Audio System Recommendations?

[Iszi]

I'm considering... No, make that decided upon changing my audio system out completely in the (hopefully near) future. What do you guys recommend? I'm going to want to just completely overhaul the system, wires and everything. I know the labor will be a pain for sure, but with the way my current (guessing it's still stock) system has been misbehaving, I don't think I want to leave any of it behind.

So, what do you guys recommend? From speakers to wire, I want to hear it. I don't want anything over-the-top (Not planning a DVD system or touch-screen interface or anything.) but I do want something good to listen to on the road that won't break my wallet.

- I'd like to be able to hear my music clearly over a 75+ MPH wind (windows down, roof open) without turning it quite *all* the way up.

- I want to have a 10 (minimum) CD changer in the trunk, but also a single CD loader in the dash for easy access. (i.e.: Playing a guest's music selections without having to mess with the lineup in the trunk) Is this even available?

- I'm considering possibly a setup involving an iPod (or other MP3 Player), with a single in-dash CD system, as an alternative to the 10-disc changer. Any input as to cost-effectiveness between the two? Product recommendations?

- Whatever CD system I have MUST have at least a 10-second skip bumper.

- I don't want to take up much if any more space in the trunk than would already be taken by a stock amplifier (can aftermarket amps go in the same tray as stock?) but I may consider adding a subwoofer for the right price and space accomodations.

- I'd like a nice, strong bass response but nothing really heavy or overwhelming. (My sister's Mazda 3 has a sub that takes up about 1/4 her cargo space, and that's pretty much all you hear - me no likey.)

- Cassette tape functionality not needed, but would be a plus, just for S&G's.

- HD FM radio preferred.

- Seriously considering new wiring.

- Oh, and I'll need a new antenna. Mine's shot. (Probably asked before, but is there any way to get the Gen2 antenna - in rear window - setup done on a Gen1?)

What do you guys think I should look for? Any preferred products that match this profile? Feel free to ask any questions that haven't already been answered here.

Thanks,

- Iszi

 

[BlntdEyez]

I've always liked alpine cd players

 

[chicken]

.

- I don't want to take up much if any more space in the trunk than would already be taken by a stock amplifier (can aftermarket amps go in the same tray as stock?) but I may consider adding a subwoofer for the right price and space accomodations.

- - Iszi

yes, i have 2 mts amps in the fact tray (and a few small computer fans)

 

[Stack]

I'm considering... No, make that decided upon changing my audio system out completely in the (hopefully near) future. What do you guys recommend? I'm going to want to just completely overhaul the system, wires and everything. I know the labor will be a pain for sure, but with the way my current (guessing it's still stock) system has been misbehaving, I don't think I want to leave any of it behind.

So, what do you guys recommend? From speakers to wire, I want to hear it. I don't want anything over-the-top (Not planning a DVD system or touch-screen interface or anything.) but I do want something good to listen to on the road that won't break my wallet.

Well if you want to get really serious about it I would set a price and someone would be able to get a much more accurate acessment of what you can do.

- I'd like to be able to hear my music clearly over a 75+ MPH wind (windows down, roof open) without turning it quite *all* the way up.

Well if "clearly" is what you are going for then speaker change all the way around with a component set up front and small sub completely amped would be the way to go.

- I want to have a 10 (minimum) CD changer in the trunk, but also a single CD loader in the dash for easy access. (i.e.: Playing a guest's music selections without having to mess with the lineup in the trunk) Is this even available?

Disc changers are kind of out dated technology... you have the right idea with what you said below

- I'm considering possibly a setup involving an iPod (or other MP3 Player), with a single in-dash CD system, as an alternative to the 10-disc changer. Any input as to cost-effectiveness between the two? Product recommendations?

It would be cheaper to do it this way as almost EVERY deck nowadays has ipod direct adaptors. And as to the cost effectiveness? You can get a smaller ipod and adaptor for what you would pay for a decent 10 disc and get more music, more adaptability and portability. I think its kind of a no brainer! And if you don't already have an Ipod you can contact me about getting a deal on one!

- Whatever CD system I have MUST have at least a 10-second skip bumper.

This is really specific... Most of the ones I have encountered are progressive being that they are faster the longer you hold them down.

