Good car stereo system for <$3,000?

[Kirosia]

A friend of mine is planning on getting a stereo system and speakers for his car. Something that is clear and detailed, and I'm pretty sure he prefers rock music mainly, if that helps. What's a good setup for less than or equal to $3,000?

 

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

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[bootman]

Is he doing the install himself or having a pro do it?
Does he need custom enclosures for subs?
Has he thought about car video?
Stuff like custom work can eat into a budget quick.

The make/model car can also determine overall price.

Example: a jeep wrangler open top would be much more expensive to get good sound out of due to its noisy interior.

A lexus would be easier because of its luxury (quieter) design.
(less overall power needed)

It a lot to think about.

 

[Kirosia]

I'm unsure about how he plans to install it and stuff. I'll ask him the next time I see him, although I don't think he'd understand all the differences in form etc. I'll try to find out.

 

[RYCeT]

I've just finished my car stereo system. This is my setup:
Head : Pioneer DEH-p750
CD changer: Pioner CDX-P 1280
Component speaker: Image Dynamics CS 1.62 mini horn 2 ohm
Subwoofer: IDQ 12 2ohm
Amp : ARC 4150
cable: Knukonceptz
Deadener: e-dead
It cost me around $1700 for that system. The weakest link is the head but I like that Pioneer so it's okay for me.
Don't buy dynamat, it's too expensive, find raammat on ebay, and the most important one find a pro to install it for you. For car stereo, it's 10% component and 90% installation. Visit Elite car audio forum There's a lot who can help you there.

 

[screwdriver]

the install is what makes the system .
you can get all the top gear you want and it can still suck .

to maximize your money - i recommend buying all equipment online where it is cheaper - then find a very good installer - try to look at his work and listen to them . go to his shop and hang around .

for head units - i recommend the nakamichi cd 400
amps- arc audio
component speakers - rainbow , image dynamics , focals
sub - Image dynamics (IDQ or ID MAX) , ADS

all equipment i mentioned are geared toward sound quality .

 

[bootman]

Those image dynamics horns are a perfect example of a pro install item.

I miss my install days. (over 10 years ago.)
A lot has changed.

 

[ls20]

ive always heard that the install makes the system

what is involved in that... i mean just running cables on the opposite side as to not allow interference... finding some nice clean grounds... what else is involved that makes it so important???

 

[Daemoth]

Personally, I don't think car audio is worth investing more than a grand because of all the road noise. But if your friend can kill most of the road noise and wind noise, 3 grand could make an interesting system. Definitely do all you can to make the car quieter and block out road noise, this is the main thing that runs car stereo (well second beyond the whole interior).


I'd say that if he has three grand to spend, have him find a good installer. Then do as much research as he so he feels comfortable enough to install it himself decently. Then he can know for sure if the installer did his job right.

 

[screwdriver]

Quote:

Originally posted by ls20 ive always heard that the install makes the system what is involved in that... i mean just running cables on the opposite side as to not allow interference... finding some nice clean grounds... what else is involved that makes it so important???

samples of some other things involved -

-positioning of the front speakers - using kick panels

-having the right size enclosure for the sub depending on the dimensions of the car - if the enclosure in not calculated right - it wont sound as good .

-having a clean , no noise install as you have mentioned.

- sound dampening of critical areas to maximize sound of speakers.

 

[Daemoth]

While we are on the subject of car audio, anyone know of a any headunits and amplifiers that accept true balanced wiring?

 

[mjg]

good clean power, lots of it. Not for the purpose of cranking, for the purpose of just sounding good.

that's what i recommend. I don't think with 3 grand you should spend more then 400 or 500 on a deck. I rather have it sounding good then inviting you when you walk in your car or watch movies. My system is all about audio, nothing that comes out all fancy like all that cheesy stuff young guys do to show off.

I have kenwood, alpine, mbquart, and jl audio gear.

MB Quart is a great speaker, but might sound bright to alot of people's tastes. With electric guitar it could be a painful experience, but if you setup your crossover on the deck pretty well it won't be a problem. They offer amazing midbass, and snappy highs that will sound excellent if tuned properly.

I have a 4 channel kenwood excelon deck bridges to 150 x2 for mb quart refernce premium components up front.

For the rear doors i have a 2 channel alpine v12 powering mb quart discus 6.5 coaxial speakers.

I just got the new alpine v12 1000 class D amp powers dual JL audio w3's in a fitted encloseure, just mounted the amps on the back, nothing for show at all.

I use all stinger interconnects, i forget the make of the cabling, but i use 12 guage for the woofers, and 14 for the speakers, i have a cap, stock alternator (my car came with a good one) and, a battery upgrade might be an option later on. This is good for sound.

Basiclly, I have my system tuned for rock music, i listen to primarily classic rock in the car, and alot of industrial electronic stuff, both sound good.


hope that helps, i also believe getting things installed properly is key, or atleast do it along with a guy that has wired a few systems before. Don't let some fool pull a hack job on your car... and be warned most of the time these shops do crappy work and unless you have a good relationship with them, they will try and take you for a ride as far as price. I think he should spend the 3 grand on the gear itself, then maybe get another 300-400 to spend on getting things installed. That might sound alot, but its worth it

 

[screwdriver]

here is a link to my wife's honda crv with a basic stealth install:
note i first thought the component sets - DEI 3065 were the weakest link - but behold now that i have done a lot of audiophile listening with cans and home gear - i now say they are transparent and uncolored .

system is :

head unit - clarion DXZ 715 - it has 24 bit dac
front speakers -- DEI 3065 component sets
front speaker amps- arc audio 2100 cxl
sub - single ads 12 inch 312 rs
sub amp - zapco studio 100x

HONDA CRV INSTALL

 

[screwdriver]

here is another car that i just sold .

my 1998 honda prelude with the ff system:
head unit : nakamichi cd45z
speakers front : ID chameleon component sets
front speaker amp : PPI PC 2200
sub: Crystal CMP 10 inch
sub amp : Kicker Zr 360.

here is a link :


1998 honda prelude install

 

[Kirosia]

taking down notes . . .