Car Stereo System Suggestions

[Drew2]

So I'm getting a system for my truck for my birthday (or as much of one as can be afforded) and I know basically nothing about car stereo systems. I'm hoping that someone around here is one of those car freaks that knows all about it and stuff.

So what should I get? Brand names? Sizes? I have a 2003 Chevy S-10 regular cab if that helps. I know that kinda limits the space I have but... this weak ass radio player that came with the truck has got to go.

Any suggestions on where I should buy or where I should get it installed would be appreciated too, thanks.

[Makkah]

Well I got 1 12" MTX pushed by a shitty ass JBL amp. Hits pretty damn well. I used to be into that shit, but it just gets old. JL Audio has always had decent shit. Punch and Rockford-Fosgate (RF) have good subs... or at least they used to... Hope that helps ya a little bit.

rht

[Meos]

Get a small subwoofer and amp up your interiors.... I can't stand cars that think they have a stereo just because they got some huge amp and a subwoofer.

I got a 10" infinity almuninum sub on a 250 amp, then I have 4 infinity kappa interiors gettin pushed by 200 watt amp. Both amps are A/D/S and my head in an Alpine. I think it sounds 100 times better then just hookin up some huge sub.

Crutchfield.com has a good selection. I don't like the amps they carry, but you could look other places for those.

[Edited on 3-13-2004 by Meos]

[Wezas]

Meos is absolutely correct about Crutchfield. They may be a few dollars more then Circuit City, etc. but they send you the harness and all the wiring that you need to fit YOUR EXACT MODEL. So I definately recommend getting your head unit there, and perhaps the other speakers.

1999 Chevy S-10 Regular Cab:


Your truck uses a standard DIN (space where your head unit goes) so any of these would work, I'd suggest skipping the first few and getting one of the $109 or better ones.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-p3WX2UamcW1/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?pt=0&b=&c=3&s=0&g=300&td=1&tn=1&l=&a =1&cc=01&avf=Y&search=&o=p

Again, i don't know how much you want to spend or if you want 6-disc, remote, EQ, etc.



Your speaker sizes:
Dash: 4"x6"
Front Door: 6-1/2"

::edited because link used cookies and no longer stored vehicle type. Here is the vehicle selection page, it'll bring you to the dash & front door speaker selection.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-UNFrXCru9o7/cgi-bin/autoinfo/AutoInfo.asp?vb=Y&s=0&cc=01&vehicleid=0&lp=%2FS-UNFrXCru9o7%2Fcgi%2Dbin%2FAutoInfo%2Fspeakers%2Eas p%3Fs%3D0%26id%3D11519%26cc%3D01

I'd suggest getting components for the door, and you could do either component or regular speakers for the dash.



Looks like custom fit 10" sub for behind the drivers seat will be about $230 (just enclosure) $300 (includes sub) or $450 (includes amp and sub).

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IvsUZr1UMkQ/cgi-bin/autoinfo/Speakers.asp?s=0&id=11519&t=sub&cc=01

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2001/236/l236s1010ac-f.jpeg

Expensive, but this is high quality brand (MTX). Comes in Tan, black, and charcoal


There's also kick-panel speakers, but I'm not sure if you have them.

[Edited on 3-13-2004 by Wezas]

[Makkah]

Fuck interiors. Get some good knock in the trunk. Done.

rht

[Souzy]

I forgot what my bro. had in his truck, but it was bangin'. Alpine system, the sub was JL's I think, tweeters, amps and all that jazz. I just leave it up to the fella's to tell me what's good, haha. So I'm useless here. But JL's are pretty good. :cool:

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Makkah
Fuck interiors. Get some good knock in the trunk. Done.

rht

Pickup, no trunk.

Anyways, when I had my old car I had a pair of 10" JL Audio's in a box my brother made along with an MTX Thunder Amp. Nice thump.

As for not upgrading the interior speakers, it depends on what you want. If you want to actually hear something other then bass, you might want to upgrade the interior speakers. (I'm not sure how good your stock speakers are, but you don't seem satisfied with them). Interior speakers aren't expensive. Most any component interior speakers you'd buy from crutchfield or circuitcity/bestbuy will be better then stock.

[Tsa`ah]

What is this?

A question about.... automobiles?

Bad time to respond so I'll give you an ear full in the morning.

[AnticorRifling]

If you're gonna spend any money spend it on the head unit.

Get something that looks good and has good technology behind the astetics. Speakers are great but they can only be as clean as the source of the music.

I am from the school of sound that believes in clean, concert quality sound on the inside. I don't give a shit if you can hear me three blocks away but when you're sitting in my car you think you are in the concert hall. Find a system that works on anything from classical to deathmetal. Range is key. Also, spend the money to insulate your speakers(that is if you get them) nothing is worse than crappy bass that rattles. It just says "My mom gave me some monies for some tunes and I got loud boom boom but I don't know shit about what it should sound like." Make it clean, deep stroking bass that turns heads.

Bottom line start with the head unit, move to the bass, fill out the mids, and finally juice the tweeters. You want to eventually get a system that has smack your granny in the teeth sound but make sure it's CLEAN.

Also take the time to make sure your gear matches. Nothing like a red truck with a blue head unit, green speakers and a purple amp to say kick my ass and take my lunch money.

The above is my general advice if you'd like specs for something that would stroke out an S-10 I'll do some research. Never owned or worked on an S-10 but I can apply basic knowledge and point you in the right direction.

<-- Likes good sound.

[Drew2]

I just spent $418 at Circut City. On a receiver. But it was shiny and moved and had lots of colors so I bought it and the harness and stuff and got it installed.

omg.

[Souzy]

Originally posted by Tayre
I just spent $418 at Circut City. On a receiver. But it was shiny and moved and had lots of colors so I bought it and the harness and stuff and got it installed.

omg.

LOL! What brand ya fruit.

[Drew2]

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8864&qp=0&oid=69695

I got this one. :D

The price on the website is wrong. I paid 279 for the receiver and the rest of the 418 was for the harness and wiring and the extra labor required for my truck's configuration or whatever. I think I got a good deal and I'm more than happy with it.

You push a button and it moves out, then folds down by itself! IT'S SO COOL.

[Edited on 3-14-2004 by Tayre]

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Tayre
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8864&qp=0&oid=69695

I got this one. :D

[Edited on 3-14-2004 by Tayre]

Nice, i see it has CD changer controls, you planning on getting one of those as well?

[Drew2]

Of course I will. This is going to be a slow process in getting everything together. I didn't realize how expensive it all was. My next thing will probably be a sub... but I don't see that happening until Christmas or whatever.

[Souzy]

Nice, I think my ex had that. I have a Eclipse in dash DVD/CD player thingy in my house. I would've sold it to you for about $400, lolz.

[Wezas]

I just have the Rockford Fosgate package that was an option on my car. No complaints, but 8" enclosed subwoofer in the trunk could be bigger and so could the amp.

I'm thinking in a few months of putting a dvd receiver in the DIN slot and putting an LCD display in the upper storage compartment. Like so (but without the wild colors):

http://gallery.thevboard.com/users/Deuce/Dash3.jpg

LCD's are about $100, DVD players are between $2-400, so it wouldn't be too expensive.

[Edited on 3-14-2004 by Wezas]