Please help a newbie w/ what car audio equipment to install.

[bumpyphish]

I have a 2001 Chevy Tahoe with all factory equipment.

I have a budget of around than $800. I would like to spend less than that but if it's worth it, I'll go to 800. The current plan is to find good secondhand equipment wherever I can online.

My goals are:

1. SOUND CLARITY. I listen mostly to jambands, classic rock, and instrumental music (jazz/fusion/afro-beat/psychedelic etc.). I do not care about bumping it out with tons of bass. I think a sub-woofer is probably not something I need or want.

2. IPOD/IPHONE direct connection and digital display.

What should I get? Where are some good places online to poke around and find it (besides these forums)? I'm a complete newb when it comes to this stuff. I know a guy with some experience who has agreed to help me install whatever equipment I get for cheap if I just go out and purchase equipment that is compatible with my vehicle.

Let 'er rip and thanks in advance to those with serious quality ideas for me.

You can email me directly if you are so inclined.

Cheers!

Click to read more...

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

Check out sites like woofersetc and sonicelectronix to get an idea of what's out there. Also check around the review section an see what others have said.

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

^^^ ill go with that as well ^^^

 

[bumpyphish]

cmon

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

ok... if your going for an sq build, your going to need a subwoofer. not saying you need anything massive, but a nice 8" or 10" will fill the lows for you very well. the music wont really have any depth with out it IMO. as far as equipment... you really are opening pandoras box with that vague of a question... do some looking around, find some equipment that interests you, then ask about it... otherwise, the possibilities are WAY too vast for anyone to give really good advice

 

[bumpyphish]

Thanks, mast.

Tell me this:

Will any head unit/speakers/etc come with requisite wires/hookups necessary to satisfactorily install?

 

[mast240 10+ year member]

HU: no... you'll have to get a wiring harness

speakers : depends, some do, some dont... most component sets do

amps, etc: you'll have to get all the electrical/fusing/rca's/speaker wire

 

[bumpyphish]

bump thread

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

ok go with a nice hu,then a 4 channel amp for your speakers ,6.5 components in the frt and leave the stock tweets,6.5 coaxials in the rear doors.2 10 inch subs in a slot port box,with a nice 500 - 1000 watt rms amp.bigger battery up frt or 2nd battery install.you will like the set up if you get good equipment ,but you'll still need an amp kit ,distro block,2 extra rca cables for the 4 channel,wiring harness,and dash kit,and antenna adapter

 

[bumpyphish]

I'm currently looking for some places to explore to search for deals on reliable equipment for discount prices. I'm still undecided about exactly what I'm getting and if I'm willing to chance purchasing second-hand stuff (I'm inclined to consider it though). So, any sites or avenues you veterans could suggest would be much appreciated. I'm thinking of looking on places like eBay, Craig's list, flea markets, pawn shops. Are there there any sites where people buy/sell car audio stuff exclusively? I've yet to explore this site beyond just the general discussion so there might be a forum for that here too I donno.

 

[Xanthous 10+ year member]

Caraudioclassifieds.org / ca classifieds.