Sound system for $2k

[06 blitzen]

Ok, so ive done some digging around and some soul searching about what i really want from an upgraded sound system in a car that has a pretty good system from stock.

Primarily i listen to my ipod, i have a vast collection of different music types that i listen to and i find that the ipod is able to offer the storage capacity to let me listen to them all without repetition (a cd will only hold so many and after a week in the car you will have heard them all 10 times over and i dont want to be carrying round a large collection of cd's).
For navigation i primarily use the melways, i like to be able to look at my route in whole, and i find it gives me better spatial awareness (i can usually get back to the same place a 2nd or subsequent times without having to go back to the melways regardless of where i am).

so ive decided that splashing out 1k more for a double din nav / dvd unit isnt justifiable...just a cool toy...im better of spending that money on a amp and some good speakers.

for the head unit ive pretty much narrowed my choice down to 2 pioneer units:
the AVH-P4150DVD - RRP $1499 - ($918 ON RYDA $750 ON EBAY)
AVH-P3150DVD - RRP $1199 - ($599 ON RYDA, $479 ON EBAY)
http://www.pioneer.com.au/en/Products/C ... Audio.aspx

I'll need a double din facia - $400 + postage.

so that leaves me with speakers and amp.

My question to you is....which head unit is going to offer me the best for sound and function, how do they go with the newer ipod / iphone products.
what amp, how many do i need and speakers what do i get?

i was thinking i go with the p4150dvd as its got the full 7" screen and its a bit newer,
1 amp to replace the stock;
and go with a set of good quality speakers in the front doors (1 in each door to replace the 3 that are stock) with tweeters (i think thats what they are called ..the little ones that sit in the corner of the window)
put in some sound deadening.
leave the stock rears in place as with a good set of fronts you probably wouldnt notice much difference in upgrading the rears....and then maybe a sub to replace the one on the rear parcel shelf.

what products do you recommend and have i left anything out?

[garbo41610]

This is taken from the fhrx studios website: http://www.fhrxstudios.com/
Source Unit: Eclipse CD5030
# Front Speaker: Boston SL60 / Crossfire SR6 / Digital Designs DDW6.5set / DLS MS6A / Eclise SC6500 / Focal 165V2 / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Ovation 6 / Orion C2.62 / Polk DB6501
# Amplifier: ARC KS300.2 / Audison SRx3 / Boston GT275 / Digital Designs C4 / DLS CA31 / Eclipse XA4200 / Focal SOLID4 / Orion CO600.4 / Polk PA200.4
# Subwoofer: Boston G212 / Digital Designs 2012 / DLS W312B / Eclipse SW6012 / Focal 30A1 / Hertx ES300 / Image Dynamics ID12 / Orion CO1248 / Polk DB124
# Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
# Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

Front Stage: Personally I would steer clear of boston acoustics but thats just my taste. Hertz are a nice speaker, focals can lack midbass

Amps: I would prob go Audison.

Sub: I would prob go the Image Dynamics, or a JL Audio 12w3

Cable: in this budget system I think is a bit of a wank.

Deadening: dynamat FTW but have never tried the stinger stuff.

Steer clear of Flea-Bay when buying car audio. Manufacturers will probably not honor the warranty, you MAY receive a copy (i.e. non genuine) product. And you should support local businesses

[tangcla]

Chris, come round and have a look at the Eclipse AVN726EA I have. Also have a listen to it with the PDX-5 amp and compare it to the Mcintosh sound.

[invigrr8]

This is taken from the fhrx studios website: http://www.fhrxstudios.com/
Source Unit: Eclipse CD5030
# Front Speaker: Boston SL60 / Crossfire SR6 / Digital Designs DDW6.5set / DLS MS6A / Eclise SC6500 / Focal 165V2 / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Ovation 6 / Orion C2.62 / Polk DB6501
# Amplifier: ARC KS300.2 / Audison SRx3 / Boston GT275 / Digital Designs C4 / DLS CA31 / Eclipse XA4200 / Focal SOLID4 / Orion CO600.4 / Polk PA200.4
# Subwoofer: Boston G212 / Digital Designs 2012 / DLS W312B / Eclipse SW6012 / Focal 30A1 / Hertx ES300 / Image Dynamics ID12 / Orion CO1248 / Polk DB124
# Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
# Deadening: Dynamat / Stinger

Front Stage: Personally I would steer clear of boston acoustics but thats just my taste. Hertz are a nice speaker, focals can lack midbass

Amps: I would prob go Audison.

