Ok, I need to upgrade the wifes sound system in her '07 screw. It comes with the factory 6 disc changer so the HU needs to stay.

She basically complains that you can't turn up the volume very much w/o distortion. I am so not an audiophile but I have to agree. The sound system is just week.

So, I have $1000 max budget (would love to spend less) and basically just want a clean, clear, strong sounding system. Don't need mega boom, but some more bass is important too. (she's only 26 so you can imagine the stuff she listens too).

I am in Dallas an basically want to take the truck somewhere to have the work done. Any recommendations on where to go and/or what to have done are greatly appreciated. I am so not informed when it comes to audio stuff. Please give me some direction before I walk dumbly into a Best buy or Tweeter.

Thanks very much.

 

Will ultimately be personal taste.

What I myself would do. Single 10" sub under rear seat
Either one 5 channel Amp or a monoblock amp and a 4 channel amp
Line Out Converter to bridge between stock H.U. and amp/s
A good set of component speakers for up front and (maybe) a pair of
coaxials for the rear.

I would also highly recomend e-bay if you're not too concerned with warranties. You'll save MOUTNAIN of cash. And will put bigger names and/or
better stuff into your price range.

 

Do not go to best buy or tweeter to get your stuff installed! Waste of money and they take some short cuts. In Euless/Bedford there is a Custom Audio store there. AutoSound in Bedford. 817-685-8227 or www.autosoundbedford.com.

or TRY THIS!
I did all of my stereo myself haven't yet put new speakers in but installed headunit,built box, put subs and amp in. And it wans't very hard at all. If your looking for a little adventure i would say try to do it yourself! It was actually quite fun.

But for speakers-Boston Accoustics!
Subwoofers- Image Dynamics of Pioneer Shallow Mount Subs - 1 10"
Built your own box -very easy!
Amp- Can't say so for one, someone else will chime in!!

 

I would rethink keeping your factory head unit. That will make you feel like you just blew your whole $1000!
I just bought my setup last week Im somewhere around $950 or so...

Pioneer premier DEh 790bt headunit
Rockford fosgate component 6x8's for the doors
supercrewsound box for one 10"
JL audio 10w1v2-4
Hifonics 5 channel amp
Amp wiring kit

So far Ive gotten the head unit and door speakers.
BTW.....the new CD player is awesome. Comes w/ a hook up for Ipod and a speaker for your bluetooth phone. I ordered most of the stuff threw sonicelectronix on ebay call and they will discount shipping on multiple items!

 

Ok, I'll give them a try. I work at Love Field so they are not that far from me. I was thinking the same thing with the big box installers. I've had terrible luck with past cars I've taken to them.

As far as doing it myself, I could I guess. I do have a buddy that used to work at a stereo install place. I Something to think about. I've already seen how much you can save if you buy the stuff off the net vs. the retailer. Sometimes though saving $100 isn't worth the time and effort ya know what I mean. I'd almost rather take it someplace and spent a little extra money to be able to just come back and have it done, nicey nicey.

 

Basically what I was thinking too. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

I like everything but I know she doesn't want to lose the 6-disk in dash changer and I really don't want to lose the factory look. Every car I've ever had with an aftermarket HU has eventually been broken into. I am really going for stealth install this time. Plus, the radio you chose is way smaller heigth wise. What are you doing to fill the void, using a cover plate? Also, Ipod interface isn't that big a deal. The '07s have an input at the top of the dash.

 

How about looking at the headunits that you can also put a 6 disk changer in place of the stockheadunit/6disk.

Just a headunit alone will add a better sound range. <--Not my opinion. I think that my factory headunit for my 2002 has better bass/sound clarity than my new headunit but eventually getting my subs hooked up it should all change.

Try it yourself! Whats the worst that you could do with hooking it up yourself. I know everyones gonna chime in "you could do this/do that" but hey you can pretty much wire everything and get help on here for it all!

 

I will take a picture tomorrow during the day. The ipod interface on the 07's SUCK!! I had a rental for a month w/ one.
Pioneers version allows you to hide the ipod and have full control threw the radio and remote. never have to fool with the IPOD again. Very nice Oh yea plus it keeps it charged..

Man I feel like a spokesman for them pics tomorrow!!

 

Look JL. Pick up a RF 3sixty.1/2 (2 is better but more pricey). They have the best system for OEM integration. Then grab 2 pairs of Alpine Type S and MRP-F250. A type E 12 with Alpine MRP-M450 will fill it out if you really want to get ballsy.

Your best bet price wise is online and install instore. Or you can do it. Its not hard. If you have questions let me know. But that system right there is clean sounding and will handle all the pop/country that she listens to.
I have done this setup approx. 15 times. Have had one complaint once and i let another guy do it and he forgot to set the gains.

And trust me abt clean. The setup you see below is actually the #1 SQ system in the area.

Good Luck

 

That is basically what I came up with last night up at car toys. Problem is it will cost $2000 to do it there. I guess what I'd really like to do it buy the components myself online and have someone install. If I could find somebody that worked at a stereo install place and pay him $150 to install it at his house on a Saturday that would be perfect. If thats not possible where do you guys take components you buy yourselves to have installed? Obv. BB, Car toys etc type places won't touch it.

If it were my truck I would do the work myself but its my wifes and I'll never hear the end of it if I do it and inevitably something doesn't work right etc.


Big thanks for all the input too btw!

 

The only thing that comes to mind for me is get rid of that factory head unit! I had the 6 disc changer and did the Line out converter and what a pain in the *** that was. I eventually said screw this and put an Alpine IVA-W200 in and it made everything so much cleaner and easier to deal with.

For a 26 year old woman I would replace the head unit, put some components up front and some coaxils in the back and be done with it. She doesn't even need a sub.

 

If you and her care about sound quality, I would go for:
1. Keep stock head unit for now because electronics have 50 times less distortion compared to the speakers.
2. Replace the stock speakers with upper middle to high end speakers ($300 to $500 for nice component set). I recommend Dynaudio (others will recommend other nice speakers too): http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/auto/eso...=470cdfefa53b0
3. Buy a 100w to 200w per channel rms, 2 channel amplifier. Buy a reliable name brand. Tweaky audiophile high end stuff is not necessary here, remember that modern electronics have 50 times less distortion than the speakers. Plan to spend about $200 to $300.
4. The rest goes towards a quality installation. The installation can make or break the sound quality of the system regardless of the components chosen. Do not skimp here.

 

I promised myself I wouldn't change out the head unit, but dam that Alpine is NICE!! I don't really care that much about car audio, but I would be a huge hero if I got her that. If I installed that and four speakers (no amps) it would keep me a lot closer to my $1000 budget too. Did I mention that HU is really cool looking?


The thing I noticed when I was at Car toys was there was just no bass coming out of the 5x7s. What would you recommend to get clear sound overall from 5x7s? I mean it doesn't have to really thump but it needs to at least have the ability make a difference when you turn the bass up.

 

Sorry but I'm such a newbie at this. How do the Dynadios you recommend fit in the 5x7 enclosure? I mean looking at the website they appear to be separate speakers. One sub/mid and one tweater. This would most likely solve the complete lack of bass problem I've had looking at other 5x7 setups but I don't understand how it fits. Also, do you think one set of these would be enough in the front doors or would I need to buy two sets? The ones you are recommending are about $600/set (best deal I could find).