Free Car audio what should i get?

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my5thmopar

my5thmopar

Life Long MOPAR Owner
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Hey audio experts! I got a company award :D and can get a complete car audio for the Swinger. They have several brands to choose from. Boss, Pyle, Kenwood, Pioneer, Clarion and Dual Electronics I think this is it. I don’t know squat about audio. Any recommendations? What’s a good receiver and speakers brands?. I don't need window rattlers, just cruising tunes. Unfortunately :-(, they don’t have the Classic audio stuff. My radio was already cut anyway. Thanks
 
I am no expert but have always tinkered with car audio. Usually install all my own stuff, build my boxes to specs, etc.
My 2cents...
If you are looking for super clean sound, go with the Bose (Assuming "Boss" is Bose)

Otherwise from my dated knowledge..
Pyle has always been know for big bass.
Pioneer, Clarion, and Kenwood have always been pretty decent. Clarion and Kenwood fell off in popularity a while back but I think they are still doing pretty decent for all around quality.
Dual if I am correct is an offshoot of Sony and while they are "decent", they are also sold at places like Walmart and such as the low level equipment.
At the very least grab either The Pioneer, Clarion, or Kenwood stuff.
My preference based on over all sound quality....
1. Bose (If the "Boss" brand is indeed Bose)
2. Pioneer
3. Clarion
4. Kenwood
5. Pyle
6. Dual----Dont bother.... Its a waste of the award! LOL
 
If you mean Bose and not boss then I would seriously look at that, especially if you like it loud with clarity.
 
What's the "vision" behind your new stereo system? Do you have a smartphone or iPod you want to connect?

Do you have the package tray with provisions for speakers?

How much (if any) do you want to modify your dash for fitment?

..I get paid to do this everyday, lemme know what you like and ill make some recommendations.
 
Boss is a brand, just like all the others. It is NOT Bose. It's the kind of stuff that Wal-mart and the chain parts stores sell. I would definitely stay away from it. If it were me, and I had the choices listed, I would stick with all Pioneer. The Clarion and Kenwood speakers aren't bad but I personally don't care for their head units. I would definitely stay away from the others though.
 
cascius said:
Boss is a brand, just like all the others. It is NOT Bose. It's the kind of stuff that Wal-mart and the chain parts stores sell. I would definitely stay away from it. If it were me, and I had the choices listed, I would stick with all Pioneer. The Clarion and Kenwood speakers aren't bad but I personally don't care for their head units. I would definitely stay away from the others though.
Click to expand...

Now that you talk about it I do remember seeing Boss on some stuff. I agree go with the Pioneer.
 
Boss is it's own brand and not Bose. Personally I would go with a Pioneer head unit. Chances are you only have enough room for a single din, and Pioneer makes a great single din head unit that has the flip up 5" screen. It will run everything from DVD to XM radio.

Pyle makes good (or at least they did) make good sub-woofers. What are you looking for? Are you looking for just a nice head unit with some 6x9s in back with some 6"s in the doors, or do you want a box in the back with a couple 10's and maybe a 1,000 watt amp to run it all?

Overall Pioneer makes good stuff. Kenwood is also decent, but I believe their quality has dropped over the years.

Hope that helps!
 
He does mean Boss.....

http://www.bossaudio.com/

I would go more with what brand has the features you want. I personally look for the front usb and audio ports to plug in music quickly. No need for CD player with USB. All the brands you listed are pretty descent. I like pioneer stuff though. I guess I try to stick with what I grew up on.
 
Pioneer or Kenwood, all day long. Based on my experience and research, the other brands are not worth your while and do not have the research or design work invested like Pioneer and Kenwood have.

Clarion can be hit or miss. I'm not sure what products they are providing with each brand, but I would advise tri-axial 6"x9" speakers in the rear and coaxial 5-1/4" speakers for the front (probably on the kick panels). Pioneer head units typically have a lot of options, while Kenwoods are more user-friendly. I've had good experience with both. My best experience has been with Pioneer speakers (out of the list you provided).

Good luck, and congrats on the prize!

-Mike
 
I just installed a Pioneer AM/FM/CD deck in my 1965 "Cuda. I have always had good luck with Pioneer stereo gear. I used an old trick from "back in the day" and put the unit in my glove compartment, that way it is "invisible" and I can still use the original AM radio in the dash. I am using Alpine speakers in my install, 6x9 in the back & 5-1/4" in the kick panels. I bought boxes for the rear speakers and mounted them with Velcro so no holes were cut, and the 5-1/4" are almost flush-mount so no holes in the kick panels either. If you don't want Pioneer speakers use Kenwood, the other stuff is not as high on quality.
 
