What to do?

[B-Rad]

I have 2 speakers that are blown in my car, one is a sub and the other a 6 inch speaker on the drivers side.
I am not only contemplating replacing these but also adding another sub to fit opposite the stock one.

Is it worth replacing the blown ones and keeping the rest stock and wiring up a new sub to the electrickery.
Or would I be best renewing the entire entertainment system, possibly new mcintosh HU, amp and accessoires? Or completely after market system, like alpine?
Please leave your thoughts, advice or anything, thanks!

P.S inb4 angry people , it was probably the doof doof music.

[seanmau5]

There is no point adding an additional sub to the factory one, messy!

What is your thought process behind replacing like for like in terms of HU and amp? It's all the same.

I'd go aftermarket.

[B-Rad]

What do you mean by messy, as in tough or not going to work?

My thoughts behind the HU and amp are to keep the car looking original in the interior?
Have you gone after market, out of curiosity?
I have looked at a few after-market entertainment systems and im not really sure on suit or fitment.

[seanmau5]

It'll need to be amplified for starters and you'll make a mess of the frequencies.

Well, any McIntosh HU you put in the car is essentially the same as your current one so if there is nothing wrong with your one then don't change it for another McIntosh one.

I have gone aftermarket but mine was a little different due to only having the Kenwood system. The McIntosh head unit isn't amplified, hence the amp under the seat.

If you wish to go aftermarket buy little bits at a time and have it done all in one go.

[B-Rad]

I see where you're coming from!

How hard is it either to get a facia thatll fit a new A-M HU or getting a HU that'll fit the facia? Was some rearranging needed?

Thank you, will do!

[peadya100]

The problem with adding another sub is that the mcintosh amp wont have enough power to drive 2 subs. Especially an after market sub.

Ive replaced my entire Mcintosh system, but its big $$$ by the time you buy a fascia ($380-$400), then another headunit ($400+ for double din), then a 5 channel amp ($500 for an alpine), then 4 speakers ($350 for alpine type R's), then amp wiring kit ($100ish), then sub ($???).

If youre just after bass, id maybe consider just buying an amp and sub. Im not sure of the exact details, but id imagine they can just connect it to the mcintosh via line out converters.

Alternatively, i have a mcintosh sub for sale for $50 at the moment

Or i have a brand new kicker 8" sub for sale too

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=24719

[B-Rad]

Ahh, ohkay I understand.

Well, drawing up my stereo budget to be around $2-$2.5k which I think is reasonable. One of my collaborators believes $3k for high end. As a result of budget estimate, I spent about 2 hours this morning going to West Coast Hi-Fi, Repco & Super Cheap looking at HU's Alpine, Pioneer and Sony (w/ extra time spent on-line research over the last few days and nights). I believe my first step would really be getting a fascia & hazard light switch (I'm not sure where from).
Then to see what size HU I can fit, then maybe wiring and speakers and general set-up, could I be going the wrong way about this?

Well the speaker and sub are blown because they crackle and the sub rattles. The system sounds like the amp isn't working either possibly fuse to which haven't checked yet because car has just came back from CV joints being replaced.

I really just want to buy new, cheers though mate! haha

[seanmau5]

What is considered a 'high end' stereo install is completely subjective. While your mate says that 3k is high end, for someone else it's 20k. It's all about what YOU want to spend.

Fascia - you need Rev A-C in black and looking at minimum $400 - http://www.japanparts.com/db/parts_deta ... RCH_page=3 or alternatively you can have Garage 88 source it for you - sales@garage88.com.au. With this fascia kit your existing hazard switch can be removed from the standard head unit and fitted to this. This kit is a standard double din size and will fit 99% of double din head units.

The problem with the McIntosh set up is that all your speaker wires run to the amp under the seat and not to the head unit location so there will be some fiddling with speaker wire required.

[B-Rad]

I believe you misinterpreted what I meant, which is partly my fault because I used wrong terminology. By high end I meant top end of my budget, my apologies.

Ok, thank you very much, does sourcing it through Garage 88 end up cheaper or is it just faster? Sweet as, cheers for that!

I understand it will but id like a bit of a challenge and wiring is part of my job so it cant be too hard, just going to be fiddly like you said. Thanks mate!

At the moment I'm looking at these head-units;
Alpine - IVE-W530ABTi
- IVE-W535ABT
Pioneer - AVH-X3600DAB
Sony - XAV601BT
- XAV63
- XAV64BT
Does anyone have feedback on these?

[seanmau5]

Generally, Garage 88 will always come in at a cheaper price landed than what buying direct from Japanparts will BUT you often wait longer for it. I've had items delivered from Japanparts in less than 10 days and I've waited almost a month for stuff from G88.

I have a Pioneer from the AVH range (8450BT to be precise) and it's brilliant! Can't really compare to the others as it's the only one I've had.

[B-Rad]

I can wait for the fascia as I'm still saving for the Head units before I can make a decision. I have emailed them, so hopefully get the ball rolling eventually.

Sweet, no problem then!