Advice for sound system, Best Buy? Options

[A_N_T_H_O_N_Y]

I'm looking to upgrade the sound system in my '95 GT. Right now it's all stock (I think) except for an old aftermarket deck that came installed in my car when I bought it. I definitely want some subs, and a deck, but I'm not sure what else I would need. I've never bought a car audio setup before, so this is all new to me. Is it worth it to change the stock speakers (my car has the two rear, two front door, and two tweeters)? I'm not looking to spend an excessive amount of money. I live in Canada, and we don't really get very good deals here. I know that general consensus around here is to stay away from places like Future Shop and Best Buy, but I have a cousin that works at Best Buy, and he told me that he can get me a significant discount on anything car audio there, since all of their stuff is marked up massively.

So yeah, any advice?

[SwissFerdi]

If your speakers aren't blown, then you can technically leave them. However, upgrading the speakers does make the biggest difference in how your system will sound. Check out crutchfield.com, as that site will show you exactly what will fit in your car, and it will also help you put a system together.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Sep 10, 2009 - 9:49 PM

[samir0189]

When looking for a headunit, select one with the features you want most (duh) but more importantly, look at the RMS watts if you aren't planning on getting an amp and such.

The greater the RMS watts, the clearer your music will sound, even at high volumes. I've found that Kenwood has the highest rms watts (22), you can compare units on crutchfield.com, they display all the specs clearly and easy to understand.

It is worth it to change your speakers, they are probably old and worn out, you will hear nice tight bass and crisp highs if you change them to something more recent, and something that is not "paper" cones.

[A_N_T_H_O_N_Y]

So how much do you think I would be looking at to do a complete overhaul, with a decent new system?

[samir0189]

i think the USD and CAD are about equal now right?

Anyway, the cost of things here, shopping wisely, you can get a decent system for about $200-$250, thats $50/pair x2 for front and rear speakers, and a decent headunit about $100.

I recently got my dad a system for his camry, headunit was $90, front speakers $70, and rear speakers $60 something.. all shipped to my door in that cost. .. and that thing sounds GOOD!

[SwissFerdi]

Dammit, I meant crutchfield as well, not newegg. He's right though.

Another good thing to do is look around for deals. My Alpine Type-S 6.5's (which will do pretty well for just a replacement speaker) were half off at 50 per set, and my head unit was also 100...so I had a whole new setup for just 200.

[A_N_T_H_O_N_Y]

Dammit, I meant crutchfield as well, not newegg. He's right though.

Another good thing to do is look around for deals. My Alpine Type-S 6.5's (which will do pretty well for just a replacement speaker) were half off at 50 per set, and my head unit was also 100...so I had a whole new setup for just 200.

What about subs and an amp though?

[SwissFerdi]

I didn't buy either one, I might in the future. Crutchfield can hook you up though, they'll help you pair an amp and a sub, along with the box and necessary wiring.

[mmmchocolate]

no offense swiss... but i've found out that www.sonicelectronix.com is a little cheaper than crutchfield...i did a ton of research before i bought my sound system(looking for price and quality)....anthony, i would find EXACTLY what you are looking for....what brand, how powerful...etc...just search around..for me, i like MTX, its not like super high end, but you can't even tell the difference. and its semi cheap(er)

[samir0189]

i use crutchfield strictly for research, they are expensive, i don't buy anything there. They DO have the best research and details on things, find what you like there, then buy it somewhere else, lol.

[mmmchocolate]

i use crutchfield strictly for research, they are expensive, i don't buy anything there. They DO have the best research and details on things, find what you like there, then buy it somewhere else, lol.

basically sums what i said up better... sonicelectonix is my fav...or onlinecarstereo...ha just look everywhere for prices!

[SwissFerdi]

The only reason those Alpines were bought is because they were on sale. We looked around for the head unit and I'm pretty sure it was cheaper, if not cheapest, than what we were able to find.

Either way, good luck with wherever you shop.

[Galcobar]

i think the USD and CAD are about equal now right?

