2010 4 Dr HB - OEM Replacement

[WeiseGuy]

Hey all,

New to the forums and thank you for having me! I've read up on a few topics and was hoping to get some assistance in a newb perspective when it comes to car audio. I've seen some stuff from Derick and SQ and LOVE their setups and experience, read some on BCAE1, been to crutchfield's site and some local shops, and I'm ready to make my purchases.

My issue:
1) I feel like the shop is trying to take advantage of me and isn't understanding my concerns, selling me whatever they can.
2) I read most of BCAE1, but its a LOT to take in and even after re-reading the primer a few times, I was still confused on certain things.
3) I don't want competition sound nor can I afford it. I don't want window shattering bass that can be heard from down the block. I don't want to take away the minimal cargo space we have in these vehicles.

What I would like:

Head Unit: I'm hoping to replace the OEM stereo with a double DIN Alpine touchscreen. Specifically was looking at the Alpine IVE-W530 as I like the USB/Aux (what I use most) and bluetooth. I also think having a DVD in there on road trips may be nice.

Speakers: Right now I just have the stock OEM speakers. No tweeters, nothing else. I'd like to have components in the front, but have no idea nor do I have the experience to install tweeters when there isn't a cutout for them. I plan to ignore the rear deck completely and just push the fader to the front as I prefer listening to music as if I'm at a concert, with it in front of me, rather than all around me.

Amp: Do I need one? My last car had some alpine components and an alpine head unit with no amp and it sounded alright, but I don't know what I was missing with the amp. If so, what should I be getting here? Where can I install it without exposing wires in the cabin or taking away cargo space?

Subs: This is where I am completely lost. I don't want to take away cargo space and a crutchfield advisor recommended a powered sub that I could get under a seat possibly. I'm not sure if I even need/want subs. I do want a full sound and feel that the bass from the subs would be great, but I really am not into earth shattering bass that can be heard rattling cars at red lights.

My request:

Please help me understand what I would need to make a system that has great sound quality, not so much quantity. I want the lows, mids, and highs to be crisp, but I'm not an audiophile so it doesn't need to be competition grade. My budget is something that allows me to start with speakers/head unit for now, and later expand to add the amp and sub depending on total cost.

Thank you so much for any help and please, if you feel I should do more reading on various websites I'll be happy to. Sometimes with car specifics its easier to ask an owner (such as not having tweeter cutouts or minimal space in the cargo area) rather than a car shop that wants to give me 2 12" subs.

[IllusionX]

Alpine is a very good choice, although they aren't what they used to be 10 years ago.

I am not sure what is your budget, but what i went for when i bought my Yaris was an Alpine headunit and better speakers such as PrecisionPower. but i think this will cut you an arm.

Since you are already settled down with the Alpine double din, i think you could go with a set of MBQuart speakers or Rockford fosgate. They aren't too expensive and provide good enough quality.
Choose components as they come with passive crossovers, but you will have to have someone install them for you since you have no idea how to do the cutouts for the tweeters..

[WeiseGuy]

Well I went over it all again and found that the double DIN didn't have anything a single DIN doesn't have, except its more expensive, a touch screen, and that's about it. I am starting to lean toward this setup though it is a bit pricey and I'll have to split things up over time (going off crutchfield advisor recommendation/prices).

Head Unit: Alpine CDE-143BT
Speakers: Infinity Kappa 60.11cs
Power Pack: Alpine KTP-445A Power Pack

Eventually I want to add:

Deadening: Dynamat 10435 Xtreme Door Kit
Powered Sub: Kicker 11HS8

This all adds up to just under $1000 and I was hoping to start at around $500 (so minus the deadening and sub I'm just about there).

I'm not sure if that sub will fit under a rear seat or not, but will need measure. I also will have to cut out holes for tweeters and use spacers for the speakers to work in the doors as they are 6.75" instead. The crutchfield rep said that he would recommend I possibly go to a shop to do the speakers because it is a bit more advanced.

Thoughts on that setup? Changes? I would say the budget is about $500 but I'm not going to sell myself short if a small price change will mean a BIG difference in quality and lifespan of the equipment.

[TOLMACH]

Originally Posted by WeiseGuy

Hey all,

New to the forums and thank you for having me! I've read up on a few topics and was hoping to get some assistance in a newb perspective when it comes to car audio. I've seen some stuff from Derick and SQ and LOVE their setups and experience, read some on BCAE1, been to crutchfield's site and some local shops, and I'm ready to make my purchases.

