Need help with car audio system upgrade. New to the site and posting.

[ross.aaron2010]

Okay, to start out with a guess I should put the budget I have currently. 1000.00 dollars.

I own a 2003 Chevy Impala 3.4L V6 (Nothing in the trunk besides what I have now, so plenty of room for new) As far as I know everything electrical is stock.

Next for what I currently have:

Alpine CDE-141 Head Unit.

2' 12inch Sony GS SVC (XS-GS120L) in a ported box.(not sure of the box dimensions)

1 Sony Xplod 1100W Class D Mono Amp (XM-ZZR3301).

All other speakers are stock.

I would like to try and stay away from upgrading my alternator and batteries and what not, since i dont plan on having this car for more then 5 years from now.

I'm not trying to get into competitions or anything of that nature, but i want a good balance between SQ and SPL. Basically i want to turn heads before people see me coming and it doesnt sound like **** inside the car. =p

If i put this in the wrong spot, I apologize.

I wont be installing these myself either since I'm a noob at car audio.

Click to read more...

 

[basswiigee]

dont run that stuff is best advice the subs and amp are not good at all.... for a 1000 dollars id go... i go two new hdc4 12's and a used 3500.... and that ish slams.. grab two of the 50.00 batts on here from @michaellane; toss em in trunk... bam around a 1000 and will knock whoevers face off that gets in the ride!! lol

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

He is right. Or do a little less power. But for the price my batteries cannot be beat period.

 

[ross.aaron2010]

I'm not quite sure what hdc4s are. Or all the stuff you would need for extra batteries. I'm pretty nooby at car audio that's why I got talked into buying this package from my local car audio store last year.

 

[ross.aaron2010]

I just looked them up on Google. They sure are nice. Seems like they aren't avaible anywhere though. Anymore suggestions? The 1000.00 will be used for subs amp and box. Possibly some new door speakers since mine are about to croak . Thanks

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

There's many choices for amps and subs here on the forum used and new from dealers vendors and reps 2000 rms and under will be fine with nothing more than a big 3 kit and a agm battery under the hood in most cases

 

[ross.aaron2010]

I know. It's almost over whelming since I don't really know what to get and what to avoid and what I'll need to get for this setup and that setup lol.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

[quote name='basswiigee']dont run that stuff is best advice the subs and amp are not good at all.... for a 1000 dollars id go... i go two new hdc4 12's and a used 3500.... and that ish slams.. grab two of the 50.00 batts on here from @michaellane; toss em in trunk... bam around a 1000 and will knock whoevers face off that gets in the ride!! lol[/QUOTE]

Implying he won't spend 100$ in wiring and terminals and such and he can get a box to do them justice for under 250$... AND implying that those Chinese kids can produce a new run of those subs any time soon.

[quote name='ross.aaron2010']I just looked them up on Google. They sure are nice. Seems like they aren't avaible anywhere though. Anymore suggestions? The 1000.00 will be used for subs amp and box. Possibly some new door speakers since mine are about to croak . Thanks[/QUOTE]

Definitely replace your fronts first. There's a million good options for amp and sub that'll come in under your budget but you MUST provide for a good box. That will make or break your results.

Ohio is really huge for car audio competitions. I'd suggest if you went to a few you could see some real builds in person and very likely find some great deals on equipment from locals The sort of guys that are regulars at those shows change gear like you change your drawers. Shipping on subs/box will be horrific but if you can find them nearby and verify quality and working condition you'll be way ahead of the game in the bang/buck department.

 

[ross.aaron2010]

Ya I wasn't planning on bothering with any of the speakers besides the front, but thanks all for the info so far. If you still have recommendations. Keep up coming . I trust you guys more then myself or a dealer.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Ya I wasn't planning on bothering with any of the speakers besides the front, but thanks all for the info so far. If you still have recommendations. Keep up coming . I trust you guys more then myself or a dealer.

Well some of us are dealers and or reps like myself but live the hobby aspect or even compete or judge at shows. Like I said a pair of good 12s in the trunk a 2000 rms amp. Big 3 kit 0 gauge wire and agm battery under the hood. Some decent front components and amp them to $1000 might be pushing it a bit tho. The subs box amps and decent components new will put you in the $1100 range already then you still need wires battery and an amp for the doors. Which will put you at another $500. So maybe do a little at a time to start

 

[ross.aaron2010]

What do you mean by big 3 kit and agm battery? Sorry if these questions are dumb. I'd just like to get the sub(s) amp and box setup soon .

 

[ross.aaron2010]

***** though since the well known dealer for my area mostly only carriers the over priced brands.

 

[ross.aaron2010]

From what I have been looking at I really like audioque and sundown subs.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

From what I have been looking at I really like audioque and sundown subs.

A big 3 kit adds wire to the alr to battery. Battery to block and frame to help the electrical work better the agm is a battery stronger than your stock batt There are many subs on the market. Sq and sundown aren't sq subs. Unless you look at a sundown x I think. Tantric is. Lms tc are a few sq subs to consider

 

[ross.aaron2010]

Well I'm trying to find a good median between spl and sq. Guess I'm just not sure how I'm going to get that. I just know I'm ready to get rid of what I have although I might keep the box. Since it does make these sound pretty good in my opinion since everyone says they 're junk. It must be the box helping out with that.