Need help with basic build

[filedog 10+ year member]

I love my 2012 Hyundai Accent hatchback - just not the audio system! I want to upgrade, but wow, there are too many choices! Also, I have a lower budget than most people here. I have upped my limit to about 1k. I am going to have a shop do the install, looks like that will be about $300. So, I have $700 for parts. I want to keep the head unit, it has sirius, USB and CD, is a weird trapezoidal shape too, in other words hard to find a kit for. Also, I do not need to go "all out", just good sound.

I have read a lot, and talked to most of the local shops. Some, no MOST, wanted to sell me a LOT of stuff.....I am having trouble sorting it all out.

I am thinking of adding a 4 channel amp, a sealed 10" sub, and replacing the stock 6.5 fronts with component speakers. Most shops recommend line out converters to RCA cables, rather than using high level inputs to the amp. Probably run the stock rears off my HU.

I mostly listen to classic rock in the car. I like a "warm" sound, I HATE piercing highs. I like tight, accurate bass "musical" bass. Here's the stuff I am considering:

ARC XXD4080 amp, (refurb)

JL C2 650 fronts listened to these, I liked them along with the Alpine type R

JL 10W1V2 sub

.75 cu/ft premade sealed box

as far as I can tell, the speakers can handle the amp etc. What do you guys think? Looking for high

"bang for the buck" stuff that will work well together.

Click to read more...

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

bang for the buck and the stuff you have listed don't mix. fyi most shops do crap installs especially when the product isn't theirs.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

Yeah, I'm aware of lower priced brands, but I am able to get all that stuff, plus my LOC and amp kit for $743.

Not good? I did talk to one guy, whose advice and shop I liked. He was fine with me bringing in whatever.

He even offered me advice if I wanted to do part of it myself. I just don't feel comfortable taking my interior apart,

so I figured I'd pay a shop. Would you advise me to buy my parts from them? Their prices were high.

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

Online shopping will help you get the materials you need for a lot cheaper than local stores. However, then you forfeit supporting that shop, and possibly any additional services they may have otherwise rendered.

As far as components with a warm sound, the HAT Imagines are on the rave. $150-$200 a pair shipped. They are respected as being natural in tonal quality.

Dayton HO for a subwoofer. A 10" in .7cubes @ 31hz and you'll be pretty darn happy. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Amplifiers are too many to count.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, as I'd be happy to help.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

So are you saying I need to buy from a shop, if I want them to install my parts?

That's gonna blow my budget...... Part of the work I can do (have done in the past)

I can put together the sub etc. It's just trying to get the HU out, installing the LOC

(had never heard of them till recently), that I'm worried about. Plus taking apart a 2 week old car......

Those drivers look nice, but more than I had figured, cost-wise.

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

So are you saying I need to buy from a shop, if I want them to install my parts?That's gonna blow my budget...... Part of the work I can do (have done in the past)

I can put together the sub etc. It's just trying to get the HU out, installing the LOC

(had never heard of them till recently), that I'm worried about. Plus taking apart a 2 week old car......

Those drivers look nice, but more than I had figured, cost-wise.

No, you don't have to buy from a local store. However, I'd do a lot of talking to the installer to make sure your brand new car will be in good hands.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

I've got it narrowed down to two of the shops I liked the best. One is a dealer for ID.

He doesn't have any of it on display though. Where can I ge the HATs for $150?

The JL C2 650s I can get for $125. Suggestions for a sub $100 or less? I like the

JL because it's made for a small enclosure, and has a good rep for quality.

 

[Fiendstolemyamp 10+ year member]

Where can I ge the HATs for $150?

You'd have to get them used, they cost $250 new.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Have you never pulled a head unit out before? It's really stupid easy. Especially if your car is anything like mine, the 2009 Elantra. It's super easy man, definitely not worth $300 of work, and so much more rewarding when you do it yourself. This is coming from a dude that's been in the car audio game for 6 months now. also, register on hmaservice.com and you'll find step by step instructions for doing everything on your car. But it's typically as simple as using your hands to pull off the front part of the dash, that is usually held on by clips, and it pops right off. then unscrew the HU, and snap it back in. I've done it while driving, it's that simple. As for running the wires, just take a screw driver to pry up the door trim, which pops right off, and run it along under that. If you're worried about breaking any pieces, don't be. It's high strength plastic, meant to be taken apart. It's cake.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

Hmm. I have thought about doing it myself. I've learned a lot, and have a pretty good idea about what goes where.

I was worried about breaking pieces, but maybe I can do it. I would love to save that money. Any suggestions for

components that are better value than the ones I listed?

Also, a couple guys told me speaker level inputs are a bad idea. Is that true? I was looking at the Alpine MRP F300,

which seems to be popular, and with it I could avoid the LOCs.

UPDATE, more reading confirms I need LOCs

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

It's mad simple dude. Check out the Hyundai Service Website site to see how easy it is. And I was skeptical about breaking stuff and what not too until my first time, until I saw how durable and simple it is. but if you don't need an extra $300 then I guess just have someone do it for you.

And if you really like the HATs, I would just look around on here, caraudioclassifieds.org, and diyma.org and look to pick up a set used. But if you skeptical about used products, then I'm sure the JL's won't disappoint. They probably won't be too "wowing", but it is JL, and they are a safe bet.

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

It's mad simple dude. Check out the Hyundai Service Website site to see how easy it is. And I was skeptical about breaking stuff and what not too until my first time, until I saw how durable and simple it is. but if you don't need an extra $300 then I guess just have someone do it for you.

And if you really like the HATs, I would just look around on here, caraudioclassifieds.org, and diyma.org and look to pick up a set used. But if you skeptical about used products, then I'm sure the JL's won't disappoint. They probably won't be too "wowing", but it is JL, and they are a safe bet.

 

[filedog 10+ year member]

Good tip! I signed up, but I guess since it's a new model, there was nothing under "body interior and exterior"

Heh, that's funny! "but if you don't need an extra $300 then I guess just have someone do it for you."

 

[TheUnderFighter 10+ year member]

Yea, I love that place. They got everything That's a bummer they don't have anything for the 2012 yet, I know it a whole new car too. But maybe the 2011 removal process is similar.

And it really does come down to that it's seriously so easy. But, if you're really not comfortable with it, maybe it's worth the extra cash.

Gosh, I sure am jealous of the 2011 and 2012 models. Leaps and bounds ahead of my 2009>.

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

I will tell you now.. AVOID audio shops until you know what you are talking about.. the swarm worse than car lots.. its annoying as fuck.. I go in wanting this.. and they try to sell me w/e shit is on sale or they are trying to push like they didn't even hear my question.. Only time I roll up their is if I need a piece of install equipment and don't want to wait a couple days.. cause they usually charge more locally too so it makes it worse..