Ok guys, so I've added comptech headers, intake, and exhaust to my 02 TLS. Now I'm looking to replace this wimpy audio system. So I've set a 2,000 budget on it. I'm looking for ideas on what you guys would do. You all seem quite smart when it comes to audio advice, as well as other areas, so I'm here to see what you will suggest. So where should I begin? Should I do it myself? or Pay someone to do a professional install? Can I get a good professional install for that price or am I better off doing it myself and buying better components with the extra cash saved from the install cost? I think any install shop is going to rip me off..especially someplace like soundadvice or circuit city..so I'm looking for advice. I usually use alpine headunits with no internal amp. Let me know guys
Thanks.

 

give it to me and ill save it for ya lol jk

dont go to circuit city, those fuks dont know what the hell they are doing.

id get an alpine indash dvd and screen, JL sub, JL amp and a set of real nice components. its all pretty simple to install, i would do it myself.

personally i have pioneed indash dvd and screen, fosgate sub (was laying around, no cost to me), kenwood amp and polk db components. sounds pretty awesome.

but for a 2grand budget you can take that and expand it.

 

those indash dvd's will cost u around 1400 ... the good ones at least. i doubt u could get a good system for 500

 

shop around and watch sounddomain.com, infinitecaraudio.com, etronics.com and get the online deals. Buy.com has zero noise streetwires cheap. Get your amp wiring kit at walmart (scoche). Particularly, watch for amps that have recently had new models replace them. They sell fast!

Get the cheapest deck that has the features you want from the Brand you trust. Don't get the model with more power, you'll be using amps so it won't make any difference. I chose the Alpine CDA-9807. The new comprable model is CDA 9827. Don't get a crappy deck though. Gargbage in, garbage out, after all.

Spend the money to get the right speakers and right amps. This is the meat of the syste. I love Polk DB6500 and they drop right in. Others like the Focals and some three letter acronym that starts with "C" (you'll recognize it, too lazy to look it up).

You can talk about amps all day but MTX is a good budget amp. Other than that, do your research and watch for deals. Don't pay full price.

Subs? That's a whole nother thread! You don't need the greatest subs, they are in your trunk. OU is goiong to tell you JL. I would even agree. You can't, absolutely can't be disappointed with a W6. Of course, that's some serious cash! The Alpine Type R are highly regarded and the Infinity Perfect are awesome.

Even so, I bought a Brahma. After everything I read, it seemed to be in a class by itself. Still working on the install so I can't confirm nor deny that it is worhth the $$. Adire just released the Koda 10 inch sub. It is alot cheaper than the Brahma. Read up on the Adire Brahma. Contact Adire, they are very responsive.

If you have $$ left over, have the system installed. Bulld your own box but, unless you can dedicate like four solid days with help from a friend, let a pro do it. But make SURE it is a pro. If you can't find one, do it yourself.

Do not, under any circumstances, let Circuit City touch your car! They hire the most pathetic excuses for installers on the planet. They will butcher your car and it will never be the same.

If you have someone else do it, find a local shop and inspect some of their other installs. Word of mouth is the only way to find a great installer. I think my buddy paid about $400 to have the whole install: deck, speakers, wires, amps, subs. He spent a total of $4000 but he got a hard drive and some serious equipment. I spent about 1200 with no box and no install. I have been working on it for a long time but... mmm, it is goinna be SCHAWEET!

Now that I saved you a ton of money. Send whatever is left over to the Vitamin Z Next Genereation COllegiate Fund. PM me for the address!

