Ok, the car is still at the fab shop, getting the floorpans replaced, and subframe connectors done at the same time.
I made my decision on the stereo too (even though I know I have WAY more things to fix before geeking out over the radio, I figured it would be a fun diversion!)
Last we left off, I was trying to decide which factory radio I wanted. And then I was trying to figure out how to get high-quality aux-in, so I could listen to my library on my phone, instead of cassettes, or CDs even.. I looked at the options: wired cassette tape looking interface, fm modulator (some even have blue tooth!), taking the radio apart and soldering in an alternative line-in signal wire.. Decisions decisions! PLUS: on eBay- the original radio (not the later one I showed) has crept up in cost.
I decided to list my requirements before purchasing:
-Decent sounding system. Not terrible, but not "audiophile" quality either.
-"Reasonable" level of power. I'm going to be using some sound deadening on the floor and doors, and I don't need max-butt-kicking-volume.
-Not super expensive. I have a lot of other things on the car to fix, and a budget.
-Not a huge power drain. I'd like to get away with using the stock alternator (75amp output?) This limits me from having monster power amp setup!
-Not ridiculously complex. This also limits me from having monster power amp setup.
-Bluetooth streaming, and phone call capability a considerable plus! This allows audio only navigation using a paired cellphone..
-Cassette player not needed whatsoever. CD player not really needed either.
-Satellite radio not mandatory, but a nice to have if I want to add it later.
-(this was the hardest one to hammer out)Single DIN footprint! I decided I didn't want to shave the stock amp bracket screws to get things to fit... and also this allows for the little under-radio cubby which is a nice spot for a phone and/or wallet.
These requirements helped me to see the factory radios in a better light; Neat, but pricey for not good quality sound (unless you add the amp, and even then), and NO modern features unless I have some goofy adapter setup. Not knocking folks that have the original HU- I think it looks cool and is a great match for the rest of the car... but, when I factor the cost in, not what I want..
Here's what I bought:
Price was $65.77 at Amazon, with Prime/free shipping. Features built-in amp (50x4 channel, 22 RMS), bluetooth streaming + phone + apps, USB port on face, color can be changed (two colors at once possible) for perhaps blending it into the car's interior look. Has a 10amp fuse (so I read this to mean <10amp power draw), Sirius/XM ready (gotta buy an extra receiver for that- which I've not done and don't think I will- at least not for now but nice to have the option) Has a jack on the back for wired microphone for the bluetooth phone. Also a jack on the back to have steering wheel controls added- which I don't think I'll do, but nice to have. Finally, there's a line-out on the back, if I want to add a powered sub down the road (this can be turned on or off in the head unit)
Leaning towards these speakers:
Thoughts? I'm not a ninja master when it comes to stereos.. I picked speakers that have at least (but not way more than) twice the RMS value of the amp, poly cones. All are listed at 4ohm (and this is within spec for the HU's built-in amp).. Rear is a 6x8, front is 5.25", plus tweeters (I'll install these in the dash position) that are wired off the main 5.25 speaker.. As the front speaker is listed as 4ohm, I think this means that connecting the whole 5.25 speaker + tweeter = 4ohm, and not 2ohm (which is out of spec for the amp).. If my assumption is true, this way I can power all 4 with the stock 4-channel amp built in to the HU.
Also considering upgrading the 6x8 1 level- to the Rockford punch series ($18 more...):
The tweeter portion certainly looks beefier- though I wonder if this is a trade-off for low/mids reproduction? I wonder if I should indeed go this route (the "punch" speakers) because otherwise I've only got the tiny tweeters in the front, and also the little tweeters that the "Prime" rear speakers would have, and I don't want to be wimpy on highs (especially since I can add a powered sub if I need to later)
This whole setup is (so far) very budget friendly- either option well under $200 (including the HU!)....
What do you guys think?
Jason
I made my decision on the stereo too (even though I know I have WAY more things to fix before geeking out over the radio, I figured it would be a fun diversion!)
Last we left off, I was trying to decide which factory radio I wanted. And then I was trying to figure out how to get high-quality aux-in, so I could listen to my library on my phone, instead of cassettes, or CDs even.. I looked at the options: wired cassette tape looking interface, fm modulator (some even have blue tooth!), taking the radio apart and soldering in an alternative line-in signal wire.. Decisions decisions! PLUS: on eBay- the original radio (not the later one I showed) has crept up in cost.
I decided to list my requirements before purchasing:
-Decent sounding system. Not terrible, but not "audiophile" quality either.
-"Reasonable" level of power. I'm going to be using some sound deadening on the floor and doors, and I don't need max-butt-kicking-volume.
-Not super expensive. I have a lot of other things on the car to fix, and a budget.
-Not a huge power drain. I'd like to get away with using the stock alternator (75amp output?) This limits me from having monster power amp setup!
-Not ridiculously complex. This also limits me from having monster power amp setup.
-Bluetooth streaming, and phone call capability a considerable plus! This allows audio only navigation using a paired cellphone..
-Cassette player not needed whatsoever. CD player not really needed either.
-Satellite radio not mandatory, but a nice to have if I want to add it later.
-(this was the hardest one to hammer out)Single DIN footprint! I decided I didn't want to shave the stock amp bracket screws to get things to fit... and also this allows for the little under-radio cubby which is a nice spot for a phone and/or wallet.
These requirements helped me to see the factory radios in a better light; Neat, but pricey for not good quality sound (unless you add the amp, and even then), and NO modern features unless I have some goofy adapter setup. Not knocking folks that have the original HU- I think it looks cool and is a great match for the rest of the car... but, when I factor the cost in, not what I want..
Here's what I bought:
Price was $65.77 at Amazon, with Prime/free shipping. Features built-in amp (50x4 channel, 22 RMS), bluetooth streaming + phone + apps, USB port on face, color can be changed (two colors at once possible) for perhaps blending it into the car's interior look. Has a 10amp fuse (so I read this to mean <10amp power draw), Sirius/XM ready (gotta buy an extra receiver for that- which I've not done and don't think I will- at least not for now but nice to have the option) Has a jack on the back for wired microphone for the bluetooth phone. Also a jack on the back to have steering wheel controls added- which I don't think I'll do, but nice to have. Finally, there's a line-out on the back, if I want to add a powered sub down the road (this can be turned on or off in the head unit)
Leaning towards these speakers:
Thoughts? I'm not a ninja master when it comes to stereos.. I picked speakers that have at least (but not way more than) twice the RMS value of the amp, poly cones. All are listed at 4ohm (and this is within spec for the HU's built-in amp).. Rear is a 6x8, front is 5.25", plus tweeters (I'll install these in the dash position) that are wired off the main 5.25 speaker.. As the front speaker is listed as 4ohm, I think this means that connecting the whole 5.25 speaker + tweeter = 4ohm, and not 2ohm (which is out of spec for the amp).. If my assumption is true, this way I can power all 4 with the stock 4-channel amp built in to the HU.
Also considering upgrading the 6x8 1 level- to the Rockford punch series ($18 more...):
The tweeter portion certainly looks beefier- though I wonder if this is a trade-off for low/mids reproduction? I wonder if I should indeed go this route (the "punch" speakers) because otherwise I've only got the tiny tweeters in the front, and also the little tweeters that the "Prime" rear speakers would have, and I don't want to be wimpy on highs (especially since I can add a powered sub if I need to later)
This whole setup is (so far) very budget friendly- either option well under $200 (including the HU!)....
What do you guys think?
Jason
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