Car audio recomendations

[Digs]

Originally Posted by backwoods357

Shopping around, I think i'm looking more in the $300-400 range for the head.
A few more questions:

Is it worth re-running all the speaker wire?
Is a 4v preamp decent?
Recommendations on a ~200W RMS amp?
Brands to avoid?
Am I overlooking anything?

I just completed my system in my 4 door tacoma. One thing I can tell you is the mark-up on car audio is insane! A $300-$400 head unit at Best Buy (and your little local car stero punks shop) can probably be had for 50% less. Check out that http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ like was suggested above.

I have double din DVD player headunit to control it all, think I paid like $299 I don't need blu tooth and all that other crap. I went with Alpine component speakers in all 4 doors and pioneer shallow 10" (all I could fit or would have gone 12") and 5 channel powerbass 2200 max watt amp. Match your speaker max watts to your amp output, l went with a 5 channel so I didn't have to install 2 amps.

Crutchfield is has nice web sight and will help you figure out what options fit our car.

I can tell first hand new headunit & new speakers will sound like crap without good amp, most head units are only capable of 15-16-17 watts x4 and most speakers are around 60 watts on up, choice your head unit, select your speakers then match your amp rms ratting to them.