I Want A Whole New System!!! I NEED Some GOOD Advice...

[F1GT]

I want to change my whole stereo system. This is what I want:

1) New HeadUnit. Any recommendations?? I want something that looks Futuristic(prolly will be silver) and will have a good "wow" factor. I will compromise some performance for the "wow" factor.

2) A component up front(6.5 on doors and tiltable tweeters on the triangle plastic by the mirror.

3) Sailpanel...??? Leave Blank, I guess.

4) 4x6 in the rear trunk panels

5) Stealth box Sub in the rear(JL or MTX).

QUESTIONS:

A) What should I get first? The HU right?? If I get the HU first(getting speaks a few weeks afterwards) will it work with the factory speakers?? Sound like crap??

B) Currently, I have Polk 6" components upfront. I'm willing to spend up to around 150 for a pair of speakers, what should I get for components(should I replace to match the rear??) and what should I get for the 4x6???

C) I think I will most likely get the MTX stealth box. What Amp is good to power this?? Do I need two?? One for sub, one for the rest??? I want to be able to control the amount of bass from the seat, just like the factory stereo...

D) What else do I need?? (Cables, wires, connectors, etc.....)

I am ignorant on these things, if you can be clear, I will be grateful. Thx ....
[img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[Chemten10]

i would say go for the jl stealth box with a 10W3 instead of the MTX. i think in the long run you will be more happy. i waited and was lucky enough to find one used and i am so glad i did. :cool:

[F1GT]

If I go for JL I will get the 10W6...
[img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[Chemten10]

they only come dual 6ohm. most amps dont support a 3ohm load (figuring you would wire the DVC in parallel). is there a particular reason you would go with that one?

[ChameleonGreen]

I can recommend some real good stuff, but, I need to know what your price range is. Also, you should never give up performance for 'wow factor'.

[95TealCamaro]

This is the HU I would get. I played with one the other day. It definatly(sp) draws attentionHead Unit
This is JL's website. I would really recommend JL. JL Audio

[TheBeast]

the deh-9300 is a really nice head unit. i love mine. the bright colors and 3D stuff have actually saved me from falling asleep at the wheel a few times really late at night ;)

[95v6]

i think you should buy my system. I wrecked my car, so i dont need it anymore. I have 3 JL 10's, an audiobahn amp, and 4 gauge wires. You can see pictures at my site

[spootydinkcamaro94]

I would definately get the MTX box. It is plastic, but it is very dense and the sub is designed for it. You can get an amplified box/sub/amp combo that is really loud for like 300-400 I think. It is very clean. No, I do not have one, but I know who designed it and he would not design anything crappy ;)

[Chemten10]

the amplified ones are crap. if you're going to go with mtx, at least just get the loaded or unloaded version. it's a cheapo digital amp that's only 100W RMS to a sub that's designed for a lot more.

[DrMilhouse]

1) get the one that looks best and sounds best to you. We're not gonna be sure of your taste of "futuristic" but do make sure you get the features you'll need in the deck, sometimes that's the best wow anyway.

2) I'm one of very few people using Kicker for my components but I love them. Get the ones that sound best to your ears, cause you're the one that will be listening to it. The "best" speakers out there are something from MB Quart (I forget the series). They're like $900 a set. I guess they look the best on paper so they can be sold for that, but to hear them, I honestly think they sound "ok" like many others that are at 1/4 the price. Beware of putting your tweeters at a great distance from their midbass drivers. If you're not careful, it will sound like...

chi..chii is way over here and
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bom bom bom is way down here

I'm actually going to be putting another set of tweeters on the plastic piece you are. Someone else around here has done it already. Just be aware that there is VERY little space behind that plastic so you'll HAVE to mount them on the plastic with some creativity or money.

3) I'm not sure what you mean by "sail panels" as there's a few different parts that are called that by different people. If you're talking about the "b pillar" where the speakers are you will get many different answers. Several people here believe that you should not use any rear speakers at all. I disagree because when I have my fader set all the way to the front, something is missing. That's a choice for you to make.

4) no, do not put anything in the rear trunk panels. It's not worth it and 6x9's that are worth a damn are too thick to put in to that space. (The stuff underneath the trim panel gets in the way.) Just unplug the factory speakers there and leave it at that.

5) stealth boxes are nice, both that you mention seem to be okay - though I have no experience with either one. I personally prefer the Milhouse style box, but maybe I'm a little biased ;)


A) yes, this is the first thing to replace. This is where the sound comes from. Amps/speakers only reproduce the sound that they are given. If they are given a less than great sound, they'll amplify a less than great sound. Yes, they will work with the factory amp and speakers. (97 and above anyway).

B) just to reitterate, get the speakers that sound good to you, all of our ears like to hear different things. My speakers don't sound the best to some people, and when I listen to their cars it makes me freak out about how they can listen to such crap.

