[keithr]

Originally Posted by MikeM7

<...>
That said, what would you recommend for speakers?

Honestly? Based on your music selection, and your desire for "significant improvement over stock, but am not looking for perfection," and getting close to your exhaustion/burn-out point?

Sounds to me like the OA+ package might be exactly what the doctor ordered. I watched their install video and it's very simple, clean, and tidy. It's not going to be the absolute ultimate in kick-ass sound, but the reviews are really good and it would certainly be a big step up from the stock setup.

Originally Posted by MikeM7

The only place I can go to listen to them is best buy, and I'm not sure how many options they'll have on display.

I would guess there are probably a handful of audio shops scattered around you. Maybe a small local shop, or, even an Audio Express ()... None of them are going to have the OA+ system to demo, but you could probably find a selection of mid and high-range speakers to audition. Your budget will take a hit with premium components, of course.

Originally Posted by MikeM7

I was just reading reviews for Infinity Kappa 62.11i and came across this statement: "If your end goal is punch for music like Hip Hop or Dance music, I'd look elsewhere."

...back to my previous comment about taste in speakers being subjective... for years the Kappas have been some of the most highly-rated mid-grade speakers on the market. Lots of people LOVE them. I never liked the way they sound. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.

That's why it's always best to audition speakers, amps, even source units before buying if possible. In cases where it's not possible, just accept that it's a gamble whether your ears will find the new aroma pleasant or bitter.

Originally Posted by MikeM7

Honestly, the only things I ever use on the stock head unit are usb and audio ports for music from my phone or thumb drive, next folder/album, next track, and volume.. so I'm mostly concerned with aesthetics and not so much with features. The only real must is that it has to have options to turn all backlighting/wallpaper red to match the rest of the interior.

I want something that looks really good, and performs well without needing to mess with a ton of features. The only feature I can think of that I really want is blue tooth.

So... I gotta ask... why not just keep the stock HU and put your budget into the rest of the system? Why spend $200-$300 on a HU to get the the same or fewer features than what you currently have?

As far as USB/iPod/BT music, I *really* recommend a full display/touchscreen unit. It makes seeing the song titles, browsing folders, etc., so much nicer than trying to navigate through an "old school" display and controls.

By keeping the stock HU, you retain the LCD screen. While it's not the best interface or screen on the market, it's also effectively free at this point, and if it works for you, why change it? You also will save yourself the headaches of buying eleventy-billion adapters, harnesses, and doohickies to cleanly integrate a aftermarket HU.

Originally Posted by MikeM7

I would definitely appreciate the extra storage space.

....yeah.... get a bigger car.

Originally Posted by MikeM7

How'd you get such good prices?

Patience and tenacity.

I spent a couple weeks walking the Internet price shopping. HU came off eBay, was an open box but in perfect condition. Amp also came from eBay and was very lightly used. JL speakers came from Car Audio Giants, I honestly don't remember if I found a sale or a promo or if they just ended up having a way better price... I bought most of this stuff last summer. The JL Stealthbox came from Pacific Stereo, I discovered that they had a code on their website for 20% off your first order. Well, I'd never bought anything there before. Score. 20% of $649.95 is $129.99 saved right there. I got some nice OFC speaker wire from eBay from a seller in Sparks, NV where I used to live (skyhighcaraudio). Best price I've seen on really nice wire, and he ships super fast. The bulk of the pieces/parts/adapters/miscellany and my main wiring kit (power wires, fuse blocks, etc.) came from Sonic Electronix... I had a huge shopping cart with stuff for both my install and the install I did in my fiancee's Mazda, so I called up a sales rep and negotiated with him for a discount since it was such a large order.

Oh, and a few things came off Amazon as well, by digging into the additional price offers they have listed on most items from different sellers that most people don't even know is there or ever click on.

Originally Posted by MikeM7

... especially since I'm not planning on a sub in the trunk.

I would urge you to reconsider the sub... especially since:

Originally Posted by MikeM7

I want something with some good punch to it.

Based on your music, and a couple other factors, I really think you should seriously consider the OA+ system. The Reference 400CF system is $1500, so it's slapping your proposed budget around a bit, but I think it's a winner for what you're looking for.

[ side note ] PayPal is currently offering 18 months of interest-free financing on purchases $899 or more. Boom! Free money for 18 months. $85 / month ain't so bad, eh?

I like that the amps hide in the sub enclosure, the wiring is simple and clean and all plug and play, and I think you'd be quite happy with the results. You'll be spared lots of hassle and headaches integrating a HU, finding/buying/making speaker adapters, finding a place to install amp(s), learning how to properly tune amp gain, etc.

The sub really won't take up that much room. The OA+ sub doesn't take any more space than my JL Stealthbox, and, really, the trunk is ridiculous as it is, losing the rear corner and a couple inches off the one side isn't really making the difference between being able to fit a sheet of plywood in there from Home Depot or not.

Since you'll have the door trim off anyway, I STRONGLY recommend you treat the doors (if nothing else) with some sound deadening, both on the door itself and the door card (interior door panel). It will really tighten up the doors, eliminate rattles and really improve the sound of the door speakers. Talk to Don over at http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/ and he can put together a package for you to treat your doors. It *really* makes a difference, believe me.