Okay, I gotta admit something...

I don't know too much about car audio. In fact, I know very little at all.

I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee as a daily driver, and it has a factory 4 speaker system with a CD/Tape head unit and a whopping 3-band EQ built in. Good enough for me for a daily driver, but it is starting to act up a bit. It randomly makes the 2 left side speakers sorta sound like they are muffled and at half the volume. I heard this is a common problem and that the head unit is starting to puke.

I guess I gotta get a new one.

So, I was hoping some of you here can help me out.

Like I said, I don't know too much about car audio, but I do know that I am looking for the following:

Head unit
Prefer major brand head unit (Partial to Sony, Pioneer and Blaupunkt products), CD player a must, XM ready a must (I already have a Pioneer XM receiver with FM modulator & wired remote, would like to get rid of the wired remote), MP3 compatibility a SERIOUS bonus (nearly a requirement), tape player optional, security feature a bonus, head unit remote a bonus, enough features to be cool and sound good but no need to too much to make me confused or features I will never use.

Speakers
I might as well replace the crap stock speakers as well. Again, I prefer a major brand name. Other than that, I just want it to sound good and can handle being cranked up a bit.

Above that, I don't know what else I want/need.

I just want something that is CHEAP, looks decent, has some good features that I can use and to sound good. I mostly listen to talk radio and hard rock/metal. I don't listen to rap. Mostly metal.

CHEAP is the ticket, guys. The cheaper the better but like I said, I want it to sound good and look okay so if you can help me assemble the absolute very best "bang for the buck" system, I would really appreciate it and I might learn something along the way.

Remember I don't know jack about this, so URLs and product numbers would be helpful. If there is anything else I will be needing, don't forget to mention that as well.

Let's hear your advice! THANKS!!

 

I've always found Pioneer to be a great budget brand. Their stuff sounds good, is reliable, and you can build a decent system for not alot of money.

Allow me to recommend an all-Pioneer system:

Head Unit:
DEH-P4500 $199.99(est)
50Wx4 (22Wx4 RMS), XM-ready, has alot of nice features without having too many.

Speakers: (all 5 1/4")
TS-A1365 $79.99(est) a pair (need 2 pairs)
Enough power to sound good, without needing a huge amp.
Rated at 35W continuous, 150W max.

Amplifier:
GM-X374 $169.99(est)
35Wx4... exact match to power those speakers.
or
GM-X574 $229.99(est)
50Wx4... more power, so don't crank it all the time.

So there ya go, a whole system for under $600.
Plus installation hardware of course, which in any system will run $100 or so.
And plus installation if you're like me and too chicken to install it yourself.

 

Anyone else have any thoughts just so I have a variety of opinions?

I am looking a the Blaupunkt San Jose also.

 

Only thing I would say is to step up to the DEH-P5500 head. Better display and MP3 compatibility. It's only $50 more.

I think you'll need an adapter to get the FM modulated XM receiver to work with the P-bus head, but I'm not sure.

To be honest, the Pioneer head unit won't REALLY need an amp to get loud. So you can cut that out of the equation and save a few bucks there.

I run a Pioneer head to the stock speakers in my wife's Neon. We run a 600w amp to a 15" sub, and no other amp. The head unit powers the rest of the system fine... I think you'll be ok without the amp..

So if the amp is $169, plus the $50 wiring kit for it, we're saving $219 by skipping the amp.

If you order from Crutchfield, they give you wiring harnesses, mounting kits (I believe) FREE, that includes connectors to tie your aftermarket speakers into the factory wiring to make install a sinch! They include AWESOME instructions and FREE technical support too...

 

I was running the Pioneer DEH-7400MP HU, and Polk EX series speakers all around. Didn't need a sub, the 6x9's took care of all the bass. The Pioneer HU has incredible power outage, no amp needed. I highly recommend Pioneer HU, not to sure about their speakers though. Altogether the system ran me about $500 dollars, not to shabby seeing as how I had one of the top-of-the-line HU that they offered at the time.

By the way, this set-up was in my 1999 Lumina.

 

Ever checked out www.carstereotime.com ?

Prices are the best I've seen.

 

Do some more looking, those are pretty run o' the mill pricing. I can beat those anyday.

 

Okay, here is what I got...

I got this head unit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...0&I=130DEHP550

These speakers for the front:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...0&I=575FRC420U

And these speakers for the rear:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...0&I=575HPC1205
(Check the sale price difference!)

I know Crutchfield is a bit overpriced when compared to other places, but I have never installed a car stereo before so I didn't mind paying for the support.

Besides, I got a $50 discount for buying a HU and 4 speakers, so shipped it came to $350. That was like getting the rear speakers free.

Thanks for the advice!

 

I have a San Jose and I have no complaints other then its really bright at night, but I've heard of people putting window tint on it to fix that.

 

get some of the lower end MB quarts
damn Jay That sounds familiar... cant imagine from where
Gimme a call when you finally get em and need help insatlling them

 

I already got the stuff over a week ago. See my previous post!

Kevin, it was piled right on my couch when you were standing in my office yesterday.

Crackheads.

 

jason,
are you going to do any amps or sub/subs ?
i got a very nice Precision Power amp that would push the fronts perfect, at a really really cheap price. (for Precision Power) with crossover already built in!
p.s. did i mention that it was brand new in the box!

 

E-mail me the details jason @camaroz28.com