Wanna Replace Head Unit and Speakers. Which speakers are best bang for buck??

[///M3 4-LIFE]

Hey, I went to SoundAdvice just to see what they would recommend, and how much they would "screw" me by. They recommended the MB quart PCE213s for the front AND Rear. The guy said they would make the 5.25" fit for the rear. So basically it would be the 5.25" and a 1" tweeter on each corner of the car. Does that sound right?? What other speaker configurations and brands are there that are good for the money. The MB's are pretty expensive. The sales guy there charged me $530, and I found it online for $289.

Then for head units i was thinking either the alpine 9833 or the pioneer premier 860. The alpine is $379, the pioneer premier is $399.

And the 4 channel amp is the alpine mrvf340, and thats for $289.

[kesslerbmw]

I would go for the alpine just because i've had one in my car since 1999 and it has given me absolutly no trouble what so ever and it is still about as good as i could buy today, 4 volt pre outs, dcdc, but mine is a dead head. One good thing about paying that extra money for the speakers is that you can always take it straight back to them for your warranty, the'll pay for shipping and if your lucky some places will take product off the shelf and let you use the new product while they wait for there new product keeping the jams flowing in your car. thats my 2 cents

[ESP]

Either HU is fine, I personally prefer Alpine. The Alpine Amp should work fine for you as well.

For Speakers I am a big fan of JL Audio and would choose them over the MB Quarts.

[bigdog95325]

MB Quart are great speakers, I have them in my e36. They can only be topped by Focal as far as component speakers go. With a good amp powering these you will get the cleanest, loudest, and lowest distortion at high volume of any speaker out there. They'll make your ears bleed set up right. However, as far a bang for the buck neither of these are that great. Both are very expensive. If you truly want the best sound for the least money go with an Infinity set up and a good amp. That way if you decide you want a better speaker the amp is already there to power them. Anyway, that's my opinion. Good luck!

[MarkS1382]

I say go for the MB's, this just got me thinking.......hmmm I have the Alpine, all I need now is crisp, loud sound:-)

[Virg///M3]

How are the MB QM 215.03 CX rated? I just got them but have not installed them yet. Waiting for HU & AMPs buy.

[BMWhartgeM3]

go with the alpine deck for one, dont go with a 4 channel amp unless ur gunna run the Mb quarts out of it, the deck will power those fine, unless ur want a cleaner more powerful sound, then get the amp but its not needed really. MB quarts are really nice speakers tho matched with the alpine u wont wanna get out of ur car!

[schnazzy]

I'd buy a clarion deck so you can have a red face (the mid range ones let you choose from 100's of colors). They also do wmv and mp3 and cd-r. Alpines are nice, I have had them in the past and have sold both clarion and alpine (and kenwood, panansonic, pioneer, audiobahn, etc) and clarion are great (as of course are alpine). Kenwood also have a red face (depending) but I am not so much of a fan of kenwood.

Speakers, unless you are going amp power don't go with MBquart. MB's are nice. I have MB's in my e36 right now. I had JL's previously in the car. MB's are part of a sponsorship deal otherwise there is nothing wrong with JL's. You might find that while driving the MB's sound better. MB's have more midrange comming out of them and less tweet which sometimes makes them sound muddy in comparison to lower quality speakers but while driving and all that high pitched wind noise and road noise the MB's will sound very good.

I have 5." in the rear of mine.

Amp's... Get a 4 channel just for the speakers (not sub). There are lots of good choices, just about anything is going to sound better than the deck. Phoenix Gold, Swiss, Alpine, JL, ... Get a good midlevel brand. Even a lower quality amp (but still good quality) like coustic, mtx, clarion, EFX, will sound good but don't buy MB's and go with a coustic amp please.

The most important part is the install. Use good wiring and good installation techniques to reduce engine whine and signal loss. Using dynamat or equivelent properly and sparingly will enhance the sound of your stereo.

[schnazzy]

One last thing. There are some great deals on the internet and if you want to take advantage of them I'd say go for it. However you should be aware of many problems with online sales.

Some sites are scams (good luck)
Some sites are not authorized dealers (this is a problem).
Some sites will send used equipment or B-stock (ie refurb)

The price you quoted in your post is not from an authorized dealer. I know this because an authorized dealer cannot advertise that amp for that price. If the site is legit and actually has new gear, you will not get a warranty from Alpine. The site may say it's warranteed (if by only the retailer then you'd better hope they are still in business in the future and selling gear that costs $260 and making $20 is not a good business model) (if by the manufacturer (alpine) they are lying).

Some local reputable dealers that will install your gear properly will not or cannot install new gear not purchased from them. i.e. gear not already installed in a car that you ask to swap or gear in their stock room.

Most people don't care about a warranty and would rather save a few bucks. Your local dealer may reduce the price of the amp for you (a bit) but not below minimum allowed manufacture pricing.

One last note... What happens when everyone converts to buying online? Who will install your gear? Who will take your bad amp in and exchange it over the counter at the same time? Who will answer you technical questions (more than will this speaker fit)? Who will install crazy fiberglass, linear actuated, neon lit, sub boxes with waterfalls and fish swimming upstream? oh, and who will install your alarm?

Ask the dealer what MAP (minimum advertised price) is and if you purchased the equipment today (and you have to mean it) would they be able to sell it to you? Thats a sure way to get a discount from MSRP.

[schnazzy]

MAP is usually 10-20% from retail (10% or less on alpine). (on new non- b-stock gear)