Car Audio

[Evan]

OK guys. Anyone here know anything about car audio? Let me know.

[Savant]

Looking for anything in particular?

[Rand0m]

Originally posted by Evan
OK guys. Anyone here know anything about car audio? Let me know.

Somewhat....I started a thread like this last summer and learned a lot researching stuff on it. Ask away....a lot of the guys on here know most anything.

[Evan]

Originally posted by Savant
Looking for anything in particular?

Well, I currently drive a 1998 Chevy Lumina. It has a stock system in it, and the dashboard reciever has Theftlock on it. I'm looking to replace the speakers and reciever.

I'm upgrading to this reviever:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ebs8RlqfTZZ/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=130DEHP470&s=0&cc=01

And these speakers:

Front Door Pair: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ebs8RlqfTZZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=51800&I=158XSV133A

Rear Deck Pair:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ebs8RlqfTZZ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52300&I=158XSV6941

I tested them in Best Buy with my types of music and they sound great. However, according to their website, they dont fit my car yet are the same size as the ones I currently have.

Any ideas? Comments? Suggestions on car audio?

[Rand0m]

For the CD player I think crutchfield will send you the universal kit thing so it will fit in your car. For the speakers....well I think you can get any type of speaker into any car, it just takes a little more work if its not the same size. Almost all rear deck speakers are 6x9.....and those ones should go in easily. As for your front speakers the 5-1/4" speakers seem like they will fit. I checked other model speakers with those specs for your car and it said they will fit. If they are the same size I dont see why they wouldnt fit.

Sony isn't bad, but its not the best. You have a 1998....the speakers in it probably arent that bad. I could be wrong though. If you have the money then get the speakers, but if you dont really need the speakers save yourself the money.

[Savant]

Need to be careful, as width/length may be the same its the depth that will cause you problems. dashboard installs do have universal trim kits to help you out, speakers are always the problem.

Ive taken a sawsall to more than 1 vehical before to make speakers fit.

Your best bet is to remove each of front/rear and measure the openings, including the Depth , front doors ESPECIALLY, W/windows up and down.

You may have to switch your notion of Sony's up front, ck out the Infiniti line as they require very little "depth" good luck.

[Major SONAR]

I agree with the advice given above. I've taken a saw to a few car doors. I was always worried I would screw something up, but actaully it always went well.

Funny Story:

I had just installed a new system in my wife's car several years back, cut holes in the doors, ran the wires, etc.... about a week later she totals the car! System and speakers are fine, but the damn insurance company won't let me take them out of the car! What a bitch.. $500 gone down the drain!! (and you wonder why I hate insurance companies! )

[Mugzy]

Hehe, I have had friends that were car audio installers... After you see what a car goes through to "install" some of the stuff, you may never again want to let someone else install for you.

[Evan]

Originally posted by Savant
Need to be careful, as width/length may be the same its the depth that will cause you problems. dashboard installs do have universal trim kits to help you out, speakers are always the problem.

Ive taken a sawsall to more than 1 vehical before to make speakers fit.

Your best bet is to remove each of front/rear and measure the openings, including the Depth , front doors ESPECIALLY, W/windows up and down.

You may have to switch your notion of Sony's up front, ck out the Infiniti line as they require very little "depth" good luck.

Any suggestions on Infiniti speakers?

[Evan]

Originally posted by Rand0m
For the CD player I think crutchfield will send you the universal kit thing so it will fit in your car. For the speakers....well I think you can get any type of speaker into any car, it just takes a little more work if its not the same size. Almost all rear deck speakers are 6x9.....and those ones should go in easily. As for your front speakers the 5-1/4" speakers seem like they will fit. I checked other model speakers with those specs for your car and it said they will fit. If they are the same size I dont see why they wouldnt fit.

Sony isn't bad, but its not the best. You have a 1998....the speakers in it probably arent that bad. I could be wrong though. If you have the money then get the speakers, but if you dont really need the speakers save yourself the money.

The problem I have with the current stock system in my car is that I can't turn it up too loud or its starts cracking. If I turn the bass all the way up, it begins to sound bad as well. The Sony Xplod's I tested (and the ones I listened to in my friends car) can take the level of volume I normally listen to and still go louder without distortion.

[Savant]

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=779915/search=infinity+speakers

5-1/4 spkers are a bitch, not many to choose from.

I like infiniti, dont let the looks fool ya, give them a listen.

amplification/decent spkers are the key to clean sound. even with stock components

[Evan]

Originally posted by Savant
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=779915/search=infinity+speakers

5-1/4 spkers are a bitch, not many to choose from.

I like infiniti, dont let the looks fool ya, give them a listen.

amplification/decent spkers are the key to clean sound. even with stock components

I'll have to find a local place that carries those so I can listen.

Right now I'm still leaning towards the Sony Xplod's. I was going to put the 3-way 5-1/4's in the front, and the 4-way 6x9's in the back. Should I stick to 3-ways in the front, or go with 2-ways?

[Savant]

Youll have plenty of high range to not notice 2 ways in front give those infiniti's a shot, im sure you will agree

[Face]

Originally posted by Evan
The problem I have with the current stock system in my car is that I can't turn it up too loud or its starts cracking. If I turn the bass all the way up, it begins to sound bad as well. The Sony Xplod's I tested (and the ones I listened to in my friends car) can take the level of volume I normally listen to and still go louder without distortion.

With only the receiver (from Crutchfield link: CD receiver with built-in MOSFET50 amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)), you are going to have the same problem. You need an amplifier. 22W RMS is nothing. Especially since the front pair rate "power range: 2-45 watts RMS (180 watts peak power)" and the rear rate " power handling: 2-100 watts RMS (400 watts peak power)" Without an amp, you are WAY underpowered and it may not sound better, maybe worse, than what you have now.

Is Hiway audio still on Route 1 where Harley Davidson used to be? There is a place across from Wick Plaza (the Pathmark) on Rt. 1 on the Northbound side.

How much do you have to spend?

PM me if you ever want me to meet you at Best Buy East Brunswick and help you pick out the best stuff for the dollar.

[Evan]

Originally posted by Face
With only the receiver (from Crutchfield link: CD receiver with built-in MOSFET50 amplifier (22 watts RMS/50 peak x 4 channels)), you are going to have the same problem. You need an amplifier. 22W RMS is nothing. Especially since the front pair rate "power range: 2-45 watts RMS (180 watts peak power)" and the rear rate " power handling: 2-100 watts RMS (400 watts peak power)" Without an amp, you are WAY underpowered and it may not sound better, maybe worse, than what you have now.

Is Hiway audio still on Route 1 where Harley Davidson used to be? There is a place across from Wick Plaza (the Pathmark) on Rt. 1 on the Northbound side.

How much do you have to spend?

PM me if you ever want me to meet you at Best Buy East Brunswick and help you pick out the best stuff for the dollar.

I'm still waiting on my aunt's boyfriend to get back to me about giving me his amp (which he doesn't use anymore), along with some high quality speaker wire and some other goodies. Either way, I do want to purchase an amp, but only after I can find the right speakers for my car.

I believe Hiway Audio is still there, but have yet to check it out. I'm going to one of these days coming up, but it's hard due to my work schedule for the theater I work at (Plays In The Park, http://www.playsinthepark.com - you probably heard of it) where I'm there from 4 to midnight.

I'd be glad to meet up with you at Best Buy one of these days, let me know what day you're available - and preferably around 11am or noon.