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Car Audio suggestions

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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
I've been looking into car audio for a while now, just researching things online. The first thing i want to put into my car is a head unit, and i've been looking at pioneer units.

One big thing i want is ipod compatibility, anything that works great with my ipod is a huge plus. One question, whats the difference between pioneer and pioneer premier? I realize premier is better, but why? Better electrics/sound?

Anyways, after my head unit, i want to throw speakers all around my car, before the sub and amp type of thing.

At first i was looking at a 6.5" alpines and maybe a set of 4"s too, but im not sure. What are good speaker brands? I'd like some decent bass in my speakers as I wont have money for the sub/amp upgrade for a while, i just want a decent sounding system for the time being.

I've read crutchfield and onlinecarstereo are both great places to look and buy.


Once i get money for sub/amp i was looking at alpine type r's and some kind of amp to go with it


Anything can help guys, let me know!
Sep 14 2009 8:34PM
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ace_
Posts: 3189 - Karma: 39
JL audio subs are very very good. thats about all i know
Sep 14 2009 8:36PM
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AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
how much are you willing to spend?

In terms of head units, Pioneer is awesome, but if you want to spend a bit more, take a look at Clarion and Eclipse. Alpine is not bad, but I think its inferior compared to these other brands. Don't look at JVC or Sony. And if you're interested in kenwood, only their really high end units are good.

speakers, take a look at Polk Audio and Pioneer. IMO, the best 2 speaker brands.


The best thing to do is to familiarize yourself with the stuff that fits your price point. You can find alot of feedback and info on car audio forums. I know your in the US, but a good site is canadiancaraudio.com
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if you want some more info, shoot me a PM and ill see if I can help you

Sep 14 2009 8:54PM
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396222687862
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thanks man, definitely looking at an all pioneer setup
Sep 14 2009 9:02PM
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396222687862
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looking at 300 max for head and speakers, maybe 350 to get speakers all around
Sep 14 2009 9:03PM
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AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
which head unit are you looking at specifically?
Sep 14 2009 9:03PM
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396222687862
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i think its the pioneer 4000UB i dont have the link up right now and not on my own computer
Sep 14 2009 9:04PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5561 - Karma: 1,027
I had Infinity Kappa 6x9's in my car for 8+ years, and loved them. Sounded exactly the same from the first day I installed them, to the day I got rid of it. Never had a problem of them getting overpowered (stock head or aftermarket head) and sounded super clear.

Other than that, I haven't kept up on the audio industry too much. My new vehicle has 300w Rockford Fosgate system, and I'm satisfied with that as well.
Sep 14 2009 9:08PM
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AMD_5
Posts: 745 - Karma: 15
thats last year's model. check out the 4100UB or the 5100UB, or if you want the Premier line, the 410UB is pretty good.
Sep 14 2009 9:09PM
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hoodSlayer
Posts: 900 - Karma: 7
check craigslist theres always a bunch of people selling car stereo equipment on there and you can ususally find good deals on nice stuff
Sep 14 2009 9:11PM
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396222687862
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thanks man
Sep 15 2009 10:31PM
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396222687862
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bump
Sep 16 2009 5:19PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957

What kind of car?

Im a fan of alpines, ive had a pioneer and a kenwood, and both had problems within about a year and then shortly after stopped working, my alpine is 4 or 5 yrs old now and still functions perfectly, plus the new ones match the color scheme of VWs perfectly.

Sep 16 2009 5:29PM
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m_artiles_0
Posts: 11 - Karma: 10
I have two 12" sony explode 1300, with an explode 1200 watt amp, the shit kicks like crazy... if thats what you want
Sep 16 2009 7:30PM
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m_artiles_0
Posts: 11 - Karma: 10
... and the headunit is a sony also.. u can either plug in ur ipod through the standard headphone plug, or you can use the ipod's usd connector to plug straight into the head unit. Its sick cause it charges while ur listen to it
Sep 16 2009 7:32PM
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m_artiles_0
Posts: 11 - Karma: 10
fuck i cant type USB**

Sep 16 2009 7:33PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
2000 subaru impreza outback sport.
Sep 16 2009 8:31PM
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Stuck.in.ohio
Posts: 331 - Karma: 33

i have an older model alpine head unit that works great with iPod hookup thru my glove compartment i like it a lot and its worked great

for speakers i went with infitiy reference. i did my homework before i bought these and i think i ended up with some great speakers, theyre great on highs and mids and werent super expensive, ive had them for two years and absolutely no complaints

and for subs i got cheap kenwoods and kenwood 500 watt amp with box for $200. i know theyre not great but theyre good bass and i didnt have to pay much for them also they were on 6thavenue electronics which is a licensed kenwood dealer. of course i could have spent 400 bucks more and gotten super loud subs but that wasnt what i needed. for the price i think theyre great. its two ten inhes in a sealed box

before you do anything look on a bunch of audio forums like another guy said the canadian audio forum is really good

