Hi There..

First post, so be kind :)

I'm not completely into cars - I use them to get form point A to point B. However the distance between these points has gotten quite far, so I think its time to upgrade the head in my car.

It currently has a "HiPower" brand head - cheap, generic, poo.

I'm after some help in a few things:

- I would like a new stereo, preferably with MP3. Would prefer it to be black or similar colour to dash - grey ash type colour. I DON'T want silver..don't think it would suit.

- One of me rear speakers sounds like it is having cone problems, so sounds liek I'll have to replace them as well. Not worried about going with tweeters, or subs..dont see the need if it just for me and not for the people a mile down the street..;)

- How hard are the heads to put in? I have done this in previous cars, kinda successfully. Where is a good place to get them installed? Everyone seems to poo poo Strathfield?? I guess they might be cheap for the goods but crap for the install??

I'd take pictures of the car but:

(1) it is straight and un modified besides a tint - woo-bloody-hoo :)

(2) Needs a spray job big time - stone chipped all over the front :(

(3) stock wheels..wonder if the wife will let me get mags..;)


Anyway, budget is tight, so after recommendations on places to buy/install if necessary and brands, etc..

Cheers,
Phuzz

I take it that you want something inconspicuous...simple and cheap

Putting the headunit in will be a little tricky the first time you do it. Do a search on the forum on how to take the centre console apart, its been done about 200 times

So i take it you don't want to run an amp or sub..or splits, but by 'a new stereo' you want a new headunit as well as new speakers?

For the rear, some ppl seemed to have fallen in love with eclipse ones, but I personally don't like them. Find some 6x9s, coz they'll simply drop into the original position without problems. As for front, just find some simple 3 way speakers, preferrably 6.5" ones, coz some ppl have found 6" are too small.

I can't really reccomend you speakers...go to your local stereo joint and listen to them to decide what you want and like.

You're a little fussy about the colour of the headunit aren't you? :P Why don't you spray the console a diff colour too, it costs like, 20 bucks max to do it yourself, and it looks heaps better. I'm a JVC fan...they have a good selection of headunits that will play mp3s. Should be able to get one for less than 300...or around that.

If you don't mind, you can also find some second stuff for sale on CAA, or even ebay.

You do realise your views on a 'car' will change from 'getting you from A-B' to becoming..possibly an addiction and a major drain hole in your hip pocket :rant:

if you forget about which section this thread is in...did anyone think he swapped an "audi" for a magna?

eclipse h/u are "stock" looking and inconspicuous plus they are black as well, plus they are bloody good gear

Thanks for the feedback guys :)

Yes, I am fussy..:) I just feel silver wouldnt suit - inconspicuous is right..:)

Damn..the Audi was a typo..should have been audio..*sigh*

Thanks for the hints on speakers - this is obviously a major thing with the stereo, which I have never gotten right in previous cars/installs. Mainly because I was really cheap. Thats why I was looking at some Pioneers..

What do people suggest for painting the centre console?? Never thought of doing that. There seems to have been some kind of staining on it when I bought the car - I just put up with it. Obviously even replacing the centre part would not be super expensive anyway?

Yeah, no amp. I was thinking about it at one stage, but could not justify the need for so much power, if I got a decent head unit? As I said I only want it for the car, and a nice sound (better than stock anyway)..

Phuzz

After looking at pioneer again (I had it in another car 7 years ago, back when the cheapest headunit you could buy was a pioneer DEH-323 at $700) I decided to buy Alpine - pioneer just doesn't have the same quality any more, whereas alpine has changed little...

Not sure if you can get an alpine MP3 deck or not, but I have been very happy with the gear - reasonably cheap too.

Alpine 6X9 3 ways fit in the standard mounting holes, and the standard grilles fit - decent bass performance as well.

Cheers
Heath Young

there are a few alpine decks that handle mp3/wma format. the software development by apline is excellent with all the audio filters and enhancements, thats if u want to use them

Thanks for the feedback guys :)

Yes, I am fussy..:) I just feel silver wouldnt suit - inconspicuous is right..:)

Damn..the Audi was a typo..should have been audio..*sigh*

Thanks for the hints on speakers - this is obviously a major thing with the stereo, which I have never gotten right in previous cars/installs. Mainly because I was really cheap. Thats why I was looking at some Pioneers..

What do people suggest for painting the centre console?? Never thought of doing that. There seems to have been some kind of staining on it when I bought the car - I just put up with it. Obviously even replacing the centre part would not be super expensive anyway?

Yeah, no amp. I was thinking about it at one stage, but could not justify the need for so much power, if I got a decent head unit? As I said I only want it for the car, and a nice sound (better than stock anyway)..

Phuzz

uppermarket sony and esp alpine headunits have good power outputs offf the headunit.

Painting the centre console isn't hard..do a search. Stain? what kind of stain? i'm sure u can get rid of it with some prepsol and light sanding :) clean the surface, get some plastic primer and colour of your choice, follow instructions on can and you're all good. if you break it it costs something like, 400 dollars to replace.

i guess seeing as though u are on a budget, then u'd probably only be looking at pioneer, kicker, jvc and kenwood speakers..so look around.use ur ears.

Panasonic makes some reasonable price hu's their top end stuff is 70watts max so it's a bit better than the sony's... i've always hated sony

just a thought anyways

some gd priced gd quality speakers are the JBL GTO sries.... they sound awesome and crank pretty well to.... as for headunits, go eclipse or if your willing to refinance your morgae get a nakamichi (SP?). hmm fd 4 thaut

Ignore power ratings on a headunit too... They end up producing 20-25 w rms, so their 50 w ratings are pretty useless.

Run your fronts through amps. Even if they are cheap (~$100-$200) it will give you many more options and will allow you to get the most out of your gear.

Peace

Tim