car stereo automobile sound system

I'll Second Key_metric's point of view, and add my own.

Head unit: Eclipse or Macintosh

Amps: Precision Power (PPI), make sure you get the good ones, not the lower line (I can't remember how they are distinguished, except by the specs).

Speakers: MB Quart. No question. Go top of the line and go for the competition crossovers and with proper installation, nothing (IMHO) can touch them.

Subs: JL Audio.

Head units to avoid like the plague: Sony, including the ES line and Alpine, unless you like severe digital glare.

Kenwood, unless you like ridiculously bloated bass and

Pioneer, unless you like having the midrange scooped out of your music.

I realize a lot of this is subjective, but at least it will give you a refence to start with. With these brands, expect to spend in the range of $4-5K including install to get top of the line with excellent sound. Hope that helps.

Nak makes the best cd head unit I've heard, specifically the 45z, but dealers are difficult to find, and units are known to be temperamental and at least for the 45z range. The error correction is bad, if it exists at all (I don't know) -CDs have to be really good shape or they will skip. I for one stopped buying used CDs because they never play all the way through. I don't know the story for X00-CD series. Also, I agree that Dynaudio is super. The major problem I have encountered is finding HUs and speakers that aren't bright, which is almost half the reason I like Dyn and Nak.

You won't be able to get the sound you can from a home system due to obvious constraints. While width from speakers mounted in kick-panels is doable, soundstage and depth in particular are not exactly the last things "to go" when putting a quality stereo in a car. Reduce noise, get a good tonal balance, some detail and reliability, and that's about all you can ask for, ime.

Hey, I musta fallen behind times, 3 outta 4 equipment suggestions ain't too bad considering the adavancements in car audio.
I'll do some more homework on the head unit catagory................................