Ok. So I want to get rid of the Bose. After 4 years of owning the car, I'm pretty tired of the output of the Bose -- it's not loud enough. So I'm looking into investing money into a new system. First, I'd like to get the speakers replaced all around + a new amp -- and I have a budget of ~$500.

Any notes? I'm not very experienced with audio stuff...

Also, what will happen to the tweeters in the pillars? Will they just be re-connected to the new amp?

 

Start with a new headunit and 4 speakers, add the amp later. Component speakers up front come with a crossover which will split the signal, sending midbass to the driver in the door, and the highs to the aftermarket tweeter you put in the pillar. I say save up another hundred or two to get a little nicer equipment for a radio and the 4 speakers, because 500 isnt too much. Do you have any preferences as to a headunit? mp3? sat radio? tuning capabilities?

 

Steal money from Rich......get a real system then. Ok, on a serious note...just start saving up money. Or......do what I did. Get the HU first, save up some money and then get the rest of the system.

 

Well you've been given some choices. Either, continue to save or build on your system piece by piece. I also suggest starting off with a head unit (HU) first. Depending on your personal preferences of what you want a radio to do should influence your choices.

 

Def H/U first. This IMO is the best way to start a project as your system will only ever be as good as your source. Expand from there.

 

HU 1st..build around it.

 

Most hu's these days have a pretty good internal amp, so start with that, then move on to the speakers. I was pretty d'amn floored by how well the internal HU for the 9833 performed, I can only imagine what the newer hu's are capable of.

 

Yep, I agree, and as soon as I install this Eclipse, my 9833 will be for sale.

 

Ah, I should've clarified. I'll be getting the upper-end Eclipse 5-series (5345?) as an HU. So now I'd like to spend $400-500 on speakers, and another 300 on a sub + amp to directly replace my stock 8''. I don't want a box in the trunk, so I'm looking for a new free air setup.