 

ps.s, if you do get an Adire sub, either order direct form them or use http://www.sound-foundations.us. My sub took four months to get to me! That is one reason I am still trying to finish the install. It messed up my groove.... But Seth at Sound-Foundations answered every single email I sent him (and I sent him alot of them!) and was truly a genuine friend during the experience. He was as excited and frustrated as I was and made sure to keep me abreat of what was going on. I have no idea what the trouble was but the speakers were backordered all over. Adire confirmed with a simple "yes, they are delayed. Your order is placed. It will ship when it can"

hmmm. I will let you know shortly how it sounds. (but it wins competitions all over so I am pretty confident)

 

Well Rusky you are right~!!!, but your sub is also a very nice sub. I looked around for a few months so I could get the best deal - I am on a college budget mind you! Components are a must....dont go cheep here, they are the most important piece. Dont forget quality wire either. Subs are really another whole thread. I am very happy with my set up - loud enough to shake your nose hairs, but still have good tight bass with the sealed box. "Hotel California" by the Eagles just absolutely is amazing on this system...that song is a very good test BTW.

 

i got mine for 800, new. jus gotta look round that all

 

If you feel comfortable installing everything yourself do so and spend the extra $$$ on better componet speakers. Is there really a best in teh car audio biz for anything? not really its all a matter of taste.

For Mid - High components I would recommend

Boston Acoustic Pro 6.5
MB Quart
Focal
JL Audio

just keep in mind you want to listen to these before you buy. find a friend, go down to a local shop and see what you can find.

For subs

Well all I can say is JL Audio. I've never really ever heard a sub quite as clean, crisp and accurate as JL. again just my opinion. here depends on the amount of bass you want to have in your ride. Could be anything from a single 10w6, two 10w3s, two 10w6s, single 12w6, two 12w6's, two 12w3s (thats what I have).

Amps

Don't go cheap on amps, make sure you go with a decent quality brand. If you are on a $2000 budget you may want to go with used amps. As suggested above, find what models are being replaced and they will be going for cheap. I have an Old school Rockford Fosgate Punch Power 250m powering my subs and a I think 2002 Rockford Power 600 powering my mids and highs. check out ebay and you may find some savings.

OU Sig - what are you rocking your JL 12w3s with? I have the same setup in a sealed box feeding them about 500 watts rms with the Rockford Power 250m. Just curious.

 

So In looking around I found a 12W7 I can purchase for 500bucks, but that doesn't leave me much room for anything else. Only question is the W7 is a 3 Ohm unit. How do you get a 3Ohm amp to drive it? I thought everything was either 1,2,4 or 8 ohm.
Input guys?
thanks.

 

You could get one reeeeaaaaally nice cell phone with that.

 

...or a bunch of kinda nice cell phones that you could keep swapping out when the screen gets scratched. I would put it into my new car fund. I love this one, but you know eventually you'll need a new one.

 

I have the Kicker 600.1 Amp, it is rated at 600 watts but it pushes 720 RMS at 2 ohms...very nice for sure. And I have the bass knob in the spot by the Sunroof controls.

 

You can get a few amps that now-a-days can do any impedence load. whether it be anywhere from 1-4ohms. Like JL Audio's 1000.1 ( think thats the model #) anyways if you do get a 12W7, that sounds like a fair deal, but most of your budget will go towards that and an amp to push it. Considering you should give it about 1000 watts RMS. That would leave you next to nothing for your components and a mids/high amp, which you will need to balance out all that bass you are going to have.

 

in other words more money would be a big help...if not dont try to get a W7 thats for sure

 

I recently had a pro shop install a 5.1 sound system in my 02 TLS. Parts totalled just over 2k, but installation ran another 1500. I can't believe I spent that much in car audio, but I am extremely pleased with the results. If interested in details, let me know...

 

Sure, post some details, and possibly some pics.

 

CDT ES-620's up front, ES-400 center, CL-6X rears, (2) JL 10w3v2, Audiobahn a5100t, Clarion dxz945mp. Of note, the center is mounted into the dash and subs take up rear quarter of the trunk, firing forward. As for pics, I'll have to find a digital camera...

 

SO SORRY! don't get this kit. The power wire is three feet too short. Get your amp kit at Sound Domain.

Make sure you have at least 18 ft of power wire