Sep 16 2009 8:44PM
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Stuck.in.ohio
Posts: 331 - Karma: 33
forgot to say that for my head unit the ipod connects thru USB
Sep 16 2009 8:47PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
holla, i think im just going to get a Head unit and speakers all around. Do i really want to a get an amp for these speakers? or is that kinda overkill if i dont have a sub/amp?
Sep 17 2009 9:16PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
an amp will provide the speakers with a higher amount of power resulting in louder speakers with more bass, basically you will be utilizing the full potential of the speakers, you can run them without an amp too, they wont be as loud though, most headunits nowadays will provide a decent amount of power to the speakers.
Sep 18 2009 6:18AM
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Dylan_
Posts: 9824 - Karma: 1,403
diamond audio
Sep 18 2009 6:46AM
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396222687862
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so i went to best buy to listen to some speakers, and actually found out i really like the infinity reference and alpine speakers. i'm leaning towards the alpine type S series, in specific SPS-600. anyone ever used these? they sounded great in the store

and for the head unit im looking at the pioneer 5100
Sep 19 2009 7:28PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
!bump
Sep 20 2009 6:27PM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
Lemme give you some tips from a fellow audiophile and Impreza owner.

The 2000 Impreza Outback Sport is very similar to the 02 WRX (what I drive). I am about 99% sure that the doors are very similar, meaning your door speakers are very poorly designed.

Basically the rear doors are for small ass speakers and very shallow. The front speakers you can fit a little bigger, but are still very narrow. This really really limits your options. You can get wider inserts to push your speakers out some, but then you run the risk of hitting the door panels, and it will sound like shit and rattle.

Here is my thread on scoobymods about speaker installation in the impreza: http://www.scoobymods.com/my_weekend_audio_installs-t10514.html

If you want to fit bigger speakers in the doors, especially the rears, you will have to cut the door panels with something like a dremel.

Now as for speakers. Infinity Reference are really nice, and they make some extra narrow speakers that sound good and fit the doors. That is what I am using and I would definitely recommend them. In my old car, I had all alpine, and it was amazing. Now I run a mix of inifinity and alphine.

For brands, I would recommend Alpine or Infinity and then probably Polk, Boston, JBL. Those are some of the bests. Supposedly Focal makes some really good thin speakers but they are way expensive. If you look in to Alpine, look for Type-R over Type-S, much better quality for not too much more.

Finally, once you make your choices buy online. What I have seen is in store mark-ups to be almost 50% higher on top of prices online. I prefer www.onlinecarstereo.com. If you have any other questions feel free to ask!
Sep 20 2009 6:40PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287

i just blew out my 5-1/4 passenger side door speaker and was looking into the infinity reference.  i was just wondering if everything is included in the box for the install, or if u need to buy a speaker harness specific for the car

Sep 20 2009 7:10PM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
There really isn't such a thing as a speaker harness. Your stock speakers MIGHT have a harness that plugs in to the, but it will only be two wires. A positive and a negative, the negative will have a black stripe probably. You just cut the harness off so you have two plain wires. You then strip the wires about half an inch and attach a female spade connector.

Click for larger image

These can be found anywhere. Chances are one of the spade connectors on the speaker (male) will be bigger than the other. You just plug the female connector in to the male connector and it will be connected.
Sep 20 2009 7:41PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287

^ this is what i meant by speaker harness: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_12071031/Chrysler-Speaker-Harnesses.html?tp=3097&avf=N

im guessing it just takes away having to crimp the wires in a connector or w/e

Sep 20 2009 8:38PM
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user098123
Posts: 6072 - Karma: 18
A harness like that would not be included, nor is it necessary. But yes you are right, a harness like that would make it so you don't have to crimp the wires. Not really worth it in my opinion but to each their own.
Sep 20 2009 8:40PM
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foodisfun
Posts: 5427 - Karma: 287
yea normally i wouldn't buy it but it makes sense for me here at school cause i dont have a crimp tool so i'd have to buy one for like $10 and the harness is only $10 so it's just easier
Sep 20 2009 8:44PM
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