time for a system

Topic: time for a system (Read 3207 times) previous topic - next topic

time for a system

March 20, 2006, 10:54:19 PM

so i think its time to get a new stereo system in the bird. it has the stock system and it is definataly showing signs of its wear. it crackels when i turn up the volume and it doesnt pick up radio stations worth poo. so what is a good deck for these cars? the only wywtem i have ever put together is just a bunch of cheep i gathered up for free for my truck. i want this thing to be relativly inexpensive and sound good listening to country and clasic rock. thanks for any ideas.
jeremy

time for a system

Reply #1 – March 20, 2006, 11:04:05 PM

Well first off whats your price range?

time for a system

Reply #2 – March 20, 2006, 11:08:03 PM

When I need a cheap, decent system for a beater I go to a puppies shop. You can usually pick up a decent head unit for under $75. As for speakers, walmart usually has some outsourced, cheap ass, china-made deals on 6X9's and rounds. Personally, I'd go to a local stereo store and tell them what you want.

time for a system

Reply #3 – March 21, 2006, 12:00:00 AM

i would like to keep it under $300 while still sounding decent. i eventualy want to restore this car so i dont want to cheap ars it too bad. the speakers in it sound al right im thinking just a new head unit an amp and a couple subs.

time for a system

Reply #4 – March 21, 2006, 12:06:42 AM

You're gunna want to replace the factory speakers, if you put any power to them they're gunna blow in a hurry. Find a good used head unit, maybe a 4 channel amp and some decent entry-level speakers (alpine type s) and you'll be set. I wouldn't worry about subs unless you pound hard rock or rap. Once again, I'd check out local stereo shops, they usually have good deals this time of year.

time for a system

Reply #5 – March 21, 2006, 12:39:20 AM

Well, lets see. If you want something for under 300.......

Here's what I would do. Go to a Local stereo shop that sells Clarion products, and buy a deck. Clarion makes a very decent entry level deck for 100-200 bucks. the 200 dollar deck has a decent RMS power rating for the price. Very good sound quality. Simplistic deck, but pretty much everything you would need.

http://www.clarion.com/us/en/products/2006/audio/source_units/cd/DB165/us-en-product-pf_1134643389073.html

For speakers, a good entry level set would be infinity referance series, or even and entry level set of alpines. That should keep you right around 300, but give you pretty good sound quality.

time for a system

Reply #6 – March 21, 2006, 12:42:03 AM

A new head unit alone will probably blow out the front dash speakers in a day or two, considering your car is an '84. It did on both the '84s I had.

i have an 83 cougar and thought of the same

Reply #7 – March 24, 2006, 12:29:31 AM

i have the premium sound in mine and have the same problems..... do i have more speakers and can i do the same by just changing the head and speakers? will it work with the premium sound thing?

time for a system

Reply #8 – March 24, 2006, 04:17:48 PM

With premium sound it isn't as easy as just swapping in a new head unit. I don't know about the non prem-sound cars, but I know when I had to do mine, I just rewired the whole car. The bigger gauge cable ended up working out better for my Infinity Kappas and there wasn't the need to do any stupid splicing into the original system. And if you have to go super cheap, there are always Pioneer speakers. Brand name and they sound alright... way better than stock at least.

time for a system

Reply #9 – March 25, 2006, 12:25:58 PM

What I say is get you a decent deck and some decent door speakers.Preferablly some seperates. Wire it in bypassing the factory amp. Then for some low end mount a couple of 10's under the back deck. Then just a decent amp to run the ten's make sure it has a crossover. That should get you where you want. Not sure on the price for it all but it should get you the sound you are wanting.

asking like an idiot........

Reply #10 – March 25, 2006, 01:31:08 PM

where IS the factory amp? and what is that thing on the underside of my dash above the clock? (can't wait for my shop manuals to get here.... any day now :))

time for a system

Reply #11 – March 27, 2006, 11:38:19 PM

From the info that I have the Factory amp is on the underside of the rear deck. I bet the thing above your clock is the light sensor for the headlights auto on/off unit.

time for a system

Reply #12 – March 28, 2006, 09:57:06 AM

on the 83-84's it is where the cigarette light panel goes.

also, I guarentee you will blow the stock speakers. I blew a "50w" tweeter with my stock system. At the time it was the only speaker though.

time for a system

Reply #13 – March 30, 2006, 01:46:30 PM

Trust me guy if you ar gonna do it you want to do it right. Spend the most on your deck, if you dont replace the speakers you will have to dial back the eq setting on the new deck to keep from blowing them, ie it will sound like . Like was said before get a good entry level speaker set because there are no decks for under $300 that will blow a decent speaker set you need an amp to do that. Depending on the features you want check out crutchfield.com to get some ideas on what you want write down the part numbers and check around, i found my alpine deck on crutchfield for $400 looked around and found it for $244. Speakers are your choice, for entry levels i have gone with pioneer and had great sound with them, also right now i have JVC's in my car very good quality. If you want to step out from you price range i always go with eclipse speakers JL subs and match your deck and amp manufacturers. Rockfords are also very good just not as nice as eclipse in my opinion.