Which Stereo Brand?

[TheEdgeofSanity]

for christmas, I am looking to replace the head unit and speakers in my 2000 malibu... the oem cd player is shot and I've heard more lively speakers in an elevator.

Lets just say I want something that sounds good but won't break the bank. I am looking for a head unit that has a USB port to hook up my iPod (or future iPhone), plays CD's, and optionally supports HD radio or pandora through an iphone. I've been on crutchfield and I am familiar with Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, ans Sony, yet I don't know which is better than the other.

As for speakers - where do I start? I only have two door speakers and two rear deck speakers to work with and I want to maximize the range of sound. Compared to my old alero's stock 6 speaker system, this car fails at getting any high pitches or base.

Any pointers or insider information is greatly appreciated!

[TheEdgeofSanity]

looking at this head unit... thoughts?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130X3500UI/Pioneer-DEH-X3500UI.html?tp=5684

[billytheman1188]

I have a pioneer flip up and i've had it for about 4 years now with no issues. Their a solid brand. Go for it.

[JLw7123]

Alpine all the way I have a 7 inch double din it has been in three different cars my 2 alero's and now my Subaru. It has everything I need including navigation

[RalphP]

One thing to keep in mind - almost any of the brands listed, above the cheapest line, will be good. None are bad.

THAT said - if you're using Crutchfield to help pick, I'd buy from Crutchfield. They have the advantage that they actually DO try these combos they say work.

For the front speakers, I'd opt for components and move the tweeters/midrange up to the A pillars - or at least, to the top of the door panel. But that's just me, 56 years old with tinnitus and a volume control that tends to stay at "11" :D

For the rear, it's really "At what point does my money spent equal how good I want it to sound?" You can go for some really good sound level pressure or sound quality. You can even go for both. But the more of either, the more expensive. Plus, do you have a fold-down rear seat? DO you fold down the rear seat? Do you put stuff into the trunk and fill it up? Or is it just a big empty hole behind the rear seat?

It's really a shame that the two best resources for stuff like this, Malibuclub.CA and UnitedMalibus.COM both folded in the last 18 months. MalibuClub had some nice speaker installs. Le sigh.

RwP

[TheEdgeofSanity]

ok, bought my headunit -

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+-+50W+x+4+MOSFET+Apple%AE+iPod%AE-Ready+In-Dash+CD+Deck/4039973.p?id=1218450209448&skuId=4039973&cmp=RMX&ky=2gpRFobmGfNgXFeICUBTMbKud1QKrPF7D&IcsCsid=2-39-2763-25-5-371678-293602-25-2763-613-25-2763-6771-0-1

now, for speakers. the technician at Best Buy was trying to sell me on Polk 4x6 speakers in the front and alpine 6x9's in the rear... thoughts?

[sleepyalero]

i plan on doing infinity in mine some day. the front speakers in mine are still stock. and the rear is kenwoods... they were dirt cheap at the time so i got em. but now i want infinity, my moms car has full infinity speaker system and it just sounds fantastic. and has awesome bass for just speakers. makes the rearview mirror shake and feels like you have a small set of (real subs) in the car it beats so nice.

[S8track16]

I would recommend the Infinity Reference series. I purchased 4x6 door speakers and 6x9 3-way speakers from Amazon.com for under $140. They will sound great only with the pioneer built in amp but if you add an aftermarket amp, they will sound ridiculous.

[zzyzzx]

Brand really doesn't matter any more. They are all made in China.

[Nas Escobar]

As far as speakers go, I would look for nice components online and a pair of door sails at the junkyard that had the tweeters so you can run a wire up the door to a tweeter. It will be exactly the same as the 6 speaker system in the Alero.

I would also recommend if you can to upgrade those old 4x6 to 6 1/2s on the door. I did it with mine. This is only if you can come up with a way to mount them. I bought an adapter online, but then again, not sure if the Malibu had the speakers mounted the same way the Alero/Grand Am did.

As far as the rear deck, a pair of Sony 3 way speakers will suffice. I have a set in my car. 60 watts RMS, peak is 300. While the radio will never match it (remember radios usually supply 20 watts RMS on average), it still sounds pretty clear and can play bass lines really good.

Here are the speakers I bought. Well worth the money.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+6%22+x+9%22+3-Way+Speaker+with+HOP/Aramid+Fiber+Cones+%28Pair%29/1982098.p?id=1218304514978&skuId=1982098