Wow!!!Thanks for the quick responses. I don’t want to do a lot of cutting, dash pulling or look too radical. I’m ok with non stock look. Package tray does have 6x9 areas. I don’t really want to cut door panels if possible. I have two 3 1/2 in the dash. Just looking for AM/FM/CD easy to use...It doesn’t need iPod, phone, DVD screen etc since I don't have them anyway. The usb sounds interesting but, I don't have to have it. Please keep the suggestions coming?
 
Congratulations!!

I would go with a Pioneer head unit (get one with pre-amp (RCA) outs so you can run an amp to to power your speakers, and either Pioneer, Kenwood, or Clarion 6x9's in the rear deck. That is a simple install and can be removed without too much trouble. It is also expandable if you want....

If included, I'd opt for an amp to push your speakers and one for a sub... depending on what you want and what all they are giving you!

I apmost always run an amp with my speakers because contrary to popular belief, too little power will ruin speakers faster than not enough power.... with too little power, you end up "clipping" the power outputs on the deck pr amp and heat up the voice coils in the speakers and can ruin them.

Do yourself a favor though, build some boxes under the speakers so they are enclosed. You will get way better sound out of them, better bass response, and they will handle more power and last longer. Basic rule of thumb with speakers, the max wattage ratings are if they are in a box... that drops to around 25% if they are installed open on the back (like in a door or in a package tray).

I put a system in my wife's 68 Mustang... did 6x9 in the rear deck (built boxes underneath) and hung an amp in-between the speakers... works GREAT!

PS. I do not do this for a living but have done lots of car and PA system installs and have run live sound for bands, church, etc for over 30 years.
 
Whoa!!!!!Hold the horses. I just found out that they will order a classic/retro if I don't find what I want in the catalog. So...I see a few retro stereos on the web, any suggestions?
 
Out of those choices if doing 6x9 's go Pioneer.Run several sets,over the years.Trust their 6x9's for quality sound.Avoild Boss and Dual at all costs.Kenwood,best stuff works with seperates( tweeters/woofers/mid -bass),witch leads to modifications to the interior,my ..02.
 
I put a Custom Autosound USA1 in my car a few years back. Still like it pretty well as it has aux inputs on the back that can be adapted to a plug for an MP3 player. If I remember correctly it was rated at 50 WPC X4 (probably PMP) but it will cleanly drive two pair of Boston Acoustics component loudspeaker setups with volume enough to hear above the Borla exhaust. It also has pre-out if you want additional amps. If you can get that sort of thing it might be one to consider.
 
BOSE......better off something else.....Have always had luck with Kenwood stuff.....
 
Congrats every thing helps. Iam not a stereo guy but heres what i have found for mine. Pioneer makes the kick plate speakers set up for our cars 189$ for pair. Get a good all around deck that pushes your mids ok has hd radio sat ability and usb drive. Use the plate for under dash 4x10 to turn it into 2 4" speakers a member on hear sell the adapter cheap and put 2 good sounding 6x9s in the rear and give them a little boost with small amp if need be. I dont like the retros but thats me you can build a under the dash box for your head unit. I think Crutchfield sells a unit to mount stereo under dash to floor. My truck got boat speakers for door and kick panels so water wouldnt mess them up they are polkaudio i got the pair for 20 on clearance they sound great to me.
 
inkjunkie said:
BOSE......better off something else.....Have always had luck with Kenwood stuff.....
Click to expand...

no opinion on Bose car audio stuff, but I agree 100% on Kenwood. I have Kenwood head, 6x9s, 4x6 in aftermarket kick panels, and 750w amp in the trunk. Sounds fantastic and they didn't break the bank.
 
