optik_nerve

I'm new to the car audio shit but I need something decent while being on a tight budget.

I have a 97 VW Jetta and I need some input on what to get. I have no Idea where to start.

I need midrange speakers, subs, and an amp...

Someone wanna help?

MiSo

hard question to answer without knowing your budget.

but you'll need for a decent system:
amp wiring kit (atleast 30-40 bucks)
extra speaker wires ($15)
extra power/grounding wires (10)
Subs
Amp for mids/highs
Amp for subs
HeadUnit

and maybe even installation if you dont know how to do it yourself.
some places will install parts if you buy from them.. sometimes free, sometimes for a fee.

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if you're on a tight budget you can get coaxials for the front and rear instead of a component set for the fronts.

tell us how much you're willing to spend for each of these parts.

mid/high amp
sub amp
speakers
Headunit

and we can give better suggestions for your price range.
i suggest checking out ebay for some speakers.. they have really great prices.

you can buy the amp wiring kit from Walmart believe it or not. its just as good as any other amp kit. you'll want to buy a 4 guage amp wiring kit.
for the speaker wires, you can just pop into your local car audio store.

http://www.crutchfield.com/
is a good site to start looking for audio stuff.
but their prices are expensive, so just browse their catalog, but you can find the same items elsewhere cheaper.

Nelson

Visit one or more specialist car audio retailers in your area - they will walk you through the whole process step by step. Give them an idea of your budget and let them know what you are trying to achieve. Dont worry if your budget doesnt allow for everything all at once - a good salesperson/installer will help you design a system piece by piece. Place more emphasis on getting components that fit your needs.

I could go on and on about shopping for car audio on the internet but Im not in the mood to get on a soap box today. To put it simply - these are costly products that require expert advise and installation. And as the saying goes - you can have 'good quality' or 'cheap' - pick one.

Oh, and for those Wal-Mart shoppers out there - yes, youre Wally Wire is cheap. But I would be upset if I paid for what I thought was 4G and really got 6G in 4G jacket........

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Nelson

asshopo

Heh, ask your friends if they have any extra stuff. Seriously. I put a ok starter system togther for $50 + the amp wiring kit ($35, included power, remote, speaker wire, inline fuse block and main power). I got a Power Acousticks (spelling?) 400w amp and a pair of 10" Jensen (don't laugh) subs for $85 installed! Of course, I have gotten better subs since then (2 MTX Thunder 6000 12").

As for your setup, Nelson is right, if you find the right sales person (and they are hard to find, since alot of them make their money on commission, so they want to sell you everything), they will help you start with good speakers, then an amp for them, then subs, sub amp, line filters, etc.

A tip from someone who listens to a little of everything in his car: get a head unit with sub volume, a equalizer with sub volume, or an RCA volume adjuster (fits inbetween your head unit and the RCA's going to your amp) so you can turn the subs up and down at will. Sometimes, you want bass when listening to 50 Cent, somtimes you want nice rich sound, not scrambling your brain, when listening to some oldies .

One more tip: Find a car audio dealer that is NOT Circuit City, Best Buy or any other huge name. Most of the time you will get a better deal, better service, and better equipment.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

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Patterns have a habit of repeating themselves.

BalloonKnots

Go find yourself a pair of Nakamichi car speakers. They are one of the best sounding car speakers for the money. You won't be disappointed! You won't find these at your local Best Buy or even in Crutchfield. They are a bit higher end than the ones you can find at those places. But it is well worth the search if you can find a specialty car speaker shop near you that carries them.

optik_nerve

Im looking at around maybe 500...to 7 or 8 bills...if honestly needed... :/

I'll definately check into Ebay and even the local Best Buys and Circuit City's.

Thanks for the advice