Stereo & Electronics - Audio setup for $500

Hey guys I am restoring a 2nd gen camaro and I am soon coming up on the interior ! I have no knowledge when it comes to stereo and electronics so thats why I need some help.

I want the best setup for 5-600 dollars I can get it needs to include 4 speakers, 2 round in the back and two in the doors, a good amp (I'm clueless) and the stereo.

I'm not out to win any competitions I just want something that will have very good quality and that I can plug my Ipod into and jam going down the road !

I was looking online and saw some Alpine stuff I like but not sure how good they are. I also saw a 600w amp for sale on bestbuy.

If you guys could point me in the right direction, Thanks.

well, first off dont go to best buy. overpriced on everything. i reccomend online like crutchfield or sonic electronics. search for the JVC XD-40, 80 bucks and is designed for use of ipods, thumdrive mp3 etc. as for an amp, get an amp based on RMS watts, not PEAK watts. for 4 decent speakers you only need a 4 channel amp thats 4x50 watts. that will be plenty loud. JVC DRVN series speakers are also very good and only 40-50 bucks a pair. i put all this in my dd and it sounds great. i added 2 subs and matching amp for another 300, so about 600 total, sounds great.

Its going in a show car so I want to go with some good quality stuff ! I mean I dont know much but I know as far as electronics you pay for what you get !

Do the speakers have to match the amps maz watts ? like take the watts of the amp and divide by speakers ?

ok, il try to break it down for you without insulting your intelligance at all, i forget sometimes people dont get in to stereos like i do.
if you buy a decent aftermarket stereo, jvc, alpine, etc, they come with an internal amp that is usualy sufficiant to power 4 good speakers at a decent volume. when looking at the stereo, it will usualy claim 50 watts x 4 channels, but these are peak watts (like max horsepower, only when you totaly blast it) and will usualy run about 20watts RMS, RMS means the power it always has, and is the only relevant number. A good deck like this..
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-v104ma0DYtH/p_105KDX40/JVC-KD-X40.html
will play plenty loud for most people. if u still want louder, then yes add an amp. you will want a 4-channel amp, and again look at the RMS rating of the amp, NOT PEAK POWER numbers. pick a set of speakers for example, and most will say rms rating of 45 watts. find an amp that bis 45 wattsX4 channels. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777M4050/Sound-Ordnance-M-4050.html?tp=35782 is a good example. you can have a great setup like this, for around 400 or so total. there are many threads in here about amps and speakers, but mostly for the 4th gen camaros. crutchfield.com has TONS of articles and wiring info/diagrams/advice, and you can basicly build your system with their "outfit my car" feature, step by step. ive purchased all my gear from them, their customer service is unmatched. i can give you further advice but check out that site, and pm me if you have more questios, or want more reccomendations. hope this helps.

Good advice from JDEP. I'm not familiar with the setup in a 2nd gen. Tell us what size the OEM speakers are, and where they are positioned?

Decide what features you want in your head unit (HU). Ipod control, HD radio, bluetooth, DVD, Navigation, Android control, USB, etc.

Decide if you will be happy with the power from the HU internal amps, as JDEP mentioned.

Decide if you want a subwoofer to bring up the lower frequencies that standard 6.5" speakers will never be able to deliver.

$500 will get you a nice HU ($200), and install kit, and two pairs of nice 2-way speakers, maybe with a little left over. If you want a sub and an external amp, plan on extending your budget a bit.

Going in my 2nd gen is an ld school fosgate 360.6 6 channel amp 2 Focal 6x9's polk 6.5's and a Digital Designs 6" sub ported (sounds weak but ive seen one of these his 130db on a termlab. should sound good and be simple. not sure if you can put 6" in the doors.. mine are going in the center console right under the dash.

if i were you with a 5-600 budget id get

PX5.580 - Soundstream 580W Picasso Series 5-Channel Amplifier - $170 new

CDE-121 - Alpine In-Dash CD/MP3/WMA/AAC Receiver with iPod Cable and Front Aux Port - $110

SPS-619 - Alpine 6" x 9" Type-S 3-Way Coaxial Speakers - $85

SPS-600 - Alpine Type-S 6.5" 2-Way Car Speakers fits in 6.5"/6.75" Openings - $60

REX10D4 - RE Audio 10" 250 Watt Dual 4 Ohm REX Series Subwoofer - $80

and an amp wiring kit and speaker wire of your choice... that puts the total to $505 before wiring and shipping and you can get a 4 gauge amp kit good RCA's and speaker wire and be under $600... PM me and ill send you links to everything i just listed...

That looks like a pretty respectable value set-up, Ty, for the money. Where do you put the 10"?

RE audio subs sound great in small sealed boxes and are very efficient. a .5-.75 cube sealed box in the trunk would be perfect and would add great sounding low notes to even out the sound levels.

Thanks guys I talked to some one at crutchfield and they got me a set up that I fell I will really like! Their customer support is amazing to say the least. I cant run any size sub really I have no place to put it. I have my gas tank in the trunk =/

Thanks again guys you were a huge help.

glad i could help. they have always been great ay CF, and if you buy anything from them, you get lifetime tech support, you can call at 3am and they will troubleshoot your problems while you are working on it, unbeatable in my opinion. if you decide later you do want a small sub for some low end, i do know 2nd gen camaros have the rear deck, if your willing to cut an 8 or 10 inch hole and mount your sub there, they use yhe trunk for the box and sound good. good luck.