Paying for Car Audio System to be installed? DON'T DO THIS!

All very solid suggestions.
Some emphasis..

DO Educate yourself as a customer about quality equipment and the best set up options for your specific vehicle.
Audition speakers for the music you play most. I actually saved a bit just buying the brand that sounded best to me (Focal Access).

DON'T Cut corners on the install. Quality integration parts and sound treatments make a big difference.

DO be very clear about the level of quality and attention to detail you expect and what you are willing to pay for.

For me specifically I was unhappy in the past because I thought ,throwing a lot of money at a build meant getting the highest level of installation.But I felt like corners were cut because I never expressed that I wanted certain things done

I put coaxials in my front doors and for my rear doors I put in 2 way component woofers BUT I put the component tweeters in the front sail panels then I ran the front and rear channels in parallel (two channels L and R not mono) because my amp only has 4 channels and I needed 2 for my sub.

If I take it into the shop to get soundproofed am I going to get bullied?

Something that divides the opinion of most shops is coming in with a point by point print out of what you want. Some installers/shops don't seem to like this, but I love it. It gives clear direction on what is to be done so no one can be surprised in the end. Of course things might change during the design phase, but then it should be documented. Things like what types of materials (carpet, vinyl) colours (red and burgundy are very different etc).

4/5 times a shop will rip you a new butt hole. Do it yourself. Research ALOT.

​Looking at the AudioControl D-5.1300 (2022 Bronco). What other AudioControl components are needed to power my Morel speakers?

The technician should absolutely be involved in the ENTIRE sales process. They are more equipped to set the expectation based on budget, time, etc. The technician should also be present during delivery of the vehicle to go over everything that was installed. Being on both sides of this industry (sales and installation) it is crucial to give a proper in vehicle demonstration of what the client actually purchased. Pair their phone, show how multiple cameras work, how to switch between different tunes on an amp with built in DSP, etc. Definitely builds a loyal client base.

@CarAudioFabrication what should I expect for a shop to install second skins sound proofing vehicle kit, 4 door speaker, 2 tweaters, 2 10s with premade box, amp, big 3 kist and and DSP.

Hello brother
I am watching you from Saudi Arabia and I wish you would make me the sound system I want..
I want an episode from you on how to calculate the power of the speakers in the entire car in order to bring with it the appropriate amb??

Mark can you please Help me diagnose my problem?.
New install, 2016 f150, used LC2i, the mid/high 4 channel Amp sounds good, problem is my mono amp (CT Sounds 2000.1D) does not like Both rcas connected! (Sound like 40% lower in volume) but if i. Disconnect One rca it sounds great. Already tried diferent rcas, diferent, LC2i, diferent Amp, even using the lc2i high output signal to my mono amp and still, "when Amp has both rcas connected it like cancells itself/ plays at lower volume. Amp is hooked to 2 10 subs wired at 2 ohms.

Any suggestions??

Alpine type X components. Thoughts? Any recommendations instead of this

Being upfront with a shop about not knowing anything is bad news in NYC lol.. I did the same thing and I was over charged like crazy for what I got.. Now that I know alot more than what I knew then, I learned that I received about 1500$ of equipment and was charged over 3k.. DONT GIVE THEM TOO MUCH INFO.. 😂😂

I spent a bit over 10K on my audio upgrade in Maxima Platinum, Focal 3 way upfront, Focal Coaxial in rear, Two focal 10in, 3 amps, DSP, and Epic center. Custom cuts for the tweeters from 1/2 to 1in. Fiberglass subwoofer enclosures. Plus sound treatment and radio adapter. All said, I am pleased but it was super expensive.

Make sure that you tell the installer to not cut any behind the dash structure that will not allow you to go back to original.

I am mecp certified I installed my system 2 years had no problems now when I turn on the radio it blows the fuse I drive a Dodge Magnum I upgraded the alternator at the same time I installed it could it be but it's sending a higher voltage?

Awesome Video!

Good things aren't cheap and cheap things aren't good.

Question should I the client get harnesses and some components and give them to the shop for head unit installs so I can be sure it’s connected the way that I want?

A lot of installers are crooks. I go to my local best buy, and ask them about doing a install for me (just didn't feel like doing it myself) I tell them what I have and wanted to do, I say, I would like to hook up 6 6x9 to my old punch 400, he begins to tell me that the punch is only 2ohm stable and prosed to show me a 4 channel amp. I ask for a piece of paper and showed him r1xr2-r1+r2 (ohms law, simplified) I say I bring 2 up to 8ohm, leve one at 4ohm 8x4=32 8+4=12 12 goes into 32 2 times with a remainder of 8, so I'll be giving the amp 2.8ohm(2.7 says JL audio for my triple stack ) after I show the 20 something year old kid, he says, o, I thought you wanted to fade front to back.

I try to remember the "Cheap, Good, Fast" mantra. You can only pick 2.

Just avoid Clearwater Best Buy.

