Electronics Car Stereo / Speaker Install - Page 2

Dayze · 03:03 PM

So, I’ve decided to upgrade my stock system. About a month or so ago, my radio locked up due to replacing the battery and the dealer wants $150 to pull it out and look at the info on the back to reset it.
**** that.

Based on principle of that being a reeruned idea/requirement, and my stubbornness, I figured “**** it..I might as well spend a few bucks and get a better system”.

Obviously, I’m getting a new head-unit. Nothing major, probably in the $150-200 range (double din). However, I’m also going to replace the 4 x 6.5” speakers as well. Over the last week or so, I ‘ve been kicking around the idea of a single 8” sub in the back. I saw a pretty cool stealth box that would fit under my carpet/mat in the spare tire well. I have a Rabbit / hatchback.

Overall – how much of a PITA would it be for a novice to install this crap on their own? I bought all the crap at Best Buy a week ago and paid for installation etc, only to arrive and find out that my car (according to them) required extra work to get everything in - $180 worth of ‘extra’ after I had paid $100 for install. So I told them to stick it in their collective asses and give me my money back. Which they did……after the guy had already begun installing it. Then gave me some shit about a restocking fee and the product already being opened. Long story short, I got it all back.

Should I take it to a smaller, more customer oriented shop and just pay to have the shit installed? Or is that going to cost an arm and a leg? Budget wise, I’m not looking to spend a ton; and I’m not worried about blowing out windows either. I just want something with a great sound in the car, with a nice thump on the low end when listening to rock etc.

Would a high quality set of 6.5”s provide enough ‘oomph’ for the lows? My stock speakers suck ass in this regard. Should I just stick with the 4 speakers and not screw with the sub?. Is a sub something I could easily add at a later time?

Here is what the stealth box looks like....but it's ****ing expensive.
http://www.uberstealthaudio.com/Prod...#!photogallery

Frosty · 09-12-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

Crutchfield...

. I didn't even know about that.

They also have a guide on their site for what fits in your car.

Dayze · 09-12-2013, 03:53 PM

dude, that Crutchfield site kicks ass. Thanks man.

Frosty · 09-12-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

dude, that Crutchfield site kicks ass. Thanks man.

No problem. Good luck.

**hometeam** · 09-12-2013, 06:56 PM

This shit is easy.

You can always try roping a friend or relative into helping you.

**notorious** · 09-12-2013, 07:53 PM

Installing an amp and sub in the rear can be a pain in the butt.

You need to run power, RCA's, etc, and that requires a lot of disassembly.

4 6.5's won't touch a good 8 for low end unless you are using 6.5's with a lot of Xmax.

**SAUTO** · 09-12-2013, 07:59 PM

If you are going to put a stereo in yourself why not just get the code off your stock one yourself?
Posted via Mobile Device

**notorious** · 09-12-2013, 08:00 PM

3.5" depth is not a lot to work with for a sub, so the low end will not add a lot. You can get it to sound really smooth, but it's not going to be enough for "bumping".

An Image Dynamics ID 8" will knock your socks off, but it's too deep.

**SAUTO** · 09-12-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Installing an amp and sub in the rear can be a pain in the butt.

You need to run power, RCA's, etc, and that requires a lot of disassembly.

4 6.5's won't touch a good 8 for low end unless you are using 6.5's with a lot of Xmax.

I always love seeing the idiots with the RCAs laying on the floor between seats
Posted via Mobile Device

**notorious** · 09-12-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I always love seeing the idiots with the RCAs laying on the floor between seats
Posted via Mobile Device

I have seen a lot of garbage in my days.

"My girlfriends brother is a professional installer, he hooked me up!"

I have seen a lot horrible installs come out of the big stores, too.

Dayze · 09-12-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

If you are going to put a stereo in yourself why not just get the code off your stock one yourself?
Posted via Mobile Device

because I'm stubborn. lol.
If I go through that shit, I might as well spend the same $ on a new radio at a minimum. I could do the radio, and slowly buy the other speakers.

the radio I'm wanting is $149 with free shipping.

Frosty · 09-13-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

I have seen a lot of garbage in my days.

Me too - installs where they just twisted wires together and covered them with masking tape, speakers just sitting in the rear deck or on the floor, wires left to hang in a tangle under the dash, etc.

Of course, I've also seen installers do stupid shit. One of them cut part way through the door skin of a BWM with a hole saw (from the inside). Another (might have been the same one) drilled into the heater core.

Fortunately, I never did anything quite that bad.

Dayze · 09-13-2013, 07:12 AM

yeah, we'll see what I'm up against when I give it a shot. I think my plan is to get the stereo first and install it (at least attempt to). Seems like that Crutchfield site has everything I'd need. Should I get one of those cheap sets of .....whatever they're called that help with popping off panels and trim?

