Stereo systems

[chevynut]

I went into Car Toys a couple weeks ago to look at stereo systems for my Nomad. I need to finish my console and wanted to see if there was something I should mount in it, or if I should go with something in the dash. I also wanted to see what else i needed to plan for.

I told the guy who greeted me that I wasn't looking for a high end system, and didn't want to rattle the windows but was looking for something like "high end OEM" sound. He told me there was no such thing, as OEM was not high end. I again explained I wasn't an audiophile, and just wanted some good sound in the car.

I asked about the Retrosound, and the guy I talked to didn't have anything good to say about stuff they didn't carry.

So I said let's start with the head unit. He showed me a couple of in-dash type units, but I don't know if they would look good in my car with all the red/blue lights and such. So I asked about a touchscreen, and he showed me a couple of them, recommending a Pioneer unit that was $850. Then I asked about a sub, and he recommended a $180 12" single sub-whoofer. Next came the amp....he said I "needed" the one he showed me.....$550. Speakers? I need four at $370 a pair. Now I'm pushing a couple thousand $$ and he said I needed to have them install everything, for at least $1000. Oh, then there were the special wires, etc.

Then I asked about power requirements. He told me I needed a 4-gauge wire directly from the battery, along with a 4-gauge ground, neither to exceed 2 feet in length! Holy CRAP!

So I followed up with a question about my alternator...how much current will this draw? He told me 200 AMPS! I have a 140 A alternator and I thought that was big.

Obviously, this guy didn't listen to me when I told him what I was looking for. They have nice stuff, but I'm probably not going back there for anything.

So, what do you guys recommend? I am currently thinking I want a touch-screen unit in the console, but I don't know if it will fit in my console or not since it's 6" deep. I thought I could get just the display to mount on the console, and put the head unit somewhere else. I sure don't want something that takes 200 amps to run!

Oh yeah...and I don't want anything union built either. LOL!

[56-210Sedan]

Laszlo i went with Aspen sound in my area you may not have one there? i have a Alpine deck with two 6x9 Hertz speakers in the rear tray area, i also had two tweeter installed in the speaker grill area of the dash they are kenwoods. let take a look and see if i can get the Alpine deck numbers, be right back. OK made it back here is what i pulled of the face of the deck Alpine cda 117 mp3/wma/aac i have $1200 in all and that includes them doing the install, i have not purchased my sub or my amp and this is a great sounding unit and is not one of those window rattler/Boom Boom units, very clean and nice sounding. LOL one other thing i had them do now that i thing about it was to route the cable into my glove box so i can plug my ipod in and leave it in there so it is not laying on the console or floor out of view.

[Bluegrass Trifive]

Check out the Kenwood stuff. I've had several of their higher end systems over the years and had excellent service from them. From a quick look I'd say 20 or so amps for a pretty loaded up head unit and 50 or 60 on a nice amp. This stuff looked interesting to me. Video and Nav. with Ipod connection sounds like about all I might want. http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/eXcelon/

[56-210Sedan]

here is a link to the deck http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/cda-117/

[Maddog]

Based on your "taste" you don't need a sub. JL audio is probably the best quality amp. The XD 400/4 would suit well, RMS around 50w per speaker. Use 5.5" component speakers up front (5.5 and a seperate tweeter) Largest speakers in the rear that fit, usually 6x9. Alpine, Kenwood or other high quality head unit, make sure you have a front USB Ipod connection. The XD series are JL's middle of the road amps and will run a couple hundred, Ebay is best for shopping amps and head units, speakers too. Stereo stores have huge mark ups on these. Probably 8g wire for the amp, the instructions will specify what you need. Stay away from those cheap Retrosound and Custom Auto sound, they won't give you high quality, crisp sound. A 300 to 600 watt amp is needed to push quality sound, not for door shaking noise. By the way those door shaking sub systems are usually in the 1000w to 2000w RMS amps

[NickP]

Alpine. I have used their product for over 25 years. Quality is very good. Selection is also very good. Look at the Alpine TME-S370.

[markm]

Any new car stereo that requires a constant 12V hookup is a piece of crap and I dont want it. I spent 200 dollars having an AM/FM mono restored for my Z28. The sound is not that great but my battery does not go dead. It was a sad day when the Pioneer Supertuner died in my 67 Camaro.

[chevynut]

Nick, $300 for just a touchscreen and no stereo? I don't even see how you connect a sound system to it. Can you explain how you use this?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500TMES...-S370&skipvs=T

Alpine. I have used their product for over 25 years. Quality is very good. Selection is also very good. Look at the Alpine TME-S370.

[NickP]

Manual: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...55325884,d.b2I

[chevynut]

Ok Nick, I read the entire manual and I still don't get it. This looks like something to control a DVD, nav system, and rearview camera. I don't see any mention of audio equipment or controls. Have you used one of these with a stereo?