$500 budget system...

[gforce811]

I was wondering if someone could build me a system for a $500 budget. I'm kind of new to the car audio scene, but I'm looking for a high quality system because I really appreciate a good sound.

This needs to include:
-cd head unit, with iPod capability if possible (not a radio one, a direct link to the unit)
-2 front speakers
-2 back speakers
-a sub
-sub enclosure (maybe plans to build one)
-amp(s)

Basically just the best sound for $500 or under.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it.

[vinnym86]

Originally Posted by gforce811

I was wondering if someone could build me a system for a $500 budget. I'm kind of new to the car audio scene, but I'm looking for a high quality system because I really appreciate a good sound.

This needs to include:
-cd head unit, with iPod capability if possible (not a radio one, a direct link to the unit)
-2 front speakers
-2 back speakers
-a sub
-sub enclosure (maybe plans to build one)
-amp(s)

Basically just the best sound for $500 or under.

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it.

i could give u suggestions, but you're better off doing research and finding shit on ur own, man.first off, for $500, lemme just say ur gonna get what u pay for. Go with cheap components in the front, cheap coax's in the back, go with Phoenix Gold. get a cheap 10" sub from eBay, and probably a Profile amp, they're cheap. READ THE FORUM'S IMPORTANT Threads!! they got waht u need to get started. they're the first ones, u shoulda read em b4 posting this

[gforce811]

i read them, but i'm looking for recommendations because i don't know how a lot of those brands and what components stack up well when looking at price/performance ratios...

I'm also wondering what components I should look at to weigh more on the budget (e.g. should i spend more on speakers, or get a high quality amp instead to use with lower quality speakers).

[dantheman8328]

ok you have a couple choices here...
1. you can go with a halfway decent system with some cheap subs and 1 amp for the sub, and just get some decent components upfront but no amp to power the 4 speakers...but maybe plans to add a 4channel amp?

2. you can get pretty good component speakers upfront and cheap coaxias in the rear(the front ones are much more important for sound quality) and get a 4 channel amp to power this...and then just not get a sub for now. and if you can, wait a couple months and get a decent sub and amp when you have the money or whatever, but for about another 300 for the sub/amp and the previous setup you could have a pretty good sounding system

3. you could just slowly build your system up and search for good deals as they come along and maybe extend your budget a little to get a better system.

and for your sub, it would be much much cheaper to build one, and its not hard, just do a search on google for it
and with the headunit, some say they are ipod ready, or just get one with a set up inputs


but it all really depends if you plan on slowly upgrading your system or just spend the 500 and live with what you have
if you dont upgrade your system just get a cheap 4channel amp with like 50wrmsx4 along with some decent speakers

[pimprolla112]

First off your going to want high quality speakers, you can get a new set of b-stock comps off of ebay for about 65-100. B-stock just means that theres a cosmetic imperfection. Speakers will sound just fine with a decent amp, profile 4-channel would be perfect. That would end up being between 150-200. As for the hu anything with aux in would work you can get an rca-1/8" headphone jack adapter for a few bucks used it on a laptop for a while worked pretty nice. I usually recomend panasonic or alpine only because i have never had a problem with either brand and you can get a lot of features for a good price. You might need a bit more to get everything for the sub and other amp maybe 700 all together about 100-150 for a good 10 or 12 inch and 75-100 for the amp. Since your after good quality then a 12" with about 200-300 rms in a ported box would be your best bet.

[gforce811]

Thanks a lot for the tips. I'll look into it.

I guess something I forgot to mention is that I will be able to upgrade and add on, but for right now $500 would be about all i'd have for a base system to start off.

[vinnym86]

Originally Posted by gforce811

Thanks a lot for the tips. I'll look into it.

I guess something I forgot to mention is that I will be able to upgrade and add on, but for right now $500 would be about all i'd have for a base system to start off.

i just finished getting all my stuff, and tipped the iceburg at $700, if you wanna see what i got: https://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=483222