Opinions needed: What can be done for $500?

[mobot]

I have very little experience with car audio but I am currently looking to fix/upgrade the system in my 91 4DR... What can be done for ~$500? I'd really like to be able to play MP3s, bassing is not a priority and I'd like to stay with a 4 speaker setup. Also, I will be doing all of the work myself so labor is not an issue.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

 

[jimbo74]

headunit and speakers maybe....

 

[mobot]

True...true, I'm not expecting to get much else.

Does anyone have any good experiences with a basic setup? Speaker recommendations? Is there a CD/MP3 head unit available that is affordable and easy to install in my '91?

 

[leenjen]

since you list mp3s as a priority, go with a rockford fosgate headunit cd/mp3 receiver. then you can add their mp3 changer (not sure of the specs but they hold lots of files and have gotten very favorable reviews). as far as speakers, since you are not adding a subwoofer yet, go for kenwood 6X8s or 5X7s. they have some good midbass response. pioneer is good if you have a subwoofer to handle the bass.

 

[leenjen]

i dont know how much car audio shops in your area charge, but it will probably about $300 for the rockford fosgate RFX9000 headunit, $60/pair for kenwood KFC577C speakers, about $220 for rockford fosgate RFXMP3.8 mp3 changer. you might get them to bring down the price if you buy it all at once. like a package deal. good luck

 

[mobot]

leejen- Will the wiring process for this setup be anything more than some splicing and crimping?

Cool, I just found the afformentioned speakers online for $45 a set...

BTW, I really don't need a changer, just a single CD/MP3 head unit but if it can be had within my budget why not? I'm gonna check out some local shops tommorow about the Fosgate unit.

Lemme put it this way... I just found out I've been driving around with 4 deteriorated stock pos speakers?!? The outer rim material is completely gone!..and I wondered why they were farting. I bet those kenwoods are gonna sound like heaven!

Thanks

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by mobot
Will the wiring process for this setup be anything more than some splicing and crimping?

it will be even easier if you pick up a wire harness. wal-mart has them for like $10. then you dont have to cut any wires.

 

[mobot]

Sweet! I'm on it.

Thanks for all the help leenjen.

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by leenjen


it will be even easier if you pick up a wire harness. wal-mart has them for like $10. then you dont have to cut any wires.

they are 16 from crutchfield including shipping and you get an amp bypass harness too... i just got the amp bypass harness and it came with the stereo interconnect. so i have a spare ill sell it ...

 

[mobot]

jim- I appreciate the offer but hopefully I can get what I need in town tomorrow...my patience is at a minimum.

What kind of system do you have? Why do you need an amp bypass? I'm in the dark over here...thanks.

I've definitely decided on the KFC577Cs...great perf. at a great price imo -$45 a set after all. Prolly order them tommorow if I can't find a comparable price in town. I'm gonna research all other options. I checked out the Rockford head unit... it is a damn nice piece but $350 from Crutchfields is kinda high for my budget. Also, headed to Wal-Mart for a harness/adapter kit.

Is there anything else I'll need to make the swap?

You guys have been very helpful... I really appreciate it.

 

[HuiDaddy]

i dunno bout bout what to do with gettin a new headunit, but if you want to upgrade your speakers without adding an amp, get yourself some Polk dX series speakers. They are by far amazing speakers i have ever heard. i am just powering them off of my Sony headunit. the dX7's are 5x7 and fit just fine in the rear door. im sure they will fit in the front also, but i dont have them up there. Its a 3-way speaker that looks just gorgeous out of the box. Look into it. although they retail on crutchfield for about $150, my cousin hooked me up with the Circuit City employee discount for only $60. Check them out.

 

[mobot]

After reading some more posts I decided on 2 sets of Pioneer TSA6895s. I was sold on the tweeter design and the fact that these units come with a crossover built-in. They should drop right in, too.

