Audio System for 2001 Pontiac Firebird.

[PanteraFan88]

A few months back I got a pretty good deal on used Firebird; but the speakers are absolute crap. I popped off the plastic mesh covers, and the front two speakers are stock...the back are random no name brand; and the rear left speaker has a bent cone...so it makes irritating clicking noises when you turn the bass up.

In short, the speakers are crap. I don't know much about car audio; or about reputable brands.

Could you guys scrounge up a complete system for ~ $200? I'm not looking for the best..but I suspect I need:

A deck w/CD player
Four decent speakers (I don't know what size is standard for my vehicle, I'm guessing they're 6.25"'s)
Good sized sub(s)
An amp
And all the wires

Let me know if I'm missing something...

[PanteraFan88]

Not like its gonna do any good...

BUMP

[pbasil1]

Ill be on this starting tomorrow. Ill look up the speaker sizes and what not... But ill let you know this now, dont expect much for 200 for 4 speakers, a headunit, and amp+sub(s). Thats barely enough for a decent set of speakers and a headunit. I could surely get you some decent speakers and headunit for around 200 + parts. But surely no sub and amp in there. Subs and amps cost a good bit. You get what you pay for.... Buying a 30$ sub and a 50$ amp... is just not worth it!

And for now, whay not take a look at some previous threads started asking similar questions to see what they have decided to get. Take a look through here. (http://www.carforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=74) at previous threads with similar subjects :specool:

[PanteraFan88]

Ill be on this starting tomorrow. Ill look up the speaker sizes and what not... But ill let you know this now, dont expect much for 200 for 4 speakers, a headunit, and amp+sub(s). Thats barely enough for a decent set of speakers and a headunit. I could surely get you some decent speakers and headunit for around 200 + parts. But surely no sub and amp in there. Subs and amps cost a good bit. You get what you pay for.... Buying a 30$ sub and a 50$ amp... is just not worth it!

And for now, whay not take a look at some previous threads started asking similar questions to see what they have decided to get. Take a look through here. (http://www.carforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=74) at previous threads with similar subjects :specool:

Thanks.

After researching, my main concern is that the "integrated amp" in my stock deck will not be able to power four high quality speakers.

Would it be possible to rig a cheap 300W amp to my stock deck to power some good speakers? Or do I need a new deck for this?

[pbasil1]

The stock deck in the car will power the speakers... Though more power would sound better. An aftermarket headunit has about twice as much output as a factory unit does, and even then its only about 22watts rms. An amp will make a big difference, though it is not needed. Many people, including myself, run aftermarket speakers off of their new headunit and have no problem with it what so ever.

You CAN wire in an amp to the factory headunit... but it will sound terrible! Its not worth it at all. AND... a "cheap" 300watt amp is not worth it either... it really will never put out 300 watts of power! maybe 150-200, but never 300.

My advice to you, is get a new headunit and 4 speakers for now. Then save up for amps and a sub later.... Just the new headunit and speakers will make an enormous difference from factory.

EDIT: It appears that you have 6.5" speakers all around. This is good, and easy to find and upgrade :) Lemme know what you wanna do and ill be more than happy to find some killer speakers within your budget.

[PanteraFan88]

Thanks for all the advice...I'll avoid the cheap amps and subs and stick with some of the four best speakers I can get for under $200. Which brand should I look for? What else do I need besides the speakers?

[pbasil1]

Well for 200 you can easily spend that all on speakers, or we can try and squeeze in a new headunit aswell for 200. But we will definately break 2-00 after the price offset of the install parts for the head unit. Those will cost probably ~$45.


My reccomendations....
(*) = my #1 reccomendation of the given choices...

*Headunit - Pioneer Dehp3800mp
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=15653

*Speakers x 2
Pioneer TSG1641R 6.5" coax
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=16665

_OR_______________________________________________ _______________

If you just want speakers.... Get 2 pair of any of these.

Alpine
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=14757
Clif design
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=15112
* Infinity kappa
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=15357
Diamond audio
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17167

As far as speakers go, you should not need anything for the speakers at all. They will come with mounting hardware. There is a possibilty your vehicle uses wiring harnesses for the speakers, which you can just simply cut off ond hard wire on the bare wire top the new speakers... unless you dont want to cut the wire, you can go to bestbuy, or circuit city and pick up the harness adaptor for your car for about $12/pair. And again, thats only if the car has them, im pretty sure it doesnt.

[PanteraFan88]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction :)

I compared those online prices towards those of Circuit City; and the ones at Circuit City are only an average of $10 more per product. I think it would be best If I would buy from there so as that I don't have to install them.:D

How about this?

These two in the front (as you recommended) http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-6-1-2-2-Way-Speakers-TSG1641R/sem/rpsm/oid/142774/catOid/-13645/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

These two in the back http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-6-1-2-Car-Speakers-XSV1642A/sem/rpsm/oid/146008/catOid/-13645/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

And this as a headunit http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-In-Dash-Player-CDXGT110/sem/rpsm/oid/159661/catOid/-13642/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[pbasil1]

No no no... Circuit city has decent prices, but none of that includes installation. And that sony cd player sux dude. I work at circuit city....lol

That pioneer i linked is much much better.In every way. The sony speakers are even worse. They are utter crap! again, pioneer makes much better for just a few $$ more. Get pioneer's all aorund. For the price you just cant compete with pioneer.

______________________
Installation at circuit city will be $70 for the 4 speakers, + $21 if they need wire harness for the speakers.

Install on the head unit will be about $45 for the dash kit, 2 wire harnesses and then another $16 if they need an antenna adaptor (which is likely).

Installation on the cd player will be $48....

_________$Total for installation ________
$163-$200


I say go to ccity and get the install parts yourself, and do it on your own, its really not that hard, and it saves you some money....

If you really want, you can just go get those speakers from ccity just so you can get an extended warranty on them for 2 yrs or 4 yrs... about $20 for 2 yrs, or $35 for 4 yrs. That way if you blow them they will replace them on the spot.... Other than that, get everything from the net.

[PanteraFan88]

No no no... Circuit city has decent prices, but none of that includes installation. And that sony cd player sux dude. I work at circuit city....lol

That pioneer i linked is much much better.In every way. The sony speakers are even worse. They are utter crap! again, pioneer makes much better for just a few $$ more. Get pioneer's all aorund. For the price you just cant compete with pioneer.

______________________
Installation at circuit city will be $70 for the 4 speakers, + $21 if they need wire harness for the speakers.

Install on the head unit will be about $45 for the dash kit, 2 wire harnesses and then another $16 if they need an antenna adaptor (which is likely).

Installation on the cd player will be $48....

_________$Total for installation ________
$163-$200


I say go to ccity and get the install parts yourself, and do it on your own, its really not that hard, and it saves you some money....

If you really want, you can just go get those speakers from ccity just so you can get an extended warranty on them for 2 yrs or 4 yrs... about $20 for 2 yrs, or $35 for 4 yrs. That way if you blow them they will replace them on the spot.... Other than that, get everything from the net.
Thanks!

I feel like such a noob...like when I got into computers two years ago.

I'll get that deck and speakers you linked me. Thanks for all of your help!

[pbasil1]

Thanks!

I feel like such a noob...like when I got into computers two years ago.

I'll get that deck and speakers you linked me. Thanks for all of your help!

No problem man! Its just like computers.... its crazy lookin at first, but once you learn it, you see just how easy it is...