Car Stereos

[dirk diggler]

I have an older car which has a CD player which has recently died. I am looking to move into the new millennium and get a new system and I was wondering if someone could recommend a good place to get it installed. I have heard places like Visions do not have a good reputation? I just want to get an idea of a good installer that I can trust isn't going to mess it up? any suggestions?

[btimbit]

I wouldn't worry too much. It's an easy job, pretty much impossible to mess it up. A place like visions would be fine but I'd recommend just doing it yourself. If you buy the car specific wiring harness it's extremely simple, no cutting your factory wiring just wire the stereo wires to your new adaptor harness and plug it in. I'd offer to help but I'm away for 3 weeks.

What kind of car?

[GoinAllTheWay]

At btimbit said, it's quite straightforward to change out a car stereo. Just did one myself recently. A poster here directed me to www.crutchfield.ca. Enter you car and it shows compatible decks. If you don't have steering wheel controls to worry about, it's shocking how easy it is do do. They even include instructions and a wiring harness specific for your vehicle.

[blankall]

Visions will charge $200-400 for labor. They did mine on collecting day for $200. That included about $50 in parts. I'd recommend getting your speakers replaced too. Even entry level speakers will be vastly better than what's likely in your car stock. Speaker technology has come a long way.

The advantage to using a professional is that they can help you match up the right package for your vehicle.

After you include the cost of parts, I paid an extra $300 or so for installation at visions. Wasn't willing to take apart and rewire components in the door. I'm sure others with more experience would consider this easy though.

[btimbit]

Yeah speakers are even easier. Most of the time it's just a matter of 4 bolts and and a plug, no wiring at all. Door panels are really easy to remove especially on older cars.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

I have an older car which has a CD player which has recently died. I am looking to move into the new millennium and get a new system and I was wondering if someone could recommend a good place to get it installed. I have heard places like Visions do not have a good reputation? I just want to get an idea of a good installer that I can trust isn't going to mess it up? any suggestions?

Getting great sound in an older car is an adventure. A lot of different things to consider:

The speaker drivers themselves and their passband and out-of-passband characteristics as well as dispersion profile

The crossover between those drivers (sub -> midwoofers -> midranges -> tweeters) at the multiple listening positions.

The interaction of the drivers with the vehicle's acoustics due to very early reflections.

recreating a believable stereo image given the limitations of the seating configuration

The reduction of road noise (a lowered noise floor is a huge contributor to sound quality and keeping volume within the limitations of the system).

Even most professional installers don't really have a clue about these above things. They can install them, but they can't necessarily design a high-end system tailored to your car. DIY is a path I would recommend but it's not "easy".

"Easy" is getting a new car where real pros from real audio companies like Mark Levinson have built the entire system from total scratch. I don't think picking up a so-called "system" from Visions comes close to that so I really gotta ask what your expectations are.

If you just want to replace the head unit (CD Player), that's something anyone can do themself in a couple of hours on the weekend. But if it's sound quality that compares or betters a modern car, that's a different animal.

[jwslam]

Is there a reason why you specifically need to upgrade?

-Do you play CD's all the time? if yes then upgrade
-Are you looking just to add bluetooth / aux to the car? There are ways to do this through FM transmitters if you are not crazy about sound quality

I recently added an FM bluetooth transmitter. I hardwired it so it starts / offs with the car. Cost me $35 total.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by jwslam

Is there a reason why you specifically need to upgrade?

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

which has recently died.

Getting back to the OP's question and I am going to go against the "DIY" sentiment. I'm at a point in my life where I realize that there are lots of things I can do "alright", but there's a reason why you have professionals doing it for a living. Especially if the quality of work and time spent offsets the cost.

I had recently looked into upgrading the stereo of my previous vehicle. I had gone into Auto Temp and was happy with what they were showing me, and their professionalism. Now, I didn't buy from them; however they would be a place I would turn to again if the need comes up.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by jwslam

Is there a reason why you specifically need to upgrade?

-Do you play CD's all the time? if yes then upgrade
-Are you looking just to add bluetooth / aux to the car? There are ways to do this through FM transmitters if you are not crazy about sound quality

I recently added an FM bluetooth transmitter. I hardwired it so it starts / offs with the car. Cost me $35 total.

my Cd player doesnt work anymore and it would be nice to have bluetooth. That is why i am upgrading. As i am not handy, i dont want to take this on myself. dont trust i wouldnt screw it up.

[Gundo]

I had a complete overhaul on my car stereo done at Visions in Red Deer. Turns out their shop Manager is an MECP Master certifies technition and was voted top 12V installer and most trusted installer in North America in 2018.

They did a great job and am planning on taking the ‘10 BMW 535GT I just bought in for an upgrade next month.