My issue:
1) I feel like the shop is trying to take advantage of me and isn't understanding my concerns, selling me whatever they can.
2) I read most of BCAE1, but its a LOT to take in and even after re-reading the primer a few times, I was still confused on certain things.
3) I don't want competition sound nor can I afford it. I don't want window shattering bass that can be heard from down the block. I don't want to take away the minimal cargo space we have in these vehicles.

What I would like:

Head Unit: I'm hoping to replace the OEM stereo with a double DIN Alpine touchscreen. Specifically was looking at the Alpine IVE-W530 as I like the USB/Aux (what I use most) and bluetooth. I also think having a DVD in there on road trips may be nice.

Speakers: Right now I just have the stock OEM speakers. No tweeters, nothing else. I'd like to have components in the front, but have no idea nor do I have the experience to install tweeters when there isn't a cutout for them. I plan to ignore the rear deck completely and just push the fader to the front as I prefer listening to music as if I'm at a concert, with it in front of me, rather than all around me.

Amp: Do I need one? My last car had some alpine components and an alpine head unit with no amp and it sounded alright, but I don't know what I was missing with the amp. If so, what should I be getting here? Where can I install it without exposing wires in the cabin or taking away cargo space?

Subs: This is where I am completely lost. I don't want to take away cargo space and a crutchfield advisor recommended a powered sub that I could get under a seat possibly. I'm not sure if I even need/want subs. I do want a full sound and feel that the bass from the subs would be great, but I really am not into earth shattering bass that can be heard rattling cars at red lights.

My request:

Please help me understand what I would need to make a system that has great sound quality, not so much quantity. I want the lows, mids, and highs to be crisp, but I'm not an audiophile so it doesn't need to be competition grade. My budget is something that allows me to start with speakers/head unit for now, and later expand to add the amp and sub depending on total cost.

Thank you so much for any help and please, if you feel I should do more reading on various websites I'll be happy to. Sometimes with car specifics its easier to ask an owner (such as not having tweeter cutouts or minimal space in the cargo area) rather than a car shop that wants to give me 2 12" subs.

SQ wise there are couple options

Option 1 real cheap (OEM head unit is quite good SQ wise, front woofers are pretty awesome)
-Add tweeters to the front pillars (you would need a set of tweeters and a two way crossover.. total budget - under 50-70 bucks). Would already be a huge improvement in SQ

Option 2 would involve upgrading front speakers, adding an amp and new HU
- http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Tsd172...+6.75+speakers
- http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-80...rds=pioneer+80
- http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-PRS-D8...nnel+amplifier

Then you can add a sub would you decide to increase the budger

[TOLMACH]

Originally Posted by IllusionX

Alpine is a very good choice, although they aren't what they used to be 10 years ago.
.

What do you mean ?

[IllusionX]

TOLMACH: They used to focus on SQ, and competition level equipments. now, they seem to have just blend into the crowd, and their products is more mid-range.


WeiseGuy: if you go with the inifinity kappa speakers, you definitely want to install an amp. They are 2OHM speakers, and will be an issue with the headunit if it is not 2ohm stable.
That powerpack is definitely very interesting!

[WeiseGuy]

Okay so as part of a black friday deal at a local shop, this is what I can get.

Speakers: Sony XS GS1720s - $75 (normally $179 in this store, $130ish online).

I am thinking if I went through this store I would also get a Kenwood Excelon KDC X597 head unit which he is selling for $159 (seems to be a bit better than the Alpine I was looking at).

Additionally, was considering dynamatting the front doors for what he quoted at $200.

Am I being ripped off here with the head unit and dynamatting? Are the Sony speakers any good? Would I definitely need to amp them? If so, what should I be looking for amp wise?

EDIT: What should he charge me to install all of this. My yaris doesnt have tweeters now so he needs to cut holes and run the wire for those, otherwise it should be pretty simple, no?

[_S7V7N_]

Pioneer has some good decks in that 150 dollar price range.

[IllusionX]

Originally Posted by WeiseGuy

Okay so as part of a black friday deal at a local shop, this is what I can get.

Speakers: Sony XS GS1720s - $75 (normally $179 in this store, $130ish online).

I am thinking if I went through this store I would also get a Kenwood Excelon KDC X597 head unit which he is selling for $159 (seems to be a bit better than the Alpine I was looking at).