The total price from onlinecarstereo.com was just $178.00 to my door. There was nothing even close for that price/performance locally. Here's the full spec list for those interested:

* Foamed IMPP (Injection Molded Polypropylene) Rigilite™ Composite Cone (Pearl White) for Higher Performance and Deeper Bass
* Butyl Rubber Surround for Smoother Response
* High Energy Strontium Magnet (Woofer)
* Latex-treated Conex Damper for Enhanced Linear Bass Response
* CCAW (Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire) Long Voice Coil
* Glass-Imide Voice Coil Bobbin for High Power Handling Capabilities
* 5/8" Aluminum Dome Compression Horn Tweeter with Rotatable Mount, Neodymium Magnet and Magnetic Fluid
* Built-in Crossover (-12dB/oct. HPF)
* Full-Depth Basket for Rich Bass Response
* Custom-Fit for Ford and Mazda Vehicles
* 200 Watts Max. Music Power (60 Watts Nominal)
* Sensitivity (Efficiency): 91dB (1W/1m)
* Frequency Response: 30 - 32,000Hz
* 4 Ohm Rated
* Dimensions: 8" x 5-3/4" x 2-7/8"
* Mounting Depth: 2-1/2"

Other considerations were:
- Kenwood KFC577C 2-ways -$45 a set
- Polk dx7 3-ways -$109 a set
- Pioneer TA6865 3-ways -$69 a set

I'm gonna wait and see how my system sounds with my stock hu and these babies. I really want MP3 capabilities but I'm gonna take things slow... don't wanna make a $300+ mistake, ya know?

 

[jimbo74]

i bypassed the factory amp because my hu is capable of the same or beter power out put than my factory amp.... sony cdx 7000 50x4 watt

 

[mobot]

I see... what kinda hu did you go with and why?

BTW, do you know what kind of wattage the middle-of-the-road oem hu makes per channel? I'm pretty sure I'v got a 94 or newer oem piece.

Thanks

 

[jimbo74]

i chose it because it was on sale, had a remote, cd and fit my needs.... it was pretty nifty looking too....

dont know what factory amp pushes out

 

[leenjen]

Originally posted by mobot
After reading some more posts I decided on 2 sets of Pioneer TSA6895s. I was sold on the tweeter design and the fact that these units come with a crossover built-in. They should drop right in, too.

every two way or three way speaker has a built in crossover. it is what stops the tweeter from receiving bass frequencies. in my post earlier, i was saying not to get pioneer unless you have a subwoofer to handle the bass. the pioneers dont produce bass very well and are a much brighter sounding speaker. the kenwoods give a much better midbass response. as you can see, i have pioneer 6X8s, but i also have subs to handle the bass. i only have the pioneers to fill in midrange. my subs and components do everything

 

[mobot]

Originally posted by leenjen


every two way or three way speaker has a built in crossover. it is what stops the tweeter from receiving bass frequencies. in my post earlier, i was saying not to get pioneer unless you have a subwoofer to handle the bass. the pioneers dont produce bass very well and are a much brighter sounding speaker. the kenwoods give a much better midbass response. as you can see, i have pioneer 6X8s, but i also have subs to handle the bass. i only have the pioneers to fill in midrange. my subs and components do everything

Oh man.... damn... I did read your post, I really could care less about lots of bass but I didn't know all 2-3ways had built in crossovers. Well, I'll have to see how the combo sounds. I'll prolly look into a sub box or something if there's absolutely no bass.

DOH!!!

 

[mobot]

What about those bass blockers? Could that be more a more correct way to put what these Pioneers have?

 

[leenjen]

the built in crossover is only on the tweeters. bass blockers block low frequencies from the whole speaker, even the large driver. i wouldn't put bass blockers on those speakers, since you are running them off the headunit. also, i dont really recommend bass blockers. a 12db/octave rolloff passive filter isn't very good. it is better to go with an active filter in the first place (like on an amp) that is at least 18db (mine are 24db/octave rolloff active hpf and lpf).

 

[KEbert]

I would go with the Pioneers even if you don't get a sub. Really, you either want bass or not. And, you don't seem to want bass too much. I think the Pioneers will well-satifsy you. I plan on getting them too, but I also plan on getting a big sub too. As for mp3, go to several differant stereo places and see what you like since differant places will all try to sell you something differant. Just don't get the Aiwa because I have heard several times that they stink. Good luck and keep us posted about your setup.