Car stereo - order from Crutchfield or......??

Philbiker · #1 01-03-2011, 12:23 PM

I'm thinking of replacing the factory stereo in my car because I want an aux plug and the ability to play MP3s on CD.

I haven't installed a stereo for probably 17 years. Back in the early 90s, I ordered from Crutchfield because they always included easy-to-follow instructions and any needed wiring harnesses and speaker brackets that you may need. They were fantastic. Their prices are high, but in my experience the extra value of the specific instructions and brackets, etc. made it worth spending the extra money.

So is there somewhere else online where I can easily get the kit I need for my car in addition to the stereo unit itself for less scratch than Crutchfield?

Pilgrim · #2 01-03-2011, 12:40 PM

Here's a vote for Crutchfield if you need them. They're below retail, but not as low as online cut-rate vendors.

However, their phone tech support is outstanding and they really can help if you run into problems with an install. You get what you pay for with them.

coolrunner989 · #3 01-03-2011, 12:41 PM

+1. I bought a new deck and speakers from them before, great service but pricier than you could find the same things on ebay. I'll probably be going back to get some different speakers and an amp this summer from them.

MJ5150 · #4 01-03-2011, 12:51 PM

I just spent about $4K with them redoing the system in my Dodge Ram. The prices were fair, but the overall service I got was great and made it totally worth buying everything from them. I normally spoke to the same guy each time I called, so he knew what I wanted and helped me get there. The couple times I got someone else on the phone, they were quick to get up to speed on my rig and what I was doing, then provide me some help. At least with the people I talked to, they came across as car audio enthusiasts who had real time experience with the equipment I was looking at and practical suggestions on how to get there.

Maybe I could have saved a couple hundred bucks piecing it together from three or four different places, but I didn't have to wonder if it was all compatible, if I was getting the latest version of the model, and I had one number to call for help with anything.

-Mike

coolrunner989 · #5 01-03-2011, 01:14 PM

MJ5150 - I've got a Dodge Ram too, mind sharing what you've upgraded to? PM is fine too.

Kwesi · #6 01-03-2011, 01:25 PM

Another vote for Crutchfield! Got a sweet ipod compatible head from them and they were with me every step of the way. All the parts I needed, wiring diagrams, installation instructions, everything! Thanks to them I saved $60 by doing the whole shebang myself. If I ever decide to get a new one, it's not even a question of who I'm going to.

MJ5150 · #7 01-03-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

PM is fine too.

PM sent. Let me know if you have any more questions. I forgot to add to that list that I bought all my wiring from Knu Konceptz, who got what I wanted to me faster than Crutchfield could. I wanted a specific color of speaker/amp wire which Crutchfield did not have in stock at the time.

-Mike

hbarcat · #8 01-03-2011, 01:35 PM

I buy stereo stuff from them about every two years or so and I have nothing but good things to say about them.

DRafalske · #9 01-03-2011, 02:02 PM

Crutchfield gets my vote too. Great selection, prices are fair, and service is top notch.
D

SoonerMatt · #10 01-03-2011, 02:13 PM

Another +1 for Crutchfield. Not the cheapest online but still cheaper than retail, fast shipping, their customer support is ace, and the instructions they give are crystal clear.

mmbongo · #11 01-03-2011, 02:18 PM

Another vote for Crutchfield, and I used to own a car stereo shop! I outfitted my Dodge Ram as well a few years ago, I got the Kenwood deck from them because they give you all the plugs and the installation kit.

And a word of advice...I thought I wanted one with an aux plug as well, but those are crap. Get one that has built in iPod controls, or better yet one that has a USB port in the back (that you can route to your glove compartment or something). That way you can just drag & drop your music to a flash drive and leave it plugged in. Done. Forget the AUX port.

KeithBMI · #12 01-03-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

And a word of advice...I thought I wanted one with an aux plug as well, but those are crap. Get one that has built in iPod controls, or better yet one that has a USB port in the back (that you can route to your glove compartment or something). That way you can just drag & drop your music to a flash drive and leave it plugged in. Done. Forget the AUX port.

Agreed. This is what I have. I ran the cable from the head unit to the glove box.

MJ5150 · #13 01-03-2011, 03:14 PM

Make sure you guys running those USB cables get the gold plated oxygen free ones from AudioQuest. If you don't, you're ruining the listening experience.

-Mike

Bob Lee (QSC) · #14 01-03-2011, 03:43 PM

The most nearly painless car stereo installs or replacements I've done were when I bought from Crutchfield. It's really nice to get everything--and I mean everything, including clear, vehicle-specific instructions--needed for the job all in one order.

It's much better than getting halfway through and discovering that doing a proper install also requires a couple additional brackets and a harness adapter that you didn't know to order.

Mike N · #15 01-03-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

The most nearly painless car stereo installs or replacements I've done were when I bought from Crutchfield. It's really nice to get everything--and I mean everything, including clear, vehicle-specific instructions--needed for the job all in one order.

It's much better than getting halfway through and discovering that doing a proper install also requires a couple additional brackets and a harness adapter that you didn't know to order.

+1.

mid_life_crisis · #16 01-03-2011, 06:53 PM

Crutchfield is amazing. I've moved a unit I bought from them to a different car after two years and they supplied the instructions for the new vehicle.

dose · #17 01-03-2011, 07:02 PM

Another vote for Crutchfield they are no where near the cheapest but their CS is outstanding

Philbiker · #18 01-03-2011, 07:30 PM

Wow. Guess things haven't changed much in the last 17 years. I definitely will get one with a USB. I'm considering a DVD drive so that I can just leave a few discs with gobs and gobs of MP3s on them in the glovebox all the time.. Too bad it seems as if all the aftermarket stereo head units look goofy and ridiculous.

MJ5150 · #19 01-03-2011, 07:45 PM

What vehicle are you tricking out?

-Mike

Philbiker · #20 01-04-2011, 05:59 AM

I'm not "tricking out" anything. I'm considering installing a modest stereo in my 2004 Subaru station wagon.