Hardware Car audio replacement

[Tom Bombadildo]

Take a little trip to MI and I'll install them for free Lol

 

[the_randomizer]

Take a little trip to MI and I'll install them for free Lol

Boy, that is one helluva drive That's a 1600-mile drive from where I live But seriously, as it stands right now, I can't get the speakers yet, HOWEVER, I wanted to get some feedback, opinions and what have you before I dive in and splurge money on new speakers. Do both pairs need to be the same brand, or can I mix and match(like Sony in the front speakers, Pioneer in the back)?

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

They can be different brands, it doesn't really matter. Speakers don't really have much "technology" in them, so it can't tell if there are different brand speakers in one place or the other. You could even use 2 different brands on each side of the car, but of course that would sound silly.

 

[the_randomizer]

They can be different brands, it doesn't really matter. Speakers don't really have much "technology" in them, so it can't tell if there are different brand speakers in one place or the other. You could even use 2 different brands on each side of the car, but of course that would sound silly.

That makes more sense, still need to do more comparing brands or at least prices, don't want to go cheap either. Either way, it's gonna set me back ~$200 for everything, maybe I'll talk to my brother since he was the one that kinda blew my speakers. Not his fault, I let him borrow my car a lot before he got one of his own, he wasn't aware of how loud it truly was so I'm not upset at him, though, I think it'd be fair if he helped pay for some/half of it, but that's just me.

Edit: Turns out Best Buy has a deal that, if the speakers you get is $200 in total, the total price is discounted by $100 (which include the installation).

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

I think the Pioneer speakers you linked to were probably the best you would get for that amount of money. Nice peak power for both, good constant. Those would definitely sound better than your stock speakers (though I would strongly recommend replacing the head unit at some point in time well, something that would be able to power you speakers to their full potential).

 

[the_randomizer]

I think the Pioneer speakers you linked to were probably the best you would get for that amount of money. Nice peak power for both, good constant. Those would definitely sound better than your stock speakers (though I would strongly recommend replacing the head unit at some point in time well, something that would be able to power you speakers to their full potential).

Oh you mean the receiver/CD player (or the main component of the stereo)? Yeah, I've no clue how much that would cost either. But the discount sounds nice, provided I find speakers that equate to $200, then the 100 dollars off and so on. I'm trying to convince my brother to help pay half since well, you know, the speakers were blown and all. I'm just glad I can hear the speakers' sound quality before I buy them.

 

[the_randomizer]

Sorry for the bump, but I just wanted to update and let you guys now that I have new speakers and they sound fantastic (only tested the radio), all four speakers are Pioneer. Only thing left for me to do is get a means of connecting my MP3 Player (Clip Zip) to connect to the cigarette lighter. So, I'll need a transmitter, but all the ones I've seen have had very mixed and crappy reviews, either that or Bluetooth, which neither my car nor my MP3 player have built into it, so that's out. Any recommendations for a good transmitter?

 

[trumpet-205]

Does your car have AUX input?

 

[the_randomizer]

Does your car have AUX input?

Nope. Just DC power for the lighter. I'd need something like this, but this particular brand has gotten nasty reviews
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/itrip-auto-mobile-fm-transmitter/1078674.p?id=1218217783833&skuId=1078674&st=car%20transmitter&cp=1&lp=2

My brother has a transmitter too, same make/model car as me ( Honda Civic 2005, same stereo and connections), but uses his iPod for music. Most transmitters for iPods should work for other players as well, but so far, I haven't seen any that are good reviews and not Bluetooth, I spent $300 (well, we split costs), I can't afford anything major for a while Any suggestions for non-crappy transmitters? There has to be something, but it might require more work to find, I just don't know man, I want to not have to rely on CDs, and I want to actually have good speakers to try this on

Yeah, it'd be an FM transmitter and not Bluetooth.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Transmitters are crap, there's a reason they get bad reviews. You won't find any good ones, but generally anything over $15-$20 will be "fine enough".

If you want reliable performance, you'll need to replace your headunit (assuming you don't already have an Auxiliary input on your stock one) with one that has an auxiliary port/bluetooth.

 

[trumpet-205]

Any suggestions for non-crappy transmitters?

Sadly I know no FM transmitter that actually delivers good sound quality. They all sound crappy one way or the other.

Still, better than nothing.

http://www.amazon.com/iriver-AFT-100-Mobile-Transmitter/dp/B00067LYFW
http://www.amazon.com/Excelvan-Transmitter-Charger-Adapter-BlackBerry/dp/B0098Y90PK/

A lot of people buy the first one, even though they are more expensive than the second one.

 

[the_randomizer]

Transmitters are crap, there's a reason they get bad reviews. You won't find any good ones, but generally anything over $15-$20 will be "fine enough".

If you want reliable performance, you'll need to replace your headunit (assuming you don't already have an Auxiliary input on your stock one) with one that has an auxiliary port/bluetooth.

Again, I've already spent $300 for the speakers and replacement, I sure as hell can't afford to get a new receiver/face plate for my stereo system Not at least until I start working again So I need something to tide my over in the mean time (finally landed a job BTW), and I don't plan on driving to large cities so that shouldn't be a problem, most of my driving will be local.

