Help with budget system for my '03 GT

[Banshee]

hey guys im new here and i just wanted to get some advice on a nice little budget system for my '03 gt hatch. im not going to get everything all at once, so the most important things i will be getting first.
i was thinking for sure front speakers first and probably a head unit. i have been reading around the site and it seems components are the way to go. i probably wont ever bother with the rear speakers and will just get nice subs later on.
right now i just want to see what you guys have to say about some nice speakers for my front doors and maybe a nice head unit too. i dont want to spend all that much but i dont want the crappiest stuff either. maybe 100-150 for speakers (components) and around 150 for the head unit. less would be better :D
(also, i'm planning on getting an ipod soon and was wondering if there are any head units that you can plug an ipod into to play the songs directly off the ipod?)

thanks alot in advance

[kylemorg]

IMO:

For a head unit, I'd go with Kenwood, Pioneer or Sony; I've had good luck with all of those brands. A $150 head unit sounds pretty good. You should be able to find a head unit with stereo inputs in the back -- my 'Coustic unit I had in the early 90's had those.

Actually, the factory speakers sound pretty good with a better head unit. Instead of upgrading the speakers next, I'd buy a subwoofer. The main issue with the factory speakers is the lack of low bass. You could probably get an Infinity Basslink amplified subwoofer unit from ebay or from www.newtiburon.com for pretty cheap. You'd be hard pressed to get anything decent for an amp/speaker/enclosure to build a subwoofer system for $150.

[04Elantra]

I agree with kylemorg...there will be a world of difference with just a head unit change

You could add on an infinity basslink X or the new clarion powered subwoofer (which might fit under the front seat) for about $200 (instead of front speakers)

If you only got $300 or so to spend, a head unit and powered sub are the way to a much better system...you could always add speakers later!

[mrhoaf]

I upgraded my head unit first.... and yes, it does make a big difference. Later on, you can add good components and an amp to push them... and it will sound like a whole new system again.

Check out the Newtiburon.com marketplace for a cheap powered sub... they come OEM in the new Tibs and lot's of people want to sell them after they upgrade.

[KeWLKaT]

I think that a good choice would be the Bazooka Bass tube, I heard those have some good low frequency response.

[bikerPA]

Two months after I bought my Elantra hatch, I picked up a used basslink and dropped it behind the driver's side wheel well. Granted, this was with the '04 Kenwood, but it cranked the sound quality high enough for me to be plenty content for a good long time. If you've got a hatch, I highly recommend the basslink. If you've got a sedan, then the back of the seats will noticeably muffle the sound, and coming up with something either more powerful or small enough to mount under a front seat would be a better idea.

[hyunelan2]

I started with just a head unit on stock speakers. Left it that way for 6 months, added 1 8" bazooka. a year later added a 2nd 8" bazooka. 2 months after that, replaced the stock speakers with Alpine Type S and GT tweeters. I was happy with the way I did things. The biggest chunk out of my pocket at once was the $350 head unit, but you don't need to go that high if you're on a budget.

Start with the head unit... if you're not picky, that may be enough for you.

[Ruffsaidthecat]

I would invest in a decent head unit, next I would purchase front speakers that are more than decent(front stage in my opinion is first priority then sub)then look into 2 good amplifiers one to match the front 2 speakers and one to match the sub of your choice. Also I will be picking up some more stereo equipment soon, I mostly get subs and amps but amps are not to much to ship if I get some good ones. Pm me if interested

[Mil]

for your I-pod, Alpine has a plug-in module to control the i-pod directly from your head unit, the only problem is that it's only available for some headunit models and they all cost more than you want to spend, and only the plug-in module cost about 150$ itself.

[Banshee]

Thanks for all the quick replies. Now i see i should definetely go for a head unit first.
The subs i am going to hold off on for a little bit. i dont want a small powered sub, i want 2 12's that will hit hard. I don't really need help with that right now.

