heatmiser

I already have an iPod that I want to hardwire in my system. I want to upgrade the stereo system with a $1,500 budget. What are your recommendations (speakers, head unit, amps, S-Pods, etc).

Thanks!!!

pikkashoe

$1500 let me see.


Head unit. What is your taste. I started out with an Alpine 9835 and ended up with a Pioneer Premier 860. Since the head unit wont mean much in regards to pushing the speaker (since you will get an amp), you are primarily looking for something that fits your taste, and is able to give you as much control over the music as possible. I would set aside anywhere between $350 to $400 for a head unit. Thats your call.

You did not mention if you where going to run a sub or not. If so and you plan on running spods as well you will need two amps. One amp for the door speakers and spods and one dedicated amp for your sub. Or you can find a 5 channel amp.

If I where you I would skip the S pods, I only have door components and a sub and I am perfectly happy with the system.

My recommendation would be get a 4 channel amp, front two channels for components to the doors and rear two channels for the sub. I would highly recommend the amp I am running now: SOund stream Van gogh 500.4. Price: $400 maybe less if you look around.

Thats $700 left for door speakers and subs.

I would go probably infinity kappa's or boston acoustic pro's, both can be had for about $300 a set, and they can take 100 watts rms. That leaves you with $400.

If you are like me then I would make my own box out of mdf, and then go with a nice sub. Depending on how much bass you are looking for, I would highly highly highly recommend the Alphasonik PSW 810. 10 inch sub. Others on this forum can vouch for this sub. It takes up to 800 watts rms, i currently am running 500 watts to it from the van gogh in a sealed box and its perfect. Tight accurate and clear, and you can crank it up if you want neighborhood shaking bass. THe sub runs around $180.

That leaves you with $220.

Use $100 for the must have DCI to be able to use your dash controls with an aftermarket Head unit, and that leaves you with $120 for rca's, power and ground wires and speaker wires and any other misc.

That is my suggestion.

pikkashoe

oops I forgot about the Ipod interface. I dont know if pioneer has an interface. If the ipod is a must then you go with the Alpine, and get the KDA alpine interface. I think it runs for $99. Puts you over budget, but you only live once!

NFRs2000NYC

That pretty much sums it up. I wound even do rears just yet. A good set of components (perfects, focals, etc) should be plenty with proper power. And a 10" sub in a good enclosure is also a great upgrade. Like pikka said, a nice 4 ch amp that can do 125 x 4 @ 4ohms will set you up real good.

thetz99

I bought most of my stuff off ebay
Alpine 9815 - same RMS output, dual line display to see your ipod directories as the 9835 but missing some debatable features $225-300
Alpine ipod interface ...$100
Modifry DCI $100
s-pods .. $260

4 Focal tn51 tweeters (2 front/2 rear) $200-300

2 5.25 Focal 5ws (rear] ...$150-320

4 two way crossovers 20/each =>$80

bose sparetire sub $40-100

aura bass shakers $50/pair

Total $1250 minimum/ 1510 max but you need patience to get it all together.


Do your own install and get to know your car at the same time...

modifry

$1500? - Down payment on Comptech SC.

NFRs2000NYC

Forget what pikka and I said....this is much better,

pikkashoe

Hell yeah. If my car wasn't a daily driver I would of gotten a Comptech!!!

GSteg

wow..i wish i had $1500 to toy around with

pikkashoe

Me too.

No more money available from my friends at AMEX.