Complete Audio re-do suggestions

Complete Audio re-do suggestions

I just bought myself a nice, new, 2004 Corolla Sport (With the sport package, of course )....but I'm finding the sound isn't all that great, so I want to redo it.

My idea is this -> pull out the innards of the upper carrying area (if you don't know what I mean, check here - I'm talking about the top handle there that opens up to an open area about the size of a deck) and place a deck there, keeping the door on and usable, and then keep the stock deck in and powered so it looks stock (and nothing will get stolen from my car)

Other than that, I just want to replace the 6 speakers that are in there and have it sound pretty good. I'm probably going to spend somewhere in the range of 800-1000 (CDN), I don't really want to go over 1000 (869 before taxes). I'm not going to include a sub or a mono amp to power one right now, that might be a project for later.

on to what I need/want

I need a set of 6.5" speakers for the front. I'd really like it if I could get speakers that come with the crossover and seperate tweeter to throw up in the top half of the door (where there are already tweeters there stock); and still have 2 way speakers in the lower portion of the door, but I don't know if that exists or even if it's useful (I'm just noticing right now that there's a real lack of midrange in that car). Otherwise, I just need a set of component 6.5" with some sort of crossover.

I also need a set of 6x9 speakers for the rear. 3 way would be optimal, but with my price range and all, I don't know what I can afford and such.

I need an amp for this all. I was thinking probably 100x4 watts, unless someone can really talk me into anything more.

And, the piece de resistance, I need a deck to power all this stuff. I have a bit of an agenda when it comes to a deck, so bear with me. I'll list the things I need in a deck in order of importance - from most to least.

-QUALITY. I don't want something that's gonna break 6 months, a year, or even 2 years down the road. I want something to last.
-Flat-ish face so that I can close the door I pointed out earlier
-Aux in capability - front or rear it doesn't matter, but rear can look cleaner
-rotary volume control - iunno, I like having something I can spin to control volume.
-CD Text capability
-Not one of those Alpine decks. I have nothing against Alpine as a company, I just think their decks are the ugliest things I've ever seen

I'd really appreciate some help here from someone...anyone...lol
So far from where I've been I have this

these for $300 (I think it was those, they looked the same....and I'm pretty sure he quoted me 300....)
these for $200 (Again, I'm pretty sure those were the ones)
And a Blaupunkt 4x100 or 2x200 watt amp that I can't find on their web site for $160
Which brings me to $660 and needing a deck for about $200 - I haven't found a deck that really stuck out to me like "THATS THE ONE I WANT" sorta thing...
I'm not even sure if I want those speakers, they're just what the guy at the audio shop pulled out when I told him what I wanted. The 6x9s are only 2 way, so I'd like to go up to 3 way, but I'd also like to have all my speakers from the same line if at all possible....just me being picky though.

Please, anybody, everybody, tell me your experiences, what you suggest, don't suggest, anything.

I'm new with this car audio thing...I just know what kind of sound I like, and what I want my car to sound like. I'd like to not do any cutting (outside of that bracket thing on the door panels that I read about)....so stock sizes would be great...

Thanks for anything and everything.

What the hell are you talking about when you say alpine suck and there decks looks ugly? :roll:
I admit I too thought the alpine decks was ugly until I saw the one with the blue light. I cant stand the green. I got over with the looks of the alpine because the sound quality is amazing and so was the deck itself.

Look into Eclipse Deck. They can be pricy but worth every penny. I suggest you buy it at a retail store so you can get the one year theift warrenty since you are worried about the deck being stolen.
Pioneer, Kenwood, and Pansonic are really good too. I wouldnt get any other decks besides them. Thats just me though.

For the front speakers check out CDT CL at www.thezeb.com for $150(US) if they have them in stock. I heard really great reviews on them and many audio fanatic claim that it is the best budget comps. speakers you can get.
Other speakers that I heard and I like
Alpine type R(guess you wont like it)
Focal Access
JL XR CSi
Infinity Kappa
Diamond Audio M3(I have it love it)

For the rear 6x9 Ill go with pioneer or infinity. 2 way should be fine for the 6x9 but if you really want 3way go ahead.

As far as the amp, good luck finding a good 4 channel amp that will give you 100wRMS to each channel and not break the piggy bank. If you are not worried about fading the speakers to front and back my suggestion is to get a 2 channel amp and put 2 speakers into one channel. Much cheaper than the 4 channel amp. Look for an amp that will give you about 200wRMS(or more) x 2 @ 2ohm. Look for the JBL P180.2 at www.sounddomain.com they have it for about $130shipped(US).
If you want a budget amp look for Lanzar Optic and US Accustic amps. I think they make the best budget amp. Dont get them ebay amps that is 1000wRMS for $100. Stay away from Legacy, Pyle, and ANYTHING SONY!

If you don't want to buy online, I would suggest buying Infinity speakers at Futureshop. If you're patient, wait until they have one of their "buy one get get the second set for half price" deals.

As for decks, they're all pretty ugly these days. I'd suggest Nakamichi, but that would pretty much blow your budget on its own. Why not go with Alpine. Their quality isn't what it was 10-15 years ago, but they're still pretty good.

Nakamichi makes car audio?
Shit, a Nak home tape deck will break the bank, much less a full car CD deck...

And I never said Alpine sucks, just that I think their tape decks are ugly. I love their speakers (you're now the second person to recommend their Type R speakers) and all their other products that I've used; I just think their decks (because they're all the damn same with a different colour) are hella ugly.

And I didn't even know there was such a thing as a one year theft warranty at retail stores (I've only talked to 1 salesperson about all this stuff - not a FS or Best Buy guy - and he didn't mention it; though I didn't ask) no decks, but that's pretty awesome.

I don't expect to get a 'real' 100x4 watt RMS amp; because I know how these things are sold and I know that I probably won't even use 100x4 watts. I mean, the only reason I back off now in my stock system is because I don't want to blow my speakers (I think the stock has maybe 50w total) - but I'll be happy if I can get a sustained 50x4 watts. I just overestimated my needs to compensate for the way these guys are advertised...

I just want a whole hell of a lot of reccomendations of things I'll be able to afford and that other people have found to sound good. There are a lot of things that no matter how much you listen in the store you won't know about until after the money is out of your pocket - things ilke durability and manufacturing flaws and such...

But thanks for everything so far, keep it coming

The one year theif warrenty is only offered by Eclipse deck and it needs to be installed by an autherized dealer. Eclipse deck are really nice but like I said they are pretty pricy but worth every damm penny. The only major chain retail store that I know carry Eclipse are Good Guys. I dont know if they have it in cananda.

Best Buy is not the best place to shop for car audio stuff. Since you are in a budget I suggest you buy online. If you like the stuff from best buy, test it out than go online to buy it. You will save yourself a lot of money that way.
Here are some good trusted sites for shopping for car audio

www.sounddomain.com
www.thezeb.com
http://www.etronics.com/

The Naks are really good too but they cost even more.

Oh trust me, it would take a lot of convincing or a really good sale to get me to buy this shit from Best Buy or Future Shop. They are, however, the most accessible and largest (in terms of showroom size with as much on display and usable) place that deal car audio near here.

My plan actually was to find what I like in store, see if I can find a better price online, and do it that way. But, first I have to get a few suggestions and see what I can find

[edit] Also, what kidn of suggestions can you give me as far as wiring goes? I've never done this sorta thing before, but I want it to look professional and stock. Any tips you can offer would be most appreciated