Wanted: Good advice

[walshc85]

Hey guys, I own a Silverado 1500 Crew Cab and I'd like to invest in a clutch sound package for it. I'm a complete noobie in this department but am not entirely thrilled with the sound that I'm getting from the factory speakers. I'd rather post here and hear from an enthusiast instead of going to Best Buy or Circuit City and having them just try and sell me the most expensive thing or something. Basically can someone tell me what I could even fit into my cab? I don't know about what an amp and a sub would even look like under(?) my back seat. Again, complete sound system noob, would like to buy something that's going to sound wicked loud when I want it to be and also last. Don't feel like replacing it in the next few years if possible. Thanks in advance.

[carneyman]

What exactly are you looking to improve? Bass, sound in general, more sound? Also, how much are you willing to spend? $400 will get you a kick-a$$ system that will last, and $200 will get you a kick-a$$ system that won't last as long or sound as good, but still be well worth it. An amp and one or 2 subs will fit under you backseat in a box. You will lose that space under there, but it will make the bones rattle of whoever is sitting back there. I've got a 400 watt amp and a 10 inch kicker under my backseat with a custom box, and it sounds pretty good. It all really just depends on what exactly you are looking to improve.

[walshc85]

Thanks for the quick reply, carneyman.

 

When you were throwing around those prices, did you mean the system and installation would be around that cost or just the systems alone? Because $400 would definitely be reasonable as far as I'm concerned, but in my head, I was expecting $anarmandaleg or something closer along those lines.

 

Basically, I'm looking to put a kickass system in my truck. I'm not sure what specifically I'm looking to improve. I want it to be an attention getter. It's already a truck that turns heads, I wanna kick it up a notch though. I think a combination of bass and more sound is what I want. It seems like right now even with cranked volume it's a little wussy. I don't really know how to describe it, or what I want it to be, kind of a tough concept to put into words. But it sounds like I'd like to turn it into something along the lines of what you've got going.

 

Edit: and dude, that bowtie is UNREAL, so badass.

[carneyman]

thank ya! Installation isn't too bad if you know anything about electronics or have friends that do. I did my installation myself. My best advise for you would be to go to a good audio place (not best buy or circuit city), look at what they have, get advice from them, and then go to another audio place and do the same thing. They should have a studio set up to where you can sample different types of systems with different configurations. Shopping around is always a good way to start out. Sometimes you can go to one place, get some prices, then go to another place and see if they will beat it.

[mattro]

I too love stereos in my ride and in my house. Right now i just got a new setup let me break it down for you.

 

eclipse HeadunitEclipse Headunit ($332 with tax) which was one of the middle priced ones

Kicker RS Component speakers ($199.99) with 200 watts maxed matched up with the Kicker zx350 4channel ($299.99) running at 2 channels 175 watt each. up front in the doors. Infinity 4x6 135 watt max ran of the 50watt head. Cost ($99) Then i got a 15" kicker l7 2ohm ($399.99) and a zx1500.1channel ($999.95) The 15" max is 2000watts and the amlifier is suppose to be 1500watts but when i got it was rated at 1705 so i got lucky.

 

332

199.99

299.99

99

399.99

999.95

--------

$2,331.91

No install costs did it all myself besides the intsall of the hu which came with it. And some aplifier wiring kits i took from my old truck didnt cost much.

 

I forget to mention thats in my '99 nbs regular cab. If i had a crew cab or extended id have more subs. BUt the stereo is loud and it thumps good for a single cab. To get that 15 in there i had to cut off the back of the middle chair and wrap the box around the two seats to try to get the most airspace possible while still being able to use my middle seat. After it was installed i had to buy a special speaker grill that was metal to stop it from humping my back wall and flexing the hell out of it. Thats were i lost my seat space but w/o it i had the seat back all the way. So now the window just flexes, just hope it doesnt break anytime. Im working on padding the middle seat right now which is the sub box and making it all look stock. It was alot of work to get a kicker square 15" in a regular cab but well worth it. Ill prolly get an 18" next year for it and some better pillar speakers. I recently got an alarm as anyone should do with all that and now im going to get a 2nd batter as soon as i can and a ho alternator to go along with it. Im happy with this system people are supprised because its just a regular cab.

Now id say thats a Hi end middle level system not top of the line but close.

 

oh yah didnt include insulation from dynamat costs like $130 or something but ive got a new rattle right by the sub d**n gm welds came loose so now ill prolly get some kinda foam that can form into the cracks and quite it down. i only insulated the back wall and the side pillars so far. and behind speakers.

 

 

 

 

thank ya!  Installation isn't too bad if you know anything about electronics or have friends that do.  I did my installation myself.  My best advise for you would be to go to a good audio place (not best buy or circuit city), look at what they have, get advice from them, and then go to another audio place and do the same thing.  They should have a studio set up to where you can sample different types of systems with different configurations.  Shopping around is always a good way to start out.  Sometimes you can go to one place, get some prices, then go to another place and see if they will beat it.

 

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[mattro]

oh yah u turn up the volume not even max and the hi and low will hurt your ears

[asilverblazer]

I put 2 10's in my extended cab, it sounds powerful, but I'm not popping welds loose either.

[LousCrew]

There is such a wide range of possibilities.

 

But, here are a few pointers:

1)if your budget allows it, definitely get a mute headunit. Meaning, you must have an external amp. The H/U puts out nothing. You get MUCH better sound out of these.

 

2)Make sure the H/U has at least 3 preamps (front, rear, and sub). And get the highest voltage possible...like 8V preouts.

 

3)DO NOT SKIMP ON WIRING!!!!! Get the good stuff. My last car had $800+ just in wires.

 

4)Eclipse, Diamond Audio, Polk/Momo and Infinity are good coaxial / components.

 

5)Use a 4ch amp to power you mids and highs. Get an amp big enough so that you can run it no more than 50% gain to power the coaxes. You do not want to run an amp all the way up...it will wear out quicker, especially if you live somewhere where it gets hot.

 

6)Try to stick with 12" woofer(s). They have about the best sound IMO. Anything larger has a longer throw...meaning slower response time.

 

7)Speaking of subs, Kicker or JL!!! I had the solobaric L7's in my last car and they are AWESOME. Or, JL W7's...13"!!!

 

8)Depending on power levels, definitely invest in a Optima battery, HO altenator, and capacitor. As far as caps go, general rule of thumb is .5fd per 500W. And for the extra couple of bucks, get one with the Voltage readout on it.

 

9)DYNOMAT DYNOMAT DYNOMAT!!!! You can spend $20K on a system, if the bitch rattles on the outside, people will laugh at you. Not to mention, Dynomat makes your entire vehicle more ait tight, resulting in a MUCH cleaner sound.

 

If you don't want to go too crazy, I would start with this setup. http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_stealth...php?fit_id=1542