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ElantraClub - For Elantra Owners and Enthusiasts _ Audio-Video Zone _ Not for an Elantra, but stereo upgrade
Posted by: Blupupher May 3 2014, 07:13 PM
Not for an Elantra, but figured I would as here.
I am looking to update my audio system in my '02 F150 Supercrew, but don't feel I need to spend a ton of money on it.
I am not an audiophile, but want something that sounds better than stock and would like to be able to access my iPhone (Pandora and music on the phone) and would like bluetooth connectivity.
I was wanting to get a head unit, 4 speakers and maybe an amp, and wanting to keep it around $300.
Looking around on Crutchfield I put together what I think is an OK system for my wants and needs.
Head unit: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X6600BT/Pioneer-DEH-X6600BT.html
Speakers: Not sure on these. Was initially just going to get 4 http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSG6844/Pioneer-TS-G6844R.html, but then I thought maybe I should get 2 of those for the rear and then 2 http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSA6885/Pioneer-TS-A6885R.html for the front.
Any recommendations?
Since I was still under $300, figured get an amp too. The http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020XC1410/Clarion-XC1410.html looks to fit what I want, nothing crazy, but more power for the speakers.
Total is $360 (if I get a pair of 2 way and pair of 4 way) so just over what I was looking at, but not too bad.
Any feedback on this setup? Any other suggestions?
Posted by: Alex2013GT May 3 2014, 10:49 PM
That sounds like that will be a nice setup to me and very reasonably priced. I think you would be happy with that!
Posted by: roydjt May 4 2014, 02:20 AM
DON'T GET 4-WAY SPEAKERS!! Those will be overpowering with treble. I had a set of Pioneer 4-way speakers in the rear of my Elantra hatch and couldn't wait to replace them with 2-way speakers. There was nothing I could do to keep the high end from piercing through the rest of the sound spectrum. Just my humble opinion, but I feel strongly about this. The 4-way might sound good if you listen to a bunch of hip-hop where the ends of the spectrum are emphasized, but if you listen to rock and especially jazz or classical, the 4-ways will sound like crap.
Crutchfield is great, but their prices can be beat. Take a look at SonicElectronix.com. The 2-way Pioneers are $15 less there.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_41271_Pioneer-TS-G6844R.html
...since I'm an Infinity fan, there's this: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18911_Infinity-6832cf.html
Also, I'd consider finding a small sub to stash behind the seats if you want any thump. Your mains can't handle midrange and bass at the same time, so passing off the 80hz and below frequencies to a driver meant for just that will make the whole setup sound a ton better while adding some more thump and reducing the door rattles.
-Roy
Posted by: Blupupher May 4 2014, 06:18 AM
Crutchfield is great, but their prices can be beat. Take a look at SonicElectronix.com. The 2-way Pioneers are $15 less there.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_41271_Pioneer-TS-G6844R.html
...since I'm an Infinity fan, there's this: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_18911_Infinity-6832cf.html
Also, I'd consider finding a small sub to stash behind the seats if you want any thump. Your mains can't handle midrange and bass at the same time, so passing off the 80hz and below frequencies to a driver meant for just that will make the whole setup sound a ton better while adding some more thump and reducing the door rattles.
-Roy
Yeah, I posted this on the F150 forum and I am getting the same response about the 4 way. Same for the sub. I don't really want one, and my truck has 4 captains chairs so finding a place for the sub is a little harder.
I will probably get 4 2 way speakers, the amp and headunit, and if I do find the bass lacking, I may look into a 10" sub. But I figure this will sound much better than stock even without the sub.
As for price, Crutchfield has a deal that I get the speakers for $37 with the headunit (plus the speaker cable adapters included) along with free shipping, so it comes out better from Crutchfield IMO.
edit: Well, I just went to sonics website and added all the stuff, and even with me having to add the speaker connectors, it is $25 cheaper there.
Posted by: Blupupher May 6 2014, 12:58 PM
Well, looking around on e-bay I http://www.ebay.com/itm/321292747956?item=321292747956
New OEM Kenwood stereo for my '04 for only $50 shipped. My current one has the TOC error with the CD. I am debating getting this to use in my truck so I can keep my Sirius (I have a lifetime subscription on the Sirius tuner, so I want to keep it, and it is not compatable with current Kenwood head units).
Posted by: slowgls May 6 2014, 01:13 PM
That would work. But one thing i will tell you is, The better speakers you get the better it will sound. Plus you may want to amp them. Better sound and more control.
Posted by: Blupupher May 6 2014, 01:35 PM
Yeah. I just ordered the OEM headunit, figured I would give it a try, worst case I can put it in the Elantra before I sell it to give it a working CD player (I may sell it to my nephew).
I also ordered the Clarion amp and the pioneer speakers from sonic, so I will see how it sounds too.
One question on the amp, do I have to use the RCA plugs or can I use the regular speaker wires? Does it make a difference?
Posted by: slowgls May 6 2014, 02:02 PM
Run rca's from the deck to the amp. Your going to need 4 channel rca. Then you need to run speaker wires from the amp to the speakers. So there is no reason to hook them up at the deck.
Posted by: hyundave May 6 2014, 04:47 PM
Personally I'd vote component in the front and coaxial in the back. Might make the install a little more tedious but definitely worth it. Or just get fronts and forget about the rears. You want more sound coming from your front anyway to get that "concert" sense.
I love having my high vocals and sounds differentiated from my midbass in the door. Makes for a much cleaner sound.
Posted by: Blupupher May 6 2014, 06:54 PM
Yeah, if I was really picky I would put more into it, but really just want something better than stock (that had more options than AM/FM/Cass/CD) that won't break the bank.
$50 for the radio (since I can still use my Sirius, I can live without connecting to my phone, and was happy with the sound the OEM Kenwood had in the Elantra), $80 for the speakers, $85 for the amp and another $20 or so for adapters, wires and connectors and such.
I actually just finished running the power wire from the battery into the cab and also put the satellite receiver in the dash. Not sure exactly where I will put the amp, it is a smaller one so I am hoping it will fit in a spot I see under the dash. If not, I know it will fit under the pass seat, will just need to get some longer RCA cables for that (I may have some long enough, need to go look in a box).
Funny you mention having more sound from the fronts. I had always set my systems so the fade was to the rear (maybe +2 or 3 to the rear) but I read somewhere a few years ago to set it to the front + 1 or 2 for better sound so I tried it, and it really does sound better.
Posted by: hyundave May 7 2014, 07:36 AM
Yea I've never understood why people want to be "driving away" from the sound. If anything I want to be driving closer to it! Get that concert feel. That's just me though. I know a lot of audio fanatics who simply do away with their rear speakers, throw a 3 way component set up in the front, and design their subwoofers vibrations to hit the top of the windshield so it's angled into the front of the car. Pretty crazy stuff but when done right you really get a neat sensation.
Now when you're on a $300 budget, yea just go with what sounds a little better hahah
Posted by: Blupupher May 10 2014, 10:47 PM
Well the radio and mounting bezel came in yesterday. Still waiting on everything else.
When I ordered, it said should be here by Friday, but now looks like it will be Monday (one was supposed to be here today). Kinda irks me, I was off today and was hoping to get it all installed. Since it probably wont get here till late Monday and I am helping a co-worker move on Tuesday it may not be till Wednesday when I get it finished.
At least it gives me time to do the http://www.elantraclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36572&st=0&p=393525&#entry393525 (still have to do the fronts, will do them Monday).
I was also going to change my transmission fluid and filter, but since the filter is in the same order...
Posted by: Jaco D May 11 2014, 08:58 AM
This probably explains a question I've been having for some time. Back in the day, rear speakers were installed on the rear parcel tray just below the rear windshield (applies to coupes, hardtops and sedans only), which seemed to make sense given the large volume of space in the trunk to enhance the low frequencies of the speakers. Nowdays it seems like more rear speakers are installed in the rear doors by the car manufacturers. Could it be because they have a closer location to the driver than if they were mounted on the rear parcel tray, even if the void in the rear door cavity is small (not to mention less sound damping surfaces)?
Posted by: Blupupher May 11 2014, 01:58 PM
So did you know the USPS delivers packages on Sunday? If you did not know, it does.
I knew they did around Christmas time, but I thought it was a seasonal deal. Apparently not.
I got the amp and adapter harness today. Going to my moms in a bit so won't be able to do anything about it today.
I will be able to get it all wired up tomorrow once I figure out where to put the amp (may need to add more speaker wire). Hopefully the speakers come in tomorrow so I can finish it up.
Posted by: Blupupher May 12 2014, 02:26 PM
Well, got the radio and amp installed. took a bit to get all the wires soldered and figure out which wire goes where, but got it all done. Only issue is the radio does not dim when the headlights are on (there were 2 orange wires on it, both were illumination, one said illumination, one said illumination dimmer, I think I hooked onto illumination dimmer, guess it should have been other other way.
Still waiting on the speakers. Radio/amp sounds OK (actually real good, volume is only at 14 and is loud, used to be 24 or so in the Elantra), but I can barely turn it up before it starts distorting.
Speakers should be in today though, so I will have a better idea then.
Posted by: slowgls May 12 2014, 02:40 PM
Very good my grasshooper!!!
Posted by: Blupupher May 12 2014, 09:48 PM
The green button option matches pretty well with the OEM green on the Ford. I am still trying to decide what color to make the display, can't find a green that matches.
I also got the speakers in today, so those are going in tomorrow.
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