Hello this is my first post.

I want to upgrade my stock audio system. I want to do it right and in the end have a good entry level quality system. I have installed a couple systems in other cars but have never really felt it was quality. I say that because it was pretty much just throwing in subs and amp and some mids never component speakers and I'm no pro installer. I solders some connections but not very well. I want to have this system installed. Ive went to a couple audio shops and tried to get some ideas and quotes. I want to have front component speakers leave rear stock and put a sub in the trunk saving as much trunk space as possible, hopefully a simi custom box in either side of the rear trunk where it pops out a little. I want all of this to be quality entry level. I also want a bluetooth double din. I don't want to spend more than 1500 more like 1200 is that reasonable? I was thinking about doing this:

Head unit JVC KW-V20BT $399.99
Kit/harness/ant PAC SWI-RC $69.99
Amp AR XD1850.5 $519.99
Component ARXD16.2 $199.99
Sub AR ARC12DS 700W $259.99
Custom Box ported $285.00

This is all ARC audio components besides the head unit

This was quoted to me by Acme tops and tunes in sacramento which form what I've heard and seen is a quality shop. They are charging me an arm and leg to install, on the quote they gave me it also included some 6x9 in the rear also arc audio. The total was $2829.92 tax $151.99 for a grand total of $2981.91. Way out of my price range.

So Help me please, is this to much for that or do i need to save up some more money or can you give me some suggestions for less expensive parts with around the same output or whatever you can suggest. I just want something quality but don't have to much money.

Thanks

 

Welcome to HAF!

A quality head unit is needed - with time alignment. JVC is a fine choice, but verify time alignment - i prefer their Arsenal line. I also like the Alpine CDE-HD149BT. If you buy from Crutchfield they include the kit/harness/swc for $40. And they give you detailed instructions for DIY.

Arc Audio is fine gear. You are seeing that getting good gear installed is not cheap. And you picked out budget speakers that won't be that impressive when installed by a shop. Shops cut corners on install, especially when you hammer them on price. And I recommend when having a shop do the install, you buy from them.

check out my the build logs in my sig. pay specific attention to what i do for door speakers - that is the important part.

your budget is perfect if you install yourself. one nice 5 channel amp is the Massive Audio NX5. very compact. and they are on sale as of late.

if you get your speakers from Crutchfield they will include instructions and wire adapters. Focal, JL audio, Alpine, JBL, and Audio Frog, are all good options at several price points.

 

Thank you,
I hear you on the self install, i am going to do it that way. I will start with the head unit. I checked out the alpine and it seems very nice although I want to go with a double din. What do you think about the pioneer x5600bhs. It seems like it has a lot of features for the price and has good reviews.

 

I avoid Pioneer products because they are prone to noise problems and have complicated menu structures. You want time alignment as a built-in feature so you can tune a sound stage. Like this model:
Kenwood DDX8901HD DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

Do have an alpine suggestion with bluetooth and android compatibility for around the same price? Alpine is the way to go if i can afford it right?

 

unless you feel like you need a double din for DVD's for rear passengers, a single din will offer all of the features you want/need at your price point. for some reason, manufacturers avoid putting good sound tuning features in double din head units.

models with T/A and advanced tuning sell for more than the range you're looking.

The Alpine IVE-W555BT is a nice option but expensive.