New Stereo Input

[bstboy]

In short, I love music. I like to think of myself as musically talented and one of my greatest pleasures in life is listening to nice crisp and clear music. I'm toying with the idea of upgrading the sound on my rig. Does anybody have any upgrade suggestions that won't break my piggy bank? Like I said, I love music buy unfortunately I'm ignorant when it comes to car stereos. Your advice/direction is greatly appreciated.

Rick

 

[jvm051]

First of all, what is the budget. that will determine where to go first with your system. If you are under $500 dollars, first start with a head unit. If will give you a bit more power and is the most important part of a stereo system. I have a Alpine CDA-9805, and while it does not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive HU's It is worth the 200 dollars. it has subwoofer controls, and 3 preouts for more amps, and it is XM ready and has a aux input for DVD or Ipod etc. Next would be speakers. I recomend JL audio TR650 Csi components and TR600 Csi speakers they are a seperate tweeter and a 6.5in woofer in the front of the car, and 6.5 in integreated in the rear. For around 300 dollars for both sets, you would be hard pressed to find a better speaker for this money. These things can play BB King, Dianna Krall, 50 cent and anything in between. Try this first. And if still not satisfied add a 4channel amp and a mono amp with a Sub or two The extra amps will give your speakers the headroom to create a better soundstage in your car. The sub(S) will also help the soundstage of your system by sending the low frequencys to the woofers allowing your main speakers to to recreate the music without having to stress them with low bass.
Hope I was of some help.

 

[LBC99]

Definitely start with an Alpine deck.

 

[Wolver][ne]

Have to agree with the above comment, and alpine deck is the way I would go...if you don't want too much bas and want a nice clean bum...I used to compete in stereo competitions with alumapro alchemy 10's...one ten sounded good when I disconnected the other...focal compnents are good...Image dynamics speakers are good...idq series for woofers and chameleon series for compnents...for big bass, I would go with the w7 series from JL audio...amps....Zapco makes really clean power out of their amps...the alpine v12 family of amps is pretty good, if you want a nice 4-5 channel amp for not too much money...my $.02

 

[Reddy Kilowatt]

The Alpine is a great choice. I just my 99 4runner last month and the factory cd player wasn't working. I was looking for an excuse to upgrade. I'm a lot like you when it comes to music and love to download my own tunes. The last car stereo I bought was back in the 70's so I also was starting from scratch. I did know that I wanted the MP3 option so I did the research on the net, forums etc. and talked to a lot of sales people at the car audio stores and ended up with an Alpine CDA-9807. Wow! Can't believe the sound quality differance even in the radio.

I'm going for the speakers next in a month or so after a few more paycheques but don't feel too rushed. The option of recording 15 cd's worth of your favourite tunes on one cd and not having to spend the money on the under the seat cd changer is a bonus.

Haven't decided on the speakers yet, still researching but I am learning a lot from you guys on the forums like this one.

 

[rabeet]

I put an old (circa 2000) Kenwood Excelon in my 04 this week that I happened to have sitting in my garage. Interesting to hear that everyone likes Alpine.

I might give the Alpine coming that controls iPods a shot.

I like that their recent models allow you to match the colors of the buttons etc. to the rest of the instruments. Something like 512 colors!

 

[darktiger]

You could look into a Scion Headunit. Pioneer makes it for the Scion, it has 160watts, mp3 player, you do not lose you steering wheel controls, fits perfectly, and uses stock wiring. I could not believe the difference it makes. Plus I bought it off the Scion forum for $100 shipped.