Looking for stereo advice. (StereoInstaller1)

[Wiglaf]

I'm interested in overhauling the stereo setup. This is in a vert.. and it has to be done on a budget. It doesn't have to be pristine quality but does have to be LOUD. As you know all the sound flies out the top, and this is on a car with a loud 3" turbo exhaust.

Also the PO installed some aftermarket setup that blows. I'll be replacing the wires 100% from the head unit back to the amp and speakers.

Starting with the $500 setup thread:
AMP: FLI Audio FU1000.5-F1A $150

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewcat.php?id=45&show_thumbnails=1&show_description=1&affiliate=googadw&gclid=CMmYvOK5zLACFegbQgodmxxtMw&sort_order=price_asc

Receiver: Needs bluetooth and uax in for ipod. I've checked out a few at bestbuy that are ~$160. Open to suggestions. I want it to sound good and not look like it's trying to be a rave lightshow.

Your bassbox I am considering, but (and feel free to call me a retard) I cannot for the life of me figure out where to go to buy this or get pricing. Your install threads all skip these basic details. I know it's tedious but I don't read every post on here maybe you could add that or put it in your sig? I don't need your FB page. :p


5.25" speakers. I gathered from searching other threads that you have pretty much given up on these and say to use stock. Well, these suck and I'm replacing them. I'm not above going up to 6" and dealing with whatever mods I need to to make them fit if it really matters that much.. but I need some suggestions. I don't know speaker brands at all.

I also would like tweeter suggestions.. These I assume would get driven straight from the head unit? Would you put a crossover in this first?

The $500 thread doesn't cover the main speakers just the sub.. I figure this will cost a little more. Thanks in advance for any suggestions on what direction to take this.

[Van Westervelt]

I know their website is getting launched soon (German Audio Specialties), but most of the time business is done via PMs and Paypal.

I do not have any technical input myself. I just know the sound I like, and to reach for my wallet.

[lylefk]

My suggestion on a budget would be to get Luke's box, ditch the rear speakers, leave the fronts stock and amplify all the above. Luke will likely suggest a Pioneer headunit, although I prefer the Alpines (PITA to tune, but the higher end ones match the dash colors really well). I did a variation of this in mine, but I took it one step further and sourced some crossovers (installed where the rear speakers were) and replaced the tweeters with old school silk dome Pioneer units...mostly because I had them laying around. Plenty loud, even on the freeway with the top down.

If you want to go further, you can cut holes in your doors and install 6.5's that will handle more power and get a somewhat stronger amp to run them. Still ditch the rears.

You mention upgrading your tweeters...generally, you'll buy 'separates', which include the 5.25" or 6.5" mid, a crossover and a tweeter (sold in pairs). You then go from your amp to the crossover, which splits up the signal and sends it to the appropriate area, mid-bass or tweeter.

[kinvodA]

I bought the JVC XD-80BT for $165 after seeing BlueAppleSoda's thread. Bluetooth,2 Additional usbs, 2 aux, perfect color match options, 3 4.8V preouts. I haven't installed it yet, but it seems like its the dick I've been waiting for. #TypoOnPurpose ;) Lol

[Wiglaf]

The JVC XD-80BT looks badass, thanks for the suggestion.

The tweeters i have a pair of the window triangles, I assume as long as they aren't blown they should be good enough for me. I'm surprised you opted to totally bail on the rears. Can you get enough volume from just the fronts? If I did that I would definitely shoehorn bigger ones into the front.

[Dozyproductions]

Some advice is that if you have audio stores go to them and listen to some of the speakers. Warning though that they will sound different from a sound board to a car environment but you can get the gist. Afterwards if you didn't like the price or the sound of the speakers go onto car audio forums like diymobileaudio.com and browse the newbie sections where people ask for cheap but good sounding speakers. You can cross your experiences with others and buy a set like Woila!


I actually had one of Luke's favorite brands Xtec 6.5's in my civic (and stupid me I sold it with them in there!) and it was probably the best component speakers set for under $300 besides my Oz matrix elites! If you really want to get tricky learn how to use crossovers from an amp and possible head unit and buy yourself some great speakers without the xovers included and shape the audio how you want it to sound!

[Wiglaf]

hah, you guys may be a lot pickier than I am with sound. I don't have an ear for it. I just know when something sounds like shit.. I don't want distortion and I don't want cheap shit that falls apart in a year.

[kinvodA]

A good set of component 5.25" speakers, run to an amp, with the tweeter in the triangle, and a Luke box will kick ass. I have 5.25"s in the rear, but it's overkill, and I got them for super cheap. The best cheap option, as per Luke, is "premium" speakers from an is in the front

[Dozyproductions]

A good set of component 5.25" speakers, run to an amp, with the tweeter in the triangle, and a Luke box will kick ass. I have 5.25"s in the rear, but it's overkill, and I got them for super cheap. The best cheap option, as per Luke, is "premium" speakers from an is in the front

nonsense. two $20 vifa tweeters with two diy 40 dollar mids and you got yourself light years what 20 year stock bmw speakers have to offer.

[kinvodA]

nonsense. two $20 vifa tweeters with two diy 40 dollar mids and you got yourself light years what 20 year stock bmw speakers have to offer.

Can you post a few links? I think I blew one of my rears and am interested

[Dozyproductions]

Can you post a few links? I think I blew one of my rears and am interested

Rears I've always used co-axils and called it a day. For an idea what im talking about go to Zaphaudio.com for speaker suggestions. I try to go to partsexpress.com and look at their deals. Heck something like this could work for just the mids though... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=299-030