How Far Will $500 Get Me On Audio Upgrade

not digging the stock sound system. too quiet. don't care about anything but sound. what's the minimum budget for an upgrade?

 

Depends what you want to upgrade?but I can tell you 500 is not much to work with..but it all depends What your angle is?what kinda sound system you want.

 

Basically nothing. A new headunit or new speakers possibly. Also depends what you have right now.

 

I can show you door speakers and a HU setup that will sound good for $500 that will blow out the stock stereo system. You'll have to do your own labor to save on $$$.

PM me if you want suggestions.

 

I'm interested Aw9d. I just really like the fit and finish of my stock (2013 RC) unit not to mention is is completely simple to operate.

 

yeah what's the 500 dollar set up. by "blow out" the stock stereo, you mean that figuratively right?

 

I think he means "blow it away", as in, sound a heck of a lot better. $500 can get you a good starter system, there's quite a few decks out there that are lower in price, but put out good sound, and speakers are more "your taste", as they all sound a bit different. Most cheaper decks have basic operation, so working it won't confuse the average user at all. I can think of a few from Alpine, that paired with a good component set of your choice, would get you a great start with $500. Pioneer makes some great sounding decks as well, so there are choices out there. Just have to look around.

 

the stock headunit while extremely limited is good... as stated above it really depends on what your looking for...
1. you can get 1 single sub with amp for about $300
2. a single decent set of components for about $150-$200 (only upgrading front if you do this)
3. a set of just 6.5s for the back i would make sure to match wattage and all of the fron components for around $80-$100
4. then if you really want to bring the sound out of your speakers you may want to consider a 4 channel amp for $150-$500
5. headunit while stock radio is good you wont get the sound you really want because of its limitations so you have 2 options
a. single dins are good if you wont get be able to control everything but can look
like a downgrade $100-$200
b. double din you can get for cheap but its not an upgrade to factory so for an
upgrade to the stock radio you will pay $300-$700 or more if you want to go
all out
6. amp wire kits $50-$100 per amp
7. sub box if you build about $50 if prebuilt can run $150-$500
8. headunit harness and new bezel $60

also a good tip if your purchasing through online dealers alot of companys dont allow warranty on online purchases while the site will tell you otherwise it wont be the case it would be offered for instore purchases but not online even if its an authorized online dealer....i know this because of experience

if you want help with any purchasing or good buys let me know ive been dealing with car audio for about 10 years now

 

With only $500 I would focus on a new deck and components. Figure out what features you want in a head unit, set a max price, and stick to it. Plan on spending the bulk of the money on the front speakers. You can find amazing deals online but, like Devan said, you may not get a warranty. I would spend $150 on a deck and $350 on fronts. I wouldnt change the rears at all. Why spend money on your passengers when the stock speakers should be fine until youre ready to install a sub/amp. If you just have to get rears then knock off $100 from the fronts and use that.

 

I don't have rear speakers in the access cab.

what are "components."

what if I wanted to keep stock head unit so my truck doesn't get broken into?

 

Based on this reply, It looks like you will be dropping this off somewhere to have the audio system upgraded, and in that case 500 bucks will get you nowhere. If you are willing to learn, though, I was able to get 4 Polk speakers, an Alpine amp, and all the wiring for just over 200 bucks. Head unit was probably 200 after purchase and brackets. So a 500 dollar stereo is easy, but you don't think you have rear speakers and don't know what a component speaker is, so I doubt this is a job you can do yourself.

 

you still have rear speakers

components are speaker tweeter combos giving the best all around sound

not sure what keeping a stock touch screen vs putting another touchscreen in has to do with someone robbing your truck.

 

where are the rear speakers? not in roof, not in door, and neither myself or car stereo guy could find them.

I'm certainly willing to learn how to install it by educating myself.

it was my (some what venerable) understanding that if your system looks stock (stock head unit) people are less inclined to break in and steal it, as aftermarket systems cost more.

 

Rear access cab speakers are right in the middle the of the rear doors, there is grill over them and you can see the circle cutout through the grill.

 

I'd get a HU, Components for the fronts and ditch the rear speakers all together. You can do that for under $500 all day long. It will sound a lot better than stock. If you have to pay for labor then its going to set you back. But it's a very easy install.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...4.3&ei=XHtZU7jkOM22yASGkoH4BQ&ved=0CHsQpiswAA

and something like this

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R16...45505&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=17264065825&awdv=c

All you need is the adapter to plug the HU into the stock wiring. And some speaker adapter rings for the door speakers.

Well under $500 and will sound so much better than stock.

you could budget in rear speakers as well if you wanted.

 

negative on the 2014 model I have, ghost writer.

 

very interesting. those speaker/tweeters are only a hundy!

if I get this, can I keep the stock head unit? http://jlaudio-mobile.shptron.com/c/mobile-audio_oem-interface_oem-integration?mobile=1 or would I be better off going aftermarket?

 

Check above the headliner in the back, ill bet the door still has the mounts as well...

 

The clean sweep is a good product. However, your HU is a turd and you can only polish a turd so much to make it nice, but deep down it is still a turd.

Really most people won't care about which way you go and if you are not an audiophile and you like the stock look, the JL clean sweep is the way to go.

 

So this is a crappy video I did and it sounds like A$$ on the video but in person it sounds amazing, all in all I have around 800 in this. It includes (2 10s 2 boxs, 1 amp, 1 head unit, 1 wiring kit, 1 install kit) Still have this setup still sounds great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI7Q93hFWkw