Help w/ my '04 Ext. Cab Silverado

[Xao]

I am not an expert on car stereo's and don't feel like getting ripped
off, so I was curious if I could get some advice or input on some
matters.

I stopped by the local car audio place and told them what I was
looking for:

I'm not a audio fanatic and don't need to have the best, I'm just
looking to have a decent sound system. My current stereo is the
factory six speaker setup. I really don't want to replace the factory
HU and I hate all the new HU, too much going on with them, I like the
simple tight look the stock HU presents. The stock unit currently
though just does not give enough juice when I'm on the highway for my
liking. I don't need a system that you can hear three block away.

The guy I talked to said I would really need drop about $1500 to get a
system I would be happy with, anything less and I would think it
sounded good for the first couple weeks and then want more. He was
talking about putting a turn knob in the dash to adjust the bass,
custom built sub-enclosures and a good eclipse amp, yadda yadda...

I explained again that I didn't need a "KICKIN" system, just something
with a little more juice, he then went on to say that I could probably
get by with about $750 and the upgrade other components later.

With that, I felt maybe he was trying to oversell me. I'm 34, I've
done my eardrum blasting days already, I don't have a street truck, I
have a 4x4 and do a lot of back country camping (won't have the stereo
blasting in the back country), I'm not trying to impress any friends.
I just want a better sounding system.

What is everyone's opinion on what is the correct price range and key
components to look at for what I am trying to get? If it's $1500,
that's cool, I can afford it, I just don't want to over spend for
something that I don't really care if I have.

TIA!

[Les]

"Xao" > wrote in message
om...
> I am not an expert on car stereo's and don't feel like getting ripped
> off, so I was curious if I could get some advice or input on some
> matters.
>

What were the components and how did all the prices break down? $750 might
be reasonable depending on what is including, then again it may not. Let us
know and we can help you.

Les

[DJ TecThreat]

"Xao" > wrote in message
om...
> I am not an expert on car stereo's and don't feel like getting ripped
> off, so I was curious if I could get some advice or input on some
> matters.
>
> I stopped by the local car audio place and told them what I was
> looking for:
>
> I'm not a audio fanatic and don't need to have the best, I'm just
> looking to have a decent sound system. My current stereo is the
> factory six speaker setup. I really don't want to replace the factory
> HU and I hate all the new HU, too much going on with them, I like the
> simple tight look the stock HU presents. The stock unit currently
> though just does not give enough juice when I'm on the highway for my
> liking. I don't need a system that you can hear three block away.
>
> The guy I talked to said I would really need drop about $1500 to get a
> system I would be happy with, anything less and I would think it
> sounded good for the first couple weeks and then want more. He was
> talking about putting a turn knob in the dash to adjust the bass,
> custom built sub-enclosures and a good eclipse amp, yadda yadda...
>
> I explained again that I didn't need a "KICKIN" system, just something
> with a little more juice, he then went on to say that I could probably
> get by with about $750 and the upgrade other components later.
>
> With that, I felt maybe he was trying to oversell me. I'm 34, I've
> done my eardrum blasting days already, I don't have a street truck, I
> have a 4x4 and do a lot of back country camping (won't have the stereo
> blasting in the back country), I'm not trying to impress any friends.
> I just want a better sounding system.
>
> What is everyone's opinion on what is the correct price range and key
> components to look at for what I am trying to get? If it's $1500,
> that's cool, I can afford it, I just don't want to over spend for
> something that I don't really care if I have.
>
> TIA!

Sounds like you went to a typical shop (no offense shop owners). But, most
shops are ran by punk kids (once again no offense) that want to put a loud
banging car stereo in everyones truck, and i would know, my city is full of
these shops.

Truth is, if you're looking for decent sound and you want to keep the stock
stereo. You can just upgrade the exsisting speakers and put an external
amplifier in there to give them more power. If you're looking for a little
more low end, there are a few companies offering decent little powered subs
that you can just put under a seat/cargo area.. etc.. and its perfect for
people like yourself because its not big and boomy but it adds a little more
low end.

I did a quick search on a popular car audio dealer's website
(www.crutchfield.com) and found out what would fit in your truck and i came
across a few different things.

Mainly you need to upgrade the front speakers, the rear speakers (if not
blown) can stay and you shouldnt need to replace them as they are just rear
fill.

For $150 you can get a decent component system consisting of 2 speakers that
go in the doors and 2 small tweeters you can put on the a-pilar along with a
small crossover-device you hide somewhere (like inside the door or under the
dashboard) and your speakers connect throught this.

http://tinyurl.com/5wodm - for the component system.

This will upgrade you're stock front door speakers, which will take your
headunits power just fine but its not going to be much louder than you're
current system. For this i recommend you get an amp to power them, i would
also use the amp to power the rear speakers in the cab with the additional
channels. The amp can run off your exsisting head unit using a line adapter.

$130 for a 4 channel amplifier - http://tinyurl.com/4pkfx

Then, if you feel you need some more low end you can get a small powered
subwoofer (no amp required) that you can stash almost anywhere and it will
give you a little more bass to compliment the sound.

http://tinyurl.com/68sac - Powered subwoofer.

Obviously this is a simple car audio setup. I picked all these components
out from the same supplier out of the simplicity of shopping for it all.

Hope that helps.
DJ TecThreat
The Real Threat