please with the components? I don't know much about car stereos. How do I know what type of speakers to buy (wattage and all) and how do I know wheter I need an amplifier or not? Please give me all the details about car stereos you can and how to build the perfect system! Thanks

First, you'll only need an amp if you're running high wattage speakers, like subwoofers. The basic system for an upgraded stereo system would be two subwoofers (10 inch), two tweeters (2 inch), and a 1000-watt amp that should power everything. You'll get good bass and sound with this setup. You can get crazier with more speakers if you want. As far as brands, I'd go with Alpine and/or Pioneer. They have the best systems out there. Also, I suggest you getting a quality head unit that allows for amp usage.

Before you do anything you should check out

http://www.crutchfield.com

Know anything about it, you don't have to buy but they will in all steps guide you through the process of installing a new stereo in your vehicle.

http://spkrbox1.spaces.msn.com/Default.aspx for real "sound" advice.

Your system won't mean squat without a well designed box to put your subs in. Some manufacturers have recommendations as to dimensions of various types of boxes. It is best to find someone who builds boxes if you go with something other than a sealed box.

You should always match up RMS (Root Mean Square) watts of Subs and amp per channel as well as impedance's(resistances).

If your amp is rated at 4Ω don't subject it to 2Ω, it will fry.

Here is the formula for subs in parallel:

Z = 1 / (1/sub1 + 1/sub2 + 1/sub3 + ....)

For series, just add them up (sub1 + sub2 + ...).

You can mix and match these equations to get the right impedance required by your amp.

Example: 4 subs @ 4Ω each. If I connect two in parallel and the other two in parallel and tie the two pairs in series, I would have a total impedance(resistance) of 4Ω. So to the amp, it's just one sub.

You should use a capacitor as well.

Recommend for every 500 watts MAX you use a .5 Farad cap
Example: 1000 watts MAX - 1 Farad cap

Try http://www.soundomain.com/shop you can find some really good deals, and this site is manufacturer certified. VERY IMPORTANT WHEN SHOPPING ON-LINE!!!

You will also need what's called a "line level converter" if your stock head unit doesn't have RCA outputs or your amp doesn't have high-level inputs.

If you like I can send you some plans for reference. My plans are for a 4-th order band pass bass box that holds two 12's. Also included are java calculators you can use to figure parallel and series values given Ω values.
Just e-mail me sparky3489@yahoo.com

My system

Blaupunkt TSw1200 subs with a Sony Xplōd XM2200GTX.
My amp is 1200 watts, subs are 600 watts each, cap is 1.2 Farad

SPL is about 112 db

Total cost(so far) = $410

The perfect system is a very subjective matter. Are you going for sound quality, or loudness? Competitions? Etc.


Here is my recommendation for you:

Eclipse CD7000
1 JL Audio 12W7 powered by 1 JL Audio 1000/1
1 set of MB Quart QSD216 components(front) and one pair of MB Quart QSD164 midbass(rear) powered by 1 JL Audio 450/4
An upgraded HO alternator.

That would be a VERY nice system. Also very pricey.