Rep Power: 0

OK, it turns out I've got to think in smaller increments. I've got $200 and want more volume than I am getting with the stock '02 EX coupe system. I listen to classic rock mostly and have the bass set at +6 and the treble at +2. I have the fade set at R1 and the balance at C.

I can get "enough" volume with it turned up all the way but at that level it isn't clean, there is some distortion, although it is much cleaner and more listenable than previous vehicles at that level. I don't want to shake the car next to me but I want a nice clean sound when I want to crank up some Aerosmith or Tull or whatever.

I have zero skill to change anything out myself so I'll be going somewhere like CarToys. I'm sure they will have plenty of advice for me, probably good advice since they'll want me to keep coming back, but I want to make sure I have a good idea going in of what might be the best usage of that money.

Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 
Rep Power: 329

$200 might be alittle tight...you could upgrade your HU, that will give you *slightly* more volume since most aftermarket HU's will provide a little more power than your stock radio. A far better bet would be to spend around $300 for a 4 channel amp and install....that will definitely give you more volume and clarity.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yea... 2 bills probably won't do too much. The best solution would be to get an external amp to power your door speakers along with new door speakers. But if that's all you have to deal with right now, I would get a new head unit. This will be a temporary fix. If it ends up being good enough for you then great. If not, make sure you get one with 4 volt preamp outputs so when you upgrade to an external amp, you'll have great sound quality.

 
Rep Power: 299

I wouldnt run stock speakers off a 4 channel amp, stock speakers only take 20 watts
besides that i wouldnt run a 4 channel amp off the stock deck.

I would upgrade the front and rear speakers, you could definitly get something decent with 200$

 
Rep Power: 329

I ran my stock front speakers for 3 months off a PPI 50x2 amp and it was fine...they were quite a bit louder and clearer. He could upgrade his speakers, but I dont think he would acheive the gains he wants. An amp would do him better untill he can afford more IMO.

 
Rep Power: 0

Any particular HU that stands out from the rest in the $2xx range?

I'd probably go up to $300 including taxes and installation on whatever I do. I wanted to start out at the $200 level so when I had to put a little more in it wouldn't exceed my limit.

 
Rep Power: 0

id say some of the lower end clarions, pioneers, alpines would probably work for you fine... in that price range theres really no diff between headunit A and headunit B.

 
Rep Power: 299

Off this subject, Mystic WTF is up with that little green dinosaur jumpin up and down?


Its shaped like a..........N/M

 
Rep Power: 0

Just keep saving.. $200 isn't going to get you very far

 
Rep Power: 0

I'm not looking to put together a competition winning system, just something that will play approximately the same volume as the stock unit plays at maximum volume but will do it cleanly. I can turn up the stock system to max and get as much volume as I want but I get some distortion from the system.

I don't know if that's not enough power to drive the speakers cleanly or not good enough speakers to handle the stock amount of power or a combination of the two and perhaps other factors as well. Anyway, I just want cleaner sound at the current volume capability.

I would think around $200-300 would accomplish this or at least take care of one of the two systems (speakers / head unit) involved. I might need to save up until I can spend a similar amount on the other system in the future but I'd like to at least take care of half the problem now.

 
Rep Power: 0

U can buy an alpine 9807 HU on ebay for about $225 shipped. I think you get the most for your money when you buy a 9807. Then save another $150 and get some alpine type r components, You can install those two yourself without much difficulty. Then buy a 4 channel amp to power it (experience needed for installation). Worry about the rear speakers after everything else is done. Then add some subs later if u want bass.

 
Rep Power: 0

with $200 I would first upgrade your HU, that is what I like to call the base for a good stereo system. $200 might not get you the best HU though, I would save up a little more and get an alpine HU or something. After I got my alpine HU, it made my stock speakers louder. I have since then upgraded all my speakers in my car, but it is best to upgrade your speakers after you get a new HU since an aftermarket HU will have more power than your stock HU.

 
Rep Power: 348

Alpine type R's are very nice cheap speakers, they imitate Infinity. I would get some 6x9 in the back fist of all since you listen to classic rock, they will be too big without compressors or gas shocks but I would get the three way type R's for under 2 bills