-All of the above
-I'm actually looking for single din now... No touch or LCD display but if it has multiple color LED's that would be cool!
-Don't need nav, too pricey, better off getting a garmin when the time comes
-I don't have steering wheel controls. I think they might be a little unnecessary but if you can find me an awesome deal by all means share :P
-I don't want to cheap out on a single din... Anywhere from $100 - $300 would be ideal, looking for the most value per dollar!
I was told Component are the way to go over Coax... I would like to know your opinion there. I foresee myself adding an amp so I want speakers that will sound significantly better than stock w.o the amp but will sound even more significantly better when I add the amp... Subwoofers may also be added in the future. If you have any amp recommendations or kit recommendations I would also appreciate it. I'm more so just focused on figuring out the single din and speakers I want first, as well as the best price for a dash kit...
I've heard great things about crutchfield. I am entering an electical program so even though I know diddly squat ATM, installing it myself isn't out of the question. It would be nice to save some money on install. However, there is still a good chance I'll have a shop in town do it...
Question: If I install a single din, and later sell it to get a double din with nav, will it fit the same kit?
Thanks for the response, appreciate it!mjk_1
Component speakers sound better than coaxial speakers because they use a separate crossover, and allow you to mount the tweeter separately. Speaker positioning is often more important than speaker quality, and a separate tweeter can be mounted in a lot of locations that a coaxial cannot since it's stuck in the center of the woofer. I cannot say how important it is if you are buying separates to make sure they have a quality crossover. Generally size is a decent indicator of whether they're using quality components, but not always.
You can install a head unit yourself if you can solder wires and feel comfortable using a heat gun and heat-shrink tube. I'd trust my wife to install a head unit. I'd take about an hour to get it done right, she could probably do it in three without any help from me in most vehicles with a kit from Crutchfield and their guides. I strongly encourage you to buy your head unit from them: The intelligence, service, and support are worth the price of admission, and you'll save a lot of money not having a store install it if you've got the time.
You'll also learn something, which counts for a lot, too.
What do you think of these? I am unable to tell if that price is for 1 or a pair...
mjk_1
All car audio speakers are sold in pairs, so this would be the price of two 6.5" woofers, two tweeters, and two crossovers, plus mounthing hardware for the tweeter and possibly some wiring, though unlikely. Like I said, MB Quart and Focal make excellent speakers, and I'm sure that component set you linked is great.
Your issue is that you want a pair of speakers that sound good off a deck and great off an amplifier, which is a challenge. In general, metal dome tweeters sound good under lower power because they're more efficient than soft dome tweeters, but under higher-power can be harsh. Silk-dome tweeters are generally ideal, but need an excellent crossover and amplifier to sound their best. Cheap tweeters use Mylar. Then again, B&W often uses aluminum tweeters, so you never can tell, really.
Also, I have no experience with that particular retailer. For car audio in the past I've used:
Sonic Electronix (Speakers, Dynamat)
Onlinecarstereo (Speakers, Dynamat)
Crutchfield (Head Units)
Parts Express (wiring)
Woofers Etc. (Speakers)
This doesn't mean there is anything wrong with HiFi Sound Connection, I've just never used them personally. They seem to have good reviews, I just get nervous when I see those kinds of low prices.
So, what products would I personally recommend? You want me to get to the good stuff, right? Alright then.
HEAD UNITS
I recommend the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X796. Kenwood is a reputable brand, their Excelon series is their "high-end," it is an extremely good value, and does everything that you want that matters. It has built-in Bluetooth and HD Radio (the latter of which is nicer than you might think), supports both a USB input and AUX (3.5mm) input on the front panel - giving you tons of connectivity options - and has three 4 Volt preamp outputs, which is important if you are planning to add an amplifier(s) later. A higher output voltage helps overcome external noise, and gives your amplifier more head room. It also has a two-year warranty (one-year is most common), and it's only $220: How sweet is that?
If you want to save $70, the JVC Arsenal KD-A735BT lacks HD Radio, and the included Bluetooth adapter is external. The Bluetooth adapter plugs into the USB port on the rear of the unit when you install it. You may, in fact, prefer this setup. I use a JVC Arsenal receiver myself.
Alternatives include the Sony MEX-BT4000P and Alpine CDE-HD137BT, which do everything the Kenwood does, but have a lower 2 volt preamp output. Also, the Sony lacks the built-in HD Radio of the Kenwood, though this is not a priority for most people.
SPEAKERS
Speakers are the hard part given your criteria, and 6.5" component systems are the most crowded among the enthusiast market.
I'm going to be cautious here before I make a recommendation. What is your exact year, make, and model car, and does it have a trunk or not? Some speakers that are the right diameter will be too deep for your door, which can impede window movement (and I've had it happen). So let's just make sure before I recommend something it's going to absolutely, definitely fit.
Happy gaming,
Boz
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