Best Buy is very hit-or-miss. Some of the best installers I know work(ed) at BB.

On the other hand, they typically have a high turnover rate, and finding a location with a really good install crew is the exception not the norm. All you can do is go and talk to somebody at a store in your area, and make a judgment call.

A dedicated shop is probably going to eat up somewhere around 10-20% of your budget for parts & labor. Depends on how much work they have to do to fit larger speakers in the factory holes.

 

^^^ good advice.

Member simplicityinsound

He does great work out of San Jose or he should be able to recommend a professional installer to help.

 

Provide beer: members from here will come .

 

Yup, I would go that route. If you are on an $800 budget, then paying someone to install it will quickly eat into that.

Scour the classifieds / hot deals, my system cost me around $500 (although I am using my stock head unit) for another $300 I could easily find a head unit to upgrade to though.

 

im in santa cruz,

i could make your car sound great for $800

 

Best Buy install costs

Deck - $50
Amp - $70
Speaker set - $70

This does not include installation hardware or subwoofer enclosure and you will likely have 2 amps.

Will they do a good job, I don't know. I would imagine it varies from store to store.

Otherwise 60ndown or another home based installer will be your best bet.

Now you just need to determine how much that leaves you for equipment.

 

Now you just need to determine how much that leaves you for equipment.

with his help i could run all the wires and build a sealed box and install everything in 1 day for $150 + pizza.

leaves $650 for materials/equipment.

 

Seems like a no-brainer.

 

you callin me stupid?

 

you callin me stupid?

You really don't know what he means?.......LOL

 

Supramania.com....itll take a little searching, but someone did a group buy on some re-produced mounts to get 6.5in speakers in the front doors of your supe.IIRC it was a copy of the later model mk3 speaker mounts...don't forget to make your sub box shallow enough to still get your targa top in the hatch...

 

:laugh:

I don't get it.

 

I wouldn't go 6.5.... cover the port, seal the box... snip the plastic ribs behind the magnet..... bam 4.5" speaker sealed angle great,.....

64$
https://www.madisound.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=45_228_253&products_id=1607


that's a total of 700.00 you have an active setup and the supra will get decently loud without a bunch of effort or power......

you will need power wire for that head down to a welding shop and pick up some 4ga for 30 bucks.... rca's and a fuse holder and some wallmart speaker wire and your set..... should be at budget.

90$ with mounting hardware......

https://www.madisound.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=45_229_324&products_id=541

266$
JBL CAR AUDIO 5 CHANNEL CLASS AB GTO5355 AMPLIFIER/AMP | eBay

80$ (in a decently large ported box)

TM12.2 12" Tidal Audio Subwoofer OEM by Image Dynamics | eBay

alpine 9887 used roughly 200

 

Just take your time and keep and eye on the for sale section and ebay. you can find some great deals if your patient. Thats how I built my system and I think it sounds damn good for around $400. Although I was able to do all my own installation so that really helped with cost.

 

Ok so thanks for the input!

Dropped by a local car audio shop and asked for an estimate. He looked at my car and said only 5.25" will fit in front and 4" in rear.

He gave me a price for:

Kenwood Excelon KDC-X395
Directed Audio 800w amp
2x JL Audio 5.25"
2x JL Audio 4"
2x JL Audio 10w1 subs (with box installed)

He said he'd give me $800 installed for it all.

Is that a good deal? Should I change some parts? (he claims he can get ahold of pretty much any part for cheaper than I can find anywhere else)...

Should I forget about the 2x 4" speakers in the rear and just put more money into other parts of the system?

Thanks for any input!

 

Good deal, that's hard to beat installed....maybe use rear speaker money for damping in the front door....

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

Not a good system IMO. That means they are going to power all the component/coaxial speakers with the HU and use a cheap amp for the sub. No shop can get you anything much better for $800. You should be buying off Craigslist and having someone install it at their home. This will get you twice the equipment for the same money.

 

installer not know what he be talking about... you can stretch 5.25's in the boxes in the rears... and 4.5" is the biggest your going to fit up front and maintain the factory boxes... I have no idea why anyone would want to get rid of them as they do quite well if you seal them up and toss some power @ them.

