My new stereo.. I need help

[independent70]

Well I have decided Im gonna go for a new stereo on my 2005 SR4 4X4. I have the standard toyota stereo and I am not to happy with it... Here is what Im looking at. Any opinions on brands would be great.. Im trying to keep this pretty cheap but keep it sounding nice. Heres what Im looking at...

Headunit-

Panasonic CQ-C5110U- $139.99

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NyvN1YhfW2l/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=178850&I=133C5110

(25 watts RMS per channel)

Rear Door Speakers-

Rockford Fosgate Punch P152S- $189.99

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NyvN1YhfW2l/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=76300&I=575P152S#VehBox

(Tweeters mounted over woofers... unless there is a tweeter hidden somewhere in the rear door that I havnt found?)

Front Door Speakers-

Rockford Fosgate Punch P152S- $189.99

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NyvN1YhfW2l/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=76300&I=575P152S#VehBox

(Tweeters mounted in stock tweeter mounts in door if they fit.. .does anyone know?)

Amp-

MTX Thunder564- $199.99 down from $339.99
4-channel car amplifier
70 watts RMS x 4

would I need a second amp for the tweeters or is the 4 channel amp going to work for all 4 woofers and 8 tweeters (2 tweeters on each woofer... I think)

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NyvN1YhfW2l/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=236T564

Amp??? I am not into rap and R&B but more rock, punk and metal so do not need a seperate subwoofer... at least until my girlfriend and me move in together... haha (she likes rap) So... the only reason I would look at an amp would be to give more power to the speakers... I assume this is possible but im not sure what size and how many channels I would need... I am guessing I need

Total is $719.99 without instalation... Anyway I can mae this cheaper? I would love some suggestions on this because I want a good sounding system, not too expensive and your alls advice!!! Thanks in advance, Joe P.

 

[alpha]

Unless you really want 5 1/4" speakers, I'd recommend you get 6 1/2". Especially since you aren't planning on a sub yet. You'll typically get better lows with bigger speakers, and since you'll be replacing the front 6x9s, you'll lose some lows, but get better mids up front. And I wouldn't get components in the rear unless you really want them. And if you do, then I would recommend not placing the tweeter over the woofer. Either get a nice set of 2-ways or 3-ways for the rears.

For the money, imo, there are bettter speakers.

For the amp, a 4-channel would be what you are looking for. The amp would go to the crossovers, and then the crossovers to both the woofer and tweeter.

I haven't looked at the specs of the amp, but I did have two 2-channel MTX Thunder amps in my previous car that ran fine. I didn't have any problems with them. But as I said, I haven't looked at the specs of the amp you're looking into, so as far as other detailed specs you may want to look for..

Regarding speaker fitment, you'll most likely be looking at some kind of custom fabrication of speaker brackets, either by modifying the stock ones, or by making new ones. You could look at spending more money on this as well..

I'm not sure on that deck, as I haven't had any experience with it. But I do have a preference towards Alpine and Eclipse.. I'm not bashing Panasonic, as I know people that have them, but I just have a personal preference to those two companies. It's hard to say though, because most experience I've had with decks are mid to upper end decks, starting around the $300 price range.

Of course you could always go cheaper, but for a decent system, you'd be looking at a good amount. At the same time, you'd have to factor in installation parts, and labor if you don't do it yourself..

 

[independent70]

Ok well Ive done some more research and am going to try and keep the stereo a little cheaper. I talked to the guys at circuit city and am going to go to tweeters today. I Have decided Im going to get 6x9 components for the front, 2 way 6.5's in the back a 4 channel amp and a new head unit. I would appreciate brand suggestions that are good but cheap.. I have been looking at pioneer. The circuit city guy suggested I looka t pioneer head units and rockford fosghate speakers because they handle rock and punkbetter than other brands and are designed more for my type of music. Ok... one other questio... how hard is it to do the wiring myself? I mean do I need to replace all the wires or just pull off the door panesl and unsplice and resplice the speakers and equilizers? And how do i connect the headunit to the car and make the streering wheel controls work on the headunit? I have no experience wireing but would like to save money on the install.. Thanks alot, joe p.