Anyway, the cost of things here, shopping wisely, you can get a decent system for about $200-$250, thats $50/pair x2 for front and rear speakers, and a decent headunit about $100.

I recently got my dad a system for his camry, headunit was $90, front speakers $70, and rear speakers $60 something.. all shipped to my door in that cost. .. and that thing sounds GOOD!

The exchange is close, but that's not why electronics are so much more expensive in Canada. If it were, we wouldn't see so many savings by buying south of the border. That said, if you can buy via an employee discount the costs tend to be very close once shipping and customs is considered.

I find I like the sound of Infinity Kappa speakers; I can't remember if Best Buy carries them, but I know Future Shop does. Amps, Rockford Fosgate is probably the line I'd trust most out of that corporation (Best Buy owns Future Shop). I actually run a Punch 200 for my Focal 210 CA1 door woofers.

As a general piece of advice, worry first about upgrading your front speakers. They are what sets the sound stage, while the rear really is a matter of fill.

[zonz540]

I run Kappas. I love them. They sound much cleaner with a nice amp, though. Id do an Alpine PDX series if you can. I havent found Fosgate amps to run as clean on mids and highs as Alpines. Ive had both.

[johnnehh]

Just get a sub and an amp and go from there.

I have a 600W Crunch Amp I got for free from my friend's step dad, and two 10" Pioneer subs and it sounds amazing. People always think I put a lot of money into my stereo when they hear it, when the entire setup literally cost me less than $125.

If you're hooked up at best buy, I say go for it. Installation there is clean, no mess of wire or anything, and you can always bring it back to them if you have problems.

Good luck.

[A_N_T_H_O_N_Y]

Just get a sub and an amp and go from there.

I have a 600W Crunch Amp I got for free from my friend's step dad, and two 10" Pioneer subs and it sounds amazing. People always think I put a lot of money into my stereo when they hear it, when the entire setup literally cost me less than $125.

If you're hooked up at best buy, I say go for it. Installation there is clean, no mess of wire or anything, and you can always bring it back to them if you have problems.

Good luck.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Off of their website, BestBuy.ca, can you guys help me pick out a decent set up? It's just that I don't know which are quality and which are duds.

[johnnehh]

Just get a sub and an amp and go from there.

I have a 600W Crunch Amp I got for free from my friend's step dad, and two 10" Pioneer subs and it sounds amazing. People always think I put a lot of money into my stereo when they hear it, when the entire setup literally cost me less than $125.

If you're hooked up at best buy, I say go for it. Installation there is clean, no mess of wire or anything, and you can always bring it back to them if you have problems.

Good luck.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Off of their website, BestBuy.ca, can you guys help me pick out a decent set up? It's just that I don't know which are quality and which are duds.

Assuming that they will build the box for you;
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...p;test_cookie=1
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...=&langid=EN
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...amp;catid=21981

Those are just the stuff I'd take a look at. Good solid 12" sub, a good amp so you can add a better sub later if you want to, and a simple deck that can still do everything.

I don't really know what you're looking for.

Good luck, though! Keep us updated!

[A_N_T_H_O_N_Y]

Just get a sub and an amp and go from there.

I have a 600W Crunch Amp I got for free from my friend's step dad, and two 10" Pioneer subs and it sounds amazing. People always think I put a lot of money into my stereo when they hear it, when the entire setup literally cost me less than $125.

If you're hooked up at best buy, I say go for it. Installation there is clean, no mess of wire or anything, and you can always bring it back to them if you have problems.

Good luck.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Off of their website, BestBuy.ca, can you guys help me pick out a decent set up? It's just that I don't know which are quality and which are duds.

Assuming that they will build the box for you;
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...p;test_cookie=1
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...=&langid=EN
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.a...amp;catid=21981

Those are just the stuff I'd take a look at. Good solid 12" sub, a good amp so you can add a better sub later if you want to, and a simple deck that can still do everything.

I don't really know what you're looking for.

Good luck, though! Keep us updated!

Thank you. That's exactly what I needed, someone to guide me in the right direction on what to buy.