Anyone into high end car stereo?

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My "new" used car, a 1999 Honda Civic HX came with a cheap but good sounding stereo system composed of a $149 Kenwood KDC-419 Head Unit and Pioneer Speakers. Playing CDs - it sounds great! Unfortunately I have my best music on an iPod at 256kbps sampling. The iPod music (through a Griffin FM Transmitter) sounds good on my stock stereo in my 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport, but in the Honda stereo it sounds fuzzier with less clarity. Tested it with the same song from CD and FM iPod and there was a big sound quality difference! So I'm gonna shell out $375 for an Alpine 9887 head unit + a $30 direct iPod interface! Might just stick with that / no amp / no subwoofer - I'll test it for awhile after I buy it to see if it needs one. But if I had to get an amp, the only one I can think about with audiofile quality is the Soundstream Reference amps! But they aren't being sold anywhere in America despite the Soundstream website that states it in their product line! And if I get a sub, I just want a good sounding controlled bass sub thats small / compact / doesn't take too much space. Just need it to round off the sound.

Then I discovered in car audio forums about how many people whine about modern amps with their cheap "Made in China" quality. They give lots of high praise to "old school" amps of the 90's which were often handmade in America. Now the only Soundtream amp I can get now is the Picasso series which I have not heard much reviews of / maybe it's not desired by the car audio crowd. I just don't know about those JL Audio or Rockford Fosgate 5 channel amps. I'd really prefer sound quality / clarity / accuracy over high watts and volumes. Anyone got a good amp recommendation? How about a compact subwoofer?

Anyone know why I can't get a Soundstream Reference amp in America?

What's your car audio sound system and how do you like it?

What pisses me off big time is that some modern cars have a dash / stock stereo system construction such that you can't install an aftermarket stereo without excessive expense. Just like the new Honda Civic. But Alpine supplies the stereo for Honda, but what if it sucks?

If you got a cheap stereo that sounds awesome and has a direct iPod interface tell us about that too! Sometimes I tell myself not to spend so much on my Honda because if a 100 mpg hybrid car comes out in 2010 - I might just get that! [The next Toyota Prius?]

What good car audio forums are there to look at? Are you a member of any?

I posted this in multiple forums too. I think I should spend my money now on other stuff besides bikes!

Why, I bet if you used this thing called Google, you just might find an answer. Often people find if they expend just a modicum of effort, demonstrate just the smallest, wafer thin bit of motivation, they can find their own answers to their questions.

Please be sure to check back in and brag about how much you spent on your stereo, though. I'm sure you'll be interested in seeing your own words appear on the monitor in front of you.

I dont know if and where you can get them in the states, but Audison make great amplifiers, and are a favourite here in OZ if your after sound quality. But an amp is only one piece of the puzzle. A good head unit ( Alpine or eclipse are both good) A good set of splits ( personal choice is best here ) say Focal or Dynaudio are some good examples. And a good sub, once again personal choice.
But you can have the best gear in the world and it will sound crap if you dont get it installed right, so find a reputable audio dealer in your area and start there. Good lucl!

My last system. Alpine 7865R head unit, Dynaudio system 240 GT splits, Alpine MRV F757 amp, Rockford Fosgate Power BD500 amp, Focal Polykevlar 33k Sub, Stinger capacitor. Approx $2500-3000 Australian spent on installation. ie Sub box, door pods, sound deadening, wireing.

A fairly modest setup in my 'fun vehicle': Ford F350 w/6.0 diesel, but it keeps me entertained:

Pioneer D3 nav unit. My old 8 gig ipod nano lives in the glovebox as a music source, the D3 has a pretty good ipod interface on it's touchscreen. The GPS nav is handy to have on occasion.

Alpine component 6x8's for speakers, with 4 channel Alpine 40 watt amp behind the rear seats. The component speakers really do sound clearer than the all in one's. Dedicated amp was worth it - the D3 boasted 50 watts/chl, but the sound broke up when you cranked it. The dedicated Alpine amp is clear at any volume. Don't let the conservative power rating fool you - 40 watts is more than enough.

Installed it myself, and it was a fairly complex installation. Front speakers were easy to get to, the rear speakers in a crew cab truck are really buried.

I'm contemplating a JL stealthbox subwoofer, it fits inside the F350's center console. My ZZ Top collection would sound great with some bone crunching bass driving it. But, the price has me hesitating.

Why pay any more than the minimum for stereo in a car anyway? It's a suboptimal environment for listening to music to being with. Plus, and I know this will come as a surprise to many digitoids, but when you're in your car your priority job is supposed to be driving.

Why pay any more than the minimum for stereo in a car anyway? It's a suboptimal environment for listening to music to being with. Plus, and I know this will come as a surprise to many digitoids, but when you're in your car your priority job is supposed to be driving.

You mean driving isn't all about entertaining one's self?

Why? That's easy - for most of us, out on the highway is the only place you can really crank it up. Try that at home, and you'll have the police knocking on your door, or the family fussing.

You mean driving isn't all about entertaining one's self?
I don't want to think too much about the mental image that popped into my mind reading this.

I have always wondered what type of hearing damage we will see in the future from these setups.

The chief purpose of a lot of car stereos seems to be to announce to everyone within a block radius what type of music is liked by jackasses.

I have always wondered what type of hearing damage we will see in the future from these setups.

The chief purpose of a lot of car stereos seems to be to announce to everyone within a block radius what type of music is liked by jackasses.

Eggzackly. That's why I'm all in favor of the development of a small electromagnetic pulse device that will fry the circuit boards in those systems.

The chief purpose of a lot of car stereos seems to be to announce to everyone within a block radius what type of music is liked by jackasses....http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy0147.gif (http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy-smilies/9/#)

...http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy/happy0147.gif (http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/happy-smilies/9/#)Isn't funny how they also pick the worst music to play as well. They should get a life!:rolleyes: