Thinking about upgrading my stereo, critique my plans please.

[hearno]

I stopped by a local shop yesterday to give me an idea of what I'd be spending if I had them upgrade my stock stereo. My goal was to have noticeably improved sound quality over the stock system. I don't want others to hear my music, I want to be able to hear it clearly, esp with the windows down etc. They had done some work on a friend's truck and did a great job so I figured I'd give them a shot. I told them I wanted to keep the stock headunit and upgrade the speakers etc. The guy recommended an amp, and upgrading the 4 door speakers. He said to leave the dash speakers alone. He quoted me $1000 for everything installed. I forgot to get a pic of the amp but as I recall it was a Pioneer unit about the size of a brick. He recommended Focal speakers for the doors. My questions is, is $1k about right for a noticeable improvement over stock with an amp and 4 new door speakers and the labor to install or were they way off? In this case, I would prefer someone does the work for me.

 

[MONTYMTB]

That sounds pretty steep for 4 speakers and an amp installed, especially with the prices of stereo equipment these days. I'm betting your stock speakers would sound pretty damn good if you amped them. Might be worth a shot just to see, you could always add speakers later if you didn't like how it turned out.

 

[hearno]

That sounds pretty steep for 4 speakers and an amp installed, especially with the prices of stereo equipment these days. I'm betting your stock speakers would sound pretty damn good if you amped them. Might be worth a shot just to see, you could always add speakers later if you didn't like how it turned out.

I didn't even know that was possible. I've never upgraded a stereo in any car I've ever owner so I'm way behind in this area.

 

[MONTYMTB]

I didn't even know that was possible. I've never upgraded a stereo in any car I've ever owner so I'm way behind in this area.

Not familiar with the systems in a 5th gen, but have a buddy with a 4th gen that put in an aftermarket head unit, amp and sub while leaving the stock speakers - sounded really good.

 

[MedicLt]

Did you price Hertz (brand) speakers? I had them in my FX and am going with them in my Pro.

1k is slightly high,but not pound u in the tookas high. That price should include good cable tho. Buyer beware

 

[cpark_12]

Focal speakers are awesome if they're amped. If you're just replacing your speakers and running them off the head unit, I wouldn't go that high end.

 

[hearno]

Focal speakers are awesome if they're amped. If you're just replacing your speakers and running them off the head unit, I wouldn't go that high end.

Thanks for the input. I was leery when the guy first mentioned them because I had never heard of the brand but some research confirmed they are good. I went back to the store and I'm looking at Focals front and rear, a JL 10 inch sub, a Pioneer 5 channel amp and something that prevents the stock radio from EQ? Basically it keeps the headunit from adjusting the treble/bass as the volume goes up. Installed I'm looking at just under $2k.

 

[RedSled]

Thanks for the input. I was leery when the guy first mentioned them because I had never heard of the brand but some research confirmed they are good. I went back to the store and I'm looking at Focals front and rear, a JL 10 inch sub, a Pioneer 5 channel amp and something that prevents the stock radio from EQ? Basically it keeps the headunit from adjusting the treble/bass as the volume goes up. Installed I'm looking at just under $2k.

Are you into the surround sound thing, or do you usually have riders with you? I had the Focals in the doors on my other truck with a Focal amp. And a 10" sub. It was kick ass. I think you get better sound from the front. Just my .02

 

[Guitarplaya39]

If you're really that super particular about sound quality, Focals are the shiz, but personally, I wouldn't spend $2k for just an amp, EQ and replacement speakers. Are they going to replace all the stock speaker wiring? Any sound deadening?
You'd be surprised how much just sealing the doors and sound dampening will improve the audio. I'd recommend finding a cheaper alternative to the Focals, and spending some time/money on sealing and sound deadening. Besides improving the sound quality, sound deadening improves overall ride quality too.

 

[oljedi11950]

Not to thread jack [MENTION=97032]hearno[/MENTION] but do they make replacement speakers or upgraded ones that plug & play ? And by just doing speakers with stock HU is that an improvement ? Wouldn't mind having something with a little better bass so I don't hear that rapper rattle . Thanks from an ol hippie .

 

[cpark_12]

Thanks for the input. I was leery when the guy first mentioned them because I had never heard of the brand but some research confirmed they are good. I went back to the store and I'm looking at Focals front and rear, a JL 10 inch sub, a Pioneer 5 channel amp and something that prevents the stock radio from EQ? Basically it keeps the headunit from adjusting the treble/bass as the volume goes up. Installed I'm looking at just under $2k.

So, you're not looking to get a new HU? That would be the first thing I'd change.

Also, if you want to save a little $$, I wouldn't go crazy with the rear door speakers. I don't know if it's the placement of them or the space back there, but I have mine amped and can't hear a big difference back there with them on or off. Just my 2 cents...

 

[hearno]

So, you're not looking to get a new HU? That would be the first thing I'd change.

I actually like the features on the stock unit and didn't want to lose the nav. To get an aftermarket headunit with nav added several hundred more dollars. If the music is playing from my ipod, does the headunit still make a difference in how it sounds?

 

[cpark_12]

I actually like the features on the stock unit and didn't want to lose the nav. To get an aftermarket headunit with nav added several hundred more dollars. If the music is playing from my ipod, does the headunit still make a difference in how it sounds?

If you're going with an aftermarket amp and EQ, it shouldn't make a difference.

 

[riceandpho]

the only cheap focals to get is the access model, they do sound good when its amped with there rated rms. atleast do those or the auditor brand. i started the access line for a while, they were better than what i had b4 (a/d/s/), now if you want more you have to go higher. did he mention what type of loc they are going to use? its going to make a difference.