My dad just purchased a 02 S2K, and he was very unhappy with the sound of the stock stereo system, so he asked me to do some research about replacing it.

My dad is willing to spend about 400-500 dollars, and he wants to keep the controls on the left side of the wheel working. What do you guys suggest my dad buys and have installed (yes, he will take it somewhere to be installed, he won't let me touch the S, even though i did the stereo on my own car and helped with my friends). Keep in mind my dad doesn't want spine crushing bass, so no subwoofers. He justs wants nice clean, clear sound that he can hear with the top down.

My first thoughts were an Alpine Deck and maybe a Pair of INFINITI Kappa perfect 6.1 for the front speakers (?)

 

Tell him he'll need to spend just a little bit more....

But for a good upgrade I would get a HU, Door speakers and the DCI so he can keep the dash controls. Paying for the install is whats going to push it up.

A good HU will run about $250-300
Example and highly recommended:

Alpine CDA-9831 ($309.00)


A useful set of speakers will run about $150-250
Example:

Kenwood Excelon KFC-XR61P ($184.00)


The DCI you can get here in the Go Fast Lab for about $108
You'll need a mics parts and stuff to install it all correctly, that will run about $50
The install will run you about $125-$150 depending on the shop and the quality of work you get.

So even on the cheaper side of things you'll spend about $575-600. Using the products I listed your looking at about $774-$800.

 

bostons

i dont know whats about in the US but alpine is the route i would go with a dash control, speakers wise for a good mid range price is the one i placed above. head units in the are cheaper than here go for a 9833 alpine if you can.

 

Yeah Bostons are nice as well

 

My recommendation for a budget is to lose the dash contols. Really, would you rather have better sound or keep the functionality of a few buttons for $150 (minimum)? Your dad will likely find, like I have, that $150-250 to keep the dash controls is pretty steep when the volume control is 3" further than the gear shift. Also, if he does miss the dash controls he can always add in the DC interface at a later time for no more money on the install.

For me, even spending crazy amounts of money on an audiophile system it comes down to keeping the radio door closed all the time and using a toggle switch for volume or being $200 richer and opening/closing the door when I start/stop the car and turning a rotary knob for the volume. Until someone else pays my bills I'm very inclined to be $200 richer