Right now I would really like to get some recommendations for front speakers/components. at first i was thinking just some pioneer 2 or 3-ways but maybe for a little more money i could get something alot better like components (especially since there is already a spot for tweeters in the gt).
Any and all help is appreciated.
thanks alot guys. these forums are great!

[jpjr]

Using the stock locations, your choices are limited as there is only 2 3/8" clearence for the rear of the speaker in the front doors. Building a spacer will help, but anything more then about 1/4" and the front of the speaker will start hitting the door panel. Infinity, Diamond audio, JBL, Kicker, Alpine(SPS series) and others make speakers that will fit. Just watch how much backspacing the speakers you buy will need if you want an easy install. And if you use the stock tweeter locations, make sure your crossover has adjustments to compensate for the location or the tweeter will be to loud and you will have trouble with the sound at the crossover frequency. Having your tweeters on-axis and your mids off-axis of the listener is what will cause the most trouble with the sound and the crossover. Putting the tweeters higher up on the black triangle(side mirror backing) and facing them at each other will probably sound better with the average crossover or without needing a good EQ.

[kylemorg]

You can remove the tweeters from a lot of speakers that have "swiveling tweeters", like the PPI 65.1 I have. You can then mount the woofer/mid cone in the bottom of the door and the tweeter behind the stock tweeter grille.

That's a cheap way of using both mounting locations. The only trouble with that is sometimes the tweeter/high frequency is too loud, since the tweeter is designed to mount at the bottom of the door and now it's mounted at almost ear level (that's what I ran into).

If you're not dead-set against a small powered subwoofer, check out Dick's post here http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5399. He was selling one of the infinity basslink OEM Tib units for ~$80 plus shipping... it's not listed anymore, but PM him if you're interested.

I believe there're factory mounting holes in the Elantra chassis for the basslink unit.

[Buck62]

After listening to about 40 different head units, I went with the JVC KD-AR3000 which I found online for only $199.00 including mounting kit and wiring harness. This is an incredible unit for the money and smokes any Pioneer under $400 in sound quality, beats almost all the Alpines in features, and makes Panasonics sound like poop. The graphics are unreal and there's 1,700 colors to work with. You can also download your own pics into this unit. I think they're going to discontinue this particular model soon in lieu of a newer (more costly) version, but that just means you can probably get one even cheaper. The list of features is endless, do a search on it. It sounds incredible with the stock speakers and it fits right in, too! :)

[hyunelan2]

I've always stood by JVC... no one wants to listen to me, but JVC rocks. My headunit in my car is JVC and my home theater (Receiver, DVD Player, 200 CD changer, and VCR) are all JVC.

[04Elantra]

dont get the tib subwoofer...its not that powerful and needs a 50W amp....plus I would give you the one I had for $10 plus shipping if you really wanted it....its in pretty good shape...I decided to go with a Qlogic box and JL subwoofer for now.

[Atomic]

First let me say, invest as much as you can afford too in your head unit. This is the heart of your system and the base for all future installs. Just installing an aftermarket deck will make a huge difference for now, until you can afford to add more too your system. With that said check this out, and it'll fit:

I found this at (just search the item #):

www.Crutchfield.com
Item# 500CDA9851

Alpine CDA-9851
CD receiver with MP3 / WMA playback
-Available 2/28/2005
$279.99

And when you're ready too hook up your I-Pod:

Alpine KCA-420i
iPod control interface

This lets you directly control your I-Pod through the head unit!!

Hope that helps.

[mrhoaf]

I've had a couple JVC's and they've been great. I only upgraded because I wanted MP3 Playback....

I agree that you should try to invest a little more that $150 in the headunit if you can. $200 seems to be a sweet spot for features, and of course they go up from there. There's nothing wrong with building your system piece by piece, and the headunit is the place to start....

[slow 2K2GT]

I have the Alpine SPX series in my front doors, they are a reasonable price and sound awesome. Though I also suggest a good head unit first, not only for sound but the panty dropping effect. Again I suggest Alpine, I have had the CDA-7875 for about 4 years and it still has some better features than most compeditors. I am very happy with all my Alpine gear and would only suggest them to others.

