Speaker Upgrade Thoughts

[SNV]

I have a non BA system in my car. I'm wanting to upgrade the sound. Right now I am not worried about having a sub. I don't really have a large budget at this time. I'm thinking about going with Apline. here are the parts I was looking at.
Amp
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/mrp-f300/
Component Speakers
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/sps-600c/
6X9's
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/sps-609/
I was giving a price of around $500 for them parts. Total with install (amp install kit, spacers for doors, and whatever else) of around $900. I feel the price of the install is kinda high. I would do the install myself but my back prevents me from doing it. I'm going in for back surgery on the 27th. Any thoughts of this system or ideas to keep my around the same range? I want to stay under $600 for parts right now. I might think about adding a sub down the road. I'm not really worried about heavy bass. I just want a better and cleaner sound then I have now. T.I.A.

[Droid6]

Unless you plan on upgrading the head-unit I would hold off for another week or so until I get my o-scope, a forum member has noted some bass attenuation from the stock deck at higher volumes. I'm going to test the output and see if I can see what's happening and see if there's any low voltage output on the non-ba head-unit.

PS Unless they are custom making the spacers for your speakers (even if they are) that price for install is really high.

[SNV]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah I can hold off. I was thinking the install price was high. I'll try to hold off and get some other prices.

[Racer-X]

$400 for install with custom built spacers is actually a pretty good price. we charge 200 for the spacers we fab up (this includes resin coating them to prevent water damage ect.) then you have a 4ch amp for us that is $90.00 Component install min for us is $120. rear speaker in the camaro we charge $75.00 due to the amount of parts you have to remove to install them plus they will also need a custom built plate to be proerly mounted. that's another $50.00 plus an amp kit... probably 8 ga. so you are looking between 50 and 75 not including the additional pair of RCA's and 4 ch line out converter (abg. 50 to 60 bucks.) best guess with inexpensive amp kits ect. we would be at about 730.00 here. just to give you a reference.

[SNV]

$730 is a lot cheaper then $900 lol. Your a little far for me though hehe.

[Racer-X]

730.00 is labor only not the amp or speakers. you were quoted 900 for gear and everything the way I read that.

[SNV]

So you would charge $730 for an install? If people pay that more power to you haha.

[mrray13]

Install labor typically runs about $65 hr, depending upon where you live. Figure 3 hrs for amp, 2 hrs for components, due to spacers, 2 hrs for rears, due to spacers, and it's easy to see the price for install at $400 or more. Seriously, installing car audio right isn't easy, nor all that cheap!

[The 2010 Sin]

if you do your research on 6x9's you will be surprised to know that they actually dont put out as much midbass as a round speaker, they are inefficient garbage.

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by The 2010 Sin

if you do your research on 6x9's you will be surprised to know that they actually dont put out as much midbass as a round speaker, they are inefficient garbage.

Not always true. This is again what we have been taught in the OLD days. in all actuality if done properly oval speakers are better and more efficent than round speakers. bonus is you are able to more easily direct the wave of the speaker.

But I will still agree that the Cheap oval speakers are still trash.

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by mrray13

Seriously, installing car audio right isn't easy, nor all that cheap!

This statement says it all!!!!

[Racer-X]

Originally Posted by SNV

So you would charge $730 for an install? If people pay that more power to you haha.

Just remember in the service industry, you REALLY do get what you pay for (or if you are cheap about it then NOT)

[Droid6]

Originally Posted by IAS

Just remember in the service industry, you REALLY do get what you pay for (or if you are cheap about it then NOT)

It really pays to be able to do your own install.

I'd like to see some of those custom spacers you build for the Camaro.

[2010SLVRBULIT]

Buy the equipment you want, worry about the install prices later. Installation prices are not cheap unless you go through places like Best Buy, Car Toys, etc in which it may be cheaper provided you buy their stuff.