Need help in upgrading all the sound system...

[SantaClauss88]

I'm a TOTAL NOOB in those thing.

I thought I should write it in first place even before the salutations...

Hello everyone thanks for taking time in ready my posts...

I'm a proud owner of a Red Corolla 2009 (4 speakers, basic) and I am quite deceived with the sound I get from my car. I think one of my rear speaker is defect since sometimes it plays well and sometime cant do bass at all, it gets all s*cky and all....

I've been planning for some time to upgrade my system to something better but I know NOTHING about this all... This is where forums comes in handy!

Since I'm no noob with the Intarwabz, I've done some research... But PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong


Front Speaker : 6x6 for 3 of Depth
Rear Speaker : 6x9 for 4 of Depth

What I'd want is some hints, helps, stuff like that, to help me choose speakers, and a radio ( Which has IPODS functionnality & Bluetooth ).

Also two questions, that will probably be answered something like "Yes if you want better quality" :

- Is a sub necessary,
- Is an Amp. necessary,

I've been to a store which could do it for me and all... they're asking about for 150 for front speakers, 150 for rears, 350 for the radio (450 if I want bluetooth) 100 for the installation.... Taxs and all : 950, (1050 for bluetooth).... (ALL PRICES IN CANADIANS DOLLARS)

Ain't that price a little much ? That's what some of my friends told me which is why I'm coming here today...
He kept coaxing me telling me it's no hard at all to change stuff like that. Is that true ? I looked it up on youtube, from what I saw, I open the door, cut the old one, and replace by the new and just wire it up ? I dont have any wire to change ?

Cause If I have to add a Sub / Amp, there will be more wire to pass in my car... Where does it pass ? I don't want to have any wire visible you know, like anybody else lol...

Another thing that I was wondering... With the new radio, is it gonna fit into the thing without buying any new case ? Or should I have to buy another one ?

And last but still, WHERE do I pick up those... Should I look it up over at the manufacturer ? Ebay ? Any site you have where prices are somewhat good ?



I'd like to thank you all, for all time and effort you can give me....

SantaClauss88.

[snyperx]

First off welcome to TN. Second, please tell me that your second language is English:-) As for upgrading the stereo I just completed this on my 2009. I am loving my setup. The sound is awesome. Here is my setup:

Head Unit: Pioneer AVH-P3200DVD

Front Speakers: Alpine SPS-600C components

Rear Speakers: Alpine SPG-69C 6x9's

Subwoofer: Rockford Fosgate Punch Stage 1 10" (x2)

Amplifier: Alpine MRP-F300

As for the question on making sure you do not see any wires I took the time to remove the door sill plates and ran the wire down the sides of the car. I ran the power and remote turn on wire down the driver side and the RCA cables down the passenger side. To pass the power wire through the fire wall I drilled a 3/4" hole right below the main wiring harness grommet. I had to remove the airbox to get a drill close enough to drill the hole. I then used a special grommet to make sure that everything was water tight. You can not see any wires. The big thing is to TAKE YOUR TIME. I did everything over the course of like 3 weeks. I hope this helps.

[SantaClauss88]

First of, yeah, English is my second language, my bad for any misunderstanding ...

Thanks for fast answer !!!
May I ask you how much it costed you around? And where have you took your setup ? Online, shop etc... ?


About those RCA cables, what do they do ? Why do I need them ?

I'm kinda lost in your explanations since I've never really used these words, I'm not a big car-modder :P...

So you had to add extra wires from what I'm reading... I looked up to remove door, that seems no problem at all, but you had to add some new wire ?

Thanks for your time again !

[mmasse]

Before answering any brand or what is necessary questions; what is your budget and what do you want in a car stereo? I would be very,very careful with ebay. I would definitely buy the Head Unit at a Brick and Mortar even if it costs more. Get one with a good warranty and save the receipt. 950 for an install is not bad, ask the installer to see pictures of their installs. If they do not have any RUN AWAY. Those pictures will let you know what type of work they do.

[Drachenv6]

In all honesty, 99% of the time all you need is a great set of fronts.

1. alpine-9886 headunit ($190 from 6ave.com)
2. image dynmaics ctx65 or alpine spx-17pro (~$200 woofersetc)
3. alpine pdx 2x150 watts ($197 from 6ave.com)


I would bet good money on this setup.

ipod functionality + bluetooth capable/24 bit sound processing/ great midbass

[snyperx]

All of my gear was bought from Crutchfield.com. What's nice about them is they send you the needed gear to install everything. They will send you the wiring harness for head unit as well as the wiring harnesses for the speakers. They even include the speaker adaptors for mounting the speakers. In addition they are a Authorized dealer for All the brands they sell so the warranty will not be an issue. Their tech support is top notch also.

