Bacdef said:
Hi 4x4Runner09
Beware my friend, audio tinkering will take you on a slippery slope. One thing I have noticed is that factory systems are balanced and once you change a component for a better one ( IE head unit ), the shortcommings of the rest of the system components become brutally apparent. This triggers the desire to replace said components to compensate and so on.....and thats how you end up with a tricked out stereo.
Truer words have nay been spoke!!:arrow:
4x4, as Bacdef said, there is an ongoing debate about whether to replace the headunit or the speakers first. A good headunit is going to run you a minimum of $200-250 (I believe) and really solid speakers can go for around 250 for all four if you know where to look. I got my set of Alpine Type-R's (pretty much top of the line for a moderate price range) by searching on Yahoo Shop and Pricegrabber.com AFTER doing my research on Crutchfield. I've said it a million times--do your research on Crutchfield, buy elsewhere, unless you plan to do the install yourself. Crutchfield WILL save you some money by sending you all the extra materials they'll have in a stereo shop (adapter, etc) but if you head towards the upper price end, you'll save more by buying everything seperate from low-ball internet shops that provide little information, but are PERFECT if you know what you want and don't need a lot of stats, etc that can easily be found on Crutchfield.
But I digress; either way, you're NOT going to be happy if you just replace one or the other. A new HU will probably leave you with distored stock speakers made of paper that can't possibly handle the extra power the new HU is trying to deliver. If you add speakers ALONE, then they'll be UNDERPOWERED by the stock HU. You CAN get around this by throwing in an amp, but they're not exactly cheap either (check out the Alpine V-power 4-ch amps on crutchfield, or see the link in my sig). However, even if you add the amp, you're STILL going to be aiming low because aftermarket HU's have extra sound forming features that--once again--can't be handled (for the most part) by stock speakers, and stock head units just won't do your new aftermarket speakers the justice they deserve.
Why is there still an argument? Because neither is good. It's just the lesser of two evils as opposed to being the better of two goods. Yeah, you'll have something better, BUT you'll be less than impressed--your money won't seem to have done you any justice. It'll only be when you complete the system that you'll be truly happy, as was the case with me...it took months and a couple different tries with various components, but by God I love my stereo and there's nothing better than making yourself deaf cruising down the highway with high quality sound
-- You'll get high quality sound at HIGH or LOW volumes with a complete aftermarket system, and in my opinion, sound quality is of the utmost importance.
So where do you go from here...well you'll need two sets of speakers:
One pair of 6"x9" speakers and some spacers for the front because the stock openings are weird. Spacers aren't hard to find, so don't let some stereo shop give you the runaround and convince you they HAVE to fabricate them for $100 or more EACH!! -- They've tried that with several other members!!
One pair of 6"x6.5 or 6.75" speakers for the rear. Brackets will be necessary here too. The .25" difference is somewhat arbitrary...there's no real difference unless the brackets will only accept one size. You should really replace all four...I don't think I've heard of anyone doing otherwise.
Lastly, with regards to the shop you were asking about...Check Crutchfield and compare prices. Crutchfield is kind of the upper end in terms of prices, so if these guys are much higher, they're definitely really expensive. Free installation is a great benefit (depending on whether or not they're providing free installation parts as well--that can be a serious deal-breaker).
I hope this helps. If you want more info, check my thread or search around for it all bro. Good luck!!
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