This part can be fun or boring depending on your interest. I will demonstrate an example system that builds a decent system. After that I will show you how to make trade offs and leave out parts that may not be as key to you to keep your system within your budget. I am describing a basic system, to go beyond that is past the scope of this book. Also, you do not have to get everything at once. I put my system together over a few years. With a little planning you can upgrade your system in installments and that way its like getting a brand new system every time you change something instead of getting everything at once!
Basic System:
This is my opinion only but I think that a good system should start off with a excellent head unit that either has a CD player and/or is connected to a CD changer. A good system sounds best when playing CDs, tapes just don’t cut it. Next I think component sets are made with fewer compromises than coaxial speakers. I advice getting a good midrange/tweeter set for the front. Head units don’t have enough power so you will need an amp to drive the component set. In the rear where you only need some "fill" for ambiance you can get away with affordable coaxials and set their level lower than the fronts to keep the sound stage in front. A modest (50x4) 4 channel amp is a good choice here for powering the component set up front and the rear speakers. You could use a good 2 channel amp and run the front and back in parallel on the amp but it would harder to adjust the level between them. Midranges sound best when they do not play bass so you will want a 2 way electronic crossover and use the high pass output to drive your 4 channel amp. I did not forget the bass! Most people are happy with a single 10" woofer or a pair of 12"s. Use an appropriate enclosure and a big amp (at least 75x2, preferably even more). Throw in installation and wiring accessories (like fuses and distribution blocks). Here's an approximate price break down of what this costs in my area. Your prices may be significantly different.
Head unit: $350-$550
4 channel amp for highs: $250-$400
2 channel amp for lows: $250-$650
sub(s) (1-10" to 2-12"): $150-$450
enclosure for sub(s): $0 (free air) - $250 (custom)
component set: $200-$500
coaxials for rear fill: $100-$400
crossover/equalizer: $100-$500
wiring and accessories: $50-$250
installation: $0 (do it yourself) - $100 (basic)
This comes out to $1500-$4000! This does seem steep to spend on a car audio but the things listed are necessary to have a top notch system. Try to find bargains and cut on things, for example if bass is not important to you, don’t buy the bass related items.
Please do not email me asking for recommendations about particular brands. I have not used all the equipment that is out there. I can give recommend components I have used, nothing more. When buying equipment try to spend time listening to it before you buy, especially with speakers. Also try to use equipment that is similar to yours when listening in a store. Try not to be be sold by incredible bargains. Typically these deals are too good to be true. Stick with good names with amps.
Finally, if you are on a inflexible budget (aren't we all?) it works better to upgrade in small steps. The most important thing is to have a car audio system that sounds good to you not someone else. Do not let a salesperson talk you into something you do not need! Good luck!
Before buying any component, plan your system very carefully.
