Graduation Present for Daughter going off to College - Upgrade Stereo System

[jstijerina]

My daugther drives a 2005 Santa Fe - audio is all original and front speakers are busted. Before she goes off to college, I'd like to upgrade her system where she can use her I-pod, new speakers, etc. I dont want to go cheap but also not expensive. Any recommendations?

Click to read more...

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

welcome to ca.com //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

what's your budget? are you willing to buy used? you can find some really nice equipment on here for cheap. half the people on here that are selling used equipment have hardly even played with it, we just like to try new things lol

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

add a new head unit with ipod ready. make sure the cable comes with it. add new front spkrs and rears. voila! shes off to college!!

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

add a new head unit with ipod ready. make sure the cable comes with it. add new front spkrs and rears. voila! shes off to college!!

This. Kenwood makes some nice single-din options with direct iPod interface for $150 or so.

Kenwood KDC X-693 and up (and newer models) seem to be well received.

As far as new speakers, there are thousands of options.

Will an amplifier be involved or just a speaker swap?

Budget will help as well.

Best wishes!

 

[jstijerina]

I was thinking in the $400 to $500 range. Only looking for a head unit with Ipod capabilities and good speakers.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

if you can do it your self you will save a ton of money

if your order from crutchfield.com or sonicelectronix.com they usually give you a big discount on the dash kit and the wiring needed.

Sonic is probably gonna have better prices

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I was thinking in the $400 to $500 range. Only looking for a head unit with Ipod capabilities and good speakers.

I've done 5.1 surround for 1000$, you shold have no problem staying under budget particularly if you install yourself. My .02$ don't spend a ton of money on a head unit since these days they're pretty disposeable and if they last over 2 years you're lucky (if you drive a lot anyway). I've had good luck with my Kenwood head unit, it has a lot of features for the money and has been relatively reliable. The Alpine unit that ONLY has ipod interface and USB that I tried was junk, though higher end alpines seem OK. I also used a poineer last year that had some issues with the faceplate wobbling loose and powering down the unit (granted this only happened at extreme volume levels, but still i suspect it's not really solidly built).

Most of those online stores do have good deals on last year's model and such and will either throw in, or deep discount the wiring harness and mounting kit (if the car needs one). Big box stores almost NEVER have any decent head units and are all priced high compared to the reputable online stores (sonicelectronics, woofersetc, audiosavings, etc.)