System Questions
 

If you guys had $600 to spend on a car audio system for your Protege. Include Amps, Subs, etc..








2001 Mazda Protege LX

I'd go to ebay and first concentrate on speakers for the front doors, then amp, then head unit, then sub-- in that order.:)

Here's some suggestions: I have them both and am VERY satisfied.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=32819

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=18796

uh oh, that's almost $500 right there...Keep saving and do it right!

First I would save more money. I can't even make a system I like at dealer cost for only $600

But six bills some sacrifices will need to be made. You can't get a worth while amp, 4 speakers, sub, box, wires and headunit for that.

I would suggest for that much keep the factory head unit, Replace on the front speakers only, spend up to $200.
Add a 4 channel amp, Spend up to $200. Run the front channels to the front speakers and the rear channels bridged to the subs.
Add a single 10" sub and box, spend up to $200.

Use whatever you saved in these areas for the Amplifier wiring kit and speaker wire.

Didn't say what Gen your car is, so I'll assume it's a newer one -w- a decent head unit. Keep factory radio, get Clarion 6.5" ($59 a pr), get good 2 channel amp(no more than 400 watts to complement deck) single 10 or 12. Adjust gain down to match and blend -w- factory deck. Save beer can's, cash 'em in and get new deck later. :D

I disagree with eggynatey only because I did my system in exactly that order and was dissatisfied. With each addition, I was displeased with the sound until I reached the end. Instead, I would recommend the following:

First, be realistic about the $600. This could buy you a very good HU and good speakers all around, and you would have excellent SQ but would be lacking true bass (the kind that only a subwoofer can provide). In this case, you would run the speakers off the HU power (probably around 20-25W RMS per channel) so you should choose efficient speakers.

However, if you choose quality components, you can spend the $600 on the HU and speakers with future upgradability in mind, so that when you get another $600 you can add the amp and subs with the appropriate wiring. If this is what you choose, make sure your HU has a separate subwoofer out. If you also plan on amping your interior speakers, you want a HU with high voltage preamp outs.

In the end, it really depends on your priorities and what you intend to use the system for. Don't ever buy more than you need. For example, if you don't care about the people in the back, then you can omit upgrading the rear speakers, etc.