Additionally, was considering dynamatting the front doors for what he quoted at $200.

Am I being ripped off here with the head unit and dynamatting? Are the Sony speakers any good? Would I definitely need to amp them? If so, what should I be looking for amp wise?

EDIT: What should he charge me to install all of this. My yaris doesnt have tweeters now so he needs to cut holes and run the wire for those, otherwise it should be pretty simple, no?

I say forget dynamat, but if you are really concerned about road noise, then sound deadening is a good idea.

Kenwood Excelon apparently are really good headunits. So if you are getting a really good deal vs the Alpine, i say go for it.

as for sony speakers, i would suggest against them. lol If you can afford speakers like Rockford fosgate, JBL, Kenwood, Pioneer or such.. go for it.
Before i went all out on car speakers (i have a set of PrecisionPower speakers which cost me 650$), i had tried Cerwin Vega H.E.D speakers, which are pretty good for coaxial speakers (tweeters built-in the woofer)

[WeiseGuy]

Originally Posted by IllusionX

I say forget dynamat, but if you are really concerned about road noise, then sound deadening is a good idea.

Kenwood Excelon apparently are really good headunits. So if you are getting a really good deal vs the Alpine, i say go for it.

as for sony speakers, i would suggest against them. lol If you can afford speakers like Rockford fosgate, JBL, Kenwood, Pioneer or such.. go for it.
Before i went all out on car speakers (i have a set of PrecisionPower speakers which cost me 650$), i had tried Cerwin Vega H.E.D speakers, which are pretty good for coaxial speakers (tweeters built-in the woofer)

Alrighty I'm gonna have to just wait and give this some time LOL.

[IllusionX]

Yeah.. i'm always craving for SQ.. so i've been through alot of audio gear before settling down with my Alpine CDA 9855, i know it's old. and PrecisionPower 355CS speakers.

I did have a huge amp in the trunk, but i took it out due to the lack of space.. It was a PrecisionPower A600/4

[WeiseGuy]

So illusion, if you had all stock and $1000 what would you buy for components, head unit, amp, and if there's anything left an okay sub (I'm not looking to thud down the road, just want good lows)

[IllusionX]

I would not get a amp with just 1000$ budget.

a good HU would set you back half of that. Kenwood Excelon seems a very good idea.
I didn't know that most HU have much higher power than what i used to know.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SdHj2HB...on-DDX790.html

and my choice of speakers...
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575T165...-S.html?tp=106

btw, i have not asked.. what type of music do you listen to?

[WeiseGuy]

Originally Posted by IllusionX

I would not get a amp with just 1000$ budget.

a good HU would set you back half of that. Kenwood Excelon seems a very good idea.
I didn't know that most HU have much higher power than what i used to know.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SdHj2HB...on-DDX790.html

and my choice of speakers...
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575T165...-S.html?tp=106

btw, i have not asked.. what type of music do you listen to?

That head unit looks amazing. It can power the speakers u listed without issues?

Additionally, I listen to rock, hip hop, pop and rap a lot. But also enjoy country occasionally and dub step. I'm an all around person LOL.

Oh and those speakers are for the back per crutchfield?

EDIT: I can all that on amazon for under $700 shipped. What to do with the other $300 lol

[UberSilver]

Kenwoods have proven to be unreliable. Stick with Pioneer, Alpine or Clarion.

RF speakers are a joke! There are dozens of better speakers for the money, just search and read.

A good HU can be had for $175.~$300.

When someone says they've gone thru a lot of gear before they got it right, I would not listen to that person.

You can get a good HU for less than $200. A good amp for around $200. And good 2way 6.5 speakers for $200.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by IllusionX

I would not get a amp with just 1000$ budget.

a good HU would set you back half of that. Kenwood Excelon seems a very good idea.
I didn't know that most HU have much higher power than what i used to know.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SdHj2HB...on-DDX790.html

and my choice of speakers...
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575T165...-S.html?tp=106

btw, i have not asked.. what type of music do you listen to?

[_S7V7N_]

WeiseGuy if this is your first system. Lets go a bit on the budget side on your components. Reason being is you're going to be doing alot of tuning since you're new. If you mess up 60 - 100 bucks is alot cheaper than 500.

