Basic stereo/sound upgrade - paging Luke!

[yoni]

Alright,

So I still have the stock tape deck in my iX ..

I do not want anything extravagant... no need for thumping base, or claw your ear decibels..

I will be buying a head unit.. what else should I be getting, realistically.

This is a budget stereo upgrade.. so, should I get speakers? Amp, sub?

I read somewhere that I should be fine if I get a new h/u and speakers, and then rewire the system, bypassing the factory amp?

Luke, your input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[kronus]

I read somewhere that I should be fine if I get a new h/u and speakers, and then rewire the system, bypassing the factory amp?

Yes, that will be sufficient if you're just looking for a clarity and feature upgrade.

You don't have a factory amp if you don't have the premium sound package (bigger rear speakers and front tweeters). You still would want to rewire in order to bypass the fader switch.

Amp + sub is not necessary if you don't crank your music up pretty high.

[Stephen]

Thats what i did.. Pretty basic Sony HU from bestbuy and set of pioneer speakers... not the best but cheap and they installed it

[yoni]

Will I still get base if I just rewire the h/u to the speakers?

note - I DO have tweeters and larger rear speakers... =premium sound..
I don't have the fader switch, though.

Also - am I fine keeping the stock tweeters and speakers, or should I be purchasing new ones..?

[Kerrath]

It's a matter of choice on replacing or not. My friend likes my premium system sound, but I don't and just haven't gotten around to replacing it.
I like his better. He's running pioneer 5.25 and 6x9 in the back and it sounds good without a sub.
Our friends have thought he had his sub on when he didn't.

If you upgrade the hu you might end up blowing your speakers if the wattage is too much, but you'd have to ask luke about stock power handling.

[yoni]

Luke - where art thou?

[StereoInstaller1]

Luke - where art thou?

What the hell, man...relax! I don't LIVE here, no matter how it seems.

OK, so about the upgrade thing.

No way in hell would I ever think about living with any car being deck powered.

No fucking way.

So as far as what makes YOU happy, if 4 speakers off of 50 watts RMS gets it for you, consider yourself lucky. I am not being facetious here, seriously. I always do the least neccesary to make ME happy...screw the rest of the world.

Keep in mind that you aren't out to impress anyone but yourself here....but let me ask you a question: is the reason for a small system because you don't want to (or can't) spend the money for the good stuff?

All I am saying is don't convince yourself into thinking that you don't want a bigger stereo just because of the money. I know a lot of guys don't want big sound because of either weight or space. My shit weighs about 100 pounds and takes up a significant amount of space. I know my car is quite a bit more "nimble" without it.

Luke

[yoni]

No, I just don't want to spend the big bucks on this car, because I spend most of the time in my cabrio.. and that will be a whole other story in terms of what will have to be done to get decent sound.
I digress..
I don't want to frivolously spend on this car.. at least not yet.
What would be a realistic budget, then?
500$ or so ?
If you do suggest I get an amp and sub, too.. it doesn't have to be top notch shit..

[StereoInstaller1]

How soon we talking?

Box production should be starting soon, gonna build my woodshop shortly, unless shit hits the fan as it usually does.

A $50 woofer and a $100 amp with a $130 deck and a set of good condition premium sound speakers and you will be shocked.

[cmflossin]

Box production should be starting soon,

w00t!!!! that's the best news i've heard today. i mean, its early, but still... i'm so sick of having that big ass 15 taking up my entire trunk.

[yoni]

Lol -

Alright, Luke.. I think you can count me in.. how much are you going to charge for a box?
And will you ship to Montreal?

My premium speakers seem to be perfectly fine, so I should be able to use those..?

So... deck..amp..sub.. enclosed in your box... and my stock premium speakers and tweeters, and I should be good?

[DrMcDave]

Lol -

Alright, Luke.. I think you can count me in.. how much are you going to charge for a box?
And will you ship to Montreal?

My premium speakers seem to be perfectly fine, so I should be able to use those..?

So... deck..amp..sub.. enclosed in your box... and my stock premium speakers and tweeters, and I should be good?

Luke has been preeching for years that the stock speakers setup properly with a sub sound great.

[napabavarian]

If budget is an issue and you aren't picky about brand try sonicelectronics.com under http://www.sonicelectronix.com/liquidation_station.html , I can usually find a bargian or two there if I'm on a budget, but you gotta put it in yourself, or have a friend.

[StereoInstaller1]

Luke has been preeching for years that the stock speakers setup properly with a sub sound great.

If any of had heard my wifes car, you would too.

[yoni]

I'm not on a super tight budget... I just don't want to spend 2000$ on a system for this car..

I'll be getting a H/U .. amp ... sub .. just not the super expensive stuff. And hopefully a box from Luke, if all goes well and he doesn't have any set backs.