Budget System

[Indianspringsaz]

This is my plan for a 07 3 door HB. I am trying to keep the price way down yet have a system that sounds good.
Amp to power the whole system,
PDX-5 http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...hp?model=PDX-5
Sub 13.5", http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_s...p?series_id=17
Speakers, Front and back, SPR-17C http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...?model=SPR-17C
I need ideas for a head unit. I want a double din. I need input on this.
What do you guys think?

[sqcomp]

How about this...

Give us your budget.

Are you absolutely stuck on JL and Alpine? Are you doing the install?

[Indianspringsaz]

I havent purchased anything yet except the sub, so I will be using the JL sub. It was $87. I like the idea of the PDX-5 based on its output and very small size. It is priced pretty good to, $360, what else will be small and powerful? I am open to any other recomendations. Budget the speakers around $150 a set.

[talnlnky]

I'd say spend the $300 that you've budgeted for buying 4 speakers and spend it all on 1 set of 6.5" components... then fade your audio 80-100% to the front speakers...

it doesn't matter how many speakers you have.... if they are lower quality... you'll have lower quality even if you buy twice as many.

This means you have an extra 2 channels open on that amp which allows you to bi-amp your components (cool option)... or to go with a different (cheaper) amp... say a four channel amp, with the rear two channels bridged to power the sub.

I've bought 6 amps for my car(s) in my lifetime.... only twice have I paid more than $150. If you truly are on a budget.... check out used gear. Craigslist and car audio forums often sells amps for way cheap.... recent I bought a pair of 6" speakers for 1/3 of their original price. I couldn't believe it, and they are in perfect condition, and very hard to find. The same guy was also selling an eclipse 4 channel amp for like $50. I almost bought the amp simply cause it was a great deal. Have known this guy on the audio forums for about 7 years, so there is no risk of the goods being hot.


buying new isn't very budget minded.... There are very few things that I suggest buying new.... cd players being one.

[Indianspringsaz]

The Alpine Type R speakers spec out pretty good. What others are you referring too? I have the money to buy new hardware so I will be doing that. I guess I should mention, I am after a stealth install, that is the reason I need a small amp. Its going under the seat. The Sub box will just sit in the hatch area, easily removable.

[swidd]

Hi, sorry if this is off-topic, I'm looking at upgrading the sound in my '07 yaris as well. I was wondering, with a single amp powering all the speakers in your car, as you've planned, do you have to route the speaker wires from the front doors and the back, to under the passenger seat? Won't all those sound wires get lots of interference?

Btw this post helps me in seeing what other's would get for their Yaris... I've been googling for a while and still don't have a clue. Thanks

[swidd]

Oh btw, as far as keeping costs down, is this really as low as it can go? Adding it all together with HU, a full system is 1500-2000. seriously?

[Indianspringsaz]

Originally Posted by swidd

Hi, sorry if this is off-topic, I'm looking at upgrading the sound in my '07 yaris as well. I was wondering, with a single amp powering all the speakers in your car, as you've planned, do you have to route the speaker wires from the front doors and the back, to under the passenger seat? Won't all those sound wires get lots of interference?

Btw this post helps me in seeing what other's would get for their Yaris... I've been googling for a while and still don't have a clue. Thanks

Yes, you will run all new wire. Dont run your speaker wire next to you power and signal wires. That is the only way you might have have an issue with noise.

[Indianspringsaz]

Originally Posted by swidd

Oh btw, as far as keeping costs down, is this really as low as it can go? Adding it all together with HU, a full system is 1500-2000. seriously?

You can build a system for less that will sound fine.

[sqcomp]

Indeed you can run a system for less.

For instance, in my wife's Tacoma, I'll be installing a 5 channel Powerbass ASA 1100.5x that is going to push either an Exile Audio Xt65 set or an Image Dynamics CTX65 and an Image Dynamics ID8 d4 (I might look at an ID CTX 10 to see if it can fit).

We're talking $300 for the amplifier, $300 for the Exile set ($200 for the ID set), and maybe $100 for the ID8. Throw about $50 of wiring, fusing, a grommet, and some deadening and I'm good to go.

MY car on the other hand...is totally on the other end of the spectrum...

MWAHAHAHA! *wringing hands* My pressscccioussss yes!

[Indianspringsaz]

What is the Max depth of the speaker holes with no fitment issues? Do 6.5" fit all the way around in the 07 hatchback?

