whole new system (or just some of it) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wedgiesaurus · 03-08-2005, 09:38 PM

Hey guys,

I'm getting a 2k5 corolla-s and i'm going to be putting $800-1000 into a new sound setup. I'm leaning towards replacing some (all) of the stock speakers and adding an sub instead of just adding a sub. My main goal is to replace the headunit with something that plays mp3s, and add some sort of amp/sub combo in the trunk.
With the budget I'm on, I'm not sure if it is worth doing new interior speakers or if they will be sufficient with a new headunit.
I've also never installed speakers before, but I am familiar enough with electronics to where I think I can do it myself if I have all the right parts.

Any suggestions on amp/sub vs. interior/amp/sub? Any suggestions on actual equipment? I've been reading up quite a bit, and it seems the clarion and pioneer seem to be the best headunits out there, and noone seems to agree about anything else :-p.

Thanks for your help guys.

wedgiesaurus · 03-08-2005, 09:46 PM

Also, I am looking for something ported, not sealed. As much as I like jazz-type music, I listen to the hard hitting hip-hop stuff more often.

03-08-2005, 09:52 PM

there is no consensus on the products because there is a lot of good stuff out there. if you want perfect SQ there are speakers out there that would kill your entire budget in no time.

however there are many affordable options that are good.

i think it would be good to do a set of component speakers up front with a 2 channel amp, a head unit, and maybe 1-2 10's or 8's in the trunk with a separate single channel amp. to do this you will also need wiring, distribution block, fuse holder, etc.

basically start looking around for a head unit you like and maybe a sub/s.

im waiting for a kicker solobaric 8" L7 in the mail anyday im gonna power it with and mtx thunder 801d. the sub can handle up to 450rms watts and the amp puts out 400x1 @ 4ohms load. you could use the same amp to power 2 of the same speakers, since it would push 800 watts at 2 ohms.

i paid $85 for the sub on ebay and $180 for the amp. if you were to get 2 of the S8L7's and the amp you should expect to pay around 400. with wiring and installation materials i think 500 is about right. maybe even less if youre good.

that would leave you with 300-500 of your budget. you could spend 250 on a headunit and be done.

if you wanted more you could get a high quality set of components for less than 200 on ebay and an amp for about 150. add another $50 for materials and your talking about $400.

so basically you could have a great system IMO for about $1150

also, there are obviously cheaper and more expensive components so you do have a fair amount of wiggle room with the price estimate i gave you.

i reccomend you start scouring eBay for good deals, read a lot and ask a lot of questions.

DMDrew812 · 03-08-2005, 11:34 PM

Ebay is incredible, if you're both patient and fast acting enough. Be sure to scope out people's ratings though, there are super-scammers out there. I found 1,00 to 1,500 bucks worth (retail) of alpine equipment, four component-combo speakers, a 12 inch, amp, and HU, plus all of the boxs mounting kits harnesses and wires I'll need for about $550 (after shipping!.) Granted, it is on the lower end of the alpine spectrum as far as power goes, but they put out some clean crisp sounding audio, theyre not made for that uber-bump people seem to crave. But yeah Ebay dude.

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-09-2005, 12:02 AM

X2 with nico

if I had 1000 bucks here's what I would do...(new equipment)
http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2171

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qfSiF9W...0&I=500CDA9833

or a pioneer deh-p860mp, off ebay 300$ plus shipping

Image Dynamics IDMAX 12" with Marv enclosure.

...then wait til I have enough money for some nice amps

Anshu · 03-09-2005, 12:06 AM

question i would ask you, is this all your going to do the car. Or in the future would you add more and more. Cause if its a one time deal then settle and get basic stuff all around. If not start with the sub/headunit and add more and more etc

wedgiesaurus · 03-09-2005, 08:10 AM

this would pretty much be it. i'm just in the market to get some better sounding stuff. If I was to break it up and keep adding on, i would do headunit>>amp+sub>>amp+components.

thanks for the help guys

i'm thinking i may just go headunit+amp+one sub, because that would take up the least space (which comes in handy for me) and the least money, which is helpful as well... but is a single 12" worth getting?

03-09-2005, 01:45 PM

yes. depends on the sub though. i am only doing one 8 in my truck so you better believe i feel its worth it, although i did get an amp that will power two of the same if i should want it later on.

DMDrew812 · 03-09-2005, 02:22 PM

Better to get one good hitter than two lousy ones.

wedgiesaurus · 03-09-2005, 05:34 PM

what about getting a 2 channel amp and running a sub off one channel and then the rear interior speakers off the other channel of that amp? doable? advisable?

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-10-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedgiesaurus

what about getting a 2 channel amp and running a sub off one channel and then the rear interior speakers off the other channel of that amp? doable? advisable?

You'd want to get a 4 channel amp that will allow you two bridge two of the channels and use the other two for the front speakers.

Or get a 3 channel like this one
http://www.dls.se/english/fstark/a5n.htm

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-10-2005, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wedgiesaurus

this would pretty much be it. i'm just in the market to get some better sounding stuff. If I was to break it up and keep adding on, i would do headunit>>amp+sub>>amp+components.

thanks for the help guys

i'm thinking i may just go headunit+amp+one sub, because that would take up the least space (which comes in handy for me) and the least money, which is helpful as well... but is a single 12" worth getting?

A single 12" can be more than enough, depending on the sub that you get. An Image Dynamics IDMAX with 900 + watts RMS will amaze you and probably be more than you need. This particular sub will take up most of your budget though with an enclosure.

And when you're getting new speakers for your ride, concentrate the bulk of the speaker budget on the front speakers. I run no rear speakers at all, just good components with alot of power to them in the front.

wedgiesaurus · 03-10-2005, 03:34 PM

what about the ALPINE CDA-9833 headunit with stock corolla speakers in back, add a low power (100-250w RMS) sub+amp, and some nice component speakers with a small amp? is that doable for a grand (assuming I get that headunit for about $300 on ebay)?

***cam2Xrunner*** · 03-10-2005, 04:09 PM

Sounds like a good plan.

Crutchfield is the best place to buy the Alpine, it's 299.99 including shipping, taxes(if out of state from crutchfield) and they provide the wiring harness you need.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ercL9Ls...0&I=500CDA9833

For a sub look at the Image Dynamics ID12v3

http://www.cardomain.com/item/IDSID12V3D2

Cardomain is the best place to get ID, they are authorized retailers and offer free shipping.

http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX282 Will push that sub good, and it's pretty cheap.

http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2171

That leaves you with around 300 bucks to get a good quality SQ amp for the front components and a subwoofer box.

03-10-2005, 04:14 PM

lets see.

headunit - 300
sub (mtx thunder 5000 10 or 12") $50
amp (mtx 251d) - $100
component (infinity reference 6.5") -$100
amp for component - dont have time to look, but you get the idea.

it can be done easily if all you want is an improvement and not the best