fotch

hi all,

i've been browsing for aftermarket stereo stuff recently and the big missing cost figure for me is installation. i'm probably going to initially go with a set of reasonable replacement full-range door speakers and a two-channel amplifier. now i understand that installing the speakers is probably a fairly easy DIY task, but i'd rather pay someone to do it all. call me lazy, but i have a history with DIY electronics tasks that isn't very pretty.

can people comment on how much similar installations have cost them? i'm thinking about taking it to a shop that does car audio exclusively, not a Circuit City - something like Earmark or Tweeter. comments and critique welcome!


fotch (ixoye)

REVS29K

I just got a quote from The Good Guys. For installation of BA Rally separates (tweeter in the a-pillar) and amp in the tool well, they will charge $185 total. That includes making a new cover for the tool well with ventilation for the amp and matching carpet.

malachi

would suggest going to the pros (and this leaves The Good Guys out). you'll spend more money but they won't **** up your car.
i'd budget about twice the quoted price from The "Good" Guys.

fotch

that sounds almost obscenely high; we're talking about maybe $100 for speakers, $150-$200 (on the high side) for an amp and $50-$75 in wiring and whatnot, i'm sure. is it really normal to charge more in installation than the cost of the goods? this isn't a flame; i just want to make sure we're talking about the same thing here... professional, but not competition, right?


fotch (ixoye)

bbsilver

Good Guys and such cut corners. They install amps w/o looking for clearance. I had them do this on my Civic. Their remedy to make the seat pull forward was to get a hammer and bang on the bottom of the seat until their was clearance. Needless to say I do all the work myself now.

REVS29K

I have no doubt that most chains like Good Guys are questionable installers. My view of the one that I got the quote from was they were a pretty decent crew. They told me they tried to hire installers from high quality shops. They described the installation and at least said the right things. I've not decided yet what I'm doing, but I've not discounted them yet.

I also think they're installation charges are probably comparable to "pro" shops.

Pinky

Find a place that is a smaller shop. Been around for more than 5 years and figure.....100 per amp install. Drop in speakers....40 bucks. Separates...well 60 per hr and figure 3 hrs. 1.5 hrs per door/pillar.

So your talking 250-280 for a quality install. Custom work go for it! It all depends on where your tweeters are going and where the amp is going. Easy spots=little money.

S2000inbigD

Hey Fotch,

I think some of the N. Texas guys had theirs done at the earmark in richardson. You might try pm-ing those guys. I know Cdelena had his done. Let me know how it goes since I will be doing mine soon.

thanks,

Will