incremental stereo upgrade path

Due to the overwhelming help I got here when trying to install a Viper Remote Start / Alarm, I figured I'd come back and ask a few questions about the car audio aspect of my vehicle upgrades.

The car is an inherited 1995 Ford Contour w/ 60K miles, leather and is fully loaded. Hence, why I'm trying to make it sound as good as it looks.

When I got the car, there was no CD deck -- only cassette. The first thing I did was to purchase a new head unit. I had it installed and proceeded to rip out the factory amp (had the Ford "Premium" sound package) and wire the speakers directly to the head unit.

So, long story short, my current configuration is this:
Alpine CDE-9852 w/ iPod connection
Factory Speakers ("Premium Sound Package" if that matters)

While everything sounds okay at the mid to high range, I'd really like to fill in the low range since there is no bass whatsoever. I mainly listen to rock with some classical mixed in. I would much rather have it sound better instead of louder.

What exactly do I need to do as far as wiring? I realize I'd have to run a large gauge wire from the battery to the trunk and a set of RCA cables from the head unit to the trunk. From there would I need a fuse block?

I'm trying my best to upgrade as time / money allow so I don't want to necessarily short myself down the road.

My initial research shows that perhaps a 10" TC-1000 sub would be sufficient to fill in the low ranges. But how do I design and build a box -- or should I just have someone build one for me? I really don't want to take up too much trunk space as this is my daily driver and use it to buy groceries, pet food, etc...

Also, what amp should I look at? There are so many choices and the 2ohm vs 4ohm seems quite confusing even after reading about them. From what I can tell, if I'm buying new, just get the amp and sub to match?

If I run a larger power wire to the trunk, I could add an additional amp for the other speakers in the system later, correct? What gauge would be appropriate?

I'm sorry for this long post with many questions. I tend to over-research anything (if that's possible).

Thanks for any help and advice.

1.  Replace OEM speakers.  Buy components for the front door locations.  While front doors are apart, dynamat all door panels and seal tightly.

2.  OEM rear speakers could remain until last upgrade.

3.  Choose either a two or four channel amp for powering your components (and rears when upgraded).  Power output is into 4 ohms/channnel.

4.  Go over Big 3 upgrading sticky and follow that advice.

5.  Choose a subwoofer and amplifier.  You can use the 3 and 4 channels to power the sub if you have a four channel amp, which a later upgrade to a dedicated mono amp for the sub.  Consider the tried-and-true sound quality models such as JL, Infinity Kappa Perfect, or Eclipse subs.  Choose one that works best in a sealed 1 to 1.25 cu ft enclosure.  Power output for the sub is into a 2 ohm impedance.  One DVC 4 ohm sub can be your 2 ohm load.

I would suggest looking into the TC Sounds only after you have successfully built a first system with a more mainstream SQ sub.  The TC will want more power than subs previously mentioned and is a bit trickier to model an enclosure for.

6.  Dynamat the trunk panels that will resonate.  Install the sub and amp(s) in the trunk and you are well on your way.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Steve,

Thanks so much for the ideas. I've already upgraded 2 of the big three. Just have to find the chassis ground to finish that up. Didn't really plan on doing it, but noticed that my wiring was frayed from the car sitting for so long that it needed doing. If I was going to do it, I figured I'd do it right.

When you say "...dynamat all door panels and seal tightly", what exactly am I sealing?

From what I can tell, I need 6x8 speakers for front and rear with my car. I've looked around but can't find very many good sites that list price. It's too bad, I used to use Crutchfield to get an idea of what was out there, but their site seems to be down.

Thanks. I'll keep researching and post back with any ideas / questions!

I like all of stevdart's suggestions. Especially the one about waiting to "gradutate" (as it were) to the TC woofer.

I use them, I love them. SQ and good efficiency, but they are indeed a trickier woofer to model an enclosure for. You could go as simple as the recommended 1 cubic foot sealed box (per the TC website), and feed it a good quality 500 to 750 watts (Audiobahn, Sony, Pioneer, Lanzar, new Orion stuff, HiFonics... Brands of that ilk need not apply!) and you'll end up with a respectably loud subwoofer, but your extension might not be what you like. It'll go respectably deep, but I think you'll be happier with "soemthing else" at first.

You, like I, like to do all your research beforehand, AND are looking for quality over quantity. The TC will do both, but it really isn't a "starter" woofer! If you are willing to possibly throw a couple of enclosure attempts away, then by all means, consider the TC, but just be warned!

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Good to know.

Actually, it was one of your other posts which got me thinking about the TC in the first place. You spoke very highly of it's accurate sound and good value -- two key features I'm looking for.

What other subs offer reasonably good sound quality in the same general price range (cheaper always being better as long as quality isn't affected).

I was looking at some front speakers and found it hard to search through all the brands. I did find a set of JL TR570-CX that look to fit my front speaker cutouts for $99. Seemed like a good deal if they will work well. For another $100, there were the CXi series, but that had an external crossover which would present more complication and wiring. Don't some good amplifiers come with crossover anyway?

I'll keep looking as I'm starting to get a better idea of what's out there. I think Amps are going to be the hardest as they range from $100 (what looks like junk) all the way to >$1000. How much I should spend is becoming an issue as I really don't want a "loud" system. More often than not, my stereo is just turned to a comfortable level where I can still hear my cell phone ring or hold a conversation with my wife. Only once in a while do I really turn it up and then it's normally to hear very well played instrumental pieces.

I started looking at this whole idea of upgrading to something as the pieces I was playing were noticeably lacking in bass and it is starting to really annoy me.

Thanks again for the help!

Okay. More research, more questions.

I'm trying to keep this whole thing reasonably priced and from what research I've done, I think this is possible.

The following is a preliminary list of what I've found. Please let me know if I'm on the right track here:

• Head Unit: Keep the existing Alpine CDE-9852. It has 1 set of pre outs so I should be able to make it work for now. Plus, I use the iPod connection a lot. If I run the 'Y' splitters next to the H/U and run at least 2 sets of RCA back to the amp, I'll be set for upgrading the H/U at a later date.
• Amp: Eclipse EA4100 - 75W x 4 at 4 Ohms, 150W at 4 Ohms bridged.
• Sub: Eclipse SW6000 - 300W RMS
• Front Speakers: JL TR570-CX - 50W RMS
• Rear Speakers: Leave for now, future upgrade possibility

Few questions about the above.
1. After reading the Amp Buying guide, I looked at S/N Ratio of a few different options. The Eclipse seemed to be better than the equivalent Alpine in this regard as the S/N of the Eclipse is >90dB while the Alpine was under 80dB. If I'm looking for the cleanest signal, this is a big difference, isn't it?

2. The amps I was looking at seem to all overdrive the front speakers but under drive the sub. Am I trying to mix incompatible components? Few subs are around 150W RMS while most speakers around around 75W RMS. Or is this going to work just fine.

3. Where do I purchase a sub enclosure? Or do I make my own? I'm pretty handy and could do it just fine, but the time and effort seems like it may just pay to buy one.

Thanks again for all the help. I'm really learning a lot!