Car Audio Newbee

As always budget is an issue and you are in a car, not a listening room so don't go overboard. I've dabbled a fair bit in car audio so I'll give you my two cents worth. Blaupunkt never did it for me, I did like Alpine lots (but there were all sorts of reliabilty issues) and finally settled on Pioneer for my electronics. That would be head unit, CDP changer, amps. Be ready to install a big-ass capacitor or an extra battery if you get carried away with the amps. Speakers is a whole different gig... and as always you can spend megabux. If you want nice sound at a reasonable price try out Infinity speakers, and I do like MTX subwoofers. Best, Jeff

Great, just the type of advice I am looking for.

Thanks!!!

I dabbled too much in car audio when i was younger...3 different cars and a boat...hindsight being 20/20 as they say...I wish i had found home audio sooner cause the car stereo stuff sure was a waste of money.

now the question is...how high end do you want to go...i have had Sony, JVC, Alpine Denon & Nakamichi head units...for me...the Denon was the best...the Alpine was in an 18 foot boat and had no problems skipping...the Nak...well...they just aren't what they used to be.

amps I have had were from Nakamichi (good sound but problematic) Soundstream (Also good) Rockford Fosgate

speakers...Infinity, Boston Accoustic, Soundstream, Nakamichi, Polk Audio etc etc

you can go overboard in car audio just as you can with home audio.

My best advice here...keep it simple...4 channel amp run in 3 channel mode...2 channels for the mids & highs and one bridged channel for a 10" sub...don't drive yourself crazy either...that is what Audiogon is for. ;o)

Just a note about speakers. My favorites were Focals(expensive JMLABS) and MBQuart. Component(separate tweet and mid) give you quality and flexibility usually. They even make tube amps for cars--Butler Audio. Infinity seemed too tame to me. Boston Acoutics were etched. Of course any speakers are definitely personal preference. Heard good things about Pioneer Premier line as far as electronics go. Also Eclipse. Good luck Dan