VZ Calais New Audio Set-up

[StealthCalais]

Hi all - very unexperienced when it comes to car audio, so I thought I better put it to the experts!

Ive got a VZ Calais and I'm looking to upgrade my system - so I can blast the music a bit more without the distortion hopefully...

So after a bit of looking around I have found a set that im reasonably happy with - though just not sure if I could be doing better with a different set-up or brand of speakers for the same money. So far im looking at the polk audio range - they seemed pretty good at the shop compared to the others. Also I'm going to be running this off the factory headunit.

Front - 6.5" Splits (Polk Audio DB6501) $329
Rear Doors - 6.5" Coaxials (Polk Audio DB651) $159
Sub 12" (Polk Audio DB1240) i think it was about $189 maybe
Sub Box $35
4 or 5 Channel Amp (Option Audio - undecided on what I want) $188 4 Chan - $389 5 Chan
Wiring Kit $50
Installation $300

So all up around the $1200-$1300 mark.

Now I notice the price on ebay for these speakers and etc is much less than in the shops, so thinking it could even be worth buying it all off them the net, then getting them to install it to save some cash. But I guess warranty and everything comes into play?

Let me know what you guys think! Or I'd love some suggestions on what could be done differently! Cheers.

[GAMBLR]

You'll find Polk audio is a great brand, albiet not well known compared to Pioneer, Sony etc. Having said that, they've got better quality and specs than most well known brands, which suit the Calais well. The models you've priced up are the 'db' range, which is considered their entry level system. (still better quality than some 'top of the range' components from other brands.) While the price looks a bit steep, you pay for the better quality. Or if you can find the equivalent speakers or better on the net (MM range) for a better price, I'd go that way. Just follow usual steps, ensure the seller is well reputed, check feedback etc.

I'll be gettin a set of Polk speakers for the rear of mine soon, as I've got a Rockford Fosgate system. Again, better brand, a little bit more expensive, but more harsher and bassier than Polk. Hoping it evens it out a bit more, but another brand to consider.

On a side note, there will be a limit to how well anything performs through the standard head unit. I'm in the same boat, torn between sound quality and aesthetics. But BFY, for great sound quality, it's advisable to ditch the factory unit.

[HCVP]

$159 spent on rear speakers in a $1200 budget is just a waste.

That $160 would be far better spent on a better quality sub, or either directed towards the front speakers, or partially towards an amplifier.

Don't get too caught up with brand names, there is no benifit in having the entire system from the one manafactuer. The only thing you will do is limit yourself to what components thay have to offer.

[2LOUD2OLD]

agreed, or put the $160 towards a new headunit

$35 seems a bit cheap for a sub box, i will presume prefab, and at that price i wouldnt expect it to be of any decent quality. consider building the box yourself, shouldnt cost too much more than $35 and you can ensure it is the correct size for the sub and no doubt better built

[2LOUD2OLD]

oh and on the note of buying off ebay, beware you won't get any sort of warranty and you risk buying fakes. there is a reason they are cheaper

[JAKE-26]

Scratch the rear speakers and buy a headunit i say. Could easy get a good one with 2 pre outs for around that price. You'l want two pre outs with a 4 or 5 channel amp

[thebestsv8]

Buy it on ebay,half price

[HCVP]

Buy it on ebay,half price

EDIT - I just read your other post's, i won't bother.

[StealthCalais]

Thanks all - yeah a new headunit would be ideal, but I dont want a single din, I'll only put a double din touchscreen in if anything. But they cost $1000+ so thats not happening anytime soon. So I'm thinking its still going to be a huge improvement running these off an amp compared to the factory premium system.

I was looking at some of the rockford's a while back they were nice, but as you say seem a bit bass-ier. THe MM range in the polk's seem very good too.

Yeah I guess I could opt for something a bit cheaper in the rear (especially since im not sitting there :P), but I'd just hate for them to detract from the overall sound quality of the cabin.

[HCVP]

Rear speakers won't effect sound quality if tuned correctly. From the front listening position, it would be difficult to hear the rear fill, due to the distance between your ears, the front speakers, and rear speakers. The only way you would clearly hear any rear fill speakers, is if they were significantly louder than the fronts. So if your going to have trouble even knowing if they are there, then there is little or no reason to even look at replacing them.

A good set of fronts properly tuned and amplified, just on their own, will have no trouble reaching any rear passengers. Given what small amount you would spend on the rear speakers, you would be far better off retaining the factory ones, and as mentioned above, directing the money elsewhere where you are guaranteed to notice an improvement.

There are plenty of double din units on the market for under $500, and decent ones at that too. I wouldn't be able to justify spending more on the head unit, than any where else in the setup.

Speaker selection will always make the most noticeable difference. Whether they are of a better quality, or something that appeals to the individuals taste.

Amplifiers are required regardless to get the most performance out of any speaker. But the audible differences between most amplifiers can be negligible, especially for the average listener, or someone just starting out.

The head unit, or the source, is responsible over all for the level of sound quality, and tuning abilities you will have. This dosen't mean however that you have to spend huge amounts of money in this area. It can be something as simple as going from a factory unit to a basic after market unit.