Budget Audio Build - I Know Nothing About Audio :)

[Jean]

Don't need any capacitors. 2 sets of stereo RCA cables to run from the deck to the amplifier (nothing fancy is needed, 1 set with built in remote turn-on wire would be nice otherwise you'll need to run a single wire from the headunit to the amp along with the rca wires), some 4ga or 8ga power wire (won't need much since your battery is probably in the trunk), couple 4 or 8ga power wire terminals to connect the power and ground wires. Won't hurt to add 1 inline fuse close to the battery on the power wire going to the amp.

1 4 channel amp (any major brand will do, most are now made in china unless you pay 500+). Something in the range of 50 watts per channel RMS minimum, about 75 or so would be nice.
Make sure the rear two channels are bridgebable (or able to run in MONO for the sub). Most will be ok with that into 4 ohm load.

Sub - single voice coil 4 ohm OR dual voice coil 8 ohm (to make it down to 4ohm by running both coils in parallel), or dual 2ohm (run both coils in series and get 4ohm again).

[Bishop]

Ok. So the only wires I need would be head unit to sub, and sub to power? Stock wires for premiums and front components?

[Jean]

2x stereo rca cables (with built in remote turn on wire OR you'll need to run a wire on it's own)
1 red power wire + terminal
1 black + terminal
1 inline fuse
maybe 3 - 4ft of 12ga for the sub to amp

Stock wiring is ok for the front/rear speakers.

[Bishop]

Ok, thx Jean a ton, I'm honestly not comprehending a ton cause I'm a few beers deep, but I'm trying to learn. I'll probably write everything down and show it to a friend tomorrow or whenever I see him next. He's better with audio stuff than I am, and he's working at the electronics place so he can suggest some stuff to. Thanks a ton though for your help, and I might be PMing you later with questions if that's cool. But, like I said, I'll update this thread when I'm done with results.

[Jean]

Np. I am sure Luke will have some good suggestions for you as well if he hasn't already.

Then comes the fun part of installing (yours is pretty simple) and the most imporant thing about tuning. You don't want to be one of those guys with all bass and no mids/highs or all highs and nothing else haha.

[Bishop]

I PM'd him, but no response. But I'm not worried about it, I think something is fucked on my end cause I guess people aren't getting my messages on facebook now either (facebook is gay, I know). If Luke would offer his opinion, that would rock though. Install would be fine I think, I have one friend in mind who would jump at the opportunity to help. and tuning, I don't have to get it right at first, and I can get it close, then adjust over time.

[StereoInstaller1]

Hey man, someone has to build these fucking boxes, right?

I don't get to sit and chat until I take a break, and it is 11:18, done for the night. I only did 13 hours today, but I am old and slow.

OK, I will state emphatically that you are fucking around. Quit thinking, it just isn't gonna help. I know you are trying to learn and all, but I don't get all the time in the world, y'know?

Here is EXACTLY what to get:
1. Coustic "Crusher" US-CX10-04 sub from PartsExpress.com, but through Amazon: $36.90 or, from me, but then it is $55 because I get shitty deal on some stuff.

Terrific sounding cheap woofer, should last years and can handle more power than you are gonna have for right now. You can add a matching sub amp later and re-assign your 4 channel...but you will be amazed at what you get for now.

2. A Titanium Power 100.4 amp from me: $150 (unless Jean can get you that same amp deal he got...same amp as the Titanium Power, but he paid $100)

3. A ported 10" box from me: $185

Scrounge a set of FRONT and REAR (all goddamn 4, quit fucking around, its like $75 for all of them, uless some assbite is trying to screw you) Stock Premium Sound speakers. Try and find 4 front midranges, as they have seen less sun and will live longer. They are the same mid as the rear so they drop in.

You will also need a cheap 4ga amp kit and 3 sets of RCAs (total, if the kit comes with 1, add 2) and if you wanna shave that last $10 off your total, you could use 8GA.

Now here is how you will set this thing up: Front and sub powered by the amp, rear speakers powered by the deck. This will give you all the adjustability you will ever need, plenty of loud and EXCELLENT sound.

Your deck has excellent high and low pass filters, you can use them to make your car sound absolutely amazing if you do EXACTLY as I say.

Last detail? Get your buddy to score you a set of decent aftermarket crossovers. Anything with mylar caps, send me a pic of the circuit board and it will pass or fail.

So what have we spent here, $450 to $550 total? Your shit will fucking KILL 99% of the car stereos you have ever heard in your life, and likely sound far cleaner and more detailed. Plus, with a good effort, your trunk will look titties and your box will slip out in 10 minutes so you can go play racecars!

Keep me posted with what you wanna do.

Luke

[Bishop]

Hey man, someone has to build these fucking boxes, right?

I don't get to sit and chat until I take a break, and it is 11:18, done for the night. I only did 13 hours today, but I am old and slow.

Luke I never wanted to come across as ungrateful. I'm more than thankful that you have helped me so far, I'm admittedly impatient and I'm wanting to get the ball rolling on this as soon as possible. I'll be doing my taxes tomorrow and going from there. Thanks for the heads up, though, I'll definitely take what you say to heart (Sorry Jean, I really appreciate your input too though!!!!! ). Like I did say before though, I'm going to try and spend the money on everything before sub / box. If I have to get a normal box for now and wait, i will, but I'll see tomorrow for sure. Do you have a phone # you can PM me? Or if I decide I want a box, should I just paypal you and wait?

[StereoInstaller1]

At this point I have no clue if or when another build will happen.

I will have no shop except for a tiny 1 car garage when I move, which is this weekend. (2/1/10)

All of the other stuff can be bought anytime but the box cannot be replicated easily.

Keep me posted

[Bishop]

I'll have a definite answer for you by tomorrow evening, is that ok?

[Bishop]

Premium speakers here, Luke's box and amp are here, cables and rca's i'm getting tomorrow, sub is here... etc. etc.... I just gotta figure out how to put it all together now and not kill myself or my car

[z31maniac]

Take your time and pay attention. Hooking this stuff up isn't hard, at all.

It's just a pain in the ass, which is why I pay people to do it now. For reference, I got a quote of about $200-225 to install a deck/front components/run new speaker wire from crossovers and amp out back/install sub.

[Jean]

Personally I would not pay someone else to run the wires, most car audio shops just "slam" right through it and you end up with a shady install. Take your time, remove your interior (seats, center consoles, door sills) and do it yourself.

Of course there are exceptions out there, but they are not the norm.

[Bishop]

Yeah I'm definitely going to do it myself, hopefully with some help from a friend, but do you guys know if there's any threads going explaining the wiring or whatever? I did a quick search, but didn't really scrutinize the content of each thread

[Jean]

It's not that complicated...take it slow and and it will all makes sense. Your amplifier / headunit should also have wiring instructions.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-LnNioGc9y9o/learn/learningcenter/car/amplifiers_install_tips.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lYQjat6XDE5/learn/learningcenter/car/amplifiers_wiring.html

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/FAQ/Wiring/

http://www.ehow.com/how_5829_wire-car-stereo.html