Hi All!
I bought a 04 Tahoe last month and it has a blown driver’s side front door speaker. Knowing I also want to upgrade the head unit to one with USB & Bluetooth (and also looking at XM or HD radio) I started reading the audio system threads and getting reflective on how much money I want to put in to my new system - I’ve concluded about $1,000, but there will be more to it than that because of Big 3 upgrade with new dual post battery.
Since I have a blown front speaker with a stock sound system (it’s the OnStar without Bose), I decided to start at the speakers so I could at least hear sound from the front. I’m blown away at the prices of the components (Big $$$) and yet still wanting a pretty cranking system, I decided to go with these speakers that will handle 100 watts RMS each, a 4 channel amplifier that puts out 100 watts RMS X 4 and a powered sub:
Already purchased:
Front Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60C
Rear Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60
_____________________________________________________________
Not yet purchased - pretty convinced these are my components:
New dual post battery to facilitate Big 3 upgrade: Optima Yellow top dual post – also looking at Die Hard Platinum dual post. About $200
Big 3 upgrade using KNU Konceptz wiring and battery terminals and maybe fuse. Around $150?
Plan to use Dynamat in the doors ($100+) and use new speaker wire (Another $100?) throughout.
Amplifier: Rockford Fosgate R600 4D Prime series 4 channel amp 600 Watt RMS Class D Full Range 4 Channel. Rated RMS 100Watt X 4 @ 4ohm. Priced at about $220.
Amp install kit: $50ish?
Sub: Infinity Basslink 200-Watt, Dual 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer System. I plan to mount in the rear cargo area. About $180
Head Unit, looking at: Kenwood DPX 500bt (I am definitely not committed to this unit at this time). $200ish
Steering wheel control interface: About $50
_____________________________________________________________
My plan is to upgrade a piece at a time to ease the strain on my pocketbook as well as to allow time for install of each of the components – so each month, I’ll do around $200.00+ worth of purchases for the next step of my upgrades.
This month I’ll be mounting my speakers and moving on to the next piece. I’m thinking I will go for the battery next, followed by the Big 3, then amplifier – and so on, but then again, I might do my whole sound system first, then the battery and Big 3 – that way I’ll have my music sooner than later!
I have a 145 Amp alternator and my sound system is about 600 watts total with powered sub, so I’m thinking I should be fine in the juice department not needing to upgrade my alternator or use a capacitor in the system.
I am not an expert on sound systems and am open to learning, so any suggestions or constructive comments appreciated. If there are different components at around the same price that could be substituted that are “better” in some way, feel free to chime in and make suggestions.
Thanks, Joe
I bought a 04 Tahoe last month and it has a blown driver’s side front door speaker. Knowing I also want to upgrade the head unit to one with USB & Bluetooth (and also looking at XM or HD radio) I started reading the audio system threads and getting reflective on how much money I want to put in to my new system - I’ve concluded about $1,000, but there will be more to it than that because of Big 3 upgrade with new dual post battery.
Since I have a blown front speaker with a stock sound system (it’s the OnStar without Bose), I decided to start at the speakers so I could at least hear sound from the front. I’m blown away at the prices of the components (Big $$$) and yet still wanting a pretty cranking system, I decided to go with these speakers that will handle 100 watts RMS each, a 4 channel amplifier that puts out 100 watts RMS X 4 and a powered sub:
Already purchased:
Front Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60C
Rear Door Speakers: Alpine SPR 60
_____________________________________________________________
Not yet purchased - pretty convinced these are my components:
New dual post battery to facilitate Big 3 upgrade: Optima Yellow top dual post – also looking at Die Hard Platinum dual post. About $200
Big 3 upgrade using KNU Konceptz wiring and battery terminals and maybe fuse. Around $150?
Plan to use Dynamat in the doors ($100+) and use new speaker wire (Another $100?) throughout.
Amplifier: Rockford Fosgate R600 4D Prime series 4 channel amp 600 Watt RMS Class D Full Range 4 Channel. Rated RMS 100Watt X 4 @ 4ohm. Priced at about $220.
Amp install kit: $50ish?
Sub: Infinity Basslink 200-Watt, Dual 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer System. I plan to mount in the rear cargo area. About $180
Head Unit, looking at: Kenwood DPX 500bt (I am definitely not committed to this unit at this time). $200ish
Steering wheel control interface: About $50
_____________________________________________________________
My plan is to upgrade a piece at a time to ease the strain on my pocketbook as well as to allow time for install of each of the components – so each month, I’ll do around $200.00+ worth of purchases for the next step of my upgrades.
This month I’ll be mounting my speakers and moving on to the next piece. I’m thinking I will go for the battery next, followed by the Big 3, then amplifier – and so on, but then again, I might do my whole sound system first, then the battery and Big 3 – that way I’ll have my music sooner than later!
I have a 145 Amp alternator and my sound system is about 600 watts total with powered sub, so I’m thinking I should be fine in the juice department not needing to upgrade my alternator or use a capacitor in the system.
I am not an expert on sound systems and am open to learning, so any suggestions or constructive comments appreciated. If there are different components at around the same price that could be substituted that are “better” in some way, feel free to chime in and make suggestions.
Thanks, Joe