Frosty · 09-13-2013, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

Should I get one of those cheap sets of .....whatever they're called that help with popping off panels and trim?

Absolutely. It will help a lot to keep from busting clips.

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumati...+removal+tools

Dayze · 09-13-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frosty

Absolutely. It will help a lot to keep from busting clips.

http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumati...+removal+tools

good deal. thanks dude.

Dr. Gigglepants · 04-11-2014, 08:17 PM

Looking at possibly going with one of these.

Kenwood DNX571HD

Kenwood Excelon DNX691HD

I'm not an expert on these things so I thought I'd see if anyone has opinions on brands.

Things I want -

Bluetooth - calling and streaming
Navigation (the fact that Kenwood has Garmin is a plus for me, I'm used to Garmin and it seems to be the best overall, imo)
HD Radio
Backup camera capable

It would be cool to be able to use the controls on the steering wheel. I won't be installing it myself.

09-12-2013, 02:54 PM
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1779358	Car Stereo / Speaker Install So, I’ve decided to upgrade my stock system. About a month or so ago, my radio locked up due to replacing the battery and the dealer wants $150 to pull it out and look at the info on the back to reset it. ** that. Based on principle of that being a reeruned idea/requirement, and my stubbornness, I figured “ it..I might as well spend a few bucks and get a better system”. Obviously, I’m getting a new head-unit. Nothing major, probably in the $150-200 range (double din). However, I’m also going to replace the 4 x 6.5” speakers as well. Over the last week or so, I ‘ve been kicking around the idea of a single 8” sub in the back. I saw a pretty cool stealth box that would fit under my carpet/mat in the spare tire well. I have a Rabbit / hatchback. Overall – how much of a PITA would it be for a novice to install this crap on their own? I bought all the crap at Best Buy a week ago and paid for installation etc, only to arrive and find out that my car (according to them) required extra work to get everything in - $180 worth of ‘extra’ after I had paid $100 for install. So I told them to stick it in their collective asses and give me my money back. Which they did……after the guy had already begun installing it. Then gave me some shit about a restocking fee and the product already being opened. Long story short, I got it all back. Should I take it to a smaller, more customer oriented shop and just pay to have the shit installed? Or is that going to cost an arm and a leg? Budget wise, I’m not looking to spend a ton; and I’m not worried about blowing out windows either. I just want something with a great sound in the car, with a nice thump on the low end when listening to rock etc. Would a high quality set of 6.5”s provide enough ‘oomph’ for the lows? My stock speakers suck ass in this regard. Should I just stick with the 4 speakers and not screw with the sub?. Is a sub something I could easily add at a later time? Here is what the stealth box looks like....but it's *ing expensive. http://www.uberstealthaudio.com/Prod...#!photogallery Last edited by Dayze; 09-12-2013 at 03:03 PM..*
Posts: 37,460

09-12-2013, 03:53 PM	#17
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1779358	dude, that Crutchfield site kicks ass. Thanks man. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,460

09-12-2013, 06:56 PM	#19
hometeam Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Casino cash: $1511956	This shit is easy. You can always try roping a friend or relative into helping you.
Posts: 10,766

09-12-2013, 07:53 PM	#20
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-934116	Installing an amp and sub in the rear can be a pain in the butt. You need to run power, RCA's, etc, and that requires a lot of disassembly. 4 6.5's won't touch a good 8 for low end unless you are using 6.5's with a lot of Xmax.
Posts: 88,578

09-12-2013, 07:59 PM	#21
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	If you are going to put a stereo in yourself why not just get the code off your stock one yourself? Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 55,715

09-12-2013, 08:00 PM	#22
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $-934116	3.5" depth is not a lot to work with for a sub, so the low end will not add a lot. You can get it to sound really smooth, but it's not going to be enough for "bumping". An Image Dynamics ID 8" will knock your socks off, but it's too deep.
Posts: 88,578

09-13-2013, 07:12 AM	#27
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1779358	yeah, we'll see what I'm up against when I give it a shot. I think my plan is to get the stereo first and install it (at least attempt to). Seems like that Crutchfield site has everything I'd need. Should I get one of those cheap sets of .....whatever they're called that help with popping off panels and trim? __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,460

04-11-2014, 08:17 PM	#30
Dr. Gigglepants Veteran Join Date: Apr 2011 Casino cash: $22400	Looking at possibly going with one of these. Kenwood DNX571HD Kenwood Excelon DNX691HD I'm not an expert on these things so I thought I'd see if anyone has opinions on brands. Things I want - Bluetooth - calling and streaming Navigation (the fact that Kenwood has Garmin is a plus for me, I'm used to Garmin and it seems to be the best overall, imo) HD Radio Backup camera capable It would be cool to be able to use the controls on the steering wheel. I won't be installing it myself.
Posts: 1,387