Advice for Purchase

[LA157M3]

Hi, Guys:

I know nothing of car audio and have spent the last couple of days trying to educate myself enough to find a decent system to put into my vehicle but still seem a little confused on exactly what to get. I'm hoping someone can help guide me in the purchase of a few items that I'll have installed at a shop.

1) Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Tundra 4-door Crew Cab with stock radio & door speakers = junk.

2) Stereo - I want a stereo with lots of presets, AM/FM, HD radio, iPod connector, and Sirius Radio access. I've seen a few radios for well under $200 that have all of these features but I don't understand wattage and what is best for the money under $200.

3) Speakers - Wattage to handle whatever the stereo is capable of and what will fit in my doors. I'm guessing 6x9's? I'd like to stay under $400 for speakers.

4) Amplifier - Wattage to handle the stereo/speaker suggestions. Don't think I'm interested in sub with a mono amp - at least not at the moment. Would like to stay under $300 for an amp. Confused - not sure how to calculate the RMS of the speakers/amp - or the 2ohm or 4ohms, do I need a class a/b amp that's bridgeable since I'm not getting a sub, etc.

As you can see I'm still baffled by what I need for a budget of $900 or less. I'd like a system that definitely out-performs the Toyota Tundra stock radio/speakers, but don't know what's the best for my needs and the budget I'm trying to stay under. I like a wide variety of music so I'm not trying to create a system for boom-boom but I'd like something that makes my huge collection really nice to listen to.

Thank you for ANY recommendations and/or guidance you can provide.

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[FJF 10+ year member]

Have you considered going to a local shop, outlining your needs, and seeing what's available?

 

[LA157M3]

That's like a tuna swimming up to a great white shark and asking him for help and advice I understand salesmen need to make sales and make profits; however, EVERYONE wants to make a KILLING - not a profit. You just can't walk in somewhere and not get talked into overkill.

That's why I posted on these boards hoping someone would have an unbiased/uninterested opinion.

 

[dB-SPL 10+ year member]

Hi, Guys:
I know nothing of car audio and have spent the last couple of days trying to educate myself enough to find a decent system to put into my vehicle but still seem a little confused on exactly what to get. I'm hoping someone can help guide me in the purchase of a few items that I'll have installed at a shop.

1) Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Tundra 4-door Crew Cab with stock radio & door speakers = junk.

2) Stereo - I want a stereo with lots of presets, AM/FM, HD radio, iPod connector, and Sirius Radio access. I've seen a few radios for well under $200 that have all of these features but I don't understand wattage and what is best for the money under $200.

3) Speakers - Wattage to handle whatever the stereo is capable of and what will fit in my doors. I'm guessing 6x9's? I'd like to stay under $400 for speakers.

4) Amplifier - Wattage to handle the stereo/speaker suggestions. Don't think I'm interested in sub with a mono amp - at least not at the moment. Would like to stay under $300 for an amp. Confused - not sure how to calculate the RMS of the speakers/amp - or the 2ohm or 4ohms, do I need a class a/b amp that's bridgeable since I'm not getting a sub, etc.

As you can see I'm still baffled by what I need for a budget of $900 or less. I'd like a system that definitely out-performs the Toyota Tundra stock radio/speakers, but don't know what's the best for my needs and the budget I'm trying to stay under. I like a wide variety of music so I'm not trying to create a system for boom-boom but I'd like something that makes my huge collection really nice to listen to.

Thank you for ANY recommendations and/or guidance you can provide.

Well it sounds t me as if you're looking for Sound Quality as opposed to just being loud. So here's my take at it..

1) I'll keep comments to myself.

2) Alpine, Pioneer Premier and Kenwood (but not limited to these brands) make some nice head units. Don't worry about the watts the head unit puts out since you'll be using an external amplifer.

3) Ditch the 6X9's and buy a nice set of component speakers for up front. Either 5.25" or 6.5" round speakers. For $400 you should be able to snag a real decent set of components. Clarity will be enhanced dramatically. Output will also be much higher with an external amplifer. If need be, run the stock rear speakers off of the head unit instead of the amp. Otherwise, just unplug them. This will also improve Sound Imaging. Sounds weird but it works very well.

4) Find out what kind of power your front component speakers will handle (RMS) not peak or 'music' power. Then find an amp that will do that power at 4-ohms. A 200 watt RMS 2-channel amplifier (with gains set correctly) usually works for most unless you're using some serious front stage speakers or multiple pairs of speakers. But don't let this make you focus on this type of amp only. If you come across a sweet deal on a higher powered mono or multi-channel amp, go for it as these will all work just fine. Amplifier class does not dictate its sole purpose. It merely states the amplifiers power supply efficiency. Just a quick note: You do not need a full blown SPL beast of subwoofer. Much smaller woofers are available that really compliment a sound system. Really fast bass drumming in rock songs sound stellar with a little kick from something as small as a Kicker 200W 8"/10" sub. Put it in a sealed enclosure and save a ton of space (hide it under your rear seat even) while keeping nice sound quality.

In all, you could have a better sounding audio system for less than $900. Search the classifieds, eBay and the stores on the home page of caraudio.com. Best of luck to you in your audio quest. Be careful as it becomes addicting therefore making it expensive and time consuming to say the least.

-Bill-

 

[Plutoman 10+ year member]

Except for that recommendation for a kicker sub... I'd agree.

