Last time I upgraded audio in a car was my 1972 Dodge Dart that only had one speaker and AM radio. (AM/FM and 8-track with Jensen speakers and I was ROCKING)
Since then I have always bought a car that had a good to great stock system.

As we all know the S system sucks, even for a Vintage guy like me.

Here are my requirements:
I want to spend less than $750.00 including installation.
I want to hear my system CLEAR at 75 plus with the top down. (as it should always be)
I want to use stock HU or at least have the dash control's work.
I want S-pods.
I listen to classic rock and the new country sound.
Do not need a sub in the trunk. (note the comment about the 72 Dart)

This is one guy who knows nothing about this subject. (Again, 72 Dart)

Please take pity and offer suggestions. I am in the metro Atlanta area, if any one has a suggestion of an installer.

 

Actually the 8-track and the Jensen speakers are a GREAT choice.

OK, the S-pods will run you $240 + shipping.
You can keep the factory HU and add a 4 channel amp for about $200-$250. Decent speakers for front and rear will run you at least $225-$275. That puts you over your budget and you have yet to install.

If you want to keep the price down for now, and keep your options open, AND meet your goals, I think you will have to lose the S-pods.

Keep the 4 channel amp (so you can add rear speakers in the future.) Drive new front speakers and I think you can stay within budget. That's the good news.

The bad news is that no one can really tell you what to buy. Your best bet is to go to a car audio shop and listen to as many 6.5" speakers as you can to determine which ones sound best to you at a price you are willing to pay. The key for a good install is to find a good audio shop. These places are NEVER named Circuit City or Best Buy. Talk to the installer. The actual installer they reccomend for you at the shop. Ask him how many S2000's he has done, and specifically what he did to them. Ask him specifics. Even if you don't know the answer of how best to route wires, make sure he sounds like he does. Also, negotiate the price at the shop. Make sure your negotiations include installation pricing. They may not give it to you, but keep in mind that their price for a component may be as little as half of what they are listing it for. If you lead them to believe you may do more to the car down the road, they may be more willing to cut you a better break on the price for THIS install.

 

750 would be hard with the install. it would be possible if you were willing to do the work.

on that kind of budget, i'd like at new speakers and a 50X4 channel amp which won't be too big and run it off the stock headunit. it will be a decent upgrade and if you ever get a new head unit it will slip right into your system.

for speakers i'd recommend the CDT CL61A, which is on sale at thezeb.com for $150 right now, but like ruexp67 said you should listen to some speakers to see what you like. speakers are very subjective.

 

I think the best way to go is to get the front speakers and a 4 ch amp at this point and get the S-pods in the later. If I buy the speakers and 4 ch amp over the internet will an Audio shop do the install for a flat or per hour rate?

 

If all you want is good sound at highway speeds with the top down, you don't really need the S-pods.

I'd suggest a good set of front speakers (about 100WRMS) and a nice 2 channel (100WRMSx2) amp. You can talk to the shop and let them know if you're not happy with the sound you'd exchange the 2 channel amp for a 4 channel one. Then, you can later add the S-pods.

You can also have the shop install speakers in the rear (like Lucid's) with a 4 channel amp and it might be possible to stay within your budget.

Visit your local shops (all of em ) and get estimates and what they are offering. I'd not suggest you buy online since you're not going to install it yourself.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by blackbur
I think the best way to go is to get the front speakers and a 4 ch amp at this point and get the S-pods in the later.

 

An audio shop would generally install parts you did not buy from them, but the hourly rate is a killer. Get an installed price from a a shop on a part, then use the internet rate to negotiate the price down. You will save more than buying online. The only real way to save by buying on the internet is to install yourself.

 

Stock HU with a nice pair of front speakers and a good two channel amp is all you really need. I'm running a PPi PC275 amp and some MB Quart DSE 216 components up front and it sounds really really good.

total cost so far:
Amp = Free had it laying around in the garage, but they're about $75 on ebay.
Speakers = $160 with shipping on ebay
Wires and Line conveter = about $40

I have 5 1/4" components in the rear already, but I don't think I'm gonna run them anymore as the fill is good enough with just the fronts.

 

Have you spoke with any of the Atlanta owners? I know they are a tight group, and alot of them had nice stereo installs. You might want to ask their help. Maybe join the Atlanata club at the same time. http://www.s2000-atlanta.com/