Upgrading 98 Neon Sound System

[Newlin 0]

I have a 98 dodge neon that I was looking to upgrade the sound system on. It is all stock parts except the receiver which was upgraded to a Sony X-plod CDX - GT11W 50W x 4 by the previous owner. I am not all to certain on the size of the speaker, but I think that the doors are 6 1/2 shallow, the rear speakers are 6" x 9", and the middle speaker is a 3 1/2. I don't really know a whole lot about the sound systems of a car, but from what I have read adding an amplifier, upgrading the existing speakers, and utilizing bass blockers would be the main focus. Essentially I am looking for the best possible upgrade in terms of bang for buck. So my question is what parts should I invest in for an improvement in sound quality. Thanks in advance!

[jcarter1885 995]

I have a 98 dodge neon that I was looking to upgrade the sound system on. It is all stock parts except the receiver which was upgraded to a Sony X-plod CDX - GT11W 50W x 4 by the previous owner. I am not all to certain on the size of the speaker, but I think that the doors are 6 1/2 shallow, the rear speakers are 6" x 9", and the middle speaker is a 3 1/2. I don't really know a whole lot about the sound systems of a car, but from what I have read adding an amplifier, upgrading the existing speakers, and utilizing bass blockers would be the main focus. Essentially I am looking for the best possible upgrade in terms of bang for buck. So my question is what parts should I invest in for an improvement in sound quality. Thanks in advance!

According to crutchfield.com, if you drive a 1998 Dodge Neon Sedan then your front doors are 6.75" and the rear deck is 6x9" (they dont list a tweeter size or middle speaker size). You wont need bass blocker depending for what speakers your talking about, I would look into some component speakers, go to different sound shops or electronic stores that sell car speakers and listen to them. This way you will find what you like. What is you budget for speakers and amp? If you get component speakers for your front doors then they will come with a passive crossover so you wont have to worry about bass blockers or anything else.

[Newlin 0]

Ok, thanks for the speaker sizes. I am not entirely sure what i am looking for in terms of speakers, but all in all i wouldnt want to spend more than 500 on all of the parts. I dont have any stores in town that focus on car parts or audio components (the only places that have these in my town are walmart and meijer) so i was wondering if there were any speakers you could recommend that could be purchased online.

[Notorious on mobile 0]

I would buy a 4 ch amp, a small sub, and a complete kit with 2 rca, power wire and fuse holder.

You can find good deals on classifieds.com (or something like that) or here on ssa.

You will easily find a sealed box for the sub.

Keep your front speakers for now. With the x-overs on the amp, you will stop the bass they receive.

Your next upgrade will be the front speakers : you'll have to get a component set (6.5") for you front doors. You don't need rear speakers.

Just my 2 cents. We'll see what other members will tell you.

Good luck.

[BigCProductions99 21]

All You Need Is A Good Set Of 6.5" Components, Ditch The Rears Completely. I'd Also Try To Fill Your Bottom Octave For Cheap, But That's Just Me. (SAX-100.4 With A 12" D-Con Maybe?)

[dvalue 17]

I second the 4 channel idea. Use the front channels to power some components, and the rear channels to a sub.

I kinda like my neon.

[Randal Johnson 544]

if your not in SQ competition, why would you ditch the rears? I'm not complaining by any means, but just asking ... run the rears off the radio power.

[Newlin 0]

Ok, so would a setup like this work?

Amp - www.amazon.com/Alpine-MRP-F300-Amplifier-V-Power-4-channel/dp/B0013TVALU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=car&qid=1274182804&sr=1-1

Sub - www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KFC-W3012-12-Performance-Subwoofer/dp/B001Q9ERAS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce?ie=UTF8&qid=1274183003&sr=1-8

Speakers - www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-DB6501-6-5-Inch-Component/dp/B000P0R6LQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=car&qid=1274183653&sr=1-1

I am not sure how good the quality is on these things or if i need anything else.

Edited May 18, 2010 by Newlin

[Duran 387]

Like suggested above, listen to speakers before you buy them. Your ears will steer you in the right direction.

[Notorious97200 339]

Ok, so would a setup like this work?

Amp - www.amazon.com/Alpine-MRP-F300-Amplifier-V-Power-4-channel/dp/B0013TVALU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=car&qid=1274182804&sr=1-1

Sub - www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KFC-W3012-12-Performance-Subwoofer/dp/B001Q9ERAS/ref=dp_ob_title_ce?ie=UTF8&qid=1274183003&sr=1-8

Speakers - www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-DB6501-6-5-Inch-Component/dp/B000P0R6LQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=car&qid=1274183653&sr=1-1

I am not sure how good the quality is on these things or if i need anything else.

Like Duran told you : go listen to some speakers before anything.

Take a look at the ssa store , here. You can find good deals on better equipments.

[Notorious97200 339]

[quote name='Cablguy184'

run the rears off the radio power.

To do what ?

If you can't ear them, why do you still want them in ?

You're adding some speakers that don't sound as good as the front ones, with less power : it can't be a good thing. IMO

I tried in my car, and get rid of the rear speaers : I love it !!!

[Newlin 0]

The only problem is i dont have a place in town that sells car speakers.

[Duran 387]

It looks like you live on"Earth", you can find something

[Don Ganso 13]

Well, unless you have to hop on a boat for an hour, hack through the jungle, get to a helipad and take off for a day-long journey out of the heart of the Amazon basin, the drive will probably be worth it. Listen to the speakers at the nearest shop, but don't feel compelled to buy them. If they are a name-brand and you like them, you can probably fine them cheaper on the good ole 'net.