Guys,

I have an 88 IROC. It has the original GM AM/FM Radio with cassette and 7-band equalizer. It also has the original 4 speakers. Two are ear level in the rear and the others are in the dash. At least 2 are blown and the system sounds very bad.

I went to the local electronics store today to see what it would cost to put in an OK system. I found that the rears are 6"x9"'s and the fronts are 4"x?" (forget). I cross referenced this to the available speakers and found that it would be about $100 for the rears and about $80 for the fronts. I also found that a four-channel receiver will put me back about another $200.

Understand that my funds are limited.

Questions:
1) Would simply replacing the speakers make enough of a difference?
2) Even with new speakers and receiver, would the bass response be decent? The location for the rear speakers don't seem to have much room let the bass expand.

Finally, I am not looking for a moving boom box. Just something that will sound decent - on a budget.

 

There are so many different answers to your questions. Simply replacing the speakers will make the system sound better, but replacing the head unit as well, will make a huge difference. Also, if you are going to buy speakers you want to buy something quality. In my opinion there is no use in spending your money on crappy speakers that will not make much difference in the sound. I completely understand the budget thing, I'm in the same boat. My best suggestion for you is to take it one step at a time. Replace the stuff that is broken first and replace it with something that is quality. Save your money and replace other things later. Good luck.

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'86 IROC-Z
305 LG-4, T-5
T-Tops
50k Original Miles
K&N Air Filter
Stage I Chip
KYB Shocks/Struts
Centerforce Dual Friction

 

http://www.sbhcorp.com

Go there, I bought a pair of decent Pioneer 6x9s and a new head unit. It totalled about $200 and sounds a hundred times better. I didn't have money for front speakers so I just adjusted the fade towards the rear, it sounds just fine.

What kind of music do you listen to? That really affects what kind of setup will work for you.

 

Guys,

Your responses are pretty much the way I was leaning. Taking it a step at a time until the system becomes acceptable (or until an unknown, rich relative dies).

Here is what I plan to do

1) Buy new rear 6"x9"s for the rear.
2) Buy a new receiver (so I can play CD's)
3) Buy new fronts
4) Buy/make some sort of subwoofer device

I will do this over time until I get something I can live with. I usually get cash from relatives for Chirstmas. Typically, this just gets added to the family budget. Maybe this year I'll buy myself some audio equipment...

As far as my preferences goes, I like the "hard" sounding rock such as Metallica, Megadeth, Creed, etc. However, since I'm an old fart, you'll also catch me listening to Van Halen (D.L. Roth VH), Rush, Judas Priest, etc.

Thanks.

 

Sounds like you got the plan. If interested, I have an old JVC head unit tape deck that you can have cheap. It's a high output unit with good bass and treble gain and it has RCA preouts for a sub. It will definitely get you by until you have cash for what you really want.

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92 Camaro RS LO3, 5-spd, T-tops
Mechanics:
Open Air Element w/K&N Filter, Flowmaster 3" Cat-back Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-90 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs and 4 Infiniti speakers.
NEXT UP: SLP 1 3/4" Headers/Y-pipe, Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch kit

 

Just to update you guys.

I just finished installing new Pioneer 6x9 speakers in the rear - $94 on sale... Systems sounds somewhat better, but it exposed a rattle in the driver's side rear seating area. Oh well...

I suppose the front speakers will be next. I am not looking forward to the front speakers...

 

the sound you are most likely hearing is the vents in the door jam. they have a rubber gasket in them that dries out if you take out the gaskets it should get rid of the rattle.

 

hehe thats the second step after you buy your system and install it...tracking down/fixing the rattles. i just upgraded a few pieces to my system and now the rattles are almost as loud as the music....you just gotta crawl around and find where rattles are coming from, then start knockin them out

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350, Comp 262, Edelbrock Performer intake 600 cfm carb and exhaust, headers
-JVC, Eclipse, Pioneer, MTX, Phoenix Gold, Planet Audio

 

Yeah. I'm kinda bummed about the who thing...