Some very basic questions on getting a nice audio system
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 402
Some very basic questions on getting a nice audio system
I have a 99 SE, with the bose option. I want to get a a nice audio system.. in most cases, what does this mean: Adding a new headunit, rear speakers, subs and amp? Do most people upgrade all of those things?
I think if I buy new audio components best buy can install them free.. I also have a friend who knows all about installing car audio equipment, I might be able to get him to help install..
I think if I buy new audio components best buy can install them free.. I also have a friend who knows all about installing car audio equipment, I might be able to get him to help install..
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 747
Yes, in general it's best to replace the entire system to get super high quality sound.
1st: STEREO / HU cost usually around ($250 & up) depending on your budget.
Your best bet is to purchase a high quality HU (Eclipse, Alpine, etc) something with a high signal to noise ratio atleast (100db) or greater & a low THD (total harmoic distortion) usually something around 0.02% is excellent. Also the more features the better (Quality EQ adjustments, built in DSP, 3 sets of 4v or higher preouts, etc). Higher quality HU (head unit) usually process sound alot better then cheap ones tend to do. This means that the signal your HU is sending to the amplifiers is alot cleaner & is a eqvialent or better reproduction of the sound recorded on the disc. Remember one of the most important things to achieve when building a system is to attain clean signal & low resistance. Kinda look at it like this, "Everything in a quality set up revolves around the HU, so consider the HU the General of your Army. It has to give the commands to the troops". This is why it's important to use decent RCA cables, you do not want to lose any of the benefits of having a great HU by losing clarity through the cables that transfer the information to the amplifiers.
2nd: AMPLIFIER(S) purchase price based on 5 channel amp ($300 & up)
Depending what your plans are & what kind of budget your working with I recomend using a 5 channel amplifer. Something with (low THD, Low current draw otherwise known as the classification of the amp eg. Class A/B or Class D, High quality built in crossovers w good adjustability features, cooling fan(s) & Gold plated terminals). One amplifier to do the job of 2 or even 3 in my opinion is a simpiler & essentially cheaper route to take. One 5 channel amp has the ability to power a complete stereo system & can deffinitly get the job done. IMHO a 5 channel deserves to have alittle extra money spent on it to purchase a quality piece since your not concerned with buying multiple amp's to power your system. A multiple amp set up with quality equiptment will run you anywhere between ($1k & up) so you can see why I am all for using 5 channel amp's & spending alittle extra dough for a excellent one. Usually products that are quality tend to last a super long time if you take care of them, so I always look at these purchases as lifetime investments. A good 5 channel amp should make somewhere around (50w x 4 @ 4ohms + 300w @ 4ohms RMS). When selecting an amplifier never purchase one based on the maximum wattage. Those numbers are bogus, wattage rated in RMS is what your looking for.
3rd: (SPEAKERS) Price "Sky's the limit"
There are hundreds of different brands for speakers. My advise is to purchase a quality set of component speakers for the front & rear. Or a high quality set of 2 ways for the rear instead of a set of components. The choice is up to you, everything is based on your budget so get the best you can for your money. Either way, components are the way to go up front or all around.
P.S. "NEVER LET BEST BUY TOUCH YOUR CAR, I'VE HEARD SOME HORROR STORIES"
4th: SUBWOOFER(s) again "Sky's the limit"
Like I mentioned in the SPEAKERS area this is generally based upon your taste & what you like. So purchase what ever brand floats you boat, put stick with a quality product. My advise if you plan on using a 5 channel amp is to purchase one DVC (duel voice coil) 4ohm subwoofer & wire it in parallel to achieve a 2ohm load. See link. http://jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/index.html#1dvcp
It is also important to use the proper gauge power & gound wire. I recomend 4awg or larger because current flows to the path of least resistance & thats one of our goals, less resistance & signal interference. Good luck deciding?
1st: STEREO / HU cost usually around ($250 & up) depending on your budget.
Your best bet is to purchase a high quality HU (Eclipse, Alpine, etc) something with a high signal to noise ratio atleast (100db) or greater & a low THD (total harmoic distortion) usually something around 0.02% is excellent. Also the more features the better (Quality EQ adjustments, built in DSP, 3 sets of 4v or higher preouts, etc). Higher quality HU (head unit) usually process sound alot better then cheap ones tend to do. This means that the signal your HU is sending to the amplifiers is alot cleaner & is a eqvialent or better reproduction of the sound recorded on the disc. Remember one of the most important things to achieve when building a system is to attain clean signal & low resistance. Kinda look at it like this, "Everything in a quality set up revolves around the HU, so consider the HU the General of your Army. It has to give the commands to the troops". This is why it's important to use decent RCA cables, you do not want to lose any of the benefits of having a great HU by losing clarity through the cables that transfer the information to the amplifiers.
2nd: AMPLIFIER(S) purchase price based on 5 channel amp ($300 & up)
Depending what your plans are & what kind of budget your working with I recomend using a 5 channel amplifer. Something with (low THD, Low current draw otherwise known as the classification of the amp eg. Class A/B or Class D, High quality built in crossovers w good adjustability features, cooling fan(s) & Gold plated terminals). One amplifier to do the job of 2 or even 3 in my opinion is a simpiler & essentially cheaper route to take. One 5 channel amp has the ability to power a complete stereo system & can deffinitly get the job done. IMHO a 5 channel deserves to have alittle extra money spent on it to purchase a quality piece since your not concerned with buying multiple amp's to power your system. A multiple amp set up with quality equiptment will run you anywhere between ($1k & up) so you can see why I am all for using 5 channel amp's & spending alittle extra dough for a excellent one. Usually products that are quality tend to last a super long time if you take care of them, so I always look at these purchases as lifetime investments. A good 5 channel amp should make somewhere around (50w x 4 @ 4ohms + 300w @ 4ohms RMS). When selecting an amplifier never purchase one based on the maximum wattage. Those numbers are bogus, wattage rated in RMS is what your looking for.
3rd: (SPEAKERS) Price "Sky's the limit"
There are hundreds of different brands for speakers. My advise is to purchase a quality set of component speakers for the front & rear. Or a high quality set of 2 ways for the rear instead of a set of components. The choice is up to you, everything is based on your budget so get the best you can for your money. Either way, components are the way to go up front or all around.
P.S. "NEVER LET BEST BUY TOUCH YOUR CAR, I'VE HEARD SOME HORROR STORIES"
4th: SUBWOOFER(s) again "Sky's the limit"
Like I mentioned in the SPEAKERS area this is generally based upon your taste & what you like. So purchase what ever brand floats you boat, put stick with a quality product. My advise if you plan on using a 5 channel amp is to purchase one DVC (duel voice coil) 4ohm subwoofer & wire it in parallel to achieve a 2ohm load. See link. http://jlaudio.com/tutorials/wiring/index.html#1dvcp
It is also important to use the proper gauge power & gound wire. I recomend 4awg or larger because current flows to the path of least resistance & thats one of our goals, less resistance & signal interference. Good luck deciding?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 747
Originally Posted by 2 Da Max
wow great write up nostrixoxide, they should stickey that i may need to keep this thread for the future lol
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