rgcaraudio
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Buy a nice head unit and speakers first. Buy them together, because the new radio using old speakers, or new speakers powered off an old radio.... will still sound like your old factory setup. Expect to pay about $150 to $200 for a decent head unit, and maybe $50 to $80 per pair for nice speakers.
With your new head unit, check how many outputs it has, so you can add an amplifier later easily. 2 outputs is pretty standard for a lot of models, and will upgrade nicely. 3 outputs will allow you more control and flexibility later over a subwoofer amp, but you can still make a sub amp work with only 2 outputs if thats what you end up with. Also, look for an input on the head unit. This will allow you to plug in an Ipod directly, rather than using an FM transmitter. Transmitters are a fallback device if you need it, but their sound quality is poor, and having a dedicated input for MP3's just sounds so much cleaner.
Later, or if you have more money now, you think about adding an amplifier for your front/rear speakers. This will not only provide more watts than your head unit provides, but also, much cleaner wattage too. The built-in amplifier inside your head unit is tiny, and fits on a microchip. A dedicated amplifier has much higher quality circuitry, that gives you far less distortion at it's rated power.
Also, adding a subwoofer and sub amp is a great addition. This does more than just let you be heard thumping ten blocks away... Having a subwoofer in the system to take over all bass notes, alleviates that low-frequency stress off the smaller speakers in your truck, frequencies they're not designed to handle, and causing them to distort. Add a sub, and turn on the high-pass crossover to the front/rear speakers, you'll notice a huge improvement immediately.
Long story short....
Head unit and speakers first and foremost. Then a sub with an amp (even if it's a small one, you'll benefit from having something in there). Finally, a 4 channel amp for your front/rear speakers.
Stick to better brand names, and steer clear of bargain brand, cheap stuff. Brands like JL Audio, Alpine, Kenwood, Rockford Fosgate, Eclipse, Infinity.
Use the web link below.... enter your vehicle information, and they'll show you all the products that fit your truck.
http://www.crutchfield.com/
930 days ago
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