How can i upgrade my car's audio

[stans dad]

Hello all

I recently graduated college so I'm looking to buy my first reliable car (I have had my old one since high school, and its ready to be retired)

I looked at a lot of different cars but I think I finally decided on a Mazda 6. The problem though, is that the speakers and head unit arent very good. I like to rock out when I'm driving so this just wont do.

Im not looking to spend a ton of money, I just want suggestions of very middle of the road systems that can be installed in my car to give it a great sound without a ton of money. I know next to nothing about car audio so any suggestions/tips would be helpful.

Thanks!

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[naughtyca 10+ year member]

budget and what you want, head units, door speakers, amp for the door speakers, sub, sub amp

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

budget and what you want, head units, door speakers, amp for the door speakers, sub, sub amp

Please for the love of god recommend something different for the sub I'm so tired of seeing that ad

And op personal opinion

WoofersEtc.com - IA5.1- Incriminator Audio Class D Mono Block Amplifier

Two of these

WoofersEtc.com - I10D4 - Incriminator Audio 10" Dual 4-Ohm I-Series Subwoofer

One of these

MSW | Car Audio Stereo, Car Subwoofers, Car Amplifiers and Speakers

And one of these

4 Gauge OFC Amplifier Amp Installation Wiring Kit

And idk what head unit u want I have an deh-80prs I love and I can give you a hell of a deal on mine since I'm getting out of the audio game for a while

For speakers it's hard to say depending on listening preference

But I would look at

WoofersEtc.com - I65C - Incriminator Audio 6.5" Component Speaker System

WoofersEtc.com - I65- Incriminator Audio 85 Watt Coaxial Speakers

Just use some adapter plates to fit the 6.5 in the 6x8 spot, most 6x8s don't sound that good but if you do go that route I recommend the

WoofersEtc.com - 15-MC572 - Memphis MClass 5" x 7" Coaxial Speakers

WoofersEtc.com - 15-MCS57 - Memphis 5" x 7" MClass Component Speakers

Either way I'd put componets in the front and coaxials in the back

Ia also make a good 4 channel to drive the speakers to higher levels cleanly but it is pricey a very good amp but pricey

The biggest thing is going to be the install though, if done right a 1000 dollar system can sou d better than a 10g system

Look at keephopealive 's build log it has a wealth of knowledge and install tips in it I actually believe him to be one of the wisest guys on here.

I didn't put sound deadener in this list because it is costly but it also can make an enourmous difference in the way your car sounds

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Please for the love of god recommend something different for the sub I'm so tired of seeing that ad
And op personal opinion

WoofersEtc.com - IA5.1- Incriminator Audio Class D Mono Block Amplifier

Two of these

WoofersEtc.com - I10D4 - Incriminator Audio 10" Dual 4-Ohm I-Series Subwoofer

One of these

MSW | Car Audio Stereo, Car Subwoofers, Car Amplifiers and Speakers

And one of these

4 Gauge OFC Amplifier Amp Installation Wiring Kit

And idk what head unit u want I have an deh-80prs I love and I can give you a hell of a deal on mine since I'm getting out of the audio game for a while

For speakers it's hard to say depending on listening preference

But I would look at

WoofersEtc.com - I65C - Incriminator Audio 6.5" Component Speaker System

WoofersEtc.com - I65- Incriminator Audio 85 Watt Coaxial Speakers

Just use some adapter plates to fit the 6.5 in the 6x8 spot, most 6x8s don't sound that good but if you do go that route I recommend the

WoofersEtc.com - 15-MC572 - Memphis MClass 5" x 7" Coaxial Speakers

WoofersEtc.com - 15-MCS57 - Memphis 5" x 7" MClass Component Speakers

Either way I'd put componets in the front and coaxials in the back

Ia also make a good 4 channel to drive the speakers to higher levels cleanly but it is pricey a very good amp but pricey

The biggest thing is going to be the install though, if done right a 1000 dollar system can sou d better than a 10g system

Look at keephopealive 's build log it has a wealth of knowledge and install tips in it I actually believe him to be one of the wisest guys on here.

