Re: Advice requested for entry level system - (long)


JimC;677606 Wrote:
JimC wrote:

I'm planning on upgrading a low-end factory unit in a 2002 Mercury
Marquis with speakers in front and rear doors, no CD player. Since I
don't know how long I will keep the car, I'm thinking I could try it
one
step at a time, first with a new deck and bass speakers in the rear
deck
(but no new speakers in the front), and later, perhaps an amp
driving
new speakers in the front. (I plan on having this system installed,
and
the installer in a local Best Buy suggested that I try listening to
it
with the factory speakers first before investing in new front
speakers,
since he finds that the improvement from a new deck can be
substantial.)

Essentially I'm looking for a system that will play music, mainly
classical, with good fidelity and at sufficient volume levels to hear
the music over road noise, but I'm not into boom-boxes or
exaggerated,
one-note bass, etc. I have the following questions:

1. Do any of the moderately priced decks (e.g., in the $150 - $250
range) have enough power/current output to drive front and rear
speakers
adequately in such an application without requiring me to buy
additional
power amps? I may use bass speakers mounted in the rear deck that
are
self-powered. Since this will be an "entry-level" system, I would
prefer not to have to add additional amps for all the speakers.-
(Seems
like if I want components A and B, it's advised to add components C
and
D, and if I want good sound, go for E and F also.)

2. The installers at some of the local dealers apparently just
connect
their new units to the speaker wires already in the car. Should I
insist
on heavier wires, such as 16 or 14-gauge, and is this an expensive
"extra" in the installation? I was thinking I might be able to run
wires under the carpet to the rear deck myself.

3. Does anyone have suggestions for decks in this price range that
would have good sound, reasonably high power output, and include an
external RCA preamp input. In addition to the RCA input, do I need
another input or receiver for MP3, etc.? Also, I'm interested in
getting
a receiver with HD radio reception (but probably not Sirius, since I
don't want to pay monthly fees). - Does anyone have experience with
HD
reception?

The local dealers (Frys, World Wide Stereo, Best Buy) carry various
Panasonic, Pioneer, Carion, and Kenwood units. - Any preferences or
recommendations?

4. Ford cars apparently have extra high (1.5 - 2 Dins) decks. I
can't
find any aftermarket units that would match the extra high opening,
which I think would be preferable to filling in the extra space with
fillers/moldings. Anyone know of any?

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Jim

Thanks to everyone for the information and advice. I just got back from
three dealers (Frys, World Wide Stereo, and Best Buy), and if I want
the
HD tuner, they all recommend the JVC KD HDR1, for about $200. Several
of
the other HD decks are only "HD-ready", meaning I would have to spend
an
additional $200 for an HD tuner. The JVC unit includes three pairs of
outputs with crossover control and a line-level RCA input.

They recommend that I listen to the new deck in my car before deciding
whether to upgrade the speakers or add a subwoofer. One approach would
be to add a powered sub ($250) in the trunk, or coaxial 6x9's in the
rear deck.

They are also suggesting installing "Dynamat" insulation in the doors
to
improve the sound by reducing background road noise and vibrations. Has
anyone done this, and is it worth an additional $200? Apparently the
stuff works to reduce noise in the car whether or not you are listening
to the sound system.

Jim

Dyanamat is overrated. Look at Second Skin Audio's Damplifier and
Damplifier Pro or Raammat BXT.

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/conclusion/


--
flak_monkey
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Advice requested for entry level system - (long)
    ... Since I don't know how long I will keep the car, I'm thinking I could try it one step at a time, first with a new deck and bass speakers in the rear deck, and later, perhaps an amp driving new speakers in the front. ...
    (rec.audio.car)
  • Re: (newbie) Installing a car stereo
    ... in the car, but since I've never installed a car stereo I don't really ... If the wires are all connected directly into the deck, it's probably a first-gen car, and is probably worth less than the deck you're putting in it:) ... Actually, if memory serves, there's also a fair chance it DOES have common-ground speakers, or at least has the speakers sharing a common ground wire, which will not work with most newer decks. ...
    (rec.audio.car)
  • Re: Advice requested for entry level system - (long)
    ... you've discovered cold fusion in speakers. ... capable of receiving line-level inputs from the preamp IS a "self powered" bass speaker. ... I was thinking of adding new rear speakers, mounted in the rear deck, that could produce some bass. ... - I just didn't want to spend big bucks on this particular car at this time. ...
    (rec.audio.car)
  • Re: Installation question
    ... off the amp and the rear speakers off the deck. ...
    (rec.audio.car)
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    ... the rear of the car at one time but I can't find any now. ... that holds the rear light and covers the speakers. ...
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