Just because a component set cost 500 bucks doesn't mean it's going to sound good. You are going in the right direction with sound deadening. That alone will make the speakers sound good and crisp. Has to do with frequencies bouncing around and making noises you don't want. That's a bit much for now but google the benefits of deadening your doors for Sq reasons and feel free to ask questions.

Since you said you wanted to fix up your front stage to begin with (components) you can do an amp that pushes 100 watts rms x 2 which makes this a 2 channel amp that will feed your components around 100 watts continuous. I believe between the amp and components we can get you a mid level system for about 150 bucks.

Budget for your Headunit we can probably get a fancy double din in the 300 dollar range.

Leaves 50 for wiring.

At this point you are at 500 dollars.

Now you still have install cost. That can be worked in by going with a single din deck. Lets go with a Pioneer since the tuning has a pretty wide selection of tools that you can adjust and get to learn before we go with some big boy 500 dollar components.

I can get some links up in the next day or so of diff sites to shop.

[WeiseGuy]

Originally Posted by _S7V7N_

WeiseGuy if this is your first system. Lets go a bit on the budget side on your components. Reason being is you're going to be doing alot of tuning since you're new. If you mess up 60 - 100 bucks is alot cheaper than 500.

Just because a component set cost 500 bucks doesn't mean it's going to sound good. You are going in the right direction with sound deadening. That alone will make the speakers sound good and crisp. Has to do with frequencies bouncing around and making noises you don't want. That's a bit much for now but google the benefits of deadening your doors for Sq reasons and feel free to ask questions.

Since you said you wanted to fix up your front stage to begin with (components) you can do an amp that pushes 100 watts rms x 2 which makes this a 2 channel amp that will feed your components around 100 watts continuous. I believe between the amp and components we can get you a mid level system for about 150 bucks.

Budget for your Headunit we can probably get a fancy double din in the 300 dollar range.

Leaves 50 for wiring.

At this point you are at 500 dollars.

Now you still have install cost. That can be worked in by going with a single din deck. Lets go with a Pioneer since the tuning has a pretty wide selection of tools that you can adjust and get to learn before we go with some big boy 500 dollar components.

I can get some links up in the next day or so of diff sites to shop.

Thank you so much for this post. This is why I ask on forums like this, rather than going to a shop/crutchfield advisor only. You guys can compete and tell me benefits of everything lol.

$150 for a midlevel system of components/amp combined seems super cheap to me, but if you really think its doable I'm all ears.

As for the head unit, I'm completely fine with a single DIN. Sure I would love the idea of a touch screen double DIN with rear view camera and the works, but I really only care to have the bluetooth calling/streaming, usb/aux, and reliability.

To note, I don't mind spending a bit over $500 if it means better expandability later. I don't want to go cheap in the beginning, then have to replace the head unit so I can have what I want down the line (added amp/sub for example) or run into other problems.

Finally, $500 pre-install is fine, I can find a shop to help if I need it but I have a few friends that have done a lot of installs. Biggest concern for me is installing the tweeters because there aren't OEM ones now, so I need to cut a place for them. I don't know much about tuning a system at all and am actually trying to find videos on how to tune a system properly. I want to do the deadening as I know how important it is for acoustics (I play multiple instruments, was in band, etc LOL).

I look forward to seeing what you got for me tomorrow!


EDIT: I forgot to mention, that $500+ is gonna come from Amazon only I think as I have an offer there, some gift cards, etc and even buying the install kit/wire harness separate, I can save big compared to crutchfield on almost everything it seems.

[_S7V7N_]

Since you seem really interested in a double din: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-AVH-X2...eer+double+din

Don't go crazy yet ordering. Lets make sure it fits and shop around a bit on Amazon. The deals are there. Monday is going to be a perfect day to order.

I have this amp and really like it : http://www.amazon.com/Powerbass-XAX2...=powerbass+amp

Ordered mine from this site save 20 bucks: http://vminnovations.com/Product_486...Amplifier.html

Speakers would work nice with amp : http://www.ebay.com/itm/POWERBASS-2X...61173753513%26

Good news i just crossed that Double din Pioneer at Crutchfield and guess what = )

Installation Details for your 2010 Toyota Yaris Hatchback with 4 doors

This item fits your vehicle
If you replace the factory radio, you'll lose the factory AUX input connection.
You'll need to use the factory radio's brackets in order to install your new receiver. If you don't have the brackets, you can obtain them from your dealership.


So you may not need the face kit. TBH i'd try to find it locally just in case you do need it.