I didn't put sound deadener in this list because it is costly but it also can make an enourmous difference in the way your car sounds

Don't you want to know his budget first?

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Don't you want to know his budget first?

He might not if posted a number but he said middle ground this is middle ground the Memphis components are the only thing not budget that I recommended

He could go with a single sub and a crap budget amp but for the money this is a good system I have installed 4 times with great results

You could swap the sub for any 100dollar sub like the dcon e-series, IVX, p2,w1, power reference, cvr, etc and still sound decent but the i-series has matching components, amps,etc which all are very good for the money.

The 5.1 is rated for 450@1 but really is 750-800@1

The sub u always post has no reviews the company that makes it isn't known very well at all assuming he buys it has a problem with it and needs to send it back, the company might close down like alot of companies do take t3 for example nice subs crappy soft parts that ran them into the ground with repair cost

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

middle ground for you might be high priced for him, $300 amp for 800watts when it shows rating of 450watts @ 1 ohm you call that middle ground?

he might want a whole system not including head unit for $300

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

middle ground for you might be high priced for him, $300 amp for 800watts when it shows rating of 450watts @ 1 ohm you call that middle ground?
he might want a whole system not including head unit for $300

Then he would need to save and not buy anything, or find a different thing to waste his money on. Maybe horse shoes?

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Then he would need to save and not buy anything, or find a different thing to waste his money on. Maybe horse shoes?

why not just suggest on the OP's budget instead of trying to be a mother by telling him to save more money.

Op post your budget so people can suggest on what to get for your budget.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

why not just suggest on the OP's budget instead of trying to be a mother by telling him to save more money.
Op post your budget so people can suggest on what to get for your budget.

Its not being a mother, its giving good advice. Something you know nothing about.

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

Its not being a mother, its giving good advice. Something you know nothing about.

other peoples finances should be none of your business, if anybody asked for an advice with a budget you need to respect what their budget is.

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Its not being a mother, its giving good advice. Something you know nothing about.

Word

True dat

Burn

What ever you want to call it ddtc is right

 

[Full Tilt 10+ year member]

Its not being a mother, its giving good advice. Something you know nothing about.

Seriously, shut up.

The system chevelle posted up would sound great, but none of us even know a budget yet. Honestly, even I wouldn't want to pay that kind of a price for that equipment, but again, it all depends on OPs budget. Until we know that, we're really not going to be able to recommend equipment that'll be good 'for him'.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Keep it up, guys. It's crap like this that gives forums a bad rep.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Seriously, shut up.
The system chevelle posted up would sound great, but none of us even know a budget yet. Honestly, even I wouldn't want to pay that kind of a price for that equipment, but again, it all depends on OPs budget. Until we know that, we're really not going to be able to recommend equipment that'll be good 'for him'.

That setup would be fine. BUT its not a $300 set up is it? There is a difference between a budget set up and buying pure garbage that might last a few weeks at best and sound like garbage when it does work. That is a waste of money, people should be told that is a waste of money, they are going to do what they are going to do anyway but atleast give them a heads up.

 

[Full Tilt 10+ year member]

That setup would be fine. BUT its not a $300 set up is it? There is a difference between a budget set up and buying pure garbage that might last a few weeks at best and sound like garbage when it does work. That is a waste of money, people should be told that is a waste of money, they are going to do what they are going to do anyway but atleast give them a heads up.

Okay, so recommend him a budget setup. Incriminator Audio isn't a budget setup, period. It's high-quality, competition grade equipment that people just getting started into the hobby simply don't need. Just because a 750w amplifier doesn't cost $300 doesn't mean it's garbage, it means it's reasonable. There's plenty of equipment out there that can supply a decent amount of clean power without killing your wallet. Not every low-cost piece of equipment is garbage, just like not every $1000 amp is as nice as it seems. Yeah, you've got to be careful - but low-budget systems can be put together very well if you find the right gear.