[Buck62]

I've had a couple JVC's and they've been great. I only upgraded because I wanted MP3 Playback....

Must've been an older or less expensive unit. The unit I suggested has MP3 and WMA playback, 3 outputs (including sub), and just about any other feature you can think of, all for under $200... and it sounds like a million bucks. ;)

[hyunelan2]

If anyone wants a helluva deal on a JVC closeout, look here: http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=684228

And it does have CD/MP3/WMA. If I wouldn't have just spent soo much on this computer and new hometheater speakers, I would have that in the mail right now. I don'twant to get beat by the wife though...

[mrhoaf]

that's an AWESOME headunit for that price..... they also have a couple lower-priced model JVC's that look good too...

[Buck62]

that's an AWESOME headunit for that price..... they also have a couple lower-priced model JVC's that look good too...

It sure is!

If I was looking for a head unit, I'd be all over that like ugly on a gorilla.

[jpjr]

Slow 2K2GT, how did you get the Alpine spx in your doors? any pics? I was going to use them, but when I installed them with the included adapters, they stuck out to far and the speaker face was hitting the door panel. Without the spacers, they were to deep to mount in the door. The only option I could see was cutting the door panel and using the Alpine speaker grill. Great speakers though.

I have never used JVCs car audio line, but have owned allot of their home audio equipment and have always been very happy.

[Banshee]

wow those deals on overstock are incredible. i might just have to spring for that jvc. seems like it will be a good head unit for me that will last quite a bit.
what do you guys think about this pioneer on overstock http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1047157# it is 100 dollars cheaper, just wanted to get some opinions.

my only question is about the jvc's touch screen. i dont want the screen to get all messed up quickly because of the constant touching. they must take that into consideration when when making a touch screen but i just want to be sure.

well im set on getting a head unit first so i want to be sure i get one thats right for me and i dont spend too much on one i dont need.
thanks alot you guys have been great!

[mrhoaf]

Since you mentioned getting subs, I'll point out that you probably want a headunit that has a sub output. You can do it with an amp that has only 2 outs, but units with 2 outs plus sub out are the best way to go.... helps you have more control over the sub. There are 2 JVC's there that are a little cheaper and still have the sub out... HERE (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=691454) and HERE (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PROFRAME&PROD_ID=1082679)... the difference between the two being MP3 playback.... which is one of my favorite features on my headunit...

[Banshee]

ok i think i am pretty set on that head unit and will probably be ordering it this weekend.
one more quick question about mp3 playback...what exactly is that?
sorry for all the newb questions and thanks again everyone for being so helpful and hooking me up with that awesome head unit.

[mrhoaf]

you can convert your cd's to mp3's on your computer, then burn them as a mp3 cd... letting you put 150+ songs on one cd instead of 10-15...

for example, I have the entire led zeppellin 10-disk box set on one mp3 cd.....

I also like to put a bunch of different songs on a cd and put it on random play.... you can go for hours and hours without hearing a repeat...

they're great for books on cd too.... you can usually get the entire book on one disk instead of 10 or 12....

[Banshee]

thats exactly what i wanted to hear. im going to overstock to order the head unit right now. thanks!

The head unit is set to arrive tomorrow!
I was wondering if you guys have any tips on how to install it? Since we have the same car you guys could probably easily just tell me exactly what to do. Or maybe there is a DIY page somewhere you can lead me to.
I also need to know what to buy to install it? I think i need a wiring harness but im not sure where i get that or what else i need.
I'm sure with a friend i can get it done, i dont want to pay installation fees.
thanks again.

[mrhoaf]

Well... it looks like there isn't a DIY for a headunit install. There is a DIY for removing the dash panel to get to the stereo HERE. (http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/dashremoval.php)

You will need to get a wiring harness for the stereo. Trust me on this, I wired mine up directly and didn't get a harness... and it was a PITA!!! You may also consider getting a dash kit too. My stereo fits pretty well with just the stock bracket, but it doesn't line up quite right... it just depends on how picky you are.

It's not hard at all... a great place to start modding the car...