500 dollars + monsoon system = ?
500 dollars + monsoon system = ? i have about 500 dollars for an audio upgrade. ive been reading some threads and i really have no idea what to do. how could i get a nice quality crisp sound with good bass when i want it for 500 or less?
1.) Used/eBay 5 channel amp at around ~$150 - like an Alpine 357 (50x4+150x1). There are also some memphis, JBL, Kicker, and Infinity 5 channel solutions that fit quite well both in budget and power. My Memphis was ~$150 shipped and is 75x4+400x1. This is the starting point of your system, because you NEED it and it will take some time to find the right deal.
2.) Once you have the amp in hand and ready, pick up a modest head unit (~$150), and 4x co-axials of your choice (~$150). Any of the common head unit brands will do, Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, whatever. For speakers Infinity, Apline, JBL, etc. are all good options.
3.) Finally keep shopping for a used stealthbox, and load it with a new 10" sub of your choice. Since you don't NEED the sub, you can take your time on this and be patient. You'll find a used one, maybe even here, and maybe from someone selling off an F-body system. I'd recommend a new sub just because they do wear, but the one that comes with the used box may be just fine. Figure around $150-200 total.
- This puts your initial cash outlay at ~$600 total, but includes a new h/u.
- Now sell all the monsoon stuff here or on ebay (easy to get over $100 for speakers/hu/amp or $150+ if you have a changer as well) and you're back down to $500 outlay or less.
Be patient, start looking for a used amp and stealthbox now. Once you get an amp, go ahead with the speakers and h/u install and work on selling off the monsoon stuff. Then add the stealthbox whenever it pops up.
A little work, but not so bad. This is the best budget plan I would recommend to anyone looking for a well balanced system on the cheap.
2.) Once you have the amp in hand and ready, pick up a modest head unit (~$150), and 4x co-axials of your choice (~$150). Any of the common head unit brands will do, Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, whatever. For speakers Infinity, Apline, JBL, etc. are all good options.
3.) Finally keep shopping for a used stealthbox, and load it with a new 10" sub of your choice. Since you don't NEED the sub, you can take your time on this and be patient. You'll find a used one, maybe even here, and maybe from someone selling off an F-body system. I'd recommend a new sub just because they do wear, but the one that comes with the used box may be just fine. Figure around $150-200 total.
- This puts your initial cash outlay at ~$600 total, but includes a new h/u.
- Now sell all the monsoon stuff here or on ebay (easy to get over $100 for speakers/hu/amp or $150+ if you have a changer as well) and you're back down to $500 outlay or less.
Be patient, start looking for a used amp and stealthbox now. Once you get an amp, go ahead with the speakers and h/u install and work on selling off the monsoon stuff. Then add the stealthbox whenever it pops up.
A little work, but not so bad. This is the best budget plan I would recommend to anyone looking for a well balanced system on the cheap.
Last edited by todddchi; Sep 12, 2006 at 04:12 PM.
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Here are some ideas:
These will do you well: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-374
Stuff the area behind them with dacron (pillow stuffing)
Find an Eclipse amp on Ebay if you want to use a different amp than the stocker. You can use the stock tweeters over if they are not blown (not to say that they aren't worth upgrading, but you're really on the cheap if you're getting amps, especially if you're also adding a sub). You could also get an Eclipse HU and the crossovers and run the speakers directly from that.
Crossovers if necessary are at http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage....ctGroup_ID=193 - I'd use 4kHz +/- .5kHz. You can try and find enclosed crossovers somewhere if you want. Try to avoid anything first order.
You can use those woofers for subs too, they will do a decent job, but adding a 10" in the back will do much better if you want deeper bass.
These will do you well: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-374
Stuff the area behind them with dacron (pillow stuffing)
Find an Eclipse amp on Ebay if you want to use a different amp than the stocker. You can use the stock tweeters over if they are not blown (not to say that they aren't worth upgrading, but you're really on the cheap if you're getting amps, especially if you're also adding a sub). You could also get an Eclipse HU and the crossovers and run the speakers directly from that.
Crossovers if necessary are at http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage....ctGroup_ID=193 - I'd use 4kHz +/- .5kHz. You can try and find enclosed crossovers somewhere if you want. Try to avoid anything first order.
You can use those woofers for subs too, they will do a decent job, but adding a 10" in the back will do much better if you want deeper bass.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by dragonrage
Here are some ideas:
These will do you well: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-374
Stuff the area behind them with dacron (pillow stuffing)
These will do you well: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=295-374
Stuff the area behind them with dacron (pillow stuffing)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
7" speakers can almost always be made to fit where 6.5s were. Those speakers will not fit in an F-body without some modification. Not difficult but still something to keep in mind. And the depth is still a concern.