Sub: I would prob go the Image Dynamics, or a JL Audio 12w3

Cable: in this budget system I think is a bit of a wank.

Deadening: dynamat FTW but have never tried the stinger stuff.

Steer clear of Flea-Bay when buying car audio. Manufacturers will probably not honor the warranty, you MAY receive a copy (i.e. non genuine) product. And you should support local businesses

Don't get focal for a lib... they sound shit! over-rated and a complete waste of money... biggest regret everrrr

[shivneil91]

hey mate where can you get the fascia kit for the 05 liberty's ive been looking everywhere

[tangcla]

hey mate where can you get the fascia kit for the 05 liberty's ive been looking everywhere

www.avojdm.com
www.japanparts.com

just to name a few...

[mihai]

i was thinking i go with the p4150dvd as its got the full 7" screen and its a bit newer,
1 amp to replace the stock;
and go with a set of good quality speakers in the front doors (1 in each door to replace the 3 that are stock) with tweeters (i think thats what they are called ..the little ones that sit in the corner of the window)
put in some sound deadening.
leave the stock rears in place as with a good set of fronts you probably wouldnt notice much difference in upgrading the rears....and then maybe a sub to replace the one on the rear parcel shelf.

what products do you recommend and have i left anything out?

If you are going to swap out the sub (ie go for another 8" sub in the parcel shelf) id recommend the VIBE Space8. Info can be found here. Pictures and a quick youtube clip are on page 2. viewtopic.php?f=22&t=8359&start=15

My setup is currently stock headunit, Alpine MRP-F300 amp under the drivers seat, Clarion splits in the front (i forgot the exact model), and the VIBE Space8 subwoofer in the parcel shelf.

Later this week a 3sixty.2 processor will be going in.

[andy85]

Mate before u put your money on any gear... one word AUDITION AUDITION AUDITION. Just go and listen to all the speakers and amps that u have in mind. Everyone's ears are different. A 2k speaker doesnt mean it'll sound better than a $500.

Before you look into the HU. Try look at processors also. It'll look much more cleaner. Then just get your installer to install an ipod cable. DONE..

This is what i'd go for... but again our ears are different.

Front stage i quite liked the bostons and morels.

Amps.. i love both the Arcs and audisons

Subs.. image Dynamics

Just depends on your ears and type of music u play...

Have fun auditioning them all!!!

[06 blitzen]

thanks for all your input..for me at the moment ive put all further mods on hold...cant really justify 2k sound system when all i really want is a good clean ipod input system..have the radio freq belkin and its ok, and is free lol.

[bolzy]

another option you should consider is the kevlar speaker range from jaycar or electus (i think they are the distributor). My mate picked up a set and they are exactly the same as the top of the line pioneer kevlar range of speakers. They worked out to be half the price but without the shiny pioneer badge which you cant see anyway and produce as good of quality of sound...

[LOWLIB]

Don't get focal for a lib... they sound shit! over-rated and a complete waste of money... biggest regret everrrr

I would have to dispute this unfortunatly sir. I have a full focal system in my car and it sounds perfect. crystal clear. I get many people commenting on how good it sounds.


I think the thing you need to factor in is a good instal and a good tune by a good audio installer. You should just do your front speakers, sub, amp and leave your back speakers as fill.. after all you dont sit in the back seat and listen to it.

you should look at a headunit with maybe time correction in it? I have an Alpine with the imprint system running with it and it brings the sound into the perfect location for you as the driver or a number of different pre sets for how many people you have in the car