Hey guys, so here is my question. I have a 2010 Cobalt SS with the stock Pioneer sound system. I'm looking for increased bass and better sound quality. I already have an Alpine head unit laying around. It's the IDA-X305. What do you recommend...I don't want to spend too much considering my budget is mainly for performance mods. Around 200-300 MAX.

What is the best options considering I can sell the head unit, buy better speakers, buy a better sub and amp, etc

Which models do you recommend? (Amp, Sub, Speakers) I need a sub that will fit in the stock enclosure.
Will and aftermarket head unit make such a difference vs the stock pioneer?

Thanks for your time!

 

I think alpine is crap, and there's a write up on this sub plus stock enclosure thing in the DIY section.

 

Yeah I have seen it but all the parts he used are discontinued

 

hate to say it but 2-300 budget for 4 speakers sub amp and sub probably wont sound all that great. i would look at spending that amount on the bass or possibly 4 speakers on the alpine HU then do the second part once more funds are available.

 

Yeah I was kind of too much on the conservative side. If I get an upgraded amp and 4 speakers is there a way to increase bass without switching the actual stock sub? Sorry for my noobness, I'm more of a mechanical guy, electronic is not my stuff. Previous owner of a 91 Camaro, almost no electronics lol

 

the only way to increase bass on the stock sub is by putting more power to it. But you have to be careful because its pretty weak and cant really handle that much power. One thing to be aware of is you will need to do an amp bypass when swapping out the speakers. Also hopefully they fixed it but back when i was doing installs and the first of those cd less receivers came out they were gigantic pieces of ****. Something about the rca outputs was just straight **** (slightly better than the super off brand stuff)

 

Save your money. My amp alone cost over $400. If u want a good quality system ur gonna need more funds. Getting cheap speakers is gonna make it sound 10x worse

 

Here is a setup I came up with

Front : Pioneer TS-D1602R 4ohms, 2 way, 60w rms, 260w peak
Rear : Pioneer TS-D6902R 4ohms, 2way, 80w rms, 360w peak
Amplifier : Pioneer GM-D8604, 4 channel, 1200w peak
Subwoofer : Pioneer TS-SW251, 200 rms, 800w peak

If I get rid of the stock subwoofer and keep the stock amplifier (270W) + aftermarket, how would you hook everything?

I guess stock amplifier to subwoofer only and aftermarket amplifier to 4 speakers?

 

Idk how to do small builds on sound systems. I have Focal muds and highs front and rear powered by a 500w 4 channel and a 700w mono block pushing 2 4ohm subs in series all controlled by a Memphis crossover and filtered by an online noise damper. Not to mention a pioneer deck. Look at it this way, you gotta pay to play will apply to anything you do. One system sounds good but mine will sound better AND render you unable to swallow.

 

These are impressive numbers indeed. However all Im looking for is a medium upgrade over stock, as my main focus is on performance mods. Dual heavy subs is a big no for me, as I will bring the car to the track and drag strip.

 

Go get a $300 sub and single tuned box and spend another $500 on a mono block and you'll love it. Deck and mids/highs can run off the stock amp and everything will sound fine. Id personally go with kicker or Memphis for anything.

These days you can get kicker at Walmart lol.

 

Kicker is way over rated. They charge a **** ton for ok products. All my buddies swore by kickers and then i showed up with my audiopipes that cost half the price and are way better quality and sound. Plus i cant even breathe with it turned up

 

I'm a big fan of JL Audio. Get what you pay for.

 

speakers should be good amp idk iffy sub decent but ultimately shallows are all ~decent/ about the same so thats whatever. that sub wont work on the stock amp though.

Problem is this you realistically should be doing all or nothing in each category. Speakers dont really "need" an amp but you should replace all 4 at once and do the amp bypass. Stock sub and amp are tiny so if you put more power on the stock sub it will get louder but eventually blow. if u put an aftermarket sub on the stock amp its not going to sound good. it will probably sound worse then the stock sub.

one option with getting all that equipment might be running both speakers off the front channels and sub off the rear until u get a dedicated sub amp or just leave it like that and you cant fade from front to back

 

I just upgraded my amps. I sell you my jl audio 300/v2 and my jl audio 500/1 for $200 for both plus shipping if your interested.

 

damn i should jump on that. that would be a dick move though

 

If he doesn't jump on it I'll let you know.

 

Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for thanks a lot!

 

I will be! The specs are exactly what Im looking for!!

 

Pmed!

 

If you're on a budget I would suggest American Bass subs, Hifonics amps and Infinity Reference speakers. Also to keep costs down consider running 1 sub, in the right box 1 sub will give you more bass than anyone needs. I'm running one 8 inch American Bass VFL8 in a 1.0cu and most people think I have more subs than I do. Spend the money once and spend it right

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-American-Bass-Vfl8D4-8-Car-Audio-Competition-Subwoofer-Sub-/390831685613?pt=Car_Subwoofers_Enclosures&hash=item5aff623fed
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hifonics-Brutus-Series-2460W-Class-AB-Class-D-Bridgeable-Multichannel-MOSFET-/191146109894?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item2c81322bc6

 

I'll check the post office tomorrow for the shipping cost. I tried sending you a pm but it wouldn't let me.

 

just remember to wrap them in bubble wrap well if you dont have the original boxes