I'm planning to upgrade my sound system for my 3G TL. A local car audio shop quoted me approx 3K for this setup: pair of Focal 165k2p for the front speakers,
pair of Focal 690 CV for the rear deck, 12 inch ported sub (brand undecided), and two helix amps. This includes hardware and installation. I'm pretty new to this and not sure if the quoted ballpark figure is too high. What do you think?

 

Have you seen the Progressive Insurance commercials? The basic premise in them is: SHOP AND COMPARE!!

 

No shit Sherlock. I was hoping to get some feedback here since I know others here have upgraded their audio systems with Focal speakers. Being very busy with work, I was hoping to save some time going from place to place to compare. Besides, it is not easy finding shops that carry Focals. Thanks for your invaluable information.

 

How much is he charging for the labor? How much are the parts? It seems a little on the high side. Have you tried comparing on line prices ?? Buy the componets yourself and just pay for the install. He's probably charging you MSRP for the focals

 

damn 3k...make sure if u get it its custom made inot ur car..not no box..make sure it in ur car like rollinacura19 car...but i would...jsut buy the parts my stuff den have them install it..but its not that hard to install system...but custom made stuff is hard...so yeah ur gonna need professional help..but yeah so far i think 3k is a bit too high..so yeah jsut shop around and dont buy it from them and buy it urself...

 

3k is fairly high. and for your set up it doesn't seem like theere sill be anything custom made..... when you say 12 inch ported sub, did you mean 12 inch in a ported box? i have used 2 sets of mb quarts qsd216 on my g35 coupe with 2 jl 1000 and a phoenix gold 500/4 with 2 12 inch w6v2 and spent around 3000. and that was with custom installation. like i said 3000 is kind of high for just those pieces of equipment. the shop should be cutting you a better deal since you are purchasing the equipment from them as well.

 

3k is fairly high. and for your set up it doesn't seem like there will be anything custom made..... when you say 12 inch ported sub, did you mean 12 inch in a ported box? i have used 2 sets of mb quarts qsd216 on my g35 coupe with 2 jl 1000 and a phoenix gold 500/4 with 2 12 inch w6v2 and spent around 3000. and that was with custom installation. like i said 3000 is kind of high for just those pieces of equipment. the shop should be cutting you a better deal since you are purchasing the equipment from them as well.

 

Thanks for all your replies. That was my initial thought also...overpriced for the setup. However, I remember the shop discussing Audison or Helix amps and I did some price lookups. Lo and behold, those are some very expensive high end amps. The Audison LRx6sr 6 channel surround amp is msrp at $900. Also, the Helix amps aren't cheap either. Two Helix competition amps would run close to $900 as well. The Focals (165k2p and 690cv pairs) runs about $850 for both. Add in the 12 inch sub in a ported box and it's a little over 2K for parts alone.

I don't think I need amps that high end but they say it makes a difference in clarity. Overall, it's still a bit expensive at 3K. But, it's a ballpark figure and I'm sure I have some haggling room.

 

Sounds ok to me. Helix amps are nice btw good choice, so is audison if you decide them but they get really hot. Are they fiberglassing anything? custom amps rack sub box?

Your best bang for your buck amplifier would probally be jl audio.

 

I dont think its a bad deal, just some stuff you dont need.

What type(s) of music do you listen to?
Are you (or they) aware that the ELS factory system has an onboard eq? Are you keeping your factory head unit? Do you still want the 5.1 operational?


Is this car a 2004+? Because we dont have 6x9s in the rear.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. Kyle, I listen to rock and hip hop mostly. I was not aware of the onboard eq. Does that affect the setup? Also, I plan to keep the existing head unit so I can still play 5.1 dvd audios.

And yes, I'm now aware we don't have 6x9s in the rear deck. The audio place assumed it was 6x9 since it looked like that size fits in that space. I appreciate all your opinions and will talk to the shop again soon to help refine my setup and cost.

 

If keeping the 5.1 is your goal, then I think you will spend more and not see the gains that your equipment is designed for, but put some nice speakers in there with good power and you'll be golden.

 

I think he has a good point. All that high end equipment is good but it will have to deal with the stock head unit. The head unit will be the weak link and you will not get your moneys worth from the rest of the equipment. Get some good stuff (doesn't have to be high end) and save your money for other mods like wheels, suspension or intake. Check Death to Toaster's audio install. He did a good job.

 

what?

 

Age: 20

not a flame, just have to read it a couple times to understand cuz we too old.

 

I think the JL Cleansweep would do everything possible to make the sound clean except it will not allow for the 5.1. I am scraping mine, I only have one dvd-a that I like anyway....A good soundstage in stereo will spoke a 5.1 setup in the car. (notice I said in the car).