What do I need for a quality car stereo system?

Question

I am not very familiar with the parts necessary, but I want to install a good system in my car. What parts do I need to purchase from an electronic store. Also what brands are best, everyone says Bose but they tend to be pricey.

Answer 1

A budget would be nice, that way someone that knows what they are talking about can give you a shopping list, now someone that really knows what they are doing will not use your entire budget and have great equipment for you to buy on that list.

Nate S, JVC is no longer a bood buy, just to let you know, their products have fallen off.

Sickcall, you need to know that Kenwood, and Dual are actually good products. Dual being the up and comer, they are producing some great quality items in the last few years.

For stereos, I would suggest a CEA-2006 compliant unit, with 3 preamp outs. 1 preamp out for sub, and 2 preamp outs for the front and rear speakers. I will tell you that as far stereos go, Alpine is the leader of the pack by far. They sell head units that will give you great sound.

For the speakers inside your car (6.5" and 6X9's) look into CDT, prices start at right around $100 and stop around $800 or so. Look for a set of compnents for the front, with silk dome tweeters. Textile or metal domed tweeters are just to harsh, silk domes are the best sounding.

As for subs, do not buy into the whole JL Audio thing, they are far from the best sounding subs out their, and there are subs out there that will just flat out kill them. Never under estimate the small guys. Elemental Designs, great company, best customer service from a small company (even the huge companies) that I have ever seen, they care about their customers. They have a variety of subs to choose from, prices are right as well since you buy them directly from the manufacturer themselves. Look into the Ov line, and by the way the 13Av.2 is their top of the line sub right now, 1500 watts RMS, sounds better than the W7. They also make amps as well. Efficent amps that are CEA-2006 compliant.  

Answer 2

Give a budget, there is a large range of options.  You are going to nee d a new deck if you dont already have an aftermarket.  Do you want subs (serious bass)?  What kind of car do you have.  Car audio is different: good brands include: Alpine, kicker, Rockford fosgate, polk and more.

Answer 3

First you will need an aftermarket head unit to make adjustments to your soundstage a lot easier.  Once you get experience in car audio, it may not be as important to you anymore since it really isn't all about the head unit all the time.  Most decks in the $200 range are solid performers.  I'd stay away from Sony, Dual, Pyle, Legacy, Jensen, and Blaupunkt.  

As for hearing the sound, there are three parts:  Highs, Mids, and Lows.  Highs and mids are delivered by speakers.  There are full range, which have the tweeters (highs) and woofer (mids, most of the voices and sound in general) in one convenient woofer.  Then you have component, which separate the tweeter and woofer.  Tweeters will likely require some modification to the doors and/or dash since they aren't mounted on the woofer but some kick panels are availabe for some vehicles to mount both on the doors.  Components are the better way to go as they allow you to mount the tweeter wherever for the best possible sound and they will be loud enough that there will be no need to upgrade the rear speakers at all.  Components almost always require a dedicated amp to run, full range can run off the deck's amp (just about all are severely underpowered for speakers, really).  Both will sound their best when run by a dedicated amp.  

As for who's good, stay away from the same brands I listed and add Lightning Audio to the list with speakers (frommy experience, anyway).  Brands mentioned above are good.  If you run them on a dedicated amp, most will do just fine.

Lows are tackled by the subwoofer(s).  What to get really depends on what bass and how much bass you want.  Component subs require an enclosure and a dedicated amp.  The three enclosures are sealed (tight, clean bass good for sound quality), ported (has one or two ports, makes bass slightly louder and is more boomy bass good for most rap music) and bandpass which usually have 4 ports and one or two woofers in a box enclosed with glass or clear plastic fo ultimate loudness and boom.  Then there are powered subs, which already have an enclosure and internal amp.  Usually is much easier to hook up to factory systems.  Generally speaking, the smaller the sub, the louder it will be with the power it gets.  The bigger you go, the deeper the bass gets.  I believe the lowest the human ear can hear is like 18 Hz or so.  

As for brands, i'll say the only powered subs worth looking at are the Infinity Basslink Series and the Alpine L.A.T. series.  I usually say that the best component subs aren't made by the namebrand companies, as listed by everyone above, but by the ones you only see at bass competitions and such.  As long as they are getting their recommended RMS or close, they will fit the bill.  Again, good namebrand companies were mentioned already.  Stay away from Kenwood (I have a box with them, they are better used as a couch).  Alpine is also an excellent brand (for the price).  

Amps power the subwoofer(s) and speakers.  Buy your subs and speakers before amps cuz its easier to find amps for what you get rather than doing it the other way around.  Its best to match at least the upper half of the RMS wattage to get good sound.  Brands to get/not to get are the same as mentioned and include Kenwood on what not to get.  You'll also need a wiring kit for the amp in the proper gauge and an aftermarket harness for your specific vehicle.  

The namebrand stores have decent stuff (your Best Buys, Circuit Citys, Radio Shacks).  Pro car audio shops will most likely have better.  The best way to save money, though, is to know what's good and buy online.

Answer 4

Alot of Money!

Answer 5

you are first going to want an aftermarket deck. I would suggest JVC for single or double DIN and Alpine for double DIN. Then you have to decide if you want a lot of bass. Subs come in a variety of sizes and you can fit a lot of them if you have a big space. If you want good quality bass that gives a good thump i would suggest getting 2 12" subs. I recommend JL Audio for a good bass but higher price, Kicker and Rockford Fosgate for a good bang for the buck. Put them in an enclosure. I would go with ported for a tighter bass, sealed for a deeper bass. Then you are going to want to get an amp to power the subs. I would suggest the same brands as the subs and you want something that will support the power of the subs. If you really want to play loud music and you want it crystal clear, get new speakers and a component set for the nice highs. I would suggest the same brands once again. I love JL Audio and my whole car is decked out JL Audio with 3 13" JL subs and it the most amazing sound in the world. I would go JL, Kicker, or Rockford. Good luck. Bose is not too good.