Pioneer head unit
Pioneer 6x9s in pakage tray
Yearone kickpanels https://www.yearone.com/Product/DisplayProduct/268412 with 4" pioneers
And a set of these under the front seats http://www.garytayman.net/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2Fhd42%2FUndercover_Speakers.html%3Fcategory_id%3Dhd42 or http://www.garytayman.net/?mainURL=/store/category/hd42/Undercover_Speakers.html?category_id=hd42


Could also just send your factory radio here http://www.taymanelectrical.com/stereo.htm
Sending my dad radio for his 68 Charger there to do the conversion and will have it in time for christmas hopefully
 
im a lil informaed in bass and new electronics.
1kicker
2alpine
2pioneer
3jbl
4rockfordfosgate
5sony

i have a legacy dub din in the valiant with 4 sony xplods sounds good sony is good qaulity

the aspen i have a pioneer and 2 6x9boss and boss is not bose boss is better imo also sounds very good with some bass


if it was me id get top o line ask the young guys at the audio stores but the brands i said r good get a amp a sub if u get jus a ten inch sub u can regulate the bass so it dont have to be ratlers
 
Well, I have finally stumbled across a question where I can truly consider myself to be an expert…. I’ve been selling and doing car audio installations for almost 10 years. I have competed in stereo competitions and have been invited to two World Finals (just couldn’t spend the $1500 to register and for room and board while we were there.)

So, after that. My suggestions are this….and I just got done doing this in a buddy’s ’67 Mustang (I know) last year. A pair of 6-1/2” components in the front and a pair in the rear. A deck built into the glove box to retain factory looks. A 4 channel amp mounted in the trunk. You can add a small sub amp and a 10” sub to fill in the lows – you don’t have to rattle the windows if you don’t want to- not all subs will do that.

Reasoning. Round speakers will produce better (clearer) sound than oval speakers like 6x9’s. Go with the component speakers to separate frequency responsibilities. Component speakers use a separate crossover mounted away from the speakers to send only the highest frequencies to the tweeter and the mid frequencies to the 6-1/2” round woofer. This will help keep everything nice and clean sounding. Adding the four channel amplifier to these four sets of component speakers will make them be much more efficient. Most head units only put out about 15-25 watts rms. Most of the speakers I’m going to recommend want about 50-75 watts rms to upwards of 100-125 watts.

Boss, Pyle, Dual – STAY AWAY!!

Pioneer – Great headunits – won’t use anything else for a good headunit. Look for one that has three sets of preamp outputs. This will largely let you critique the sound of the system when adding a four channel amp.

Pioneer or Kenwood – use either of these for your component speakers – go for the pioneer premier series. However, if you can stray from your manufacturers list – go for Kicker, Infinity Kappa, or Polk.

Amplifiers – From your list, Kenwood is OK. But, again, if you can stray from the list, look for Kicker, Alpine, or Infinity for a 4 channel amp. If you are looking for doing a small 10” sub in the back, go with a Kicker or Alpine 250 – 400 watt mono amp. You could do a 10” pioneer premier sub from your list with this wattage, or you could look for a Kicker CompVR dual 4 ohm sub.

You’ll want to get a four gauge amplifier kit that includes a capacitor or get a separate 1 Farad capacitor – this will do two things, help reduce any alternator whine in the audio signal, and also help protect your alternator and battery from any sudden drain.

If you have any questions, let me know! :cheers:
 
my5thmopar said:
Whoa!!!!!Hold the horses. I just found out that they will order a classic/retro if I don't find what I want in the catalog. So...I see a few retro stereos on the web, any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Can't help you there. But if you are set on keeping it as original looking as possible, I'm sure there are people on here that can help. I don't mind the aftermarket look, so I'm upgrading everything.

Jason
 
I'm an MECP certified car audio installer, and I agree with roughidle for the most part. Pioneer makes a great all purpose deck (make sure you have at LEAST 2 sets of preouts). Mosfet chipsets would be nice as well.

Seperate component speakers are also nice for defining audio..it will just take a bit of planning on your part as to how much of your vehicle you wish to modify. As for brands of speakers: I like Kenwood, Pioneer, and Infinity. Amplifying them will be the difference between good and GREAT quality sound. Most people tend to think amplified just means LOUD..not always the case. You can cause just as much damage to the voice coil of a speaker under powering it as you can over powering it.

If you have any questions it looks like youll have plenty of help here! Good luck and congrats!
 
No luck with the retro radio. I was given a choice of the following Pioneer products so, I have to go with whats offered. Hey its free!!!!!! Tell me what ya think. I researched these but, didn't want the highest price one since it isn't always the best. Any other items I need. I'm running out of points so this is about all I can get unless I swap stuff around.

Headunits
DEH-X6500BT
DEH-X5500HD
DEH-x3500UI

Amp
GM-3500T
GM-5500T

Speakers
TS-A6995R
TS-D6902R

Some generic install kit whatever that is.
 
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