 

*gets out calculator*
JVC KD-SH1000 CD MP3 USB IN DASH PLAYER RECIEVER NEW | eBay
one of these

three of these
US Acoustics USX 2080 amplifier - eBay (item 180653724059 end time Aug-11-11 22:25:41 PDT)

two of these
Peerless Vifa XT25 Custom Car Audio Swiveling Tweeter s | eBay

two of these
https://www.madisound.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=8994

one of these
Dayton Audio RSS315HF-4 12" Reference HF Subwoofer 4 Ohm High Fidelity Reference Series

three of these
For only $3.93 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 12ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable - Black | 2-RCA Audio Cables

one of these...blingy!
AGU POWER/GROUND 4WAY DISTRIBUTION BLOCK FREE FUSES PDC - eBay (item 300562823771 end time Jul-30-11 08:46:45 PDT)

one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RAPT...emQQhashZitem231285cbb0QQitemZ150634613680QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo#ht_500wt_975

some of this...
4 ga wire | eBay

now, we have spent about 576 so far

off to the hardware store,

sheet of mdf, $32
5bucks for some screws and glue...have them cut it up for free

wal-mart time,
$11 for a roll of speaker wire
and while you are in there, 7.88 for a roll of carpet

now the important stuff...

6pack of bud...$7.99
Domino's delivery, $18.96

this is for your new bestie, who is gonna give up a saturday to help you


roughly 659.38

add another $20 for terminal ends and such

679.38

take the other 120.62, and paypal it to truckerfte@gmail.com, for consultation fees, and you got it!



*edit*

or get these
http://www.supramania.com/forums/sh...ad.php?109465-Bolt-in-6.5-quot-front-door-speaker-pods&highlight=front+speakers

and upgrade your front a lil...but thats gonna gut into your beer and pizza money

 

Please don't pay anyone more than $20 total to install EVERYTHING.

Buy from best buy with warranty, then have someone on CL install it for you.

Since you have the warranty on the items, and 30 day return period, if anything goes wrong, it's "the parts fault" and take it back to get a new one.

Just make sure you don't damage it yourself (screwdriver through the sub woofer)

If you short the amp/head unit, that's easy to take back, but you shouldn't need to if you put fuses on the system (as everyone should, IMO)

Best buy has an 18 month financing plan right now for anything over $430.00.

If you have $800 worth of stuff, it will cost you $44 per month.

This can include the protection plans as well. (if you decide to just get $430 worth)

How much bass do you want? How many subs?

Also, don't buy from car audio shops. They generally don't allow returns for ANY reason, and don't provide hassle-free extended warranties.

If you buy a sub from best buy, and get the protection plan, at anytime during the life of the protection plan should the sub blow due to you overpowering it or any other reason, it's covered. And I think I remember the lady saying you can get the sub replaced an infinite amount of times during the length of the protection plan...

 

Do you have any idea what are you talking about?

$20 labor for an entire system? I don't think so.

Why would you risk letting a complete stranger work on your car? How do you know this individual knows WTF he's doing? What happens if he sets off an airbag or shorts out the BCM? Ever heard of liability insurance? Chances, are the hack that you find on CL sure hasn't.

If there is a shop near you with policies such as you describe, then you should take your business elsewhere.

The shop I work for warranties install work for the lifetime of the vehicle to the original customer. If a product fails outside of warranty, we will often take it back and exchange it towards something new of equal or greater value, which we technically have no obligation to do - but recognize the value this represents to the customer. They will replace virtually anything still under manufacturer warranty on the spot, provided that we have one in stock. That is one of the least hassle-free return policies that you are likely to find in retail.

 

labor costs the shop 20-30 bucks an hour by the time you factor in all the stupid crap....


mk3 supra's are pretty simple... I could guide him through the steps. but one would need to listen to us and not try and have a shop that has no idea what it's doing sell product.

 

I've visited to several shops that warranty all of their products and their labor. Also, they'll warranty the labor even if you don't buy the product from them. So you got the warranty from the manufacturer (provided you buy it new) to cover you regardless of whether they sold it or not, plus they take care of you if they somehow botch the install. To me, if I know jack **** about installing or if I don't have the tools/time/workspace, that's the route I'm going to take.

