Thanks Steve

 

Just s suggestion. I'd order or buy a set of four speakers at a good price and have them ready to install because if you're going to take the door panels off to test them, you might as well have them ready to replace. Most places like Crutchfield and Amazon and even Best Buy have liberal return policies so you can take them back if you test them and it's not the speakers. Yes, the speakers can go in multiples, but I think what happens is that one goes out and you don't notice when a second goes. It was funny - when I was test driving my car, something was weird but I couldn't figure it out - it was chime wasn't working because the driver's side speaker was blown.

Btw, if you're looking for a cost effective set and aren't a hard core audiophile, I went with the Kenwood KFC-1666R from BB for $40 a pair. Also, to save yourself some grief, spend the extra few bucks for the speaker brackets and wire connectors.

 

Thanks for the info
Good idea. Yea I am not into music much, so a basic radio works for me. Not worth it to me to spend big bucks on a radio. A basic radio w/ blue tooth will be fine :)

 

No prob. Just remember the rule though..."buy cheap, buy twice!" I bought a couple of cheapo Dual radios and ended up replacing them every year. Popular name brands are usually best, just focus on the basic qualities you need, like bluetooth, and you'll keep the price down and still get quality.

 

A lot of truth to that, I figure if I could keep it around 150%/200$ for a radio that should be fine, if that is what I need , Speakers seem to be around 200$ for a decent set But Ni way am I going to spend 1000$ + on a system I would rarely use. But like you said buy cheap you pay twice :O

 

I am having issues with my radio, Only minimal sound from the pillar tweeters, Speakers nothing. !Door/Key Chimes nothing !

As I have read all 4 speakers going at once is not uncommon on the HHR

So even if it is just the speakers I am thinking new radio w. Blue Tooth!

I rarely listen to the radio and do not need the CD player ! SO do not want or need a High end system !

What Brand radios and speakers do you like and recommenced,

I would like to stay less the $500.00/$600.00 for radio and speakers. Hopefully just the radio so that would be cheaper.
Thanks

 

Threads merged

 

I personally prefer Pioneer but Kenwood and Alpine are pretty good. Kenwood and JVC merged a few years ago, with JVC sort of being the lower end and Kenwood having longer warranties but both are still good product. Just don't go with a cheap brand (Dual, Boss, Jensen) because you'll just end up replacing it. I once bought three Dual head units and all three went out. That's a problem because now you have to pull it back out and replace it which is an unnecessary pain. And please buy the install kit instead of hacking into the stock harness.

The main thing is try to get a mechless unit (no CD mechanism) because that makes it easier to shove all the wires back into the dash. I prefer double DIN units because they fit nicely in the dash but if you really just want a basic head unit with bluetooth, without the fancy screens, the single DINs are the cheapest - not much more than $100. Single DINs also usually have the USB on the front (so you don't have to run and mount a USB cable - not that that's a big deal) and a volume knob, which many people prefer. I got hooked on Apple CarPlay, and then got hooked on wireless CarPlay so the unit I have cost $500, open box.

As far as speakers, just read a lot of reviews and focus on what type of sound is important. I hate that very few retailers have speakers on display that you can actually listen to before buying. I tried to keep the price down so I just went with four Kenwoods for $40 a pair and I'm very satisfied so far given the price. You can usually get a deal if you buy a radio/speaker package and I guess it's a good thing for them to match. With speakers (and radios) the sky is the limit so it just depends on what you want to spend. The stock speakers are components (separate tweeters) but I just went with regular coaxials for now just to keep the price down. The biggest difference in sound came from adding the powered subwoofer but that's a whole 'nother thing, especially since you want to keep the price down. Please don't cheap out and try to use the old speakers for mounting brackets or cutting the stock wires - just get the mounting and wire adapters - it's not much more expensive and makes the install easier and nicer.

Sorry for the long post - hope it helps! You should easily be able to get a nice radio, speakers and install items for around the $500 price if you shop carefully.

 

I thought I already posted this somewhere but I hacked the old POS speakers off of the factory brackets with a cutoff wheel and installed some of 5.25" speakers from Walmart. (They’re better than what I had in mind but it’s what was in stock in 5-1/4”. Even the crappiest ones are better than the base speakers.) Made some undercuts and snapped in the tabs, sealed it all up with hot glue. This preserved the original foam seals. Would have been neater had I anticipated posting pics.

 

I still think speakers first, HU later if required.