C) Go with the Milhouse. Okay, if not the Milhouse, then I probably would suggest the JL over the two you're thinking of. It seems more users of them have been happier overall. Depending on which amp you go with, some will be able to do all of your speakers, other configurations would require one for the sub and another for the others. This is another thing where you'll need to listen. I love my 10 year old PPI (art series limited edition black) amps. [img]smile.gif[/img]

D) Use at least 4 guage for power. Anything less, you'll be redoing it at some point. Do it right the first time. Anything more is room to upgrade the stereo later. You'll need speaker wire, just go from the amp to each speaker. This will take more wire than you'd think. Connectors will depend on the amp/speakers/deck that you opt for.

HTH

[F1GT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by DrMilhouse:

3) I'm not sure what you mean by "sail panels" as there's a few different parts that are called that by different people. If you're talking about the "b pillar" where the speakers are you will get many different answers. Several people here believe that you should not use any rear speakers at all. I disagree because when I have my fader set all the way to the front, something is missing. That's a choice for you to make.

4) no, do not put anything in the rear trunk panels. It's not worth it and 6x9's that are worth a damn are too thick to put in to that space. (The stuff underneath the trim panel gets in the way.) Just unplug the factory speakers there and leave it at that.


A) yes, this is the first thing to replace. This is where the sound comes from. Amps/speakers only reproduce the sound that they are given. If they are given a less than great sound, they'll amplify a less than great sound. Yes, they will work with the factory amp and speakers. (97 and above anyway).

B) just to reitterate, get the speakers that sound good to you, all of our ears like to hear different things. My speakers don't sound the best to some people, and when I listen to their cars it makes me freak out about how they can listen to such crap.

C) Go with the Milhouse. Okay, if not the Milhouse, then I probably would suggest the JL over the two you're thinking of. It seems more users of them have been happier overall. Depending on which amp you go with, some will be able to do all of your speakers, other configurations would require one for the sub and another for the others. This is another thing where you'll need to listen. I love my 10 year old PPI (art series limited edition black) amps. [img]smile.gif[/img]

HTH<hr></blockquote>

Thanks for all the info, much appreciated.

3&4) Yep, Sail Panel = B-pillar. That's where the factories so called sub is. I don't want to put a coaxial there because of the rear seat passengers. That's why I thought of leaving it blank and putting 4x6 in the back hatch.

A) Aftermarket HUs work with factory speakers? Cool. Cuz my co-worker(electronics guy) said "blah blah American car, not a japanese car, so you will need new speakers for it to work...blah blah...american car hard to work on...."

B) I ABSOLUTELY agree with you on this. Everyone seems to judge how good something sounds by the name and price. Sheesh!!!

C) Yes, I would love to prefer the 10W6 over the MTX, but the MTX is half the price the last the I've checked. My co worker just installed a pair of 8" JL subs in my trunk, running from a Fosgate 250w 2 channel amp. I am just trying it out to see what a sub would do to my factory deck. This is strong enough for me, as I don't need that much bass or attention. But now it isn't as well balanced. Some songs sound good, but others sound bad( muffled), even though I have components up front. I guess the stock amp isn't strong enough to compensate.

Now I'm just thinking of leaving everything stock, except for the components up front and just adding a pair of tweeters in the back with a capacitor.

[96firebird311]

I would recommend the JL stealth box. I have had personal experience with these and was very impressed.A head unit with "WOW" factor?? That's easy... the Pioneer DEH9400. Newest one out. Has an EL organic display for starters. The biggest thing about this is that you can download your own images into the deck and watch them while you drive!!! :eek:

[DrMilhouse]

Watch out for those pioneers and make sure you ask around here and elsewhere for people who have had them more than about 6 months. It will be difficult to find many people who are really into pioneer from their track record of breaking. Generally, it WILL break at some time. Something will wear out in an unreasonably short period of usage.

Also, you said you're looking to replace your current system, but it's helpful to know if you're using a Monsoon deck from the factory or is it the non-monsoon version? Either way the factory speakers and amp will work. It's best to bypass them and put new ones in, but to save on the $$$ you can replace them later and just replace the deck for now.

[TheBeast]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 96firebird311:
I would recommend the JL stealth box. I have had personal experience with these and was very impressed.A head unit with "WOW" factor?? That's easy... the Pioneer DEH9400. Newest one out. Has an EL organic display for starters. The biggest thing about this is that you can download your own images into the deck and watch them while you drive!!! :eek: <hr></blockquote>

i think you mean DEH9300 [img]smile.gif[/img] there is a 8400 that plays mp3s, but no 9400 yet. if there WAS a 9400 that would mean free upgrade for me!! woohoo

btw: i've had mine for 9 months and only problem so far was a balancer that went bad, but replaced under warranty. so im happy with it so far

[ May 05, 2002: Message edited by: TheBeast ]</p>