Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
Ok, try not to laugh, but I don't want to spend a pile of money on a stereo system for the 98 'bird.
The plan is to add the MP3 jack to the stock CD power head (not Monsoon), that is pretty common and well documented on the web. Also replace the four speakers with something that is better, and can take 35-60 watts RMS. Include a low power 4 channel amp pushing about 40-60 watts rms with speaker inputs to support the OE power head and drive the new speakers. .
I know this will never win any awards, but the goal is to keep the stock power head, and stock looks, but improve the sound quality and volume a a little and do it for about $200. If the stock system was just a tad louder, I probably wouldn't do anything. I really dislike the look of new stereo's in older cars. All the lights and physical layout of controls is nothing like the original. Nothing worse than a Firebird with red dash lights and a yellow, green or blue stereo ph stuck in the dash.
There are a number of 6.5-6.75" speakers available in the $50-$60/pr range, like Kenwood KFC 1662s, Pioneer TS-G1643R, Kicker KS600. For the amp, I'm looking at low budget 4 channel amps like Kenwood KAC-6404, Dual XPA4640, in the $100 range, or even cheaper amps like Hitron HPA800 or even HPA400. ($50-$80) I never heard of Hitron, but they actually get very good reviews for a cheap amp. It works, low distortion, and lasts. These amps are cheap, but they don't do much other than give a 40-50 watt boost per channel. I think the stock CD power head is rated 7 RMS.
I know these are cheap parts, but they are probably as good as or better than the sound quality from the stock ph. Reliability is a primary concern.
Any suggestions for products in the price range of the items I listed that are fairly decent quality and an improvement over stock? What 6.5" 2 or 3 way speakers give the most base for the dollar. The highs do not have to be outstanding, the built in equalizer will be able to compensate.
Plan on using the stock wire harness for the speakers, and placing the amp under the passenger seat because it needs to be as close to the ph as possible seeing as the stock wire harness is being used and the amp will have speaker level inputs.
Is this setup the best I can do for $200 or is there a better way ? Remember, its very important to me to keep the stock radio/cd player to keep the OE look, so no aftermarket power heads, and no sub boxes in the back, and no cutting up door panels or sail panels. Thanks!!!!
The plan is to add the MP3 jack to the stock CD power head (not Monsoon), that is pretty common and well documented on the web. Also replace the four speakers with something that is better, and can take 35-60 watts RMS. Include a low power 4 channel amp pushing about 40-60 watts rms with speaker inputs to support the OE power head and drive the new speakers. .
I know this will never win any awards, but the goal is to keep the stock power head, and stock looks, but improve the sound quality and volume a a little and do it for about $200. If the stock system was just a tad louder, I probably wouldn't do anything. I really dislike the look of new stereo's in older cars. All the lights and physical layout of controls is nothing like the original. Nothing worse than a Firebird with red dash lights and a yellow, green or blue stereo ph stuck in the dash.
There are a number of 6.5-6.75" speakers available in the $50-$60/pr range, like Kenwood KFC 1662s, Pioneer TS-G1643R, Kicker KS600. For the amp, I'm looking at low budget 4 channel amps like Kenwood KAC-6404, Dual XPA4640, in the $100 range, or even cheaper amps like Hitron HPA800 or even HPA400. ($50-$80) I never heard of Hitron, but they actually get very good reviews for a cheap amp. It works, low distortion, and lasts. These amps are cheap, but they don't do much other than give a 40-50 watt boost per channel. I think the stock CD power head is rated 7 RMS.
I know these are cheap parts, but they are probably as good as or better than the sound quality from the stock ph. Reliability is a primary concern.
Any suggestions for products in the price range of the items I listed that are fairly decent quality and an improvement over stock? What 6.5" 2 or 3 way speakers give the most base for the dollar. The highs do not have to be outstanding, the built in equalizer will be able to compensate.
Plan on using the stock wire harness for the speakers, and placing the amp under the passenger seat because it needs to be as close to the ph as possible seeing as the stock wire harness is being used and the amp will have speaker level inputs.
Is this setup the best I can do for $200 or is there a better way ? Remember, its very important to me to keep the stock radio/cd player to keep the OE look, so no aftermarket power heads, and no sub boxes in the back, and no cutting up door panels or sail panels. Thanks!!!!
