4 replies to this topic

[CarAudioCookie]

Hi I have a VP Commodore Wagon and I was wondering if any body would know or have any suggestions for a good setup im looking at competing but i dont wanna spend anymore than $5000 as i will be in grade 12 next year.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated Thanks

[SILVR6]

Welcome nice budget you got.

One quick tip is the installation of your gear will determine if it sounds any good. So remember things like Sound Deadening doors rear wagon part too.

You will want a quality headunit with plenty of tunning features, a set of nice front 6-6.5" splits and a nice single woofer in the back. Then an amp or two to run everything.

Someone will come along and list products in your price bracket, but just answer these few questions

1. Does the $5000 include installation?
2. Can you build a sub box by yourself? (custom made are better then brought)
3. How much of it can you install yourself?

The more you can install yourself the more money you have for quality components, just remember average components installed well will sound better then good components installed poorly!

[CarAudioCookie]

I havent thought about how much it will cost to install but i hope i can keep that in my budget as money isnt that easy to get at the moment. I could build a sub box my self or get my dad to help as he is in the carpentry sort of career. I could also install a bit my self but would rather have it done professionally.

Thanks for any info u have to offer B)

[~Spyne~]

ok, so lets assume u can build a box to spec urself (i have no woodwork skills and managed to do mine, so it aint that hard)
i would set aside $1000 for the install.
that leaves $4000, which I would split up something like this:

headunit: $700 (pioneer, alpine, blaupunkt)
splits: $1000 (boston, dynaudio, focal, morel, pheonix gold, oz audio, a/d/s/, diamond audio, phass)
front amp: $400 (audison, orion, pheonix gold, soundstream)
sub (12"): $600 (digital designs, image dynamics, boston, treo)
sub amp: $700 (audison, pheonix gold, zapco)
battery (deep cycle): $350 (either upgrade the stock one, or buy a second one to purely run the audio system)

that leaves some money for materials for the sub box, and also some extra for either the install, or u can increase the amount spent on some part/s of the system.
with that budget you can easily have a two amp system, which is why i also budgeted for a battery upgrade which is highly recommended when using high power components.
when installing, you should (as mentioned) definitely get ur doors and wagon area sound deadened (stinger or dynamat are top products) and the wiring should be upgraded to high quality, including some 0ga power/grounding cables.

my 2c.
a good site to check out brands, prices, and pics of install is www.fhrxstudios.com

[Shreknos]

jus make sure u listen an liste an listen again to any speakers\ sub\ amps u gonna get cos i could brag about a product till the cows come home an so could most ppl on caa. biut ultimately dont take anyones word for gospel about a product. and make sure u set aside at least 2k for ur install.. i got my gear in custom\pro an it cost just under 2k thats from cab;es to capacitor to the fan for my amp in the tyre well... jus do ur homework bout everything an ring an get quotes from anyone and everyone that is a specialist an even from places like jb hifi for cables an stufff.... car audio is like never ending pit of expense which i learnt first hand it will always end up costing more than u think so stick to budget on everything