 

[Bluto]

Crutchfield has 6x9 components . Probably the same Rockfords as Circuit City.

I assume you have the stock non-JBL radio?

To install an aftermarket headunit, you need a dash kit and a harness . My links may not be the exact parts. I got both from Best Buy.

For the steering wheel interface controls to work with an aftermarket unit, you'll need an interface . They vary depending on your headunit. Some units are plug and play (pioneer has some). Others convert the steering wheel controls to infrared remote.

Speaker wires: The stock amp is in the headunit/dash. The stock speaker wires are run from there to the doors. An aftermarket amp would be installed under a seat, or in the cargo area (no speaker wires).

One option, re-use the stock wires by running the output wires from the aftermarket amp to the dash. In the dash, wire the amp speaker wires into the stock wire using the harness above. For component speakers, you'll still need to install the crossover in the door.

The other option is to run all new speaker wire.

You'll also need to install the aftermarket amp. It will need power from the battery, remote and RCA patch from the headunit, and a local ground.

To do it all, it is a day or two of work.

A Scion headunit is another option. It sounds better than stock, can be a 6 disc, will work with steering wheel controls, sat radio. No harness or dash kit needed. But it won't sound as good as an all aftermarket setup.

 

[OmarT4R]

Well I have decided Im gonna go for a new stereo on my 2005 SR4 4X4. I have the standard toyota stereo and I am not to happy with it... Here is what Im looking at. Any opinions on brands would be great.. Im trying to keep this pretty cheap but keep it sounding nice. Heres what Im looking at...

Headunit-

Panasonic CQ-C5110U- $139.99

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-NyvN1YhfW2l/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=178850&I=133C5110

(25 watts RMS per channel)

.

hey Independent
can you post some pictures after your install.
I am wondering how the blue lights will look with all the amber lights from the dash.


thanks

 

[atomic punk]

2 points

1) Bluto gave all good info, but I think his time estimate is going to be way off for a beginner like yourself. It will take you much longer than a day or two, just due to your inexperience and (I'm guessing here) how careful you're going to be the first time or two you start disassembling your 4R. Plan on doing it in small tasks, a little at a time: like the head unit one day, replacing the speakers the next day, and finally hooking up the amp the next day (just an example, not preferred sequential steps)

2) get a sub. I know you want to go "cheap", but I'd sacrifice getting new speakers for a sub first and foremost, even if you are not into rap. Actually, that IS what I'm doing now: in process of getting a 10" sub and around a 200w amp to power it. Your rock/metal/punk will sound SO much better with a sub and stock speakers than aftermarket speakers with no sub. Anyone agree/disagree with that last statement?

Just my $.05 worth (inflation)

 

[Bluto]

Re: 2 points

Your rock/metal/punk will sound SO much better with a sub and stock speakers than aftermarket speakers with no sub. Anyone agree/disagree with that last statement?

Just my $.05 worth (inflation)

I agree 100%. I only added an amp/sub to my last car and was happy.

For rock/metal/etc get a sealed enclosure.

My 'day' would be 9am-11pm with a trip to the store for something I forgot. : I've fed lots of mosquitos working past sunset with shop lights.

 

[Cliff s]

I would suggest before you spend your money is to make a tour of the local
audio shops and listen to the various setups.

5" or even 6x9's don't do very well on the lower freq's, so you will need a sub in a
decent enclosure with a amp big enough to drive it without a lot of distortion.

The amp ratings that you see are mostly advertising, they won't put out anywhere
near what they are rated at. The 500 watt amps maybe will put out 25 to 30
watts RMS. Look for the RMS distortion readings along with the RMS power.

It takes a lot of power to move the air with a sub, whereas the high freq's use
little power.

Some amps just sound better than others, the same for speakers.

Let your ears be the judge.

Cliff s