budget stereo for VE omega??

[Mountnjo.2009]

hey guys,
I was thinking of spending about $800 (including installation) on my VE Omega, does any one have any ideas on what i should do, eg. put 6x9's in the parcel shelf or splits in the front doors, amps etc. and what particular speakers should i go for.. im looking for quality so i can add to the system as i get more cash

[acarmody]

Hmmm $800 including installation won't leave much for parts. If you going to upgrade later I would get a nice set of splits and an amp for them, just leave it at that for now. Will also need a LOC if you want to retain the factory headunit.

It will go a little bit over budget but this combo will go hard.
Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - Audio Development AD6
Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - Steg QM 45.4x

$375 for the speakers and an incredible $300 for the amp if you buy them together. Definitely better than most gear.

[Joe Bellissimo]

That would actually work out really well and will offer a dramatic improvement in sound quality. As for bass, you can add that later on as the AD6 has plenty of bass for a 6.5" split but wont be able to play low with authority without adding a subwoofer later.

Acarmody has pretty much pretty much hit the nail on the head for quality, speakers are handmade in Italy and the amplifier is made a couple doors down in the same country

[Mountnjo.2009]

i had some one say to me that i should buy 2 diamond 6x9's, disconnect the rear door speakers then replace them with the 6x9's in the parcel shelf, with out an amp to start with.. do u guys no much about diamond? do u think that would be a good base point to start from?? or is audio development better?

[holdenboy]

Yes i would also suggest upgrading the factory splits, also adding an amplifier to power them is ideal. Although it will depend on how much you want to "get" from your $800 upgrade.

If you want to spend a few grand in total eventually, i would go with a very, very good set of splits (think $400-$500 - like the AD6s) and get them proffesionally installed with the addition of sound deadener. This way you have the front stage sorted, then when extra funds become available a front stage amp and HQ line out converter (LOC). Then in "stage 3" would consist of a subwoofer/s, dedicated monoblock amplifier for the sub/s and sound deadening for the entire boot area.

Although i doubt you'll get a set of splits and amp (like acarmody and Joe suggest) installed for $125.....including a HQ LOC.
Personally, i'd be patient and do everything properly.....pay the extra cash to get a top notch shop / installer to fit the splits and sound deaden the doors while the interiors are off.

Sorry acarmody and Joe, dont mean to tear your posts apart....im just offering an opinion

Other than the AD6s from Shopping Secure, heres a few other splits well worth looking into (once again, sorry Joe.....variety isnt a bad thing, right?)

I cant stress this enough......you need to get into as many stores as possible and listen to as many speakers within your price range as you can. The AD6s will be almost impossible to find, so you will have to go off what others have written about them, but this will more than likely apply to half of the below brands.

Ryda Car Audio - Boston SL60 6" Component Speakers($435.65)
These are interesting.....you will pay a little extra for installation of 3 ways, but well worth the extra $50-$100 IMHO:
Ryda Car Audio - JBL P6563 6.5" 3 Way Component Speaker($338.85)
Ryda Car Audio - Soundstream RF-60C Reference - 6.5" Component Speakers($448.85)
I dont recommend buying from Ebay, so its best to find a local dealer for these:
MB Quart Discus DSH 2l6 6.5" Component Speakers Set - eBay Speakers, Audio, Video, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 05-Dec-09 21:09:24 AEDST)

So there you go.......dont take offence Joe in particular, you stock excellent brands that are of the highest quality......but i hate to say it, they wont be for everyone.

[acarmody]

I don't mind, its a public forum, many people offer many opinions. Thats how it works.

But I did say in my post that the combo will go over budget. I'm just suggesting getting very good gear from the start instead of replacing stuff down the line like many people (including me) have done.

[holdenboy]

I'm just suggesting getting very good gear from the start instead of replacing stuff down the line like many people (including me) have done.

Yep, excatly my point indeed......definately not a situation where you want to rush any decisions.

I just think with a budget of $800 for "stage 1", i wouldnt be trying to squeeze in an amplifier, if i was after quality sound and was planning to upgrade the system in stages, i wouldnt be going past sound deadening too. Might as well get it done while the installer has got the door interior off and is doing the fronts, saves the extra labour costs down the track.

Again, just my opinion.

[Mountnjo.2009]

yeah thanks guys, i am looking to get the best but unfortuantly the funds just aren't here atm lol! thats why i was looking to find something cheap to replace the bog standard stereo i have atm to keep me a little bit happy for the mean time haha.. well looks like ill b popping into a few stores to check out all different speakers!

[holdenboy]

So what do you expect from the $800 your prepared to spend on upgrading the stock system?

If youre happy with just a different (albeit much, much higher quality) set of front speakers for that sort of money, then by all means.....spend it on that. But if youre after an extremely large increase in sound quality from the money, and dont want the really top sh*t.....maybe a set of splits and an amplifier (plus LOC) is the way to go. Like acarmody said, that deal is awesome.....but it will go a $100 or 2 over your $800.


Sorry if im making this more complicated

[HCVP]

Just a suggestion which hasn't been brought up yet, another option could be to retain the factory speakers and upgrade the head unit to an aftermarket one, run the standard speakers on high pass, and add a decent sub, most likely a 10" , with a suitabe mono block amplifier..This way your gaining an increase in both volume, and bass response, and leaves you open to upgrading your front stage later on. In the mean time, will give you something a little more "complete" to listen to , rather than just a good set of fronts, with nothing to back them up.

What most standard stereo systems lack the most, is bass response, and attempt make up for this by running the cars speakers in full range.Even though their standard speakers, with a bit of tuning, you could get some decent volume levels out of them, which would go nicely with the added bass response from a smallish sub..

While upgrading your speakers will of course give you better sound quality, unless your running them on a HPF, then your not always going to the most out of the upgrade.That's just my personal opinion though..

[Joe Bellissimo]

VARIETY?! BLASPHEMY!

Heheh, nar I'm pulling your leg. I wish all of those speakers luck in the wake of the mighty AD6!

You are in a bit of a pinch mate but I'm sure we can work something out for you.

[legendofperth]

Hi Guys
I have just changed my factory speakers in OMEGA VE with pioneer speakers and it cost me $650 including labour. I am looking to have a decent amplifier with subs to have great audio. Please suggest me something as this is my first car and i dont want to get ripped off by guys selling this stuff. Thansk