Sadly I know no FM transmitter that actually delivers good sound quality. They all sound crappy one way or the other.

Still, better than nothing.

http://www.amazon.com/iriver-AFT-100-Mobile-Transmitter/dp/B00067LYFW
http://www.amazon.com/Excelvan-Transmitter-Charger-Adapter-BlackBerry/dp/B0098Y90PK/


A lot of people buy the first one, even though they are more expensive than the second one.

No, I don't expect perfection, but something's better than nothing I plan on keeping my driving locally and outside huge cities, so I should be fine going to/from work and to the animal sanctuary in the spring. But I'll go with that first one since it has way more positive review ratio in general, compared to the second one anyway. I know they are the greatest, but until I have the means of replacing the stereo itself, this'll have to do, it's either that or burn CDs of my music.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Again, I've already spent $300 for the speakers and replacement, I sure as hell can't afford to get a new receiver/face plate for my stereo system Not at least until I start working again So I need something to tide my over in the mean time (finally landed a job BTW), and I don't plan on driving to large cities so that shouldn't be a problem, most of my driving will be local.

Didn't see that, wasn't there when I was posting.

But like I said, they're all shit and you're not going to find anything "good". Just throw $15 at some piece of junk, then save $100 for a new headunit.

 

[the_randomizer]

Didn't see that, wasn't there when I was posting.

But like I said, they're all shit and you're not going to find anything "good". Just throw $15 at some piece of junk, then save $100 for a new headunit.

Ah, no worries But for sure, sounds good plan to me, as long as I can get music, I don't care, gonna be a while while I save up for one lol!

Anyway, thank you both for your feedback

 

[Sicklyboy]

Didn't see that, wasn't there when I was posting.

But like I said, they're all shit and you're not going to find anything "good". Just throw $15 at some piece of junk, then save $100 for a new headunit.

Really. If you buy that first one that trumpet linked, you're literally $30 away (+ installation since you won't do it yourself) from getting a basic headunit that has auxiliary input and possibly even USB input.

 

[the_randomizer]

Really. If you buy that first one that trumpet linked, you're literally $30 away (+ installation since you won't do it yourself) from getting a basic headunit that has auxiliary input and possibly even USB input.

Like I said, ain't gonna happen for a while, I need to start saving, but I've a job now so that won't be an issue The installation would be about $50, plus the $30 or so, then..yeah, I'll need to wait. I'll just buy a transmitter and if I don't like it, I'll return it before the 30 refund policy expires The other problem, is that my locks do not function, I can lock them from the inside, but not the outside (broken), this poses as an issue. People would steal the stereo face plate since it's new and expensive (kinda), I can't take that risk. So, when I fix my locks, THEN, I can get a new stereo control unit or whatever the hell you called them

Again, I'm not trying to shoot down your guys' suggestions, no, not at all, I simply need something to tide me over in the mean time is all. Until I start getting more money in.

 

[DinohScene]

Whatever you do, don't take one with a CD drive.
Just take a headunit with USB input.
CD's just clutter and go scratched.
Besides their clunky and impractical.

Headunit with USB is pretty much standard and you can find cheapo USB/AUX only ones for under 50 quid.
Possibly with a 4x75w preamp for somewhat better sound quality from the speakers.

I got mine for 30 quid.
Caliber 4x75w with SD, USB and AUX.
Caliber might be a B brand but it sure as hell works perfectly fine to me.
All of the power is in the back anyway ;p

 

[the_randomizer]

Whatever you do, don't take one with a CD drive.
Just take a headunit with USB input.
CD's just clutter and go scratched.
Besides their clunky and impractical.

Headunit with USB is pretty much standard and you can find cheapo USB/AUX only ones for under 50 quid.
Possibly with a 4x75w preamp for somewhat better sound quality from the speakers.

I got mine for 30 quid.
Caliber 4x75w with SD, USB and AUX.
Caliber might be a B brand but it sure as hell works perfectly fine to me.
All of the power is in the back anyway ;p

I'll get one, I just need to wait till I start my job and save (and yes, I've money from a tax refund, but I can't exactly, uh splurge all at once) I'll go with a brand to match the speakers, so Pioneer. But before that, I have to fix my car door locks, they're broken on the outside, and my key nearly got stuck twice, so those first, then the head unit for the stereo


Perhaps something like this http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cd-buil...ategoryid$abcat0302012&cp=1&lp=8#tab=overview

 

[DinohScene]

Time to go ghetto style and carry an old 80s boombox with you on the passengers seat? ;p

 

[the_randomizer]

Time to go ghetto style and carry an old 80s boombox with you on the passengers seat? ;p

I'll get a transmitter as a temporary solution, but when I have more cash, I'll get something like this, and after I replace the outside locks on my car
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cd-buil...ategoryid$abcat0302012&cp=1&lp=8#tab=overview

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/50w-x-4...=6261664&st=categoryid$abcat0302012&cp=1&lp=4

I know they have a CD drive, but all the ones I want that don't are hella expensive. I need to stay withing $100 to $100 USD