Looking for recommendations

[bholker]

Interested in upgrading the audio in my GN in the near future. Here's my objective:
1. I listen to mainly rock music. Not all that loud, but like to crank it up once in a great while.
2. T-Top Car, like to be able to hear the music when tops are off and crusing down the road.
3. Want to be able to play CD's, hook up an IPOD, and play MP3's.
3. Looking to spend no more than $600 total.
4. Not fussy on it fitting the stock radio profile (DIN ??), I've got access to equipment to fab up a filler if need be.
5. I do not have the power antenna anymore. (don't know that it matters)


Any input would be great. I'm not into car audio a whole lot, and don't know where to start and am not interested in putting in 40 hrs of research before I get some hardware. If anyone has combo to recommend, I'd greatly appreciate a starting point for my studying.

 

[John Larkin]

People are going to get tired of me saying this but eBay & etronics.com & knukonceptz.com is the way to go. I did up my wife's car with head unit + 6 speakers + 8" sub + 4-channel Kenwood amp + wiring for $425. I already had a small amp for the sub + a good bit of 4 gauge wire. I bought a nice Alpine CDA9847 head unit off ebay (recommended well on the audio boards); 4", 6" & 6x9" JBL GTO speakers from http://www.etronics.com; a JL Audio 8" sub 8W0 on eBay; a KAC943 amp on eBay; all wiring from http://www.knukonceptz.com (klarity kables are the best buy and their 50amp AGU fuse holder). You don't need much of an amp to run that sub, maybe 60amps bridged. I have a Sony EXM302 that is ancient but works fine.

You can build your own sub box out of scrap plywood and Radio Shack has a nice terminal to put in it. Joanne Fabric sells gray felt and vinyl if you want to cover it nicely. Use a real good adhesive to apply the covering. I built the box using liquid nails and a few screws. Even made my own speaker cover from a piece of aluminum sheetmetal. It was a fun project.

Spend some time at http://www.the12volt.com . They have a good website and lots of good info using the search engine. Finally for tech info, http://www.canze.org.nz/bcae/ is a in-depth website that really gets into the deep dark questions.

 

[zeus87gn]

Here's what I did...

Got a Pioneer head unit from a fellow here on the board. It is one of those that fits the large fcty hole, it's a 'super tuner' 45w x 4. Fabulous unit. Had a set of 2way 3-1/2's from my old VW for the dash. Bought the 2way door and rear deck speakers new to match from a local shop.
All Pioneer so far...all matching 'ohm'age.
Head unit (damn near new) - $130
3-1/2's - $0
5-1/4's - $60
4 x 10's - $90
Used the fcty wiring...sounds great in the driveway (even impressed my 19yr old) but needs a tad more bass on the road. Went to the local shop where I got the fcty replacements and picked up a set of Memphis Audio used 8" subs for $50. Going to put them in some existing 8" truck boxes I alread have and hook them up to a small 50x2 amp that I had from the old VW with the sub output on the head unit. It should rock. Haven't even spent $350 yet. I have just been keeping my eyes open to find the right deal.

I have the same idea as you in not needing very much...just enough. I'm not one for using high dollar or high wattage stuff. I just want it to sound good inside the car, with the TTops out, on the way to the beach, and the sun shine shining...