Where to start upgrading my car's audio system?

[Serp86]

I was considering upgrading my car's (An 06 Chevrolet Lacetti - called a Suzuki Reno in the US) audio system without spending too much.

I would prefer not to change the headunit, since then the steering mounted controls will become useless (you can get adaptors, but they are like $150 just for three buttons to work - way too expensive).

To start out I was going to replace the standard 4 speaker system with two sets of nice components like these

What do you think? Will it be worth it just to buy two sets of those? I have no idea what type of speakers are currently fitted in it or their wattage, but they get pretty raspy at even middle volume so i dont think they're very expensive.

 

[shocksyde]

I'd go about it in this order:

1. Speakers (components in front is fine, but you don't need components in the back)
2. Head Unit
3. Amped Speakers
4. Amped Subwoofer

 

[Hyperlite]

sound advice. start with speakers. at some point, you will want to figure out what your stock headunit has in the way of outputs...which may be nothing. ultimately, if you want to add a sub or higher powered door speakers that require amplification, you will need a head unit with more advanced outputs.

 

[Serp86]

Currently I just have a 40w X 4 standard cd player with just outputs for the speakers on the front and back doors.

I think i'll be getting these components and a 50w X 4 mp3/USB headunit from clarion too with aux/in and RCA out. I lose steering controls but get usb and higher power. Guess it's a fair tradeoff.

 

[SketchMaster]

Originally posted by: shocksyde
I'd go about it in this order:

1. Speakers (components in front is fine, but you don't need components in the back)
2. Head Unit
3. Amped Speakers
4. Amped Subwoofer

Best way to go, and if you spend time shopping for good speakers you will probably find yourself stopping at step 1. I drive a 07 Suzuki SX4 and the speakers that came with that were a joke. I now have Infinity reference series components in my car and love them but the two-ways in the back sound good as well, if it came down to getting O.K set of speakers so you could have components in the front or a good set of two-way speakers for the whole car I would chose the two-ways.

Pick out some CDs to play (REAL CDs! Not crappy MP3 rips) and spend some time at a shop that has listening rooms since there is nothing more annoying than trying to listen to the mids on a speaker and some ghetto blaster walks up to the other demo unit and blasts some crap with the sub set to 90. Take your time, listen to a song on one speaker and then the same part of the song on another speaker and then listen to the previous speaker again. If you need to move from one demo unit to another do your best to use the same kind of head unit with the same settings.

This may sound like allot of trouble just to upgrade speakers in a little Suzuki but if take the time to find the best speakers in your price range you won't have to upgrade them ever again, and if you do then you should be saving that money to buy a better car.