Featured Just looking for any suggestions anyone might have.

Bluecarz77

CarAudio.com Newbie
Well there i was goin down the highway bangin bass when my dash lights started dimming more than they usually do.. looked down at my V Meter and it said 12.0v when it usually is at 14.5v, battery light came on so i parked the car and tested the ALT with an amp clamp and its only putting out 4 amps at idle and last year i tested it and was putting out 40-50 at idle... so its dead.. so i thought why not do a whole stereo overhaul.. but want peoples suggestions and critiques. Dont be afraid to tell me i have something installed stupid or have the wrong idea about something.

Car : 2004 Toyota Echo 4 door hatch

Current Equipment : Pioneer DEH-S4220BT Single DIN, Stetsom Vulcan 3000, 2x MTX 10" SVC subs 400w RMS, 10 Ga sub wires, Qpower dual 10 box, 4" pioneer speaks in dash, 6.5" unknown speakers in the doors, i installed them but dont know what brand, have a little cap on them and look beefy lol, Full size Red top batt under hood, small yellow top in back. Dual 4 gauge power to the batt then to the amp, each battery has at least 3 separate grounds. 150A in line fuse, Stock alt ( dead ).
All my cabling is OFC but from different companies so some is stiff and some is floppy, all CLAIM to be ofc. I haven't done my engine block ground but i did a ground to the transmission and strut tower.

What i was thinking of doing
bigger alternator, a 150A High output, stock is 70-80 A (already ordered it... hope its enough lol)
Dynomat the hatch, doors, roof, rear hatch sides, spare tire tub
Getting a higher quality Sub amp, my stetsom has power but can tell its not the best quality
Possibly look into getting a matching speaker amp, if i need it, only have speakers in the dash and front doors so not sure if a head unit alone will do the trick
a sub box tuned perfectly for big 10" subs ( want to play loud but good quality music )
Double Din, sony possibly? heard they are making good stuff lately
2 new DVC subs possibly 750-1000 rms Sundown audio 10's, heard they are decent

This setup has surprised alot of people its loud but the subs are getting worn out, one has a broken push terminal and rattles and i just want better quality and a bit more boom, the amp settings knobs keep changing with the vibrations of the bass and im not the best at amp tuning ( my fault i know for mounting it to the box lol ) also seriously need a different head unit this one was good for a starter but the audio settings are stupid
 

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Well there i was goin down the highway bangin bass when my dash lights started dimming more than they usually do.. looked down at my V Meter and it said 12.0v when it usually is at 14.5v, battery light came on so i parked the car and tested the ALT with an amp clamp and its only putting out 4 amps at idle and last year i tested it and was putting out 40-50 at idle... so its dead.. so i thought why not do a whole stereo overhaul.. but want peoples suggestions and critiques. Dont be afraid to tell me i have something installed stupid or have the wrong idea about something.

Car : 2004 Toyota Echo 4 door hatch

Current Equipment : Pioneer DEH-S4220BT Single DIN, Stetsom Vulcan 3000, 2x MTX 10" SVC subs 400w RMS, 10 Ga sub wires, Qpower dual 10 box, 4" pioneer speaks in dash, 6.5" unknown speakers in the doors, i installed them but dont know what brand, have a little cap on them and look beefy lol, Full size Red top batt under hood, small yellow top in back. Dual 4 gauge power to the batt then to the amp, each battery has at least 3 separate grounds. 150A in line fuse, Stock alt ( dead ).
All my cabling is OFC but from different companies so some is stiff and some is floppy, all CLAIM to be ofc. I haven't done my engine block ground but i did a ground to the transmission and strut tower.

What i was thinking of doing
bigger alternator, a 150A High output, stock is 70-80 A (already ordered it... hope its enough lol)
Dynomat the hatch, doors, roof, rear hatch sides, spare tire tub
Getting a higher quality Sub amp, my stetsom has power but can tell its not the best quality
Possibly look into getting a matching speaker amp, if i need it, only have speakers in the dash and front doors so not sure if a head unit alone will do the trick
a sub box tuned perfectly for big 10" subs ( want to play loud but good quality music )
Double Din, sony possibly? heard they are making good stuff lately
2 new DVC subs possibly 750-1000 rms Sundown audio 10's, heard they are decent

This setup has surprised alot of people its loud but the subs are getting worn out, one has a broken push terminal and rattles and i just want better quality and a bit more boom, the amp settings knobs keep changing with the vibrations of the bass and im not the best at amp tuning ( my fault i know for mounting it to the box lol ) also seriously need a different head unit this one was good for a starter but the audio settings are stupid
Let's break this down step by step for clarity.
 
Well there i was goin down the highway bangin bass when my dash lights started dimming more than they usually do.. looked down at my V Meter and it said 12.0v when it usually is at 14.5v, battery light came on so i parked the car and tested the ALT with an amp clamp and its only putting out 4 amps at idle and last year i tested it and was putting out 40-50 at idle... so its dead.. so i thought why not do a whole stereo overhaul.. but want peoples suggestions and critiques. Dont be afraid to tell me i have something installed stupid or have the wrong idea about something.

Car : 2004 Toyota Echo 4 door hatch

Current Equipment : Pioneer DEH-S4220BT Single DIN, Stetsom Vulcan 3000, 2x MTX 10" SVC subs 400w RMS, 10 Ga sub wires, Qpower dual 10 box, 4" pioneer speaks in dash, 6.5" unknown speakers in the doors, i installed them but dont know what brand, have a little cap on them and look beefy lol, Full size Red top batt under hood, small yellow top in back. Dual 4 gauge power to the batt then to the amp, each battery has at least 3 separate grounds. 150A in line fuse, Stock alt ( dead ).
All my cabling is OFC but from different companies so some is stiff and some is floppy, all CLAIM to be ofc. I haven't done my engine block ground but i did a ground to the transmission and strut tower.

