OK I've been living with the stock 1999 C2 radio/amp/speakers long enough.
What upgrades are people doing to bring quality music into these cars?

Speakers?
Amps?
Stereo's?

Thanks!
Mark

 

Step into my office....LOL.....

Kenwood DDX7015 double din head unit
Touchscreen Nav
iPod touchscreen integration
Sirius Radio
DVD audio/video/MP3
Focal 165V3E 3 way seperates (6.5" in doors, 4" mids and 1"tweeters in dash)
Audison LRX6.9 Amp 6 Channel/900 watt amp
JL Audio 8" sub in custom AI Design footwell box

The end result is AMAZING....awesome low end, not "boomy" very accurate for all music from classical to hip hop...High end is crisp and open, not at all harsh or obnoxious, smooth is what I would call it and mids are heard very clearly....spatial width and soundstage is very nice. I used the stock rears wired up to the Audison, when running enough power to them they are not half bad...the are mostly midrange which helps the mids alot....I did the install and wiring myself, not too hard, just took my time....completely transforms the driving experience.....

 

Wow that is over the top for sure, very very nice indeed.
But for mere mortals, that do not need the Navigation world.

What sizes of speakers should I collect to fit in the standard openings.

I like the idea of putting extra sub speakers in the foot well, excellent concept.

I know this car needs an Amp and EQ, and a proper Radio/CD which are all easy in reach.

 

I would not worry too much about an eq. Most of the more modern amps have flexible controls that can do a fine job ot tuning a system. But if you want an eq, I'd go with an older Audio Control EQQ, EQL, or EQX which has a built in crossover. All of these can be had for around $100.00

If you are willing to do the footwork, many a good deal can be found on Ebay. Look for older stuff. Such as an older Soundstream amp, the older Rubicon of Class A's sounds fantastic and can be had for $200-$300

Subwoofers, also can be found used. Image Dynamics makes some nice stuff that works on low power. I have an ADS 10" I'll be installing soon. It is designed to work on as little as 25 watts

If you are going with a single DIN deck, Alpines are pretty hard to beat. New ones have great features, the older ones sound a bit better (to me) but with the sensativity of the laser in a CD player, I would probably buy it new from a reputable shop and a warrenty.

Looks like from what Newport996 said you will need 6.5" and 4" for the door and a 1" tweeter for the dash. Focal is great, MB quart also makes 3 way systems like that. Also check Rainbow, very nice stuff.

Check www.sounddomain.com Good source of info. Also in the reader's rides section you can punch in what year and model you have and see what other have done to their cars. And www.caraudio.com

Best of luck.

And if you are looking for any used gear, I usually have some for sale. Sorry, had to add that.

 

Keep in mind...SOME 6.5's will work...you will need to modify the door pod, and only slim units will fit in the stock locations. 4" dash and 1" tweeters will fit in the dash pods, again with some modification....Like Green said...an Eq nowadays is overkill....use that money to get better components. Also you will be getting a new top...if your top itself is in good condition, you can have a new window put in....they do seperate after about 6 years or so...mine did and I had a new window sewn in...its better than new now....

 

I have Bose premium sound and added an Alpine head unit with i-pod integration. I think it sounds awesome and is a big improvement over stock.. The only problem is I rarely listen to it. I prefer the intake and exhaust mods!

 

I too have a 99 and am looking to upgrade. Newport, I like your system but I don't have the door panel speakers. My car has map pockets. What would you guys recommend.

I want more rounded sound, preferably more low end fill. I don't play the system too loud but my Jeep wrangler had arguably the same sound quality (nothing but highs) as my P-car.

I'm not looking to bounce quarters off my roof but want more complete sound. Without the option of the larger speakers in the doors, I'm limited to the 4 inch speakers for Highs and mid base. Will the sub like yours (in foot well) do the trick or do I need more.

Thanks in advance,

Pete

 

reaplace all the factory speakers, then do 2 8" woofers behind front seats. amp up front.. nice and simple

 

newport, do you recommend any other headunits similar to the DDX7015? I know eclipse has a double din flat touch screen also. I want to play Mp3s, have navigation, plug my ipod video in, and possibly watch a dvd as an option (but not necessay). I'm not looking to break the bank, but just would like navi and the ability to plug my ipod in.

 

i also have the map pockets. the sound is awful.

Great install,Newport

 

If you want those things your options are Pioneer and Kenwood....I chose Kenwood because I liked the Nav and the sound was rated very good....the Eclipse will have a better sounding head unit, but less options as far as iPod and other things....the Eclispe was also more expensive...The DDX-6019 is rated very good and is less money than the 7000 and 8000 series, not sure what the exact difference is, maybe power, but if you use an amp, thats not an issue.....

 

I went with the Pioneer Unit that has Bluetooth, also a 7" DVD/NAV with the flip down screen. My car is an 04 so to avoid the MOST I rewired the entire car put some 5" MB quarts in the door with MB Quarts tweeter/Mid combo in the dash. All is driven by a JL 6450 6 channel AMP in the trunk and a 10" Sub in a real small custom box on the rear passenger seat.The Pioneer has a great IPOD adapter then works 100% Like the Ipod..Cheap NO, but well worth it .. I'll snap some pics and post them up
Good Luck!

 

whats the model number?

 

Pioneer DEHP-9800BT

 

upgrade your tunes? You need PSE. Why would you listen to anything else ?