My Car's sound

[Colonel Sanders]

With the lack of an A/V forum I assume this is the best place to post this (*hint*hint*).

I recently put a Pioneer MP3/CD player in my car. The biggest problem is that the wireing for the car needs to be redone(due to a previous owners wireing tricks which dind't work too good).

I am told I should go ahead an put some $$$ into this and get a good amp as well as some speakers.

I think some Pioneer 3-ways in the stock locations would sound best for the $$, any comments?

I have considered adding an amp, but I only have front and rear/sub(switchable) pre-amp out-puts. I would like to possible add a sub in the future, what kind of amp should I look for?

Since the only enclusure I can find(no room to make my own without BIG sacrifices) has .6cu ft and mounts a 10" sub, what kind of sub should I look for? I personally think a 10" Pioneer VCCS Pro would be the best for such a situation?


And now the smaller cheaper to fix problem: I decided to make an MP3 CD. Sure enough, I think I messed up a bit. First of all, the source files were MP3s at 128kbps which I enlarged to 320kbps with MMJB. My CD-player will stop just before 3min in a song, and have trouble loading the rest of the track. My Dad's Alpine will play the tracks, with a lot of early skips. Does this sound like I shouldn't have done the enlargement?

Another prob. The manual says the player supports ID3 tags, I tagged all my files with MMJB, but I don't think that uses ID3 tags, or is there more I need to do to make my CD-work?

TIA, Logan

[mikeL]

The best place I've found for car stereo's and accessories is at
www.crutchfield.com they have excellent phone support, and replacement stereo's, and speakers that will fit in your vehicle.

As for the MP3 stuff, I'm in the dark about any of that. When I was installing my stereo we only had cassettes. sorry

[morriswindgate]

I second using Crutchfield. Not only do they provide custom plug-in harnesses with their equipment and vehicle specific instructions, their Technical people are second to none when it comes to installs and suggestions for equipment. And guess what, they actually answer the phone within a very few rings. Also they provide some of the best warranty service I have seen.
When I bought my Dakota Pickup in December 2000, I ordered a Kenwood MP3/Cd from them. I got it quickly and with their custom install kit it took less than 30 minutes to install it. Then two days later the face plate jammed in the half-closed position, I called them and overnight they shipped me another one (they are in Virginia and I am in California) with the pre-paid shipping for the return unit.
I have used them several times over the years and will not deal with local stores any more for Auto Electronics

[homer15]

instead of getting three ways, i would suggest you get some componant speakers. crutchfield has componant sets that include the woofers, the tweeters, and two crossovers. you'll definitely get a better sound out of it, and it's no that much more expensive.

[audiyoda]

I use Crutchfield only for reference -- I can find anything they have in that over-priced catalog locally and cheaper. Example -- wiring harness for my Tacoma - Crutchfield price is only $5.00 -- good price until I stopped by Best Buy: $2.99. My 10" sub was the same -- $139.99 at Crutchfield but at Best Buy it was $119.99 (not a sale price). My headunit is listed on Crutchfield for $329.99 -- Best Buy has it for $289.99, and again it was their regular price.

Best Buy, Circuit City and most specialty shops (at least around here) offer free installs and usually the same day. Crutchfiled for my blood has turned themselves into a great reference tool, but their prices are just outrageous compared to local shops.

-Craig

[mikeL]

Hey audiyoda, That would be ok if your near a Best Buy or similar store, for myself the nearest one is either Saginaw(2 hours away) or Traverse City(also 2 hours away). Wich I would then have to bring the wife and we would spend the day at the mall, and this would cost me so much more than just ordering from the catalog

[homer15]

Originally posted by mikeL Hey audiyoda, That would be ok if your near a Best Buy or similar store, for myself the nearest one is either Saginaw(2 hours away) or Traverse City(also 2 hours away). Wich I would then have to bring the wife and we would spend the day at the mall, and this would cost me so much more than just ordering from the catalog

that's a good point, mike, but also while at best buy or wherever, you'd get a quality installation. if you're fortunate enough to live near an audioexpress (like i do), you can get the installation for only a dollar!!! in those rare occasions when you'd just want to go to town by yourself, tell your lady you're getting her a special surprise... get her a quick gift while you're waiting for the install, and bring it home. she stays there, you get a nice sound in your ride. everyone's happy. hehe.

[Colonel Sanders]

I have looked at the price of component speakers, and I think in the end I will probbably want to go with 3-ways, mainly for $$ vs qualtiy.

I'm not sure what kind of amp. I need. I think I need a 4 + 1(5 channel) amp, but I only have 4 channels from my head. Even with just 4 channels, should I go ahead and get a 5 channel amp?

I'm not very sure about my MP3 problems.

Logan

[smokealotapotimus]

Heres some links that might better help you with your questions;

http://www.carreview.com/
http://www.elitecaraudio.com/
http://www.caraudioforum.com/
http://www.sounddomain.com/ (very good one)
http://www.streetdreams.com/

[homer15]

too be honest, your deck is 50x4, so you can run the speakers directly off of that without an amp and it'll sound good. trust me.
you can get an amp to power that sub. i'd suggest you bridge a 2 channel amp.