I need to upgrade my Non-Premium stereo (6 speakers, not 8).

My budget is probably around $600-700 including all install costs. I don't have to have a sub as long as the other speakers can make up for it, as I don't want boomy bass, just accurate bass. I do not want to replace the head unit, just the amp (do I need a 4-channel amp?) and whatever speakers fit in the budget.

Thanks TONS for any help you guys can do as I am very open minded. Also if you live in Houston, so do I, and maybe you can recommend a place to buy and install the parts.

Jason

 

you may want to check out this thread about half way down, I am looking for a very basic setup that will sound 100x better than stock sound system.

if you don't want the sub, you can go for 2 6x9's.
but I'm guessing you don't have holes in the rear deck so maybe go for a cheaper/smaller sub?

 

I am trying to break down my budget a little better after looking at some amps as they will be the most expensive part.

4 channel amp - $200 or so
pair of 1" tweeters - $60-80
2 pairs of 6.5" midrange - $150 each pair or so

I like how Crutchfield has a sale where you buy one pair of speakers and if you get another of the same pair for 1/2 price

Should I get separate midrange and tweeters or component speakers with the 2 pieces together?

Thanks alot.

Jason

 

You can get a pretty good 4 ch amp for $200 or less. Some pretty good components for $200 or less and a pretty good 10 or 12 inch sub for about $100. Get a hi lo converter for around $35, wires for $50, and install for about $100 if you dont do it yourself. That would get you a pretty kick *** system for around $700.

"Dont start none, Wont be none"

 

Do you have any suggestions for brand names for the amp and speakers? And for the $200 for the speakers, were you just thinking about replacing the front speakers in the doors or also the rear speakers? Also what does the high-low converter do exactly as I have never heard of it before?

Thanks alot.

Jason

 

I have had great luck in the past with MTX amps. I bought a 4 ch amp (referb) for $130. A new Focal Polyglass 27V2 10 in sub for $100, and Focal Polyglass 165v2 components for the front doors. All on ebay. I left the rear doors on the stock bose amp. And dissconnected the bose sub. Now, the Hi lo converter, this taks speaker level signals and converts them to low level (RCA). This allows you to add aftermarket amps to your stock radio. There are also Plenty of amps out there that have the Hi lo converter built in. Hope this helps. I really like the sound of my system now. An Eq would help some too.

"Dont start none, Wont be none"

 

I forgot to mention some brands you can get for that money. Amps... MTX, JBL.and others. Speakers.... Alpine type s, r. Infinity.. and others.

"Dont start none, Wont be none"

 

I'd get some good Boston Acoustic separates for up front ($300), and a good two-channel amp ($300). Add in a $200 for installation . . .and you're over.

I think if you get some good 6.5" speakers up front and amp 'em you could be happy w/o a sub. (Also, PPI amps don't need a line-level converter. The speaker-level outs from my HU go into RCA cables that plug into my amps. I'm thrilled with my system.)

 

How would that work then? The stock amp would be hooked up to the rear speakers and the new amp would only go to the front 2 speakers? If that is really all I need as I am slowly realizing that I don't really need to upgrade the rear speakers as I hear so little of them.

Can you recommend a good 2 channel amp? Also I would probably like to spend around $200 or so for the front speakers. Do I need to get expensive cables also?

Thanks alot all. I am slowly figuring this stuff out.

Jason

 

If you are a DIYer, you could possibly do what my friend did.

-Focal Polyglass 165v2 I heard this in his WRX and it sounded pretty good with decent midbass and warm highs.
-PPI 2ch amp
-Infinity Kappa Perfect 12" Sub (10" if you have a coupe)
-Generic sub box (custom if you have a coupe which will be additional $$$)
-60sqft of Raamat
-LOC, wiring harnesses, cables, etc.

I think the stuff came out to be about 900-1000 bucks. He disconnected the rear coaxials cuz he wanted better front staging and it also saved him some $$$. I'd highly recommend sound deadening since you'll be putting more power to the better speakers and you'll need the sound deadening to realize the increased sound quality and eliminate buzzing/rattling from the panels.

Good Luck

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Personally I'd recommend getting a bridgeable 4 channel amp. They're a lot more flexible. You can bridge four channels into two to make it a 2 channel amp for now. Later, you can take two of the channels and bridge them into 1 for a sub, or leave it at 4 channels to power some rear speakers if you later decide you still don't want a sub but want to try replacing the rears.

Leave your options open, because you may be disappointed in the bass response. When you have good strong highs, it has a tendency to highlight the lack of lows (and vice-versa).

-- Rob

 

I'm only using my fronts and a sub. At this point I wish I wouldn't have installed a sub. I really think you can get a nice sound with just a pair of really nice front speakers - - and that's it.
Depending on how often you have passengers, I don't think you'll miss the rears. And as you're trying to keep costs down, put your money on the fronts, which are what you're going to hear.
PPI makes good two-channel amps. Go to a local stereo store and see what they reccomend, and what's in your budget.
I wouldn't worry about expensive cables. Don't buy crap, but don't spend a ton--you won't notice a diff.
Someone reccomended a four-channel that you could bridge. That's a great option, but you may choose to get a two channel, just for cost.