9 speaker audio upgrade pricing

[Stefan1235]

The shop that installed my window tint is fixing a couple of small issues on Monday, and while my car is at their shop I got a quote on some audio upgrades since they are primarily an audio shop.

They pushed me towards the Memphis mclass, said that they can install a 6.5" mclass in each door, a 3.5" mclass in each door, and two 6.5" mclass' in the rear. They said they'd leave the A pillar tweeters and the center console 3.5" speaker alone. No amp upgrades, no sub, nothing but these new speakers.

They're asking $535 for everything including installation. I have absolutely no idea if this is a fair price, or a decent upgrade, or decent system. I've tried to do research and just end up confusing myself even further.

I'm not an audiophile, but my last car was an Audi with the B&O sound system and it was incredible. The mustang really is lacking in this department and I'd like to improve it, but I don't blast my music or anything.

Any thoughts? Suggestions? I'd really appreciate it. I'd hate to spend $535 only to find out later that I was ripped off.

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[Grim_Reaper]

I don't see too many reviews and nothing from the major companies like crutchfield or anything... Anything is better than stock, but I would go with other peoples recommendations/builds on here. Check out the sticky thread on here.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

sounds kinda eh. The JBL GTO speakers that are drop in are about $60 a pair that would replace the 6.5 in the doors and rears is easily doable yourself and has a big improvement already. Not sure how they are changing the mid out when its wired in parallel with the tweeters

 

[JayTea]

you can get a set of 3 way components and 6.5inch for the rears at a cheaper price and install it yourself.

I'm doing my audio upgrade in stages and am currently running ppi 3 way components up front without an amp right now and the sound is not all that great with the factory amp. You'll want to run an amp to power those new speakers.

 

[Arsenalslr95]

Way too much money for that. As suggested JBL GTO speakers make AMAZING difference in sound when replacing factory speakers with them in any car I have ever had over the last 10- 12 years

 

[Evolvd]

In car audio, you get what you pay for. MA doesn't make awesome products but as said, they would be better than stock. If you want your music to sound as it was intended to be heard you'll need to open your wallet a little more. Many of the old names in car audio have gone to China for production and their quality has suffered greatly. There are so many newer companies out creating awesome products that you've probably never heard of. Don't be afraid to look at some brands that you may not know about.

 

[Roidrage]

Which model # of the KBl GTO's do you guys suggest?

 

[Stefan1235]

I appreciate the responses. What about this setup:

Replace the 6.5 and 3.5 in the doors, replace the tweeters in the A pillars:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_76162_Precision-Power-PPI-P65c3.html

Replace the 6.5s in the rear:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_12266_JBL-P662.html

Would I need to worry about the 3.5 in the center? Would I need an amp or something with that setup?

 

[JayTea]

I appreciate the responses. What about this setup:

Replace the 6.5 and 3.5 in the doors, replace the tweeters in the A pillars:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_76162_Precision-Power-PPI-P65c3.html

Replace the 6.5s in the rear:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_12266_JBL-P662.html

Would I need to worry about the 3.5 in the center? Would I need an amp or something with that setup?

I actually have those components installed right now without an amp. To me the center channel is too loud and takes away from the overall system. You might like it if you install those speakers and get rid of the center channel.

I'm going to install an amp this weekend and get rid of the center channel, which should get it to where I like it.

 

[Evolvd]

The problem with just upgrading the speakers is the factory radio does not put out enough power to drive anything other than crappy paper-cone speakers. If you want a better than average sounding stereo you should run all speakers from an external amp. You don't need the center channel or the 3.5" door speakers for a good front stage. That will save you some money in speakers and a smaller amp as you'd only be driving 4 channels instead of 7. But to run an amp you're also going to need a line converter as there are no RCA plugs on the back of the factory radio.

If you want more in depth detail check around with local audio shops and ask their opinions. As far as speakers, JBL, Rockford, Kicker and many others are not the same quality speaker they were twenty years ago. Most of them are stamped in China. But then again, if you aren't looking for excellent sound presence and quality, you would be fine with any of those brands.

 

[Butter77]

I actually have those components installed right now without an amp. To me the center channel is too loud and takes away from the overall system. You might like it if you install those speakers and get rid of the center channel.

I'm going to install an amp this weekend and get rid of the center channel, which should get it to where I like it.

Highly interested in how this all turned out. I'm about to pull the trigger on the PPI setup and was wondering what amp folks were going to use with them. Also, how do the highs sound using the AMT? Any advice for installation?

 

[JayTea]

Installed it this weekend. Had a few issues that I'm slowly fixing. Just have some engine noise now. Hoping a ground loop isolator will fix that issue.

I got the rocksford fosgate p600x4.

 

[grumblin]

Installed it this weekend. Had a few issues that I'm slowly fixing. Just have some engine noise now. Hoping a ground loop isolator will fix that issue.

I got the rocksford fosgate p600x4.

Engine noise points to ground loop (as you know). Best fix is to move your ground to a proper point, preferably right to the frame. Make sure you sand/scrape/grind paint from the ground location.

just for grins: Tracking down noise

 

[JayTea]

Engine noise points to ground loop (as you know). Best fix is to move your ground to a proper point, preferably right to the frame. Make sure you sand/scrape/grind paint from the ground location.

just for grins: Tracking down noise

I did move the ground location which improved the noise substantially but am still getting a faint whine... hopefully the ground loop isolator will work

 

[JayTea]

Highly interested in how this all turned out. I'm about to pull the trigger on the PPI setup and was wondering what amp folks were going to use with them. Also, how do the highs sound using the AMT? Any advice for installation?

Got all the bugs worked out. They were all due to me being new to car audio but it sounds great! Car is as loud at 1/4 of the volume with the new amp when it was at 3/4 volume with the stock amp.

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