I'm ready to pull the trigger on upgrading my non-HK stereo and after much NAM research am still confused as to the best low-cost option.

I'm not planning to enter any car stereo competitions and just want a good, clear sounding system with full sound.

My budget is around $1500 and based on other NAM member feedback am considering one of the following options:

1) leave stock speakers and add new head-unit (Nakamichi cd-400 for add'l power and stock look) for more power
- is this enough to really make a difference?

2) leave stock speakers and stock head unit, but add amp and JL Stealthbox subwoofer
- is extra power to stock speakers with added bass going to provide decent clarity of sound?

3) leave stock head unit, add amp and upgrade front speakers
- will improved speakers and added power provide full sound, or do I need to add a subwoofer

Thanks in advance for your valuable comments and feedback!

Miles

 

It was a hard decision that took me a year to make, but I finally replaced my oem, non-HK head unit with an Alpine 9857. Looks aside, I am very pleased with how it has improved the sound of the stock speakers

It plays mp3s and the price ($349 at Crutch) includes the 422i iPod cable which fits into the iPods docking input, not the earphone, producing a strong, clear sound. The am and fm reception is weaker than the Mini's. Even the stronger stations don't come in as well.

The 9857 also supports the PAC-ALP mfsw interface, which is hard wired, not ir.

In researching the Nak cd400, I discovered that although it is hands-down the closest Mini stock look alike, it is not widely available like Alpines, Pioneers, and the other popular brands. Warranty service, if necessary, could be more difficult to obtain. Most importantly, as nearly as I can tell (someone please correct me if I'm mistaken) it does not play mp3s. I don't know how easily it supports iPod.

I'm not sure if I'll replace my stock speakers, but if I do, I'll have to decide if I want less expensive, high efficent aftmkt speakers, or more expensive ones that may require an amplifier to do them justice. The Alpine spx 177r 6.5 inch components are on my short list. So are Infinities.

Bottom line is, after experiencing a bit of buyer's remorse due to separation anxiety from the absence of the radio's orange display, I am very satisfied.

Hope this helps you decide.

 

The best really low-cost upgrade is probably some sound/vibration deadening material inside the doors.

 

I own a car audio store in Louisiana. I'll give you my prices just so you have an Idea of what you could get for around 1,500 you maybe surprised.

Pioneer cd player with graphics (much better sound than the factory)-309.00

Pioneer 6X9 5 way (sound good) 130.00

mid level 6.5 for front doors - 60.00

10in woofer (you can get a good one for around this price a few to cloose from) 99.00

pre made 10in box 30.00

amp kit 8ga (good for small amps) 28.00

4ch amp 2OHM stable front and rear speaker on front 2 ch and sub can be on one of the rear or bridged across both(decent one around this price )-199.00

amp kit install (labor) 60.00
head unit install (labor) 40.00
wireharness and face kit intenna adapter(needed to install radio)
harness-10.00
facekit-10.00
intenna adapter-12.00
_-------------------------------------------

thats a whole new system
new front and rear speakers on a amp, rear 10in sub, new head unit , and the labor to install all of it come out to be 987 before taxes.

Also I priced some of the more expensive models such as the cd player and rear speakers, you could eaisly get less flashy models that work just as well for less. That still leaves probally 200.00 to buy dyno matt and install. Plus if you installed it your self you'd save even more.

hope this helps or at least gives you an Idea of what to expect. if you have any question about any think audio/ video related feel free to PM me.

 

For $1500 you could get an Alpine head unit with more power that would make the stock speakers sound much better, a sub amp and sub (I'd go JL Audio 10"), all installed. That is what I had in my first MINI, sounded great and was way less than $1500.

 

Thanks for the helpful feedback. Based on previous threads and the power of internet research I think I'm going to start with the following:

phase 1:
- leave stock headunit
- leave stock speakers
- add Zapco DC360.4 amp (use eq tuning to maximize settings for current speaker setup)

This should add plenty of clean power and using the eq tuning controls should get the most out of the speakers

phase 2 (assuming phase 1 falls short):
- leave stock headunit
- either upgrade speakers to Focal, Diamond, something similar...or add subwoofer.
- leave Zapco amp


Any potential pitfalls or other suggestions?

Thanks,
Miles

 

I'm interested to find out how it turns out. Keeping the stock head unit and stock speakers I cant imagine that it will sound that much better or different. I would add a sub at least, but could be wrong and am curious of the outcome.

 

You guys spend way too much money on radios.

Live performances are ALWAYS best. I just tell my wife to roll up the windows and sing

 

Can the stock speakers handle the Zapco's 50 wpc?

 

Not to be the bearer of bad news. My last car came with a pioneer cd/mp3 player from the factory, so my first upgrade as kind of a test of the stock radio was speaker replacement. I bought a set of CDT components they list for around 500.00, and boy did they sound horrible. So I swaped the headunit for a top of the line pioneer and the sound got a lot better but still stunk. So I added a high amp nothing fancy at all and they came to life. The same holds true for the mini I'm sure I only had the factory speakers in the car for a day before I changed out the rear 6X9 for a pair of Infinity Kappa 6X9 3 way and I swaped the deck for the new pioneer 7800 and it sound better than stock but I need an amp to bring the sound out.

In short what I'm saying is that the speakers are great for factory, But if you want a nice clear sound and want to go cheap, get a mid level cd player with more control over the sound than the factory head unit. Then change out the speakers for some basic to mid level speakers and get a small amp like a 600 4 ch (actually a 2 ch will work for the highs) 2 speakers on each channel any way I figure.

basic cd play pioneer 4800- 199.00 or less
basic pioneer 6.5- 60.00 or less
pioneer 6X9 4 way- 99.00 or less
some inexpensive but realiable amp. ex American pro 600- 99.00
amp kit 8ga- 28.00 or less
install parts- face kit, wireharness,intenna adapter -40.00 or less

thats 525.00 or less if you do the work your self.
I guarentee you that this set up will sound better than the Zapco idea.

Don't get me wrong Zapco makes great products but and you thinking, but its not going to work out like you expect. Also, after removing the factory 6X9 and looking at them I seriously don't think they stand a chance on a Zapco amp.

 

Sorry I forgot to give you reasons for what I stated ^^^^

first the factory cd player I'snt that adjustable, like you said you could adjust it on the amp, but the ability to crossover or adjust your sound from the Cd player and the amp is much better.

Also if you go with the Zapco, you will more than likely blow your factory speakers soon. But if your willing to up grade as they go out your on the right track.

 

Urban Assault,

Thanks for the feedback, seems like "sound" advice.

Based on some weekend research which falls in line with your comments, I think I'm going to adjust my plan (and budget) somewhat to do the following:

- lower cost Alpine 4 channel amp (mrv-f345) $275
- david navone hi-lo converter $50
- upgrade speakers to Focal 165 V2 $300
- install $300
---------------------------------------------------
all in total ~ $1k

 

You will be very pleased with your Focals. Here is a speaker building website that stocks raw Focal 4 ohm auto drivers & tweeters. The midbass is from Focal's line circa 1999, while the tweeter is a high end unit found in their current line. Comes with crossover parts that need to be soldered together. Once installed they sound terrific-- had them in Durango. These will only handle about 65 watts a channel... but sweet sounding with a small amp, or driven off the headunit. $139.

www.zalytron.com