- I don't want to take up much if any more space in the trunk than would already be taken by a stock amplifier (can aftermarket amps go in the same tray as stock?) but I may consider adding a subwoofer for the right price and space accomodations.

As for the amp I will give my full system recommendation at the end but I sure you can fit an amp in the side panel pretty easily, and you could build a pretty nice setup into the rear deck.

- I'd like a nice, strong bass response but nothing really heavy or overwhelming. (My sister's Mazda 3 has a sub that takes up about 1/4 her cargo space, and that's pretty much all you hear - me no likey.)

With a sub that is tuned properly it won't overwhelming but it will fill in the lows that make it a good system

- Cassette tape functionality not needed, but would be a plus, just for S&G's.

Not ... even... gonna.... go.... there.....

- HD FM radio preferred.

Don't really know what that is but I am sure it comes standard on alot of radios

- Seriously considering new wiring.

Its a must with an amplified system

- Oh, and I'll need a new antenna. Mine's shot. (Probably asked before, but is there any way to get the Gen2 antenna - in rear window - setup done on a Gen1?)

Most places nowadays will sell a powered antenna... should suit you just fine.

What do you guys think I should look for? Any preferred products that match this profile? Feel free to ask any questions that haven't already been answered here.

Thanks,

- Iszi

Okay so in a nutshell here is what I would do...

Replace the head unit with a resonably priced one with 3 preouts and an USB connector or Ipod adaptor. Replace the doors with a decent component set. Replace the rears with just another 2-way 5x7. Build a small shallow enclosure and put a low mounting depth 10" or 12" in the rear deck. Put a 5 channel amp behind the panel in the trunk, and if that won't fit get a 4 ch and run 2 chs to the front and bridge two to the sub. Then run the rears off the deck. Run all new wiring no matter which way you go.

Car audio is pretty simple, so if you want to save some more cash then do the install yourself...

Hope this helped

 

[Iszi]

Well if you want to get really serious about it I would set a price and someone would be able to get a much more accurate acessment of what you can do.

Not sure what the exact budget will be, just yet. This is probably going to be among my "Tax Return" projects.

It would be cheaper to do it this way as almost EVERY deck nowadays has ipod direct adaptors. And as to the cost effectiveness? You can get a smaller ipod and adaptor for what you would pay for a decent 10 disc and get more music, more adaptability and portability. I think its kind of a no brainer! And if you don't already have an Ipod you can contact me about getting a deal on one!

I'll be doing that, thanks. I haven't taken a look yet, but is there anything that can be easily done to remove the housing for the stock 10-disc changer in the trunk, if I'm not going to use it?

This is really specific... Most of the ones I have encountered are progressive being that they are faster the longer you hold them down.

Please explain? You've kind of lost me.

Not ... even... gonna.... go.... there.....

That's why I said "just for S&G's" - sh:qts and giggles. Sadly enough, one of my best friends still has a large collection of VHS that he still watches now and then. I wouldn't put it past him to have some decent music on cassette tape, despite the fact that he has an iPod.

Don't really know what that is but I am sure it comes standard on alot of radios

HD FM = High Definition FM. Kind of like High Def. TV, only on radio waves. One of the particular benefits being that one normal radio frequency can hold several radio stations. (The local Christian radio channel - Z 88.3 - will be splitting into three: One contemporary/light rock, a heavy rock/alternative, and a rap/hip-hop station.)

Most places nowadays will sell a powered antenna... should suit you just fine.

So... that's a no on the Gen2-style antenna?

Okay so in a nutshell here is what I would do...

Any specific products/manufacturers you recommend for the parts/wires?

Why is it everyone wants to put everything in a trunk box? What are the particular benefits here? I know there's really not much other place for a sub woofer, but why the speakers?

Hope this helped

It did. You've pretty much solidified my decision for new wires, an iPod, and a sub woofer. Now I just need to hammer down the other details and get a shopping list together, to figure out how much this is going to cost.

 

[Stack]

You send me some pics of your trunk and I will draw what I am talking about and come up with a list of what I would do and what I would put in and what I could get for prices...

Email @ aaron.stachowski@ramstein.af.mil

We will go from there!