That said, a basic install requires very little. A basic set of hand tools including a wire stripper/crimper.cutter, assorted connectors, the install manuals for your gear, and a Chilton's manual for your car. No ****, a Chilton's is worth its weight in gold when you're doing your own work as you now have a step by step to completely disassemble your car and put it all back together. Wiring diagrams, fuse locations, power source locations, it's all in there.

And on that note, the original topic is a complete system under $800. Mine obviously isn't an end-all example, but it's an example none the less. I took the time to add up the cost of what I'm planning, just to give an idea.

Pioneer DEH-6300UB $120
Polk Audio PA660 75x4 $220
Polk Audio PA880 300x1 $220
MB Quart 6.5 components $80
RE Audio SE-X sub $160
Speaker, power, signal wiring, connectors, screws, glue, silicone, etc. $100
MDF sheet $30
Stinger Roadkill for various areas $60

Total: $990

Take out the PA660 and run the components off the head unit (which I did for a while and they still sounded pretty damn good) and that brings the total down to $770. That leaves $ for beer and pizza for a friend.

 

20 to install a system in a car.. Sure that's going to happen or get done the right way. If you want save money learn how to DIY it.

Do the HU first, if your speakers are blown then upgrade those.. There's usually someone offering crack head deals on here.. don't rush into dropping money on gear right away, do your homework and you'll end up getting some better for the same amount..

 

20 to install a system in a car.. Sure that's going to happen or get done the right way.

It's such easy work.

I wouldn't charge anyone more than that no matter how long it took.

 

Hello...... I've done a poop ton of these cars.... Stick with 4.5's in the stock box.... No 6.5 no 5.25.....

 

Not many people are gonna agree with ya on this one. I've owned a few supes, and have heard it both ways. I made my reccomendation for a reason. The 5.25's are what his installer felt he could do, and its obvious this guy isn't gonna diy. Plus they are on sale. Even toyota changed it in 90. Go hit the junkyards and see how many mounts for the 6.5's you find. The guy over at sm had them reproduced for a reason. It woulb easier to retain the stock box, yes. But I seriously doubt most here would chose a 4 over a 6.5 in te front

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

 

Not to hijack this thread, but let me ask you something, Have you ever worked at a shop? If you think installers just sit on their ass and screw driver, you are seriously mistaken. When you've done it for so long it becomes easy, but it's definitely worth more that 20. The warranty alone is more than that.

 

My recommended setup:

Headunit - Clarion, Pioneer, or Alpine - $120-$150
5.25" Components - Rockford, Pioneer, Polk, DLS, Boston - $100
Amp - MQ Quart or Soundstream Rubicon 5-channel - $200
Sub - Infinity, Boston, JBL 12" - $70
Enclosure - $40
HU install - typically $50-$60
Amp install (including wiring) - typically $100-$120
Components install - typically $60-$70
Total < $900

Use the headunit to power the rear stock speakers for rear fill. Or add some cheap 4" coaxs for $50.

All listed items are quite good and should serve you well on both performance and reliability. I particularly like the Clarion HUs...great features and sound, simple looks, low cost. The MQ Quart and SS Rubicon amps are also really good performers at really great prices. Get whatever MBQ series you can afford...they're all quite decent. I prefer the looks of the SS Rubs, but the MBQs look really clean also.

It's not hard to make a good sounding setup on a budget these days. I'm setting up a friend's system for about $400 including sound deadening (but no install since it's me)...all good parts, all new parts.

 

So if I can fit 6.5's in my doors, how is the DLS UP6i?

I'm thinking a pair of 'really nice' 6.5's up front is better than 2 sets (front and rear) of 'so-so' speakers.

What amp would be good to feed the 150w rms of the dls up6i?



btw, thanks for all the input, I think my plan has changed. I think I will buy half my system now and the other half later. I'm thinking of getting just a stereo with 2 nicer speakers with amp. Might get the sub with amp later next year or so.

 

For under $800 buy this and has a shop install it. $440 - Image Dynamics ID12 V.3 D4 Sub + CTX-6.5cs and CTX65 Speakers + FREE RE Audio XTX500.5 Amplifier

 

I think I just SHAT myself (and posted that in my "hot deals" thread on another forum THANKS!!)