Help me do a budget build

Hello everyone, I am interested in improving my sound system on a budget that will probably max out at 500. I am interested in Polk Audio db6501 component speakers due to their price. I would like to add an amp and sound deadening with the rest of the money. Is this all I need and any recommendations?

 

ttt

 

Step 1 look at the free mods section and do all that interest you
Step 2 buy any items up to your 500 dollar budget
Step 3 unsubscribe from this site forget it ever existed MOST IMPORTANT!
Step 4 enjoy your truck how it stands after steps 1-3

 

ttt

 

you really haven't established anything as far as what you can do yourself. how can anyone help you plan a build if we don't know your skill level?

i can add up parts right up to $500, doesn't mean anything if you will have to pay someone to install it all.

also, try the search function. there are at least 2 large threads about system builds, most of which have part links.

and stop bumping your thread. if you are too lazy to do the research on building your own system what makes you think we want to do it for you?

 

I can figure a lot of things out and if i need someone to install something that'll be separate. Also as with all forums the search function isnt the best. I was just trying to get recommendations from forum members.

 

If your looking for a 5 channel amp, the Rockville 5 channel is a GREAT deal. At $135, it replaced my other expensive amp in the truck that I was selling. Very impressed w the specs for what it is..

 

What are you trying to do? Are you wanting to add a sub woofer or are you only trying upgrade your front stage?

 

Just the sound deadening material, cabling, and misc. parts would likely run you over $200. Getting a good set of replacement speakers (and brackets), amp, LOC, etc. for under $300 would be a stretch IMO.

 

If I can afford to put in a sub Im not against it but to be honest id rather spend less than 500 and with the speakers being the price that they are and then getting an amp just for the front speakers and the sound deadening I think id be awfully close

 

I just wrapped up a build for my '03 that cost me under $600. That included a Kenwood 501BT HU, NVX V-series 5.25 separates, 5x7 Quart coax, RE Rex 8 v2 subwoofer in .7 cube sealed custom enclosure, US Acoustics Lisa (2x50W + 170W), 4 ga power kit, patch cables, misc bits.

You may not wanna go that far, but if it were me, I'd at least want to add a subwoofer to my list. Nobody deserves to miss out on the lower octaves. You can do a 4-channel & bridge 2 channels to a sub without much more expense assuming you can either build an enclosure or find one for a song. And since you're gonna bother wiring an amp anyway...

 

Here is what i am working on for my 1996 4x4. Just things to think about. I am through phase 2.
Truck Stereo Plan:

Phase 1-$452.10
HU- Alpine UTE-52BT--------------------$119.00
Door speakers: Polk Audio db651s ----$70.00
6.5" speaker baffles ----------------------------$7.00
Dynamat, roller, tape------------------------$165.10
RFK4D Dual Amplifier Install Kit --------$91.00
Alpine Amp------------------------------------------FREE
Denatured alcohol-----------------------------$8.00
Install tool kit------------------------------------$16.00
Heat shrink --------------------------------------$5.49


Phase 2-$332.00
Sub: RF P3S-1X12---------------------------$172.00
Amp for sub: -P500X1BD ---------------$221.00
Sound deadening----------------------------$50.00


Phase 3-$455
Kick components Polk Aud DB6501-$113.00
Q-Forms Kick Panel Enclosures-------$199.00
Amp for components Punch P300X2 $143.00
TOTAL----------$1223.10

12 tips for getting the best sound quality in your car:
Http://www.crutchfield.com/S-6tyJkSZxTH0/learn/SQ/12_car_tips.html

Intro to car stereo:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/car_stereo/intro.html?c=3&lcg=3

CD receivers buying guide:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/car_stereo/cd_players.html

Sound deadening install:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/bl...-pre-wiring-quot-for-main-power.aspx?g=181250

Stereo install guide:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/car_stereo/installation_guide.html?g=300

Amp install guide:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/learningcenter/car/amplifier_installation_guide.html?lcg=4

Sub/speaker tuning:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/car/subwoofers/tuning.html?c=3&lcg=1

Stereo tuning guide:
http://www.crutchfield.com/learn/bl...-to-Tune-a-Car-Sound-System-Part-1.aspx?g=300

 

Subd

 

Well if it were me and I was trying to get the most bang for the buck and stay under the $500 here is what I would do.

First completely forget about sound deadening. Total gimmick and a complete waste of money, especially on a low end system. I run a very high end sound quality system, and even with over $6K in hardware, I run zero sound deadening. (I know I will get lots of argument on this, but trust me use the money to buy better drivers).

Second thing is ditch the rear stage. Rear speakers eat power and use it where you don't need it. If you are on a budget you want to put all of your money in the places that give you the most performance and that is your front stage. Rear stage is for fill at best, and totally unnecessary

Third look for a good quality used amp. The nice thing with Amps these days is that there is so much competition that quality is a big factor in setting one company apart from the others. Pictures of a fried amp out on the internet could kill a product so almost everybody makes pretty good high quality amps. Some better than others performance wise, but the point being is that a used amp is virtually as good as a new one. The other nice thing with amps is they have zero re-sale value. With guys changing their systems all the time (me included) there is lots of used equipment out there and for pretty decent deals. So if it were me and I was on a budget I would look for a better performing used amp than a lesser performing new one.

Fourth buy a decent set of front stage speakers that fit your amp. You don't want to be under or over powered, so start with a decent amp and fit your speakers to the amp you have. I would look for a set of full range coaxial 6 X 9's in the door and a separate capped tweeter, or a set of 6.5" components. The Polk Audio you are looking at would be a good choice, but if you are going components with no sub I would spend as much as you can on a good set of drivers. The only way to get good mid-base is with the best driver you can afford.

And lastly buy a decent line out converter. I hate these things by the way, but if you have to have one get a decent one. Better yet get an amp that will take high level inputs and you don't even need one. They can be noise makers so a cheap LOC can blow your whole system.

That's my two cents. Hope it helps.

 

What year is the truck?

 

I had an Alpine power pack installed behind the factory head unit and bridged to the front speakers. Put sound deadening material in the door. Installed these speakers.

$90 Pioneer TS-A6996R A-Series 6" X 9" 650W 5-Way Speakers

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014XQ48WC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Probably have $500 into my stereo and it sounds great. The linked Pioneer speakers blow the JBL GTO938's I initially put in out of the water. Speaker install is easy. If you can install the amp and know how to bridge it, that will save you $100.

 

My original plan was to keep my stock radio and upgrade all door speakers which I did....at first. But I can't leave well enough alone so that plan is long gone.

My first stage of stereo build went this route:

$119 JBL GTO938 JBL GTO939 GTO Series 6x9" 300W 3 Way Black Car Coaxial Audio Speakers Stereo

JBL GTO938 6x9's for front doors $60
JBL GTO628 6.5's for rear doors $60

$17 Metra 82-8146 6" x 9" Front Speaker Adapter for Select Lexus and Toyota Vehicles, Black, Apple

Metra 82-8146 front speaker adapter $15

$17 Metra 82-8148 6" to 6-3/4" Speaker Adapter for Select Toyota/Lexus/Scion 1998-Up Vehicles, Black

Metra 82-8148 rear speaker adapter $15

$15 Metra 72-8104 Speaker Wire Adapters for Select Toyota Vehicles - 4 Total Adapters

Metra 72-8104 speaker wire adapter x2 $5
Clarion XC1410 50watt X 4 amp $90
Amp wiring kit $12

This alone sounded GREAT! The bass, mids and highs were very crisp. I have had the JBL speakers for 1 year now and absolutely love them. I just don't have my stock radio now and I have 2 sub's and an amp.