Well, I've always been a hardcore performance dude, and never really gave second thought to ANYTHING cosmetic, let alone anything to do with my audio system.

I'm wonderin where i'd learn about in terms of making a good but not too expensive sound system. Something around 200-400 bux. I don't need something ridiculous. I just need something that sounds great over stock and doesn't really get too much in the way in terms of speaker boxes and things like that.

Anyone have suggestions on where I should start looking to figure out these things? Because I HONESTLY have ABSOLUTELY no idea what amps and tweeters and all those special things do, and I really don't feel very smart askin this but I guess you have to start somewhere

And I already got a good aftermarket console (The thing that you put the cd's in and change the volume on) to work off of. Pioneer something but I forget what it is...

It's decent I'm guessin

 

There is a Thunderform box that fits into the driver's side hole near the rear wheel well that can hold a 10" sub. You can get one of those with or without a sub and with or without an amp. I would get one of those, and four new name brand speakers for the doors and rear. You should wire them all directly to the head unit (console). If you're not confident with wiring, then you should get someone to help or have it professionally installed. This is all assuming you have an F-body non-convertible without the Bose system. If you have a vert or the Bose, it may be a little trickier.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zGR4SY8...ch=thunderform

 

Are amps neccessary if you put just a mild 10" sub in there? And I plan on getting all the speakers for the doors and rear speakers.

What about wiring? Do the aftermarket speakers directly plug into the head unit from the wires and plugs already plugged into the old speakers on the doors and rear?

If not, what's neccessary?

Thanks a lot for helpin me out btw

 

You can't run any sub off of the head unit.

Do you have the Bose system? That will make a big difference.

The factory wiring isn't very good. To get the best sound, you should rewire everything. If you get the speakers from Crutchfield, they should come with a harness to plug into the stock wiring, though. You can call them and ask.

 

You kind of have to decide are you more concerned with bass or do you want you speakers to be louder and cleaner. I would do the speakers and amp them first will really make the sound come alive

 

You can do everything for under $400 EASILY......you already have the HU... before I type more you have to decide if you want a sub/box combo setup, or something cleaner and stock looking. This also plays a role (obviously) in how much bass you want......

 

I don't want too much bass...

Basically I want enough that you get that kick *** feeling in your choppers, but you don't really get a headache from it. I want something loud and clean with a nice big bass punch to it.

The head unit is aftermarket, and from what I can tell, a good head unit. What's the process I need to go about to hooking up the amp and sub to the head unit?

Or...how DOES that work? And I'll most likely go for speakers that are direct plug and play for the doors and rear (like the Crutchfield ones), but the sub and amp are just options i'm playing with in my head.

 

how much MORE bass than the stock setup do you want?

What model number is the HU you have first? adding an amp to a system is extremely straight forward (sometimes a little different, but still simple)..

You wont find anything truly "plug and play" for everything. When you say doors and rear, are you referring to hatch or rear seat subs? Also...I would not order from Crutchfield - use their sit for finding info/etc....but unless you have extra money, stay away from them (sometimes you will find really good deals though -- if you do order from them, they have great service).

Primarily, you need to decide if you are going to replace rear seat speakers with coaxials, or if you think improved 6.5" subs there will be best/enough (powered by factory amp or aftermarket preferably since you seem to have the budget)...

Do you have the Bose/Monsoon system? -How many speakers?

 

To be honest, I don't want too much more bass then stock. I don't want something that's ridiculous. I want something that I can pop the truck, keep it open in a park or a school parkin lot, and listen and feel it when standin around, but nothing too big. I mean, I don't need my mirrors re-adjusting themselves from the bass, just something beefier then stock.

When I say doors and rear, I mean the two on both the passanger and driver side doors, and the rears refer to the one that make your buddy go deaf when he sits in the back seat because it's right next to his ear The one next to the rear seats. The camaro I have doesn't have the speaker at the back of the truck like some cars do. I only have 4 speakers all around I believe.

What are coaxials? And I am looking for a sub that really can work off the factory amp, but is there any benefit to having an aftermarket amp installed in the car since you said it's not really that difficult?

And I don't have either the Bose/Monsoon system, I have the super crappy standard radio cassette player with no CD player either. It's a 95 camaro, don't know if that has any relevence or if I've said it earlier.

Also, I'll try to look up the part number or take a picture as it was installed already when I bought the roller, but I might not be able to figure it out because of that.

 

The speakers aren't powered off seperate amps, they are powered by the HU. Crutchfield has always had the best deals I could find and they include instructions and harnesses for free. Wiring it up yourself is not hard at all. You just need some wire crimpers and patience.

You can get a bazooka bass tube for cheap, but it will be some of the worst bass you can find. You should wire the 4 speakers up to the HU and get an amp and 10" sub for the rear. There's plenty to choose from for both, just go with what you want. Search around Crutchfield and see what you can afford.

 

???
Stock Monsoon/Bose are powered by separate amps -- everything is powered by the stock amp besides the component tweeters....I think power is distributed as is (or close to) - 50 watts to hatch, 150 to the front door MID RANGE, and 300 to the subs. The tweeters then, are left for the HU. As long as we are talking about the Monsoon/Bose system...then yes, the ARE powered by separate amps.

Crutchfield RARELY EVER has the best deals.....you are either crazy, or not looking hard enough....you will save A LOT shopping elsewhere (usually). Yes, they come with free instructions...but that's what this board/friends/internet is for - they are not worth the extra money. Many other websites will include the wiring harness for free as well as the dash install mounting kit -- however, as with Crutchfield, this is with the purchase of a new HU -- you have one, so if you don't have the dash/wire kit, that's only about $10 each plus $5 for the antenna adapter.

Do not just wire the 4 speakers to your new HU unless you do plan to replace the rears with coaxials as well....in that case, you will need a separate amp for your sub unless you want to use the factory one.

Do not even search bazooka bass tube (as above poster said, almost everything is better).....you gave a $200-$400 budget and already have a new HU.....you have MANY options, and will be able to put together a really nice system.

 

Statement #1 was the only reason I brought up the Bazooka tube and that he doesn't want a big box. I already made my recommendation for the thunderform box.

Also, you can clearly see he doesn't have the Bose system, so why do you keep harping on it?

Search around for the best deal always, but I've always found Crutchfield to be the best and they ship very fast. It's kind of like Summit for car parts. You can find cheaper, but they have a good rep and ship quickly.

 

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dDcgJXb...00&I=1086012SI

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dDcgJXb...=400&s=0&cc=01

Those would be my two choices for the front four speakers.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dDcgJXb...20&I=575P112S4

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dDcgJXb...20&I=575P210D4

You can get those subs and have someone local build you a box.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dDcgJXb...120&I=108R311A

That's one of the amps I found as well. I really don't know much about amps at all, so you can ask around about what brands and all are the best and how much you need for the sub you get.

Together all that costs $340 before shipping from Crutchfield, which should leave you enough for a box for the sub.

 

He made no indication that the aftermarket HU was installed. I was thinking that it was a recent holiday gift or something, and he never replied if he has the bose/monsoon setup when you asked.

He may still have it and if he isn't looking for too much bass a pair of 6.5" subs powered by the factory amp might be enough for him...

 

Haha, ok. He posted he didn't have Bose an hour and a half before you made your post. There is no factory amp that I know of on a stock sound system, but I may be wrong there. Why would he want more 6.5 "subs" when he already has 4 6.5" speakers?