[SantaClauss88]

Thanks for all of your answers.

I'm looking up at your setups guys and some questions came to my mind about the one Drachenv6 gave...

In all honesty, 99% of the time all you need is a great set of fronts.

1. alpine-9886 headunit ($190 from 6ave.com)
2. image dynmaics ctx65 or alpine spx-17pro (~$200 woofersetc)
3. alpine pdx 2x150 watts ($197 from 6ave.com)


I would bet good money on this setup.

ipod functionality + bluetooth capable/24 bit sound processing/ great midbass

I've been able to find point 1. and 3. but nothing about the 2. Other than the Alpine SPX 17 Pro which was a bundle ?

"component speaker system includes 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers"

So that would mean 3 amps in my car right ?
but no speaker in the back of my car ?
Shouldnt I replace them ?


So far, I think this setup would suit me best, although 3amp would take a fair amount of space in my trunk tho... ^^

[SantaClauss88]

Oh btw Snyperx Your 4 channel amp, how would I use it... for the four speakers ? none for the sub ? I'm not quite sure how it would work...

[capt_jay08]

Originally Posted by SantaClauss88

Thanks for all of your answers.

I'm looking up at your setups guys and some questions came to my mind about the one Drachenv6 gave...



I've been able to find point 1. and 3. but nothing about the 2. Other than the Alpine SPX 17 Pro which was a bundle ?

"component speaker system includes 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers"

So that would mean 3 amps in my car right ?
but no speaker in the back of my car ?
Shouldnt I replace them ?


So far, I think this setup would suit me best, although 3amp would take a fair amount of space in my trunk tho... ^^

lol You don't need 3 amps for that set-up. The 2 woofers, 2 tweeters and 2 crossovers are considered as 1 package and it'll go to your 2 front doors ( 1 woofer, 1 tweeter and 1 crossover / door). You can put another speaker at the back which is a 6x9 size speaker for our car. You only need one amp for this set-up (speakers front and rear) as long as you have a 4 channel amp which is 1 channel per speaker. Then if you want subs which is not a big deal if you just want an upgrade from the stock set-up you have to have a subwoofer and 1 amp to drive the woofers. So all in all 2 amps if you'll gonna go with this set-up. Hope this makes sense already...

[SantaClauss88]

Yesh it sorta do

1 speaker = 1 channel
1 sub = 1 channel

each speaker & sub need a channel
calculate all, and take that number of amps xD...

All right. Now I'd need to look at what to exactly buy.

I already got some suggestion here, but please feel free to tell me your setups, where you got them if possible.

That would really help me, thanks

[capt_jay08]

I just bought a component system for my front doors. Infinity Kappa Perfect 6.1 and an Alpine F300 amps to drive it. Bought everything from ebay for $400 shipped. I'll only change my front speakers because i already have a subwoofer for the bass.

[Drachenv6]

You need only 1 (2-channel amp, 2x150wattsrms) to run that setup. The amp will be used to power the spx-17pro speakers.

You can keep your rear speakers or upgrade them, it really wont make too much of a difference. Chances are you'll end up liking the fronts so much that you'll fade the rears. Either way, the internal amp of the cda-9886 should be able to handle the rear.

Originally Posted by SantaClauss88

Thanks for all of your answers.

I'm looking up at your setups guys and some questions came to my mind about the one Drachenv6 gave...



I've been able to find point 1. and 3. but nothing about the 2. Other than the Alpine SPX 17 Pro which was a bundle ?

"component speaker system includes 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers"

So that would mean 3 amps in my car right ?
but no speaker in the back of my car ?
Shouldnt I replace them ?


So far, I think this setup would suit me best, although 3amp would take a fair amount of space in my trunk tho... ^^

[SantaClauss88]

I think that my rear speaker are already broken right now... they do fuzzy sounds sometime... Thats why I'd search for something to replace them also

[heartdisease]

Onlinecarstereo.com is a good site with great prices. Crutchfield says they price match and they have very good documentation and great customer service. I would recomend the Alpine PDX5. It would do every thing you want and sounds great. It is a digital amp. It will draw much less current for the same wattage as traditional amps. This means you will have less of a load on your alternator and you can use smaller Gage wire. That will be easier to work with and cost less.

Car stereo is fairly straightforward but the new cars have the chimes go through the stereo. Also the steering wheel functionality might be lost without an extra modual if your car has it.

The stickeys at the top of the audio section are very good.
I would give a buddy who has done some before a sized and have him there to help. Good luck

[heartdisease]

Sixer