Automotive → [Help] Building a car audio system...Right place?

Well, recently I've been kinda interested in upgrading my current car audio factory with something much better. First of all, I'm a complete NOOB to this, and I've done some research on it but I'm still confused. The problem I have with my car audio now is that I have to turn the treble all the way up so I can get clear sound, and if I want any bass at all I have to turn it to +2. Some of the music I listen to makes the bass sound terrible (Rattling noise, or like the speakers are about to bust). Some of the stuff I listen to: techno, punk, classical, metal, 70s and 80s rock...stuff like that. So far I'm convinced that I will need an amplifier, but the main goal here is to get a nice, clear sound out of my new system, with bass added (no I do not like thumping). I don't want the bass to completely overshadow the music, but I do want the bass in it. Any suggestions as to where I would start? So far I like the component speaker type, but who knows. Any suggestions? BTW, I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla with 4 factory speaker setup.

sounds like your stock speakers are blown replace them and you shouldn't need an amp

Well, I don't think they are blown. Maybe I shouldn't have said "rattled", but the sound is kinda dead. I want something rich and lifelike ya know?

If you want component, you want an amp. Headunit amplifiers aren't powerful enough to properly drive component speakers. Especially not a stock radio.

First thing I would do is replace the speakers. Get some nice coaxials if you want to do things a little bit at a time. Doing everything at once can get pricey.

Here's what I used to tell people to get, in order:

- Speakers
- Headunit
- Sub
- Amplifier
- Possibly higher-end speakers

So, try new speakers first, then a headunit.

I put sub before amplifier because sometimes there can be a big difference when you put in some sort of crossover on the cabin speakers and let a sub (it can be small, bass tubes are actually pretty decent depending on the build of the trunk) take care of the lower end.

If, after all that, you still aren't satisfied, then try an external amp on the speakers, and beyond that, component speakers.

*sigh* - please don't tell me I just read a post equivalent to: "I wAnT LouDZ SPeekERs!!!!

And of course all we get is a "replace your speakers" response.

As a former car audio enthusiast, and with friends in the biz... let me just say NO NO NO NO! There's soo much more giong on here!

FIRST off, why do you think Josh here blew his speakers to crap in the first place? Probably because he had his deck on BASS +20/XBASSBOOST/SUPERBASS or whatever and crank'd the 5" cones up ALL THE WAY! Lets just say thats the last thing you want to do.

SECOND what happens if he replaces the stock speakers with better ones but yet still does everything the same and cranks it up all the way with his bass still on max? Or better yet add an AMP and then crank it up? Yep, it's gonna sound like sht and he'll just blow the *new* speakers.

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What needs to be done here? Well first off you should never try to get bass from regular speakers, they just aren't gonna cut it. Try this test. Set the head unit EQ to completely flat, remove all boost from bass & treble. Now play that CD that went *snap crackle pop* before and listen for any audio distortions. Crank it up until it starts to sound bad, then just go slightly lower. The new overall volume level reached is much higher than it was previously. "But theres less bass" you say? Well lets solve that problem!

Get a good amp & sub - people have no idea how loud a propery tuned 10" can go with real power behind it. Don't run the deck with bass gain, simply use the sub amp for that. (treble gain on the deck is fine, esp if still using stock speakers)

Thus when upgrading a system, I always go for whats needed most: A dedicated bass producing unit. Take that load off the regular speakers and they'll do a lot more than you think!

Don't worry, you didn't read anything of the sort. I like my music loud when I'm on the highway, which is alot. I'm considerate about others around me that DO NOT want to hear MY music. When I'm at a stop light, I turn it down so I don't have to make people listen to it. When I'm in town, I turn it down. I think when I was on the highway not too long ago was when I may have busted my speakers. Problem though with that is I never turned the bass past +2. The treble stays all the way up due to the crisp clearness that I like. So an Amp and sub would do it? I'm not OVERLY concerned about bass. I want crispness, clearness. I want it balanced, I'm not looking for something that is gonna thump thump thump all the way down the highway. That is annoying.