[The Architect]

Originally Posted by Indianspringsaz

What is the Max depth of the speaker holes with no fitment issues? Do 6.5" fit all the way around in the 07 hatchback?

x2

i really want to get better midbass and i intend on picking up a nice pair from parts express once i find out.

[talnlnky]

Originally Posted by Indianspringsaz

The Alpine Type R speakers spec out pretty good. What others are you referring too? I have the money to buy new hardware so I will be doing that. I guess I should mention, I am after a stealth install, that is the reason I need a small amp. Its going under the seat. The Sub box will just sit in the hatch area, easily removable.

i was talking in general... I/'m sure Alpine has a component set too. Stealth installs are over-rated... I've ran stealth in the past... and will aim for near stealth... people don't steal car stereos anymore.. its too much work (even if it only takes 2 mins.... stealing purses, backpacks, and loose change takes 2 seconds).

to the other guy asking questions...
if you do your own work, you can do decent systems for under $700 without much trouble. Example
New deck $150, Front components $150, 10" sub - $100, 4 channel amp $150-250, wiring $50. Total = 600-700. Buy used and you can get that price closer to $500, and may actually end up with better quality equipment.

[Alien Mantis]

I am doing a budget audio system in my 08 Yaris Hatch.
I was totally disappointed with the sound of the factory system.
I don't need high-end sound, just something decent that covers clean highs, mids, and bass.
I want to go stealthy with my upgrade, I don't like advertising to thieves. It may not be trendy to steal car audio stuff anymore, but it does still happen.

I already replaced all my factory speakers with Pioneer 6.5".
Got them on sale at BestBuy for $38 a pair. I am getting ready to install a new Clarion HU in the dash, a Pioneer Monoblock amp, and a 10" sub in a sealed box behind the drivers seat.

I'll have pics later, but for now, here is the budget:

Clarion CZ109 HU ---- $84
Pioneer G1642R Speakers 6.5" coax ---- $76 ( 2 pair )
Pioneer monoblock amp D7400M ---- $129
Clarion 10" SFW1051 shallow mount sub ---- $64
Angled sealed box .56cf ---- $20
4 gauge amp wiring kit ---- $30

That Clarion HU puts out 20watts RMS per channel, so I will just run the 6.5's on that.
I didn't want to lose ANY cargo space in the rear hatch area, so I decided to run the angled sealed box behind the drivers seat with that shallow mount sub. That sub gets good reviews, and it's cheap. It has a 3" mounting depth. I am just looking for clean, tight, musical bass. I don't listen to RAP or techno. I listen to metal, jazz, and orchestra.
I will mount the sub amp under the passenger seat, and run the power wire through the firewall on the passenger side.

The whole system set me back $400.
I'll have pics and another report later.

BTW.... can anyone tell me what the power output per channel is on the stock Yaris HU?
I am guessing it might be 5watts RMS.
Anyone know?

[Indianspringsaz]

Speakers will be Polk DB 6501 and DB 651 in the rear.
The amps are Eclipse XA1200, and EA4200. I might use my Soundstream 4.600 amp for the highs.
Sub is a 13.5 JL in a sealed 1.5 cf enclosure. .75 MDF.
Probably going to use Second Skin sound products.
Looking for a nice double din head unit with a 7"screen now.

[swidd]

Is the AVN726E any good? From authorized eclipse dealer Pacific Stereo about $699 on amazon.com.

[Indianspringsaz]

Originally Posted by swidd

Is the AVN726E any good? From authorized eclipse dealer Pacific Stereo about $699 on amazon.com.

I like it. Wish I could afford it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z00VV0JD6xU

[Alien Mantis]

I pulled the factory HU out of my Yaris, so I could start installing the new Clarion unit.
Mounting kit is the: Scosche TA2077B
Nice kit, but you have to cut off two tabs on the outer faceplate bezel part.
The tabs are just in the way, and not needed.
Wiring harness kit is the Scosche TA02B.

After temporarily connecting the wiring kit to the Clarion's harness, I started feeding it discs, and playing with the settings.
First, the good news.
Lots of great sound settings. Easy to dial in great sound. The sound quality was powerful and clean. Very nice sound.
Now, the BAD news.
The Clarion would not play ANY of my burned music cd's. It wouldn't read any of them
I like to use burned cd's in the car. I don't like having my originals in the car.
ALSO... the back of the Clarion unit got so hot, you could fry eggs on it, after only a few minutes of play at moderate volume levels.

I am putting it back in the box, and sending it back. If it won't play my burned discs, I don't need it.
Disappointing overall, considering the great sound.

Here's a few pics for ya: