Ill admit im audio retarded when it comes to cars. I have the none bose (concert) system. Headunit im not too sure on as of yet, but im wanting to look around at the speakers. Besides buying/making a baffle so the door speakers are positioned right what other things would i be better looking at? First off would i want component or just regular speakers? Im assuming component cause i have the 5 1/4 in the door and tweeter up top if im correct? is there a difference in buying reg speakers and component speakers? i guess thats my main question. Basically im looking to revamp the whole sound system cause my two door speakers are blown and it sucks. Im lookin to get the best bass and sound out of regular speakers without having to do subs. as far as headunits im lookin to do a dvd unit i believe possibly even a navi unit depending on how much money i feel like spending, but im picky about my dash lights being red and say the radio lights up blue, kinda looks bad in my opinon but not the biggest thing. Anyone have reccomendations of brands i should look at ? or ones to stay away from? ive been lookin at the kenwood navi/dvd bundle for like a grand depending where u get it. anyone have this specific one? Thanks for any info on this subject. From what i have read the upgrading can be a pain if doing your self so im lookin to get all info possible first. Thanks guys and girls.

 

Well to start out, you will never get real "good" bass from door speakers, they put out what is called midrange, or midbass frequencies. You will have to do a sub in order to get those lower frequencies, plus, without a sub you are missing around 25% of your music. Take a nice home theater for example, it has a sub, you need it man, so get over it. Next, i am a JL Audio freak, but they dont make a 51/4" component. Im not going to tell you what to do, but look around and ask around at local stereo shops, and remember you get what you pay for. As far as the head unit goes, Panasonic makes a couple of color changer decks, you can probably pick up a 2006 model for pretty cheap, that is what i have. Its the 7413u model. The entire face will change to any color under the sun, its motorized has a two year warranty, remote, Does the fullspeed Ipod, satellite radio, bluetooth phone kit, plays WMAs and MP3s, has screen savers and a 7 band EQ, it also has 5voltfront, rear, and sub outputs as wells as an Auxillary input. its loaded man. I love it becasue it matches my dash lights perfectly. I also had the Panasonic flip out touch screen. That thing was awesome, super easy to use and a rock solid product. Take my word for it, i install stareos and video systems professionally, and i have seen and installed a lot of bullshit products. Take my advice into consideration and dont be a cheap *** when it comes to this stuff. Cuz if ya get nice stuff and have it proffesionally installed it might outlast you.

 

Great low end can be had with front/rear speakers. Not thumping, trunk rattling, making Jay-Z proud bass, but nice accurate musical bass. It involves a lot of Dynamat stuff, sealing off the inside of the door, and great drivers. A good amp is needed as well, because the amplifiers built into head decks are small chiped based circuits, and they don't have the voltage capability to provide accurate powerful output. Think of it as the headphone amp built into ipods vs. the headphone amps in home recievers. There's a huge sound difference, not just volume, but in accuracy, control, and low end 'quality'.

There are a couple of specs to look for when shopping for speakers. The spec that's going to be most important for low end output is called x-max. This is basically how much overhang the voicecoil has over the top-plate of the motor. The higher the number, the better. In layman's terms, this is how much the speaker cone can move before distortion occurs. This is different than how much the cone can move before it 'bottoms out', or makes a clicking sound. Power handling doesn't mean **** if it doesn't have the x-max to make the cone move more. Of course, the most important thing to look for, is how the damn things sound.

The most notable difference between component and coax drivers, is that the tweeter and woofer are seperate from each other. There are 2 individual pieces. Another HUGE difference with most component sets, is that there is a better crossover network. There simply isn't enough room in a coax speaker for a proper crossover. Components solve this problem with an external box that the crossover is in. Because of this, components generally have higher power handling capability, and better phase response around the crossover point, which equals better midrange clarity. Having a separate tweeter is great too, because a lot of times, you can aim it more towards your ears, rather than your knees.

To senor supercat... the 'missing 25% of your music' quote is kinda true... buuuuutttt not really... Humans can hear 10 octaves. Subs usually handle from 20hz to 80hz or somewhere in that region. That's 2 octaves. So that's 20%. You're close. But here's the kicker... Very rarely is there any low end information below 40hz in music. Movies, fvck yeah, but music... not so much... So, now subs generally handle 40-80hz. That's 10%. Granted, it's a very important 10%... But it's not like it's not there, it's just not kicking your a$$ with thump.

If you want thump, you need a sub, that's all there is to it.

For good sounding 5 1/4" speakers, component or not, I would recommend the new fandangled Pioneer ones that have a yellow cone. I thought they sounded pretty damn good. I'll also throw ADS out there. These are what I have in my car, and I can't recommend them enough. Not cheap though... Amplifier wise, I'm a big fan of USAmps, Memphis, and Mmats. For decks, I'm not the guy to talk to... The best thing to do, is to go somewhere and play around with them and see which is the easiest for you to get around on. If you want navigation, a friend of mine has the Alpine version. It's alright. About a 15 minute learning curve, and you're set to go. I've also heard good things about the Pioneer offereings.

Alright, I'm gonna shut up and stop talking like a geek. Go buy a sub, you'll love yourself for it later. Good luck.

 

I just looked on crutchfield and they saidI have to replace my bose speakers and run new wires for the new speakers, Did you have to do that?

 

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?comp_id=67

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?comp_id=63

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_c...php?comp_id=61

???

 

Supercat78 I'm buying that Panasonic today, my radio just f'ed up, won't turn on. So I'm getting that same panasonic you talked about. Did your car with the Bose system? What did you have to do? Aperrently I have to change all the speakers and the wire that goes to them! That blows but my car will definatly sound better cuz I'm also putting my box and amp. Anyways thanks for that info on the radio, you made my decision on buying a radio so much easier! BTW Crutchfield.com has them for $169.99 and they send you everythingyou need including themounting kit and free shipping

 

The new Eclipse units (3100,5100,7100) would look great in an Audi, and have lots of features like iPod control, internal EQ/xover/time alignment, etc.

http://www.eclipse-web.com/

 

Awww man dont confuse me! I already had my mind made up! LOL!!

 

1
133C7413
Panasonic MXE CQ-C7413U CD Receiver
$169.99
$169.99

1
142AU2300B
Receiver Kit 142AU2300B
$12.99
Free

1
120701784
Receiver Harness 120701784
$12.99
Free

1
120869001
Receiver Add-on 120869001
$9.99
Free

1
12040VW12
Receiver Antenna Adapter 12040vw12
$4.99
Free

1
107DB650
Polk Audio db 650 6-1/2" 2-way Speakers
$79.99
$79.99

1
142SAC656
Speaker Bracket 142SAC656
$14.99
Free

1
237XT60
XTC 6-3/4" pair Speaker Baffles
$8.99
$8.99

1
0000060020
Crutchfield MasterSheet Instructions
$4.99
Free

Merchandise SubTotal (includes your FREE items):
$258.97

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I also get $20 off a future order. This is what I bought today, A radio and some speakers for the rear deck. the door speakers I'm going to get at Circuit City they have buy one get one half off, so I'm buying 2 pairs of Pioneer speakers, a 3-1/2" for the back doors and a 4" for the front doors. they are $49.99 each so I'm gettingall fourfor $80 with tax. Can't wait to install it!

 

I'm new to the forum, but I just bought a '99 A4 and I want to upgrade the stereo. I'm OK with the current speakers, I just want to upgrade the stereo to a new generation unit with iPod and Sirius capabilities. Is there a way to do that without having to throw out my current speakers and rewire the system? I have the standard stereo with the in-trunk CD changer. My local stereo shop says I have to tear out everything and start over, because it's Bose. Ouch! Any suggestions??? THANKS!