I am looking to install a head unit + speakers, and was wondering if i needed to add an amp? or can i just go ahead and install them?
Also whats a decent head unit with bluetooth around the 350-450 dollar mark? (the clowns at autobarn only wanted me to buy their expensive stuff and weren't very helpful)

Cheers

A pioneer head unit will typically give you 20+ watts per channel rms. It's louder than factory but it won't blow your balls off. If you want more volume you will need an amp (4 channel for simplicity). Then if you put an amp in you will need some sound deadening.

I recommend pioneer head unit as they are good quality and the manual is written in English. Kicker is good value for amp.

It does come down to what kind of speakers you're installing. How much exactly are you looking at spending? If they're only cheap an amp isn't necessary.

What are your future plans for your stereo? Do you plan on later amping your speakers and/or adding a sub? Because that will also dictate what kind of headunit you're after.

I have a wagon and need the boot space, so i will not be looking at putting in a sub. I'm not too fussed about pricing as long as it isn't over $600 for each individual item. The stock speakers are absolutely shit-house, so i want quality without going all out. I don't mind putting an amp in, but i will be doing everything at once, rather than adding to it.

Alpine have a deal going at the moment where you can purchase their flagship CDA-117EBT headunit - with the additional bluetooth module - as well as a set of Type X 6.5" splits for $999 (save $299). A PDX-2.150 two channel amp is $599. Add wiring and it's a little bit of sound deadening and its a smidge under budget. The amp would be small enough that you may be able to stealth mount it under one of the front seats.

Dad has a similar combo in his car, albeit professionally installed with a PDX-5 amp, and it's great. A tad dry for my tastes, but very clear.

Gathering its a KE Wagon ?
What sort of Tunes do you listen to?

Do you really want to stick with speakers in the rear tailgate or are you open to some options ?

i listen to many types, but i always steer clear of techno. Metal and rock is molstly played. Yep im open to ideas as im new to all this.

Go back to Autobahn on a different day, and avoid the unhelpful idiots.

Get some good Rockford Fosgate Prime or Punch series, a decent headunit and whatever half-decent 4 channel amp you can get without spending too much. That should provide you with the sound you want, while costing under $900. You don't necessarily have to go new, either. Check the For Sale section for headunits and the amps, you can save a lot of money buying good used stuff.

Are you sure you can't have a sub, though? A slim 10" would need a tiny box while drastically improving sound and overall volume when you can turn the speakers bass down and crank them even more.


Another thing, i would avoid bluetooth headunits in general, and get one of those ones that clip into your sunvisor. From experience with ones in the past, built in ones are pretty useless.

Go for an alpine head unit from JB's. Then find your local jaycar electronics and pick up a set of VIFA 6.5 splits. You won't regret it and for the price they sound hands down better then alpine :) $199

Jaycar still have stock of Vifa? Must be a bit going around considering Danish Sound Technology (Vifa, Scanspeak and the other one I cant remember the name of) collapsed years ago.

Edit: Wow I just looked up and it seems that someone bought them out before they went broke! thats pretty sweet news that I wasnt aware of :)

Cheers for all the info fellas.

i would get a sub, but it all depends where i can stick it. I need the boot space for 2 dh bikes and band gear, and i dont want anything protruding that will damage them.

Not sure how the Verada boot goes, but you might be able to put a 10" sub in a custom fibreglass box somewhere. My dad did the same in his F6X - see this (http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd31/89djm/IMG_1835_Large.jpg).

ah looks like a good idea. Thanks heaps mate, now i know what to look for :)

hey

well i work at JB hi fi in car sound so i know whats good and whats not.


ok..so headunit with bluetooth id be looking at a pioneer DEH 6250BT around $350 mark, a new model is due out anyday though.

Front speakers..either kicker ds splits or a pair of alpine type G splits..around $160 mark the pair and will run great off a headunit.

if your looking for a bit of bass in a wagon then a kick pack (kicker sub and amp pack) is awesome for around $300 its a awesome buy for the sound in produces..

any questions feel free to ask

hey

well i work at JB hi fi in car sound so i know whats good and whats not.


ok..so headunit with bluetooth id be looking at a pioneer DEH 6250BT around $350 mark, a new model is due out anyday though.

Front speakers..either kicker ds splits or a pair of alpine type G splits..around $160 mark the pair and will run great off a headunit.

if your looking for a bit of bass in a wagon then a kick pack (kicker sub and amp pack) is awesome for around $300 its a awesome buy for the sound in produces..

any questions feel free to ask

Cool thanks. Will look into them when i get home :)

if your looking for a bit of bass in a wagon then a kick pack (kicker sub and amp pack) is awesome for around $300 its a awesome buy for the sound in produces..
No it's not.
Honestly, a couple good 6x9s will provide more bass than the kicker pack.

since the wagon has rear speakers that are 7x10, can you adapt 6x9s to fit?

Should be fairly easy - just make up a mount for them. Easy enough. Much easier than trying to fit bigger speakers to a smaller hole...

Suggestion?
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86181
Or
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85964
+
Rockford Fosgate Punch P1653 (6.5" 3 way) Roughly $150 pair, less at certain places
+
Rockford Fosgate Punch P1692 (6x9, 2 way) Roughly $180 pair, as above
+
Any decent 4 channel amp that will put out at least 40wrms each, lightly used from $150 to $250


With all that, you now have an excellent sounding system with RF reliability for under $750.

With all that, you now have an excellent sounding system with RF reliability for under $750.

Thanks very much, might actually buy the alpine head unit asap.

Anyone know much about this amp: http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=80

I can get it for half-price and wondering if i should invest.

Anyone know much about this amp: http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=80

I can get it for half-price and wondering if i should invest.
Seems good enough, half-price new or used?

Expect to lose $50 the moment you take it out of the box, and another $50 in 6 months time.


I reckon you should do it, though. Hook the speakers up on 2ohm, sending roughly 65wrms to each of them and it'll be loud and clean, but most importantly, will last long after you sell the car.
Decide if you want/need a sub after you do the speakers. Judging by that specs page, i think you can bass boost the 3/4th channels? If so, just easily hook up the 6x9s to them and turn the bass up. You might decide it's good enough.

yeah its about half price new. I think 45% off. Yeah you can bass boost 3/4

The alpine amps are very good, i have 2 in my car, never a problem and no engine noise what so ever!

as for alpine bluetooth headunit the CDE - 103BT is a stop deck, has dual preout for a 4 ch amp, external mic, works really well as we have installed a few in a few cars, also has a dedicated Ipod cable as well as front USB port, priced at around $350 can't go wrong!

thanks very much :)

Alpine Head-unit + Alpine Power Pack (http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=162) and whatever decent speakers you like the sound of. No need for an amplifier for the speakers unless you're really forking it out for the gear. You'll just have to trust me that the power pack works, although I might be able to organise you a demo depending on where you are, and how keen the guys are I know with these are to show it off.