OK here is the challenge for all you stereo guys out there
Put together the required components (must list web links with prices) which meet the follwoing criteria so us idiots that like good sound but hate the highschool kid at the xyz car audio store can get a good system.

Criteria:
1. Head unit must support Mp3s, CDs - your choice on satelite radio etc 1 or 2 din unit also must work with the AUX input
2. Replace the speakers you deem required without adding a sub box or other hardware 5.25, 6.25 coaxial, component you decide - install should be as stock apearing as possable
3. Recomend any materials needed to complete the setup (Metra adapter, crossovers, sub, wires, etc)

Heres the kicker! without tax and shipping under $500

You must provide a link for your choice and a price
You must provide a reason why ya like your choice

Hey maybe we can work out a prize for the winner or just name the system after them?

Speakers AND Headunit for under $500 combined? You obviously don't want quality at all... Headunit alone will will run $200+. Speakers will have to run somewhere around $700-1,000 min. We are talking about front and rear speakers in the doors, right?

I know what I would put into the Element speaker-wise and the fronts alone would cost $400+ and would probably use the same in the rear. Have not looked too much into doing a stereo in the E just yet. Probably won't happen for at least a year.

OK so there must be others among you who do not back down so easilly from a challenge.

We all just think $500 for everything is ridiculous. :)

[quote:749019e17f=" "]We all just think $500 for everything is ridiculous. :)[/quote:749019e17f] haha it sure is

Here's what I'd recommend...

1. Head unit - Clarion DXZ635MP - $249 shipped free @ http://mainstreet-audio.com/clarion/clarion_cd_receivers.shtml - sounds great, has a rugged aluminum detachable face, IR remote control, 18 W X 4 RMS (52 W X4 peak), RCA and line level outputs, supports MP3/WMA, works with AUX/SUB and even has support for Sirius satellite radio.

http://207.142.131.37/fullsize/DXZ635MP.jpg

2. Front door speakers - Focal 165 CA 6.5" 2-Way coaxials - $119.00 + shipping @ http://www.cbrstereo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=165+CA&Category_Code=FOCALCOAXIALS - great bang for the buck. Good sensitivity for running off the head unit power.

http://www.cbrstereo.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/165CA_S.jpghttp://www.cbrstereo.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/165CA_S.jpg

3. Back door speakers - CDT Audio CL6X coaxials - $42.95 shipped free @ http://mainstreet-audio.com/cdtaudio/cdt_classic_series.shtml - these are high quality rear fill speakers at an unbelievable price. Perfect for running off of stock head unit power due to the sensitivity.

http://mainstreet-audio.com/cdtaudio/images/CL-6Xslimcoax_small.jpg

4. Dash installation kit - Part # 99-7863 Single DIN w/pocket - $18.95 + shipping @ http://www.installer.com/kits/ (note - this part is not listed from Parts Express below but they should have it) - this is the plastic bezel kit for physically installing the head unit in the dash.

http://www.installer.com/kits/99-7863s.jpg

5. Receiver wiring kit (into car) - Part # 70-1721 - $9.95 + shipping @ http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=265-624 - this interfaces between the factory wiring harness and the aftermarket harness

http://www.partsexpress.com/images/265-624m.jpg

6. Speaker harness adapters - Part # 72-7800 (need 2 pairs) $7.25 ea. + shipping @ http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=265-775 - these are so you don't have to cut your factory wires to install the speakers.

http://www.partsexpress.com/images/265-775m.jpg

7. RCA to line level adapters - Part # 265-025 (probably need 2) $4.20 ea. + shipping @ http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=17528514&St=9185&St2=-53342118&St3=-42557935&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=6391&DID=7 - these are for AUX and SUB integration.

http://www.partsexpress.com/images/265-025m.jpg

So, to tally all this up...

1. Head unit: $249.00
2. Front speakers: $119.00
3. Back speakers: $42.95
4. Dash kit: $18.95
5. Receiver harness: $9.95
6. Speaker harnesses: $14.50
7. RCA adapters: 8.40

Total: $462.75 :D

Well someone doesnt think its crazy!
Thanks Emass!

As for the creatively challenged posters so far maybe try your hand at the bargain bin and see what you can put together.

Or maybe you guys are the highschooler at the local steroe stoore that pisses me off so much.

Wow, I just Froogled the Clarion head unit I spec'd to see if I could get better pricing and came up with some prices almost $100 lower...

