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I am ditching my stock sound system. I can't ride with this shitty sound anymore.

'02 LX sedan (I did post it as an '01 somewhere)

I'm looking at a two phase upgrade:
phase 1:
HU and 2-way front speakers. 2-way speakers able to go in the back later are a big plus.

phase 2:
After I graduate and start making money (grad student in electrical engineering) I want to move the 2-ways to the back, put comps in the front, a light sub in the trunk, and run at least the comps and the sub off of an amp.

Here's the deal though: I'm not a boom-boom guy. I listen to lots of classical, jazz, and lots of different music that depends on clarity and sound quality rather than power.

I'm was looking so far at an Alpine 9856 HU and Polk db650 2-ways speakers. I know that the Alpine 9856 only has 2V preouts, but it does have a full complement of them. My budget won't get the 9857.

The only problem with the speakers is that the Polks won't fit in the back, according to Crutchfield--the tweeters are too tall to not hit the back dash. For now, living in See'N'Steal country, I want the stock look as much as possible. I've thought about trying to mount the 650's to the bottom of the rear deck to get the spacing when I go to move them back, but I can't find tales of anyone who has done that successfully.

Crutchfield suggested the Boston Acoustic S65RC as a 2-way that can fit front or back. Has anyone had experience with these speakers?

Also, for the future:
what names should I think about for a nice amp? Again, the same rules apply, SQ and clarity are necessary, pure power is not. Should I think about a 5 channel all-in-one? What about sub companies?

I'm throwing up flamewar fodder, I'm well aware. I'm looking for names, and ideas, but my ears will be the final judge. But I don't want to waste time with systems and companies that are power/SPL driven.

I am an electronics guy, so you can talk dirty to me.

Thanks
--TMB

 
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well, first, lets take into consideration what you are willing to spend right now, and if you're willing to buy online from non-authorized dealers.

 
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I think some of your assumptions will not make it through the transition from phase 1 to phase 2.

First, make sure HU power is going to be enough for the speakers you buy. Second, if you are going for SQ, when it comes time for phase 2, you will probably not want to put the speakers in the back. The stock system needs them to give any kind of front stage. Add power and quality and you may not want them at all.

SQ phase 1. new HU. Sound Deaden doors. Low power coaxials. Of the three, the sound deadening will make the biggest improvement.

 
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For the first round, I'm looking at around $350 max for the HU and coax speakers...I'd prefer to keep it under $325 or so.

I'd also like to keep it to authorized dealers, online or otherwise. My bad luck is notorious. I can install myself, so I think a place like Crutchfield (less expensive than local, offers install kits, offers help, and is authorized) may be my best bet.

I have no intention of trying to drive comps with the HU, and the speakers I've looked at so far seem to all be ok

I'll worry about the second round later. That won't happen for another six-months to a year, I'm just looking for an information base.

Point taken about the sound deadening--I've been considering that, just to cut road noise.

The point of moving the coax speakers to the back is to make room for component speakers in the front. Backs and sub only would likely make for a less than satisfying listening experience...


Thanks, so far...

*stirs the pot*

 
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Well..great minds think alike. I like SQ compared to SPL more also
I bough a Nakamichi CD400 off ebay for $330CDN
Sound is amazing..but other factors improve the sound ALOT like others mentioned:
Sound Deadenin, quality amp, speakers and install (wiring etc)

 
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I guess it depends what you are looking for in trems of SQ. Are you looking looking for an upgraded sound to what you currently have, or are you looking for more of a nuce wide sound stage that is out in front of you? If you want the latter I would suggest you put more into the H/U and forget the coax because once you find out a bit more you will most likely not even run them.

I am in the process of building my system ( got the sound deadening yesterday 120 sq ft of Raammat). When I started I was going the same route you were. Now I'm keeping the stock speakers in the back and not running them. You sound like you ahve some time befor you jump into things. A really good place for information is www.elitecaraudio.com (I hang around over there as well). You can find information on pretty much anything you want to.

 
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This is extremely well put. It is almost impossible to chart a course from stock to SQ in one go. Harder still to do in the context of phases. I think the absolutely best way to go is one thing at a time - especially when your budget is the determing factor. Upgrade one aspect and your ears will tell you where to go next.

The logic behind sound deadening first is that you will be eliminating a lot of the noise that makes it difficult to tell where your problems are and you will be optimizing the sound of whatever you have. It makes sense to upgrade the HU at the same time, just because things will already be torn apart. You will lose the opportunity to hear the difference between stock and upgraded head units.

The noise floors in our cars is so high that just sound deadening with all stock equipment will be a bigger upgrade than anything else you are contemplating. If you want to test this thesis, just get enough material to do your doors. Then with the engine off, fade the speakers as far forward as you can stand - to eliminate too much input from the undeadened rear speakers, and listen to difference in quality and mid bass output you get. Then start the car and listen to what happens when engine and road noise intrudes.