A small subwoofer can really dramatically improve a system, but I dunno about the SQ on that.. >.> I've never heard the lower lines sound good

Most of the time, you can bridge a 4 channel amplifier down to 2 channels, and it will list the RMS rating of that at 4 ohms. You can get an amplifier like that, and bridge it down to provide more power to the front component speakers. The more power you have, even if you aren't using it all, tends to result in a better sound, because you aren't overstretching the amplifiers limits.

 

[Johnny Law.Lulz 5,000+ posts]

Grab some Fusion powerplant comps. Amazing quality and great sound for the cheapz. Then get yourself a 9886 or pioneer 7000w/e on ebay. Then get a ID or Diamond 10 or 12 because they sound great and dont need too much power. Then find a nice 5 channel. Hifonics makes a really good one. I can link you to all this if you want = )

 

[moo_awn 10+ year member]

Hi, Guys:
I know nothing of car audio and have spent the last couple of days trying to educate myself enough to find a decent system to put into my vehicle but still seem a little confused on exactly what to get. I'm hoping someone can help guide me in the purchase of a few items that I'll have installed at a shop.

1) Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Tundra 4-door Crew Cab with stock radio & door speakers = junk.

2) Stereo - I want a stereo with lots of presets, AM/FM, HD radio, iPod connector, and Sirius Radio access. I've seen a few radios for well under $200 that have all of these features but I don't understand wattage and what is best for the money under $200.

3) Speakers - Wattage to handle whatever the stereo is capable of and what will fit in my doors. I'm guessing 6x9's? I'd like to stay under $400 for speakers.

4) Amplifier - Wattage to handle the stereo/speaker suggestions. Don't think I'm interested in sub with a mono amp - at least not at the moment. Would like to stay under $300 for an amp. Confused - not sure how to calculate the RMS of the speakers/amp - or the 2ohm or 4ohms, do I need a class a/b amp that's bridgeable since I'm not getting a sub, etc.

As you can see I'm still baffled by what I need for a budget of $900 or less. I'd like a system that definitely out-performs the Toyota Tundra stock radio/speakers, but don't know what's the best for my needs and the budget I'm trying to stay under. I like a wide variety of music so I'm not trying to create a system for boom-boom but I'd like something that makes my huge collection really nice to listen to.

Thank you for ANY recommendations and/or guidance you can provide.

Presets? What are those?//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif I've never seen presets listed as a top priority in a headunit before. Personnaly, the only time I ever listen to the radio is the occasional talk radio. Anyway, for $900 you can do quite well, particularly when buying quality used gear. Keep reading and researching, and good luck.

 

[LA157M3]

Thanks for all the tips & advice, guys! Looks like I really found the right forum

Given what all has been said:

1) What specific Amp would you recommend to run my front speakers?

2) What specific 5.25" or 6" rounds would you recommend

3) The small kicker recommended - does that require a 2nd amp and separate sub or do they make the rounds with the sub in them?

Thank you....still a little confused //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[dB-SPL 10+ year member]

Thanks for all the tips & advice, guys! Looks like I really found the right forum
Given what all has been said:

1) What specific Amp would you recommend to run my front speakers?

2) What specific 5.25" or 6" rounds would you recommend

3) The small kicker recommended - does that require a 2nd amp and separate sub or do they make the rounds with the sub in them?

Thank you....still a little confused //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

1) The amp actually depends on what speakers you chose. But just about any ~200W 2-channel amp will suffice.

2) Could save a little money and still have a respectable Sound Quality with something like Phoenix Gold RSd series components or go right out and slap some money down for a nice set of Rainbow Components. JBL also makes very nice SQ speakers and are a little easier to get ahold of than Rainbow etc.

3) It doesn't have to be the Kicker sub I recommended. I was simply using the name as an example. But back to the question. You can use a seperate amp, Or buy a multi-channel amp and power the front speakers and subwoofer off of a single amp. Which would actually be a good idea since you're not looking for serious SPL. In which case, you wire each front speaker to it's own channel and bridge the subwoofer to the last two channels. You're thinking WAY to hard. It's not as difficult as it sounds.

 

[moorezy 10+ year member]

Just my 2 cents maybe something like this ( just proposing decent budget gear that most people seem to like on here )

phoenix gold rsd 500.4- decent power, clean power.

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17532

6.5" phoenix gold rsdc components ( just suggesting because of sound for price, many others in its class )

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17540

10" phoenix gold rsd 10 ( again sub is completely changeable i've just heard they have good sq for the price )

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17539

A decent head unit could be the Pioneer 5100UB has good options, decent EQ

http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21257

For installation you will need your mounting kit/harness and/or antenna adapters. A power kit can be had from knukonceptz.

http://knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK44

A sealed box or a custom ported box would be used with the subwoofer.

The amp's rear channel can be bridged for about 300 watts @ 4 ohm and the front channels be used for the component set ( about 80 watts x 2 @ 4 ohm )

Again all the equipment can be changed but the setup with one 4 channel would work for setup your looking for. You could even go with a 5 channel amplifier if you wanted to run some rear speakers down the road in addition to the component set upfront and giving you some more power for subwoofer.

The total cost of my example system is about 750-800 shipped depending on where you order ( onlinecarstereo has free shipping ). This gives you some room if you want to go with a better set of components, or a better woofer, or a better amplifier. Hope that helps!

 

[Doola36 10+ year member]

Also check out what others Tundra's members are installing in their trucks.....Here is one of the tundra websites I know about.....

http://www.toyotatundraforum.com/audio-visual/