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=DXZ635MP&scoring=p

The only major benefit of using my original supplier is that they are an authorized dealer while I suspect the really low priced suppliers are not. This translates into shorter warranty periods if bought from non-auth'd source.

One could use that cash to pay to have everything installed professionally and STILL be under $500. BTW, if you did have all of it installed you'd probably buy all the installation accessories from the installer which would save you money on shipping. :D

Good job, eMass! Note...

[quote:fb37a9da89=" "]...

7. RCA to line level adapters - Part # 265-025 (probably need 2) $4.20 ea. + shipping @ http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&User_ID=17528514&St=9185&St2=-53342118&St3=-42557935&DS_ID=3&Product_ID=6391&DID=7 - these are for AUX and SUB integration.

http://www.partsexpress.com/images/265-025m.jpg
7. RCA adapters: 8.40

[/quote:fb37a9da89]

I originally got similar adapters from partsexpress (though I may have gotten the cheaper ones?) and found I had massive ground loops issues because they didn't have capacitors inline to prevent ground loops. I paid < $20 for a 4 channel name-brand adapter instead which fixed the problem.

That's still within budget.

-brendan

Crutchfield has the DXZ735 for $199.99 is this a good unit also?

[quote:e996392a0b=" "]Crutchfield has the DXZ735 for $199.99 is this a good unit also?[/quote:e996392a0b]

Even better! The 735 does everything the 635 does plus has customizable display illumination colors, a motorized face, a better EQ, dual sourcing, etc. It does have slightly lower pre-out voltage at 1.8 Vs. 2.0 in the 635 but I doubt it makes any difference.

The fact that Crutchfield has a special on this unit coupled with the fact that they usually include everything you need to install the unit (harness, dash kit, etc.) in the price itself should make this unit especially attractive to those looking for a < $500 system. :D

Nice find!

OK so anyone else as resourceful as Emass?

[quote:26151da36b=" "]OK so anyone else as resourceful as Emass?[/quote:26151da36b]

Dude, take that advice and run with it!

-brendan

well honestly thats what I will be doing I dont know of anyone on this board or any other that knows as much useful audio information as Emass, I just thought in the interest of creating some friendly community competition I would see what other folks ideas were. Guess we have seperated the wheat from the chaff

[quote:5ce567efce=" "]well honestly thats what I will be doing I dont know of anyone on this board or any other that knows as much useful audio information as Emass, I just thought in the interest of creating some friendly community competition I would see what other folks ideas were. Guess we have seperated the wheat from the chaff[/quote:5ce567efce]

Heh.

I pretty much followed a very similar approach to eMass's recommendations. Except, I let the credit card loose at PartsExpress and ended up spending an addition $100+ on cables, connectors, and other stuff I use for the home recording and/or guitar equipment and/or other stuff I "might need" some day.

-brendan

I certainly don't claim to know nearly as much about audio as eMass but...

How about a Clarion DXZ835MP for $219?

www.thezeb.com/caraudio/clarion_stereo_receivers.html

I'm hoping he's right on the money about the CDT CL-6X coax for the rear. I just ordered a pair of those. I'm also going with the CDT CL-61a for my front components. The CL-6X is running $45 and the CL-61a is $150 from www.thezeb.com. That's a little more than what he recommended on speakers and the jury's still out on whether those components need more power than the stock amp. I did contact CDT about the power requirements and they said that they should be just fine with 18w RMS.

Btw, thezeb is out of stock on those CDTs but expect more in at the end of the week. They let me know right away about the out-of-stock status and offered some options so I'm pretty pleased with their service so far.

Oh, and toss in a Dynamat Extreme door kit for $49. Same place.

Steve

Ok, I think I've read all the posts on the subject, but.... I probably just missed it somewhere. I know I need 2 RCA to line level adapters to go from my head unit to the harness in order to take advantage of my factory sub and line in, but how do I go from the RCA to line level adapters to the factory harness? Do I have to cut into my harness or is there a way of simply making that attachment? I've installed all my car stereos for years but nothing major (just soldering the harnesses on that I get from crutchfield). I don't mind taking it to an installer if I have to, but I'd like to be able to make sure he knows what he's talking about when he makes that connection... Help?

New Element Owner
SOP SEX(Side air bag EX) Stick w/ fog lights, tow harness, roof rack and Pilot wheel