audit13

I went to a car audio retailer today and he recommended the following components for installation in my 2004 Subaru Forester XT (all prices are in Canadian dollars):

Alpine 9827 head unit ($300)
MB Quart dce216 component speakers for the front ($500)
Kaption 4" for the rear ($100)
Bazooka 4 channel amp to power the door speakers ($300)
Bazooka mono block to power a 10" sub in a separate enclosure ($200)

I wanted the amps mounted on a sheet of particle board and installed in the rear compartment. I didn't want the amps bolted to the rear seatbacks because I wanted to minimize the amount of drilling involved.
Total cost including wiring and installation is around $2700 Canadian.

Am I being ripped off ? I can't find much info on the MB Quart speakers but I have seen them on-line in the US from $140 to $240 USD. Some people have reported good things and some not so good.

Anyone have any experience with car audio dealers in Toronto, Canada ? If so, please let me know.

Thanks.

[ December 19, 2004, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: audit13 ]

chiziam

I have bought some components on line (I will pick up Monday) from an Authorized Internet Retailer. I find most car audio components very expensive in Canada probably because of the distributor needing to make their margin and the fact that pricing is not representative of the new strength of the Canadian dollar. I have purchased a Rockford P4004 amp for $240 USD ($300 CDN on my credit card) including shipping that sells for $499 CDN at a large box retailer in Toronto. I will not pay PST on the amp but will probably pay a little bit of duty. Will let you know how much that is. I saved even more on the Oz Audio speakers ($240 USD vs $700CDN). Head units seem to be more competitively priced. Your prices seem fine but the install seems expensive.

[ December 19, 2004, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: chiziam ]

hofulstrof

your gonna pay $1300 just for instalation?i personally would shop around those prices seem high.Good choice on your Hu your should be able to pick it up a little cheaper than that (i paid 270)_you should shop around the classified section .you could probly pick up a 4 channel amp or much better qualtiy for about $150

Seahag

^^ agreed

audit13

Yeah, the install price seems high. The salesperson quoted me 6.5 units of labour (I'm not sure if 1 unit = 1 hour). The installation includes the rca cables, power distribution block, power cable from the battery to the amps, etc.

I had a tour of their installation facilities and the installer was working on a Subaru WRX. The dash installtion looked clean. He was in the process of mounting the amp to the rear seat back when I entered the shop.

I've seen pictures of their work and they seem to do a good job. I thought about using BestBuy or Futureshop but I'm not sure how good or careful they are at installations. I'm going to check out Altered Sound in Oakville, Ontario and Number 1 Sound in Toronto to see what they can do for me.

I'll keep you posted on my findings.

Seahag

That price doesnt include a sub?

personally

300 for the deck is OK.
500 for speakers is over kill. maybe 300

I would suggest better amps.. specially if your spending 500 on comps.


I would get...

2- 2 channels. (one bridged for a sub and one for some comps. )

A set of comps and a single sub.

If you look into the for sale section, you can save some money serious money and get better gear.

mik

iTrader: (1)

I say find a nice strong 4 channel amp and run a set of components off the front channels, sub off of the rear channels bridged, and then if you want rear fill run rear speakers off of the rear channels on the deck (in which case your stock speakers are probably fine for rear fill).

That alone will probably save you some money

So in short:

About 300-400 for a headunit
Probably 200-350 for a nice set of components
And then a nice four channel amp + install

I think you could get it done for quite a bit less than your total there ^^^

audit13

I checked out my local Best Buy and spoke with an installer. Wow, he does some really great work. I looked at a VW Passat and Jeep he was doing and it was excellent. Very neat installation with all cables tied off, properly terminated, and firmly attached to the speakers/amps/head unit.

I think I'm going to get something installed from Best Buy using Monster Cable power/rca/speaker wires. That will run me about $370 before taxes but I use Monster at home and it is good stuff.

Thanks for all of the replies. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ December 19, 2004, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: audit13 ]

Vanilla Gorilla

yikes, my stereo cost me $700 total, and that includes my panasonic deck, Dynaudio speakers, Kicker Amp, and my Vifa Sub. $1300 for what little effect your going to end up with, seems to be WAY to much of an investment. If I were you man.... Id honestly just keep the stock stereo in there, and save your $1300 for something else.

Team Shadow

before you go and get your items installed at anther shop. see what the warranty is. does installing it at another shop change the warranty. get it in writing. cause you dont want to get stuck in a pickle.