Car audio recomendations

[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.