What i was thinking of doing
bigger alternator, a 150A High output, stock is 70-80 A (already ordered it... hope its enough lol)
Dynomat the hatch, doors, roof, rear hatch sides, spare tire tub
Getting a higher quality Sub amp, my stetsom has power but can tell its not the best quality
Possibly look into getting a matching speaker amp, if i need it, only have speakers in the dash and front doors so not sure if a head unit alone will do the trick
a sub box tuned perfectly for big 10" subs ( want to play loud but good quality music )
Double Din, sony possibly? heard they are making good stuff lately
2 new DVC subs possibly 750-1000 rms Sundown audio 10's, heard they are decent

This setup has surprised alot of people its loud but the subs are getting worn out, one has a broken push terminal and rattles and i just want better quality and a bit more boom, the amp settings knobs keep changing with the vibrations of the bass and im not the best at amp tuning ( my fault i know for mounting it to the box lol ) also seriously need a different head unit this one was good for a starter but the audio settings are stupid
It sounds like you're looking to enhance your audio system quite a lot, which is great! I recommend consulting with experienced audio installers for personalized advice based on your specific needs and preferences. They'll be able to guide you on the best products that suit your goals.
 
It looks like the factory radio yet. Congrats. No steering controls already. Dash lights dimming. The modules no good but still taking up volts. Unless you cut it off. Nice speakers. The issue still yet is how to set the subwoofer to the amps still yet. Congrats on buying these expensive products. Now you need help. Suggestions? Make it work. Since only one battery used I suggest you rewire the 2 amps to use only one battery. Parallel wiring. No. I never did place a subwoofer in a car. But I know how to make a home based system like JL Music box. Same kind as Wal-Mart makes them for $160 dollars per box.

To make a story shorter. You guys ever did watch the show Flight of the Phoenix, 1966 Ernest Borgnine was one of the actors. And Mr. Dorfman only makes and designs model airplanes. But in the end, he rescues them out of the desert. Mr. Dorfman was an airplane designer. Though not the real thing. So I’m Mr. Dorfman. I know about Electronics. Not necessarily the job itself. But know enough. I hope you get the point.

Well I have 3 old radios lying around. I use one to practice electronics on. Home based system. I like car audio. But electronics to me is more detail. So I’ll put the two together. And see what is up my man? Then see.​
 
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but want peoples suggestions and critiques
TBH you got it well planned. Only thing missing is the decision on the model of the equipment. Sony is definitely a good choice. I not know about their features but their prices are now on par with Kenwood. Kenwood has a plethora of DSP features but they could be overwhelming if you do not know how to use them.
As for the Sundown subs, the SA line is the more popular midlevel sub. Good price for the features it has.
The Sundown amps are pretty solid so good choice on that. The more economical of those are the full bridge versions. I do not know if the sound quality would be different than that Stetsom full bridge you got. I think going the half bridge route may be more to your liking except the price. There is a lightly used Surge Audio 4k for auction in eBay. Guy had it for $520 but it did not sell so now is on auction.
Screenshot_20250622_125441_eBay.jpg
 
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Well there i was goin down the highway bangin bass when my dash lights started dimming more than they usually do.. looked down at my V Meter and it said 12.0v when it usually is at 14.5v, battery light came on so i parked the car and tested the ALT with an amp clamp and its only putting out 4 amps at idle and last year i tested it and was putting out 40-50 at idle... so its dead.. so i thought why not do a whole stereo overhaul.. but want peoples suggestions and critiques. Dont be afraid to tell me i have something installed stupid or have the wrong idea about something.

Car : 2004 Toyota Echo 4 door hatch

Current Equipment : Pioneer DEH-S4220BT Single DIN, Stetsom Vulcan 3000, 2x MTX 10" SVC subs 400w RMS, 10 Ga sub wires, Qpower dual 10 box, 4" pioneer speaks in dash, 6.5" unknown speakers in the doors, i installed them but dont know what brand, have a little cap on them and look beefy lol, Full size Red top batt under hood, small yellow top in back. Dual 4 gauge power to the batt then to the amp, each battery has at least 3 separate grounds. 150A in line fuse, Stock alt ( dead ).
All my cabling is OFC but from different companies so some is stiff and some is floppy, all CLAIM to be ofc. I haven't done my engine block ground but i did a ground to the transmission and strut tower.

What i was thinking of doing
bigger alternator, a 150A High output, stock is 70-80 A (already ordered it... hope its enough lol)
Dynomat the hatch, doors, roof, rear hatch sides, spare tire tub
Getting a higher quality Sub amp, my stetsom has power but can tell its not the best quality
Possibly look into getting a matching speaker amp, if i need it, only have speakers in the dash and front doors so not sure if a head unit alone will do the trick
a sub box tuned perfectly for big 10" subs ( want to play loud but good quality music )
Double Din, sony possibly? heard they are making good stuff lately
2 new DVC subs possibly 750-1000 rms Sundown audio 10's, heard they are decent

This setup has surprised alot of people its loud but the subs are getting worn out, one has a broken push terminal and rattles and i just want better quality and a bit more boom, the amp settings knobs keep changing with the vibrations of the bass and im not the best at amp tuning ( my fault i know for mounting it to the box lol ) also seriously need a different head unit this one was good for a starter but the audio settings are stupid
A new system is always fun to get. The biggest question is, how much are you willing to spend?
 
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Bluecarz77

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