System for $600?

I'm really not that much of an expert in the audio department, so I'd really love input from you guys.

My budget:
Aprox. $600 (I will do the installation with a friend of mine so you don't need to factor that into the pricing)

Alright here's what I have now:
2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE (3.4) All stock audio:
2 Front Speakers (I believe 4x6)
2 Back Speakers (I believe 6x9)

Here's what I'm looking for:
A New Headunit
Speakers
Subs
Amp

The type of music I listen to:
Rock (from oldies to metal) 97%
Rap/Hiphop/Country 3%

So I will need something geared toward the music I listen to. I know it's probably a better idea to hear things in person but if you guys could give me something to go on, that'd be great.

Thanks in advanced for the suggestions and help

itll be close man.. thats a small budget for a whole system..

frist of all scratch off the 6x9s for now.. you dont need rear speakers really since your soundstage should be in front of you.

whats most important to you? more bass now, or better highs and mids right now?

a head unit is a given.. you can get a decent one for liek 150ish? but think abotu what youre buying cause its gonna suck when you have to get rid of this cheap stuff when you want louder and cleaner (which will prolly happen)

so on that note realize that you might be best off focusing on one or two sections for now and then adding as you go.. like concentrate on a nice HU and some really nice front speakers (components preferrably). then you can come back later and amp the components. then you can throw a sub.amo combo in. then replace the 6.x9s

or get some subs (or a sub) for now.. well you might be able to afford DECENT bass and a decent head unit for 600 for now.. but anyways my point is that it might be best to focus on a certain part of your system for now and then add on as you go, rather than buying everything super cheap and having to replace EVERYTHING in the near future ($$$)

itll be close man.. thats a small budget for a whole system..

frist of all scratch off the 6x9s for now.. you dont need rear speakers really since your soundstage should be in front of you.

whats most important to you? more bass now, or better highs and mids right now?

a head unit is a given.. you can get a decent one for liek 150ish? but think abotu what youre buying cause its gonna suck when you have to get rid of this cheap stuff when you want louder and cleaner (which will prolly happen)

so on that note realize that you might be best off focusing on one or two sections for now and then adding as you go.. like concentrate on a nice HU and some really nice front speakers (components preferrably). then you can come back later and amp the components. then you can throw a sub.amo combo in. then replace the 6.x9s

or get some subs (or a sub) for now.. well you might be able to afford DECENT bass and a decent head unit for 600 for now.. but anyways my point is that it might be best to focus on a certain part of your system for now and then add on as you go, rather than buying everything super cheap and having to replace EVERYTHING in the near future ($$$)
Yeah, I see what your saying.

Say I buy a good head unit for what $200 or so? Then I buy the front 4x6's for around $200ish? That would be a good start for me, but how much would the amp cost another $200? then the subs would cost another $300 or so?

I know its really hard to know how much its going to cost without knowing specifics, I'm just really trying to figure out how much money I'm going to want and need to spend in advanced before I start off buying a $400 head unit and not having enough to replace some of the other stuff I want to replace because I get preocupied with other mods.

Since rock is more of the higher and mid section, they are the most important to me.

yeah thats the way id suggest going to it.. HU, speakers, amp, subs/amp, etc

yeah you can def. find a decent head unit for 200 thats a good budget to keep for now..

4x6s in general kinda suck by design. oval shaped speakers are more porne to distorsion, those dont have much cone area for midbass, and there arent many brands making really good 4x6s..

what kind fo car do you have? components would be the best thing most likely depending on what you have.. theyll prolly give you the best chance at good imaging and overall response

this is where its hard to guage spengind money.. a nice set can cost anywhere from 100 to well over 1,000... so the 2-300 range is a good place to start for now..

if youre sticking with 4x6 speakers dont spend over 150ish in my opinion cause if you want much better sound that what that will get ya, youll move on to components anyways.

a front stage amp will be in the 100-250 range most likely

subs.. well that could be endless just liek components.. but 400 shoudl do you pretty solid..

all in all.. you could spend anywhere from liek 700-1200 for an average overall system.. but just keep in mind that anything you skimp on now will cost you more later so go out of your way to make sure you buy something youre proud of the 1st time aroudn so you can make it last

The kind of car is:
2001 Pontiac Grand Am SE (3.4L) (The audio is the exact same as the Grand Am GT from 1999-2004)

I'm pretty sure there have been people who have put larger speakers in the front 2's place (there may even be a kit for it).

For now here's what I'm thinking:
Headunit- $200ish dollars
Front Speakers- ($NO IDEA)
Front Amp- guessing $150ish

So say the Front speakers are a good $200 or so, thats about 550 there, which is fine. Subs and rear speakers can be next month after I get my next 2 paychecks.

Now if you can start reccomending certain brands/models that would be great, thanks for the help you've already given me.

as far as a head unit.. look at pioneer, alpine, eclpise, panasonic, jvc.. def not sony or dual or abahn.. but look through those brands in your price range and find one you like.. look for 3 preouts (higher voltage = good), mp3 playback, adjustable EQ settings, maybe a high pass filter(HPF).. umm whatever else youre interested in.. then show us what you find and ill help you weed through some of em..

i suck at recommending speakers so hopefully somebody will help you out there (make another thread if need be).. i havent heard a whole lot of different comp sets nor have i been shopping hard for them and most 4x6s ive heard suck. i think JL makes a set oyu might wanna check out. but are your speakers in your dash? doors? i wonder if they make a 5 1/4" conversion bracket for 4x6s.. that would be cool if so. if not then would you be willing to do some custom work to put in components? it could prove to be very much worth your time...

amp budget is prolly gonna be good at around 150.

The speakers are in the doors. I just did a little research and you can buy adapter plates for 5 1/4" and 6 1/2" (the 6 1/2" seem to be easier to find so I'll very more likely go with them) and this will only cost me $20 a plate or so. So I'm most definately going to go with the 6 1/2", I've done some additional research and your totally right, the performance on the 4x6 is terrible.

I'll start looking through head unit probably later today.

6 1/2s are the better choice IMO, so good choice.. youll be able to find a lot more comp sets in 6 1/2. plus the extra cone area is nice.. if i was you id prolly styart up another thread abotu components to get some suggestions

yep, oval speakers were a bastardization of compromise made by the CAR companies. Most speaker manufacturers don't make them, and the few that do generally make them cheap. If you can't find adapters, I can't imagine making them would be that hard.