Self instalation vs. Shop

[Yellow Eyes]

I've been thinking about this lately. Which, in your opinion, is better to do to install subwoofers. Now I don't mean all fancy shit. I mean, just throw two 12s in your trunk in a box with an amp. Do you think it should be self installed or a shop, such as Best Buy or any other such shop that will do it?

I'm thinking about getting some subs, but I don't want my parents to know, lol, so I thought about this question.

[sr20de4evr]

Self

"professionals" are normally short-cutting douchebags who know nothing about audio, electronics, or how to hook it up properly. You can do a better job yourself pretty easily.

Of course there are exceptions, especially when it comes to custom fiberglass work, etc, but for the most part the installers at best buy, circuit city, etc are worthless to boot.

[vinnym86]

my friend worked as a circuit city audio installer... the idiot probably couldn't tell you the difference between AC and DC.

[PlayStation3]

the hardest part of doing that your self is maybe if you don't feel comfotable (sp) either drilling a hole in your firewall or making it fit in an exsiting one. but if you go to cc or bestbuy then they will usally make it look more clean. where most people will just slap some wire together and make it work and thats about it.

you are doing what i am doing about getting subs with out your parents knowing about it. just get a couple of your freinds to help you and you should be fine.

[sfknls]

Originally Posted by Yellow Eyes

I've been thinking about this lately. Which, in your opinion, is better to do to install subwoofers. Now I don't mean all fancy shit. I mean, just throw two 12s in your trunk in a box with an amp. Do you think it should be self installed or a shop, such as Best Buy or any other such shop that will do it?

I'm thinking about getting some subs, but I don't want my parents to know, lol, so I thought about this question.

Follow directions, read carefully. MAKE SURE ALL POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE POLES MATCH. Shops are full of shit. This chinese dude told me he would install a memory wire in my car for $40. I made a thread and all I had to do was run it into the fuse box. :|

[my99cavy]

Originally Posted by Yellow Eyes

I've been thinking about this lately. Which, in your opinion, is better to do to install subwoofers. Now I don't mean all fancy shit. I mean, just throw two 12s in your trunk in a box with an amp. Do you think it should be self installed or a shop, such as Best Buy or any other such shop that will do it?

I would say do it yourself, the first system I ever had I had installed by a shop but ever since I've been installing all systems myself.

Originally Posted by Yellow Eyes

I'm thinking about getting some subs, but I don't want my parents to know, lol, so I thought about this question.

Now thats funny...you want subs but dont want your parents to know lol Its going to be hard to hide it from them when they hear your trunk rattling and the bass from blocks away. good luck with that one just make sure you turn it down when you get close to home and dont turn it up until you get far enough away.

I didnt tell my parents back when I got my first system (not like they would car anyway) but instead I pulled into the driveway, rolled the windows down and turned it up allllll they way lol lets just say my 2 15's rattled everything inside my house and my mom came running out not knowing what was going on.

[Gohan Ryu]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

if you go to cc or bestbuy then they will usally make it look more clean. where most people will just slap some wire together and make it work and thats about it.

I've seen the exact opposite - the Circuit City installers do a cheap Mickey Mouse job...they don't give a shit how it looks as long as it works. They didn't replace a lot of screws in the dash and the interior molding they removed to run wires. Exposed wires, shitty sheet metal work, lousy mounting job (the speakers were mounted unevenly)...

Remember, the guys at CC and Best Buy aren't stereo/electronic specialists, they're mostly high-school kids trying to earn money to go see movies and shit on the weekends. They've received only a few days of training (if that) and get barely above minimum wage...

Just buy the right parts and use the correct tools; wirestrippers, crimpers, connectors, grommets, zipties - you can do a cleaner job than some Circuit City part-timer.

[PaulD]

the best part about DIY is that if anything goes wrong you know right where to go look if something isn't working right. As for shops, I have had my share of horror stories, there are VERY few people I would let do anything to my car. I compete in competitions and I don't want the stuff looking all crappy. It may take me 2 weeks in the evenings to do what should only take a day or two, but I have learned a LOT by doing it myself. It also helps me answer questions on here, I know what most people have done wrong right away because I have made the same mistake before.

[alphalanos]

Just read as much as you can, DIY is definetly the way to go. I saved tons of money and my setup looks just as good as a shop would do. I made the mistake of letting the local stereo shop install my first system. They charged me over $500.

Oh ,btw. CC or BestBuy are the absolute worst places to get any audio stuff done.

[doberman_52]

instalation is easy, i installed my system in a few hours knoing
nothing, and having to tear out half of my interior to do so, my car sucks, i would say
do it yourself, things nowdays are colorcoded for the most part, its
easy

[vinnym86]

Originally Posted by doberman_52

instalation is easy, i installed my system in a few hours knoing
nothing, and having to tear out half of my interior to do so, my car sucks, i would say
do it yourself, things nowdays are colorcoded for the most part, its
easy

yes, its easy, but wasn't smart at all wiring your car without knowing bull. you'd be surprised how easy faulty wiring can turn your car into a 60 mph fireball.

[doberman_52]

yeah, true about the 60mph fireball, iabout had that with my neon that i fried, for the install i just followed the instructions and did fine, asked for a little bit of help, otherwise it was easy

[BigBL87]

Originally Posted by vinnym86

yes, its easy, but wasn't smart at all wiring your car without knowing bull. you'd be surprised how easy faulty wiring can turn your car into a 60 mph fireball.

A friend of mine just had his explorer catch on fire about a month ago. Luckily, he was outside the dorm and got a fire extinguisher. Turned out his remote wire was run right behind the brake, got pinched and sparked, and bad news from then on. Got it remedied and its worked like a charm since. Scares me cuz the guy who did it was my roommate... who's going to wire mine once I get the stuff...

[sonicvision]

sr20de4evr seems to me SOMEONE fell for a slick salesman and is a little bitter because you just dont know any better.Idiot, every installer isnt as uneducated as the best buy elite. best buy will hire near anybody and for someone to even think of getting something installed there better learn the definition of the word research!come on think a little best buy is a box store not experts in car audio,so before you open your mouth next time at least know what you are talking about, please!

[PaulD]

sonicvision .... perhaps you need to be reminded of the EULA you signed to get on the forum, attack the MESSAGE not the messenger. This will be your only warning, this is your first post and it was nothing but a personal attack. Another post like this will get you banned.