Car audio recomendations

[backwoods357]

I am gearing up to replace my head unit and the paper cones they call speakers in my 99 Camry. I listen to anything from classical to dubstep and I'm looking to get the best quality audio for my buck. I want to use my android phone for pandora via bluetooth and unless someone can talk me out of it also want HD radio. Rear USB is a strong plus as well. I'm looking to spend $200-300 for the head (possibly more for a better or double din unit) and <$150 for speakers. I can't see any reason to add a sub box, can I get away without an amp? Thanks for your help in advance.

Well I am no expert... but that all seems pretty reasonable...

I am pretty sure you can get away without an amp... when you bump up your head unit you should have plenty to push your speakers unless your just trying to get obnoxious with it...

As far as your headunit budget, seems pretty reasonable, I would just look all over online and see what you can dig up... i dont know much about HD radio but from what I have seen most units come ready for satellite radio, if your talking about the live music tagging on most local stations, that can be a little more tricky...

let us know what you end up with...

[Bax]

Look around for sub deals. I got a Kicker 12 sub and box delivered for $50 from Best Buy on Black Friday. I had an old Infinity mono amp that I hooked up (Used these run less than $100) and it sound loud and clear.

I'd recomend going cheap on the head unit. A nice Kenwood or Pioneer will run you about 150 or so. Kenwood had a nice head unit with adjustable crossovers for all speakers. Makes fine tuning a breaze. Get some replacement speakers for about $150.

Don't go crazy on a head unit or speakers unless you match everything. The kick from the stereo comes from the sub and amp so if you have to go cheap on the other stuff to get one, then do it.

You can always add an amp to run your other speakers later if you don't like this set up. But i doubt you'll need it. Hope this helps.

[pektel]

I'd buy a pair of these for the fronts at least:

http://www.audioque.com/AQ-TS65_p_144.html

I'm going to buy them for my car in the next day or so. And at $84.15/pair on sale right now, plus free shipping, makes it an insanely good deal.

However, if you listen to dubstep, you're missing out on a lot of music without a subwoofer.

I personally have a DC Audio Level 4 12" for the low end. Overkill? Probably. But I like it. Just bought the gf an audioque hdc2.5 10" sub for her vehicle. Now I just have to find an amp for her.

[backwoods357]

The two head units I was looking at are:

DEH-P9400BH
AVH-P4400BH

Thanks for reminding me Rob, RDS is a must. Currently I'm satisified with the amount of bass I'm getting with the stock system, I'm just unhappy with the heads connection options and audio quality of the system. If I have to get a sub box I think I would be looking for a rear ported enclosure (Or isobaric, I had a iso home audio setup that just kicked ass). I'm looking to keep my options open if possible to someday add a sub so I've been looking at heads with >=4v preamp.

[backwoods357]

By the way if anything I say above is retarded, feel free to tell me so. I know very little about audio and you don't learn much if someone doesn't point out misconceptions.

[PearlS4]

Try looking for head units and speakers at http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ They have some great prices.

[backwoods357]

Originally Posted by PearlS4

Try looking for head units and speakers at http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ They have some great prices.

I was looking at some equipment there last night, found them in a price search. Wasn't sure if they were legit, and all I could think of was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKO9h-gG4Qg

[N2 GOLD]

One word, ALPINE...

[backwoods357]

Shopping around, I think i'm looking more in the $300-400 range for the head.
A few more questions:

Is it worth re-running all the speaker wire?
Is a 4v preamp decent?
Recommendations on a ~200W RMS amp?
Brands to avoid?
Am I overlooking anything?

[hammondc]

Originally Posted by backwoods357

I was looking at some equipment there last night, found them in a price search. Wasn't sure if they were legit, and all I could think of was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKO9h-gG4Qg

THAT....was awesome.

Originally Posted by backwoods357

Shopping around, I think i'm looking more in the $300-400 range for the head.
A few more questions:

Is it worth re-running all the speaker wire?
Is a 4v preamp decent?
Recommendations on a ~200W RMS amp?
Brands to avoid?
Am I overlooking anything?

The speaker wire that is already in place should be sufficient.

Yes, 4V is fine. I would stay away from 2V though

Is this a subwoofer amp? If so, just pick nearly any major brand monoblock amp. There is not a helluva lot of difference in $200 Class D amp vs a $1000
Class D Amp other than total watts. Make sure it is CEA compliant so you know the specs are true.

Lots to avoid, stick with a major brand. I would steer clear of Sony though. Their mobile audio is garbage. I like the Alpine amps.

Not really overlooking anything. I would up your battery when it needs to be replaced though as you are going to be drawing more power.

[Digs]

Originally Posted by backwoods357

Shopping around, I think i'm looking more in the $300-400 range for the head.
A few more questions:

Is it worth re-running all the speaker wire?
Is a 4v preamp decent?
Recommendations on a ~200W RMS amp?
Brands to avoid?
Am I overlooking anything?

I just completed my system in my 4 door tacoma. One thing I can tell you is the mark-up on car audio is insane! A $300-$400 head unit at Best Buy (and your little local car stero punks shop) can probably be had for 50% less. Check out that http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ like was suggested above.

I have double din DVD player headunit to control it all, think I paid like $299 I don't need blu tooth and all that other crap. I went with Alpine component speakers in all 4 doors and pioneer shallow 10" (all I could fit or would have gone 12") and 5 channel powerbass 2200 max watt amp. Match your speaker max watts to your amp output, l went with a 5 channel so I didn't have to install 2 amps.

Crutchfield is has nice web sight and will help you figure out what options fit our car.

I can tell first hand new headunit & new speakers will sound like crap without good amp, most head units are only capable of 15-16-17 watts x4 and most speakers are around 60 watts on up, choice your head unit, select your speakers then match your amp rms ratting to them.

[equetefue]

Focal speakers !