I need some help buying my first car stereo system

[cut55 10+ year member]

Hey everyone I'm a newb in this forum but I know there's a lot of help for me here.

Ok well I got my first car, its a 2002 Toyota Tacoma and I just started working so I wanna buy a stereo for it. The car doesn't have an alarm so I'm obviously not looking to spend thousands on a stereo system.

I just want someone to help me pick out the cheapest but somewhat decent setup from maybe onlinecarstereo.com or other site. I have no idea what brands are decent or anything like that. I would like to buy the headunit, speakers, woofers, amp, enclosures, and wires online or wherever I can get a good deal. I'm looking to get 2 subs no bigger than 10 inches unless the bigger ones are still affordable for me. A friend of mine will install everything for me for free, while teaching me at the same time. My budget is around $200-$400. If anyone would like to help, Thank You Very Much //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Click to read more...

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

I suggest you save up some more if you wanna do it right. You have to factor in materials cost and things like that. If you just want something to make noise, then go right ahead, but if you want something that you won't eventually part out, then start with the HU and front speakers and build from there. I would go with an Alarm then the HU, but that's just me.

 

[AQHDC3 10+ year member]

Kicker comp subs are pretty darn cheap and sound pretty good for the price.

 

[cut55 10+ year member]

I've seen the kickers on the website but can I have a quick explanation on what Ohms are? Like 4 Ohms vs. 2 Ohms.

Also what HU do you recommend? and regular speakers? and what about the amp?

 

[cut55 10+ year member]

Is there something wrong with the "Sony Xplod GT09HP CD/MP3 Player System with 4 Speakers" bundle from Walmart or why is it so cheap?

 

[cut55 10+ year member]

anyone??/

 

[jasonjs 10+ year member]

look for something used on craigslist save on shipping and some times you find good deals specially in cali

 

[z0n3d0u7 10+ year member]

If your buddie knows Car audio, Your best bet would be browsing your local Craigslist ads and havin him go with you to test the equip. You can test pretty much anything off of a car battery and use an ipod as input, and a lil mid to test outs on headunits if you want to go that far.

If i were you, I would start with a nice used Alpine 9885 or 9886 ($120ish), A new set of Pheonix gold RSD componets [$75ish?], And a decent 75x2Wrms amp. [$75? possibly lower.]

Use a little of this budget for the forum boner of the week sound deadner,

Then figure out what you have left, And decide on your "Sub stage".

Beings its a truck, You really only need 1 set of "Front" stage speakers [unless you do some research and step into 3-way set-up's.]. Do away with Dash speakers [if they are there.] And run your mid's in either door's, or kick pod's, And mount your tweets in A pillar's, Sail panel, or door panel.

What kind of room do you have to dedicate to a sub box? Where will be your "Stealthiest" option? You will need to know these things when shopping for sub(s), Then you will worry about D2 / D4 ohm voice coil's, Depending on your set-up. The D4 / D2 will determine what your final ohm load from your speakers will be, And you'll have to find an amp that can handle the load. [some MONO Block amp's are stable down to 1 ohm, While some are only stable to 2 ohm. Depending on number of subs, You can chage the final load of the subs.]

P.S. Stay away from Sony, And pretty much everything from Walmart! Except maybe the Install DVD [/joke.]

Same goes for Bestbuy as well.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

what part of cali are you from.you can get ok stuff off graigslist ,but BE CAREFUL CHECK IT VERY GOOD,if your not too far from san fran i might can help you out

 

[djarmy2004 10+ year member]

Man with 400 that will cover a good alarm installed. I paid right at 200 for my and everything with it and then most ppl ihave found its about 200 for install. Start there. Then get a HU, 9886, 9887 are very popular. Pioneer has quite a few good ones also. Then get a good 4ch and some good componets. After all that you should worry about your sub stage if your doing it right. Is this for a DD or for a comp tryck thats just gonna be loud. Im assuming DD as 400 aint much to work with. cragslist and ebay will be your best friend in this adventure GLWB

 

[cut55 10+ year member]

Thanks guys I think ima wait on the sub till i save more money, also what kind of alarm do you put on non-power lock cars such as mine? Also I'm in San jose, Ca.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

IM me on AIM. My screen name is the same as my username on here. I'd be glad to help you find what you need.

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

Thanks guys I think ima wait on the sub till i save more money, also what kind of alarm do you put on non-power lock cars such as mine? Also I'm in San jose, Ca.

I did a Clifford 1X on my 85 Monte Carlo. I needed something 2 way, but did not have remote start. I had the locks converted though. The thingies were cheap; like 20 bucks each. I would suggest you buy the alarm and all the parts and have it installed. You could buy the alarm at the Frys on 550 E. Brokaw Road.

You could get them to do it, but I cannnot vouch for their installs. I didn't go with them because they were booked for more than a 2 weeks. I guess they do like 1-2 cars a day.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Amp:

http://www.caraudiodeals.com/mb-quart-dsc480-p-2248.html

Speakers:

http://www.cadencestore.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=126&idproduct=194

Wiring:

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KLM-K4

Head unit:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11789_Kenwood+KDC-MP738U.html

 

[cut55 10+ year member]

Okay everyone thanks for your help, now this is what im looking to buy, please give your opinions //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Head unit:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11789_Kenwood+KDC-MP738U.html

Speakers:

http://www.dealercostcaraudio.com/rsd65cs.aspx

Amp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MB-QUART-1000-Watt-DSC4125-4-Channel-Car-Amp-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ350237842084QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Amplifiers?hash=item518bcd5aa4

Wiring:

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KLM-K4

Now, this leaves me with 500 watts for a sub later on I believe, any advice? links to cheaper deals GREATLY appreciated, thanks.