" kove armagedon sub (quite expense over $400), I was putting 600rms into it, it was rated around 800rms. I placed first in every IASCA spl event I went to. The amp was capable of 1200 peak. That particular line of subs is ment more for competition and not SQ,

eric93SE

iTrader: (1)

www.koveaudio.com

That price is kinda high for 5 1/4 speakers.

I'd suggest you get infinity or something like that.

kingcarnage

I just bargianed the dealer down to 200 even for the set of a pair of 4x6's and a pair of 6.5" today.

I've already made up my mind to get them, but I will let everyone know about the results and the quality.

kingcarnage

It's all done.

Pioneeer 3500 head unit installed ~ $191 after tax

kove 4x6 2 way fronts = $100 + $45 custom install ~ $155 after tax

kove 6.5" 2 way rear set = $100 ~ $110 after tax

$455 is more than I wanted to spend, but this is the best sound that I have ever heard from a car radio.

I HIGHLY reccomend Kove audio for any speakers that you need.

shavedmax

iTrader: (6)

kove is a good speaker, ive used it several times on customer's cars and they were always happy.