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View Full Version : Upgrading my car Audio (long read)


Valley olds
01-19-2009, 11:20 PM
Hey everyone. As you all know it is income time! Well, what I was thinking is to upgrade my car Audio. Get a new stereo and front speakers.
This is the stereo I liked.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDAHD59/JVC-Arsenal-KD-AHD59.html?showAll=N&tp=5684

Is it worth it or are there other players that are better or as good at an equal or lower price? Something that I really do want in a stereo is for it to play USB's.

Okay, also I am thinking of moving the rest of my delta's system into the ho. Right now, on the delta, Ive got a 150RMS @2ohm amp from memphis with a pair of memphis 2 way 6x9's, and a Lanzar 2 channel electronic crossover.

What I'm debating to is what size matching Memphis front speakers should I get. Ive read on this forum that it is worth it to upgrade to bigger speakers. but how hard is it to do this upgrade? Also, this is a noob question, but how do you take the speaker wire from the door into the car? Is anyone else running a dual amp set up? If so, did you face any issues?

Finally will the stock Alternato be able to handle all this? (268 RMS punch and 150 RMS memphis)

itsbmw
01-20-2009, 06:06 AM
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chevymuscle218
01-20-2009, 09:37 AM
check these out.... http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewcat.php?category_id=11&items_per_page=50&f_131=423 they all have usb and there is a Jensen on there with built in HD radio and a USB port for 99.99. If your not worried about the HD radio there is plenty other options.

Valley olds
01-20-2009, 07:16 PM
itsbmw:Bigger speakers would be better, I think you need a bracket or something(dont quote me on this). Dual amp setup should be fine, and yes the stock alt can handle that. Wiring will be a pain but you have to run it through that rubber boot thing..

If all you need is a bracket, it sounds easy enough, as for the rubber boot thing, maybe I could do it with a hanger wire or something.

chevymuscle218 check these out.... http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewcat.php?category_id=11&items_per_page=50&f_131 =423 they all have usb and there is a Jensen on there with built in HD radio and a USB port for 99.99. If your not worried about the HD radio there is plenty other options.

There are some pretty nice stereos there. I saw a JVC stereo, which down here, I was quoted for at 185 at 160 on this website.

cherrington17
01-20-2009, 07:19 PM
Finally will the stock Alternato be able to handle all this? (268 RMS punch and 150 RMS memphis)

you might notice your headlights dimming when your stereo is turned up.

i suggest upgrading that soon after the system. to be on the safe side.

itsbmw
01-20-2009, 09:42 PM
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Valley olds
02-01-2009, 06:21 PM
Another question here. Are the antenna adapters for all aleros the same as well? Do aleros even need antenna adapters?

cherrington17
02-01-2009, 07:18 PM
antenna adapter for aftermarket radios?

yes. thats as per company (car company) all gm need the adapter.

Valley olds
02-01-2009, 09:24 PM
cherrington17:antenna adapter for aftermarket radios?

yes. thats as per company (car company) all gm need the adapter.

All right. Thanks for the quick response. I was hoping to get the response tonight cus Im getting the stereo tomorrow, and I dont see aleromod until pretty late. I am thinking of getting the installation kit for a 99 Alero (no chimes)

Cliff8928
02-01-2009, 09:29 PM
you can't use a '99-'00 harness. It's a physically different plug.

Valley olds
02-01-2009, 11:47 PM
Cliff8928: you can't use a '99-'00 harness. It's a physically different plug.


Doh! Which is the harness I should use then if I want to go the cheap, no chime, path?

Cliff8928
02-02-2009, 01:24 AM
If i remember right, 2000+ Saturn L-Series is one that works.

itsbmw
02-02-2009, 01:49 PM
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Valley olds
02-02-2009, 06:04 PM
Cliff8928 If i remember right, 2000+ Saturn L-Series is one that work

Nice! I would have never guessed that. Thanks

itsbmw:That's the one I used
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...12&refid=store

only problem. Do not use the switched power on the harness run your own, tap into a fuse or a cigarette lighter.. my friend did it by using an in line fuse to the ignition cylinder, fuse would be my choice

EDIT: you will lose RAP and your chimes, but I don't care about either.

Very helpful info. Thanks. I will post up how the install goes.

itsbmw
02-02-2009, 07:40 PM
Nice! I would have never guessed that. Thanks



Very helpful info. Thanks. I will post up how the install goes.

No problem. Just PM me if you have any questions ;)

and the reason you don't use the red wire on that harness is because you will get no power from it. It is a dead wire basically ;)

Valley olds
02-08-2009, 11:02 PM
Another newb question. Would these adapters work on my alero? It says its for malibus and grand ams (which are N bodies like Aleros). I dont know if the Alero door panel would fit over the adapter though.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4x6-to-6-5-6-Speaker-Adapter-97-05-Malibu-Grand-Am_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q 7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a 1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem3 60130062243QQitemZ360130062243QQptZCarQ5fSpeakers

Cliff8928
02-09-2009, 12:05 AM
Physically attach, yes. But you have to watch to make sure the speakers don't hit the door panel.

Valley olds
02-09-2009, 05:56 PM
Cliff8928: Physically attach, yes. But you have to watch to make sure the speakers don't hit the door panel.

I havent really seen under the panel, but I doubt such a thick adapter would allow proper reinstallation of the panel. For now, I think Ill just get the 4x6's on Friday, Stereo should be here next week. Pics coming soon.

Misuseofyou
02-09-2009, 07:29 PM
I havent really seen under the panel, but I doubt such a thick adapter would allow proper reinstallation of the panel. For now, I think Ill just get the 4x6's on Friday, Stereo should be here next week. Pics coming soon.

IMO can the 4x6's. Here's 5 1/4" components in my doors, ghetto style. I carved the doors so the speakers would fit, then screwed them into an MDF ring mounted inside the door panel.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3955/img0087vq8.th.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0087vq8.jpg)

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/4192/img0088mg9.th.jpg (http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0088mg9.jpg)

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/8683/img0090ej2.th.jpg (http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0090ej2.jpg)