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$1000 budget for 1999 camry le audio complete upgrade
* I drive a 1999 Toyota Camry LE w/o pocket below factory radio
Front door speakers - 6-3/4''
Rear speakers - 6x9''
Two small tweeters - by the sideview mirrors(interior)
In-dash stereo depth - 7-3/4'' *
-I would like to go with components for the front, then 6x9's in the back(this is due to putting off a future sub for a WHILE).
-i plan on adding an additional amp and a sub down the road...
I would also like to futureproof myself for an additional amp and sub by buying the necessary wires/cables for this proposed upgrade. having em not connected to anything but just hanging there for future sub/amp upgrade...
-also what wires would i need to utilize the aux in/out of the Head unit? i want to use my ipod's videos capabilities but utilize the headphone jack of the ipod just for the audio.
-I am ultimately looking for a crisp, clean and punchy sound that also accomodates for the warms and highs of acoustics and classicals. I listen to mainly hard rock, rock, metal and some eletronica/experimental.
-Along with the suggestions for the amp/speakers if you guys can also give me a list of all other necessary hardware that is required to DIY this upgrade, thank you!
-please let me know if i missed something that is needed!
-I prefer to shop physically at this store www.abtelectronics.com as they are extremely competitive with manual discounts and what not.. they want a little above $300 for installation of 5 hours or so. I would very much like to save that!
* on a final note, i am completely new to car audio but i have built a few computers and done quite a few home theater installations and internet networking. Will the audio installation pose a big problem to me? I am willing to learn and very patient. *
thank you soo much!
-dave
Last edited by daveofstrength; 10-29-2007 at 03:20 PM.
u have to pop out the ash tray and cig ligther and then yank the trim straight out then just 10mm socket remove the 4 bolts and slide out
also why do you not want a sub now if u wanna spend 1k? If you want to use 1k on just amp for speakers, 4 speakers and a hu you are going to be getting some pretty high quality speakers i assume?
u have to pop out the ash tray and cig ligther and then yank the trim straight out then just 10mm socket remove the 4 bolts and slide out
also why do you not want a sub now if u wanna spend 1k? If you want to use 1k on just amp for speakers, 4 speakers and a hu you are going to be getting some pretty high quality speakers i assume?
I like the Alpine-IDAX001 the best. I would not go crazy on just the sound system. I would just replace the stock speakers with better quality ones. The front speakers might give you some problems, you will need to customize some brackets to fit an after market speaker in (pretty sure). And another one is that its a pain in the A$s to get to the rear speakers, but if you have simple tools it should not be a big problem.
Since you're already window shopping on Crutchfield.com, why not talk to one of their advisors and see what he recommends based on all the details you gave here? I don't know anything about ABTElectronics, but I've always gotten excellent advice from the Crutchfield guys. Their customer service is second to none. Their prices are competetive, Their return policy is very generous. For the amount you're spending, you'll get free shipping, free accessories like speaker adapter plates, wiring harnesses, Etc.
You're looking in a good direction looking at Alpine and Pioneer head units. I'd stay with those two or Kenwood or JVC for head units. I typically look for speakers that are made by pure speaker companies like Polk Audio, Boston Acoustics, etc., to get the best sound. They usually have better sound than the speakers from multi-product companies like Kenwood, Pioneer, etc., since their focus is speakers.
Not sure I'd want a head unit with no CD player built in, but to each his own. If you live off your iPod, I guess that would be ok. I just wouldn't want to have to access a remote CD changer every time I wanted to throw in a CD. There are plenty of head units out there WITH a CD player that will also allow you to plug your iPod into the face of the deck. Again, to each his own.
Since you're already window shopping on Crutchfield.com, why not talk to one of their advisors and see what he recommends based on all the details you gave here? I don't know anything about ABTElectronics, but I've always gotten excellent advice from the Crutchfield guys. Their customer service is second to none. Their prices are competetive, Their return policy is very generous. For the amount you're spending, you'll get free shipping, free accessories like speaker adapter plates, wiring harnesses, Etc.
You're looking in a good direction looking at Alpine and Pioneer head units. I'd stay with those two or Kenwood or JVC for head units. I typically look for speakers that are made by pure speaker companies like Polk Audio, Boston Acoustics, etc., to get the best sound. They usually have better sound than the speakers from multi-product companies like Kenwood, Pioneer, etc., since their focus is speakers.
Not sure I'd want a head unit with no CD player built in, but to each his own. If you live off your iPod, I guess that would be ok. I just wouldn't want to have to access a remote CD changer every time I wanted to throw in a CD. There are plenty of head units out there WITH a CD player that will also allow you to plug your iPod into the face of the deck. Again, to each his own.
very very true, i tried crutchfield and they um disconnceted my chat session :[
well try dividing up how much u want to spend on each piece and then you can get a good idea. Install is very straightforward just a bit tricky at first. But do you really want rear 6x9's? Do you carry passengers? If not most people agree that they mess up the sound staging and when you get a sub having that open area for the sound waves to pass through makes the sub a bit clearer (this is what I did)
well try dividing up how much u want to spend on each piece and then you can get a good idea. Install is very straightforward just a bit tricky at first. But do you really want rear 6x9's? Do you carry passengers? If not most people agree that they mess up the sound staging and when you get a sub having that open area for the sound waves to pass through makes the sub a bit clearer (this is what I did)
yes, the key thing is i may not get a sub at all... so i may just get rear 6x9's
how substantial of an interference is it if i have rears with subs?
^so you mean an open air sub? he has to be a lot more careful with the setup, sub used and how much weight it can support if he wants to do it in the back like that.
Basically by sound staging I mean that if you go to a concert or w/e the speakers are always in the front, spaced equal distances away from you on the left and right so the sound waves from both get to you at the same time and preserves the sound. Also some people believe that the non circular shape of the 6x9 produces less than optimum sound but I really dont know too much about this, Im just trying to give you all the info I can
As far as the interference I can just give you my opinion, before I had my 6x9 with my sub and I took them out to test the difference and it sounded a bit clearer, still not really close to how much better it sounds when I put down my rear seats but definitely a bit more clear.
If I were you and you have 1k to spend I would def pick up a sub and amp, even if you want just a small sealed 10 or 12, I think you would really enjoy it
I was almost exactly in your shoes,
I came out of computer building/repair work and into the world of car audio. The only thing I did with my spare time was look up car products and how to installations. I did not have a budget except hand me down subs and amps from my Brother in Law. The only thing I had to do was wire up the car, which I had Circuit City do since I had no tools to drill through the firewall. The component speaker installation in the front doors was easy, and I did not change the rear 6x9 speakers. The sub I used was a Kicker L5 powered by a Kicker ZR1000. The headunit I kept stock as I did not want anything to be stolen..
But as for your setup, I would put a sub in and not change the 6x9, put in atleast 500 watts into any sub of your choice (imo Kicker brand), change the front mid range and have it powered by the headunit that you chose, and keep the tweeters.
The noticeable sound change is the bass and the midrange to highs.
I'd say get the Pioneer DEH-P4900. It's not quite as fancy, but the ipod interface is slick as hell. It's $200 for the regular pioneer+cord or $200 for the premier which comes with the cord, find whichever one your local pioneer has, there is no difference at this level. Use the extra $200 you saved to get better speakers/amps etc. You'll appreciate it in the long run I think.
For a sub I'd look at the Dayton Audio RS Series High Output subs over at Parts Express, according to diycaraudio.com they're some of the best deals in good, clean subs. I have the 12" and love it.
Last edited by Blackhawk3D; 10-29-2007 at 04:52 PM.
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$1000 budget for 1999 camry le audio complete upgrade
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