Did you recommend saying to the shop..."i dont know much about car audio,but..."NEVER..EVER admit to not knowing what your talking about,every question you told us to ask about the level of professionalism,checking over the work and making sure everything is how its supposed to be..if you "dont know much about car audio"dont say that..when a sales rep hears those words all they see is $ signs. If you don't know much about car audio but are going to buy a stereo system, you might want to do your research first so you don't show up not knowing what you're talking about and still expect a good deal, or even a decent thing for the buck.

Lol. I have never put in a system expensive enough to warrant the work to yank it.

How do you get around the vehicle noise cancellation mics that cause a buzz in the system when active?

only thing I'd be wary of, is the particularly shady shops when giving them a certain max budget number.... I could just see it now a younger person who clearly doesn't know what they are talking about. gets ripped off because they simply didn't know and got told "well that's the best equipment for the money you have" or whatever. idk I haven't finished the video yet, (maybe you cover that right after you talk about coming up with a number).... and I know they aren't used car salesmen so they shouldn't be trying to just milk every dollar from you. but idk.. I'd be wary talking finances to a shop I wasn't comfortable with is all.. go to a shop you're comfortable with! ig is my point lol

Does adding a amp and subwoofer void the factor warranty?

Is there a Facebook group for folks that were taken advantage of to show off the "not so good work"?

What place in Orlando would you recommend going to..???

Hello and thank you for all of the unbelievably clean and superior work. Also thank you for all the advice on different vendors for quality gear. I live in Anaheim Ca and am planning my classic car audio insall. Please (if possible)could you consider doing a video on a classic car(1950’s-60’s) audio install/ recommendation.
Rear deck, sound denting, amp rack,ect. Thanks again for all of the great content.

Here's an idea, if a customer seems to want to be more involved, has some skill and wants to learn some more advanced hands on skills offer them the opportunity to help with the fabrication and install. You get free labor possibly at the cost of just a bit more time but you also get a customer that will always repeat and recommend you. As a bonus your customer will also feel better as they have put some blood, sweat and tears into their system.

i got a estimate they told me 1500 or 1900 which sounds crazy to me this was to change 4 speakers and a sub with 1 amp for the 4 speakers and 1 amp for the sub nothing with crazy watt like 600 watts

I've been using only Rockford Fosgate for speakers, subs and amps for 20 years and my local high end shop doesn't carry RF and won't install anything you didn't buy from them. So i had to use best buy for my last install 😅

Unless you have some very high-end speakers, etc, paying a shop to return the system to stock isn't very cost effective. I would rather just put that money towards new gear.

I sound proof 4 doors, updated 2 speaker, purchased a woofer planing to install on the left back door.. Will it work?? Or should i install two woofer on both back door?? Front two are co-axial speakers

Nice! Hate these new cars. Want a CD player. I want to put in a stand alone sound system that does not touch the factory system! These 60 year old ears can't hear like they use to so just something simple A single din Kenwood with 5v preouts 6channel to a nice six or 5 channel amp? some separates in the front but can't decide on 2-8"s or a single 10" for classic rock in a 23 Toyota Tacoma. Probablt mount head unit like a cb.??

Can you help me by suggesting someone to install my car audio around Philadelphia , New Jersey or PA

Good vid!

I can’t believe how expensive some these places are for installs and a lot of times it’s messy behind the panels and carpet. I learned how to install at a young age luckily. Never had to pay for installation also a lot don’t know how or offer custom box build and tunes. Learned enclosures over time as well it’s the best way to do things. To learn it yourself the right way

Great video! 🤙

Id say watch channels like this, and learn to do it yourself...it will save you literally thousands of dollars.

Is it cool to. Bring my own wire (2/0 to 0 gauge converter for my amps i like to beef up the power) or does the quote include wire costs and the like

I'm about to do a job, my first one! I'm watching this to see if I can offer anything extra to my client that they may not have realized they wanted. The note about packaging was fantastic! I wish I would have done this with my gear!

Can anyone recommend a good install place maybe even known or used in the west palm beach Florida area ?

I totally agree and understand why you dont want to stand there and watch the installer, but I want to learn how they do things. Especially how they remove all the panels in the car for the install. How can you learn something like this without watching them do it. I am already pretty comfortable building and configuring a system but it always baffles me how to remove panels without accidentally breaking them. Any thoughts?

I did my own installs on my car an truck, but this new truck to me I had it professionally done, as I do not like messing with new stuff an would prefer it done by someone else this time!~

Cartoys (Portland) sells items as installed price then charges $200 more for misc door pins & diodes lol..scam

The biggest problem with the stragegy presented here, is that - having no clue about car audio - you are absolutely unable to justify any price tag for labor. That's why I ended up DIY-ing my install 5 years ago.

I just installed a new in dash touchscreen radio but my rear deck speakers aren't working. The front and back door speakers work though. I have a 2006 Ford Five Hundred Limited with 6 speakers. Help!!!

They ziptied the power wire to my nitrous line