New to Audio mods.....

[hin249]

I am planning to get some audio parts with a limited budget which is around 1k - 1.5k, is it too low? any suggestion for me?
I need a headunit, all the speakers, amp & sub....

[mihai]

Firstly, if upgrading your headunit, you are going to need about $400 just for the fascia kit.

Do you want a single din headunit or a double din touch screen monitor? If you want single din, you can buy one anywhere between $150 (entry level) - $500 (top range).
If you want double din, then it could set you back anywhere between $700 - $2000. My advice if looking for a double din is to wait for a bargain on ebay, or for specialist dealer sales (such as those offered by Phatt Audio Concepts in Braeside, and Freeway Car Audio in Dandenong)

In terms of speakers, only do the fronts as the rears you don't get much benefit from. Save about $100-200 on rear speakers and invest the money in other items. Also, go to audio stores and audition speakers. I have Hertz HSK-165's and they sound good to me, but everyone is different and have different tastes. So what might sound good for me, you might think is too sharp etc. So audition speakers before you buy.

If you want bass, you are going to need a subwoofer, and if you want a subwoofer, you will need an amp. What I did is bought a decent 4 channel amp, and have that powering my front speakers and subwoofer.

Finally, are you going to be installing yourself? Or are you going to get it professionally installed? If you are installing yourself, allow about $75 for a 4gauge wiring kit and an afternoon to install. If you are going to get it professionally installed, steer clear of installers such as JB-Hifi and go to a place with a reputation for car audio installations. The two mentioned above are really good, although you will find that Phatt may be booked out for quite some time. Also try Tower Car Audio. But do expect to pay between $200-400 just for installation (not including wiring kit, and depending on what you are getting installed).

If you don't want to change the headunit, what you can do is get a Line Out Converter (which I will have for sale shortly, but they are about $30 from JB Hifi) and connect it to the speaker lines from the headunit. Then send that to the amp and run front speakers and subwoofer from amp.

My recommendation is either do the Line Out Converter method above, or change just the headunit and see if anything else needs to be changed. In previous cars I've owned, changing the headunit was enough to satisfy my needs.

[garbo41610]

+1 to the above.

Also, you will be ablle to stretch your budget further by buyong some of the system components 2nd hand. Forums like MEA - Mobile Electronics Australia - are a massive help for research and their For Sale sections often have really good splits, subs, amps for pretty decent prices.

Also, if you are in any way electronically minded why not have a go at installing yourself. You will learn about your car and enjoy the fruits of your labour more.

1 more thing as mihai said, don't upgrade your rears, invest the money you save there on some sound deadening - dynamat and the likes.

Also, no matter what anyone says, you will not, repeat NOT need a capacitor.

[garbo41610]

As a matter of interest, FHRX Studio's looks like it is doing a group buy for Dynamat at around $210 and taking into account they do free delivery is a pretty bloody good deal.

[garbo41610]

From FHRX Studios website

$1000 System
Source Unit: Eclipse CD5030
Front Speakers: Boston S60 / Crescendo Opus 1 / DLS B6A / Eclipse SE6500 / Focal 165V1 / Hertz ESK165 / Hifonics ZXi6.5 / Orion CO625 / Polk DB6501
Amplifier: ARC KS300.2 / Audison SR2 / DLS CA22 / Eclipse XA4200 / Focal SOLID2 / Genesis Profile 4 / Orion CO300.2 / Zapco Reference 350.2
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

$2000 System
Source Unit: Eclipse CD5030
Front Speaker: Boston SR60 / Crescendo Opus 3 / DLS MS6A / Eclise SC6500 / Focal 165V2 / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Ovation 6 / Orion C2.62 / Polk DB6501
Amplifier: ARC KS300.4 / Audison SR4 / Boston GTA504 / DLS CA31 / Eclipse XA4200 / Focal SOLID4 / Genesis Profile 4 / Orion CO600.4 / Zapco Reference 360.4
Subwoofer: Boston G212 / Crescendo Etude1.10 / DLS RW12 / Eclipse SW6012 / Focal 30A1 / Hertx ES300 / Image Dynamics ID12 / Orion CO1248
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

[hin249]

Excellent, really thx for yr advise!! and will do some more research and go for some personal testing soon!!
I have installed a headunit and speakers b4, but dont know much abt the amb and sub, but some of my frds can give me a hand (i wish) lol
Thanks Michael & Phil

[mihai]

If you install a headunit on your own, go to autobarn and buy a harness adaptor. Costs $20, but it plugs straight into the wiring loom thats already there. Means you don't have to cut the wires in the car. Aerpro model APP090.

Also, if you want a guide on how to install amp etc, you can have a look here.

[andy85]

Excellent, really thx for yr advise!! and will do some more research and go for some personal testing soon!!
I have installed a headunit and speakers b4, but dont know much abt the amb and sub, but some of my frds can give me a hand (i wish) lol
Thanks Michael & Phil

Most people can install a whole system but you gotta remember installation is everything. Sure you and i can install all the wiring, cables, speakers n amps but to get the most out of it, you should let the pros deal with it.