any recommendation for good car audio installers in GTA? speaker,head unit,amp

[hillcrest14]

Also suggestion for reliable brands
what are the things that I should know , wire thickness, power, "sound dampening"??
how much is the cost

[audit13]

You can spend a little or a lot for car equipment.

I highly recommend Number 1 Sound on College street in Toronto. They did my last 2 Subarus and they did a fantastic job.

John at the Best Buy at Eglinton & Laird is also an awesome installer. He did an installation for my Forester. That was a couple of years ago so I'm not sure if he's still there. He used to work for Kromer Radio.

I wouldn't worry about the sound dampening unless you're looking for a high-end custom installation.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

I've been to Best Buy and had an awesome experience.

I've also been to custom high-end car audio shops and had terrible experiences.

It all comes down to the installer.

[audit13]

I've been to Best Buy and had an awesome experience.

I've also been to custom high-end car audio shops and had terrible experiences.

It all comes down to the installer.
+1. I had 2 different installers at Number 1 Sound and they were both excellent.

[amir_aqeel1]

I wouldn't go to Best Buy or Future Shop. Not good for car audio. Parts are expensive, over-priced. They charge you extra for "tuning-in". They don't even let you see how they are going to install. Customer service is poor. They just want to sell whatever they have in stock. They desperately insist on buying warranty so they could make some extra $$$. I am not saying custom shops are better. They could be worse than Best Buy. I know a place really good. They did my 2003 Civic. Car audio was extremely loud. I had it for 5 years and never had any issues with wiring, etc.

1. How Loud do you want?
2. How much are you willing to spend?

Don't buy cheap if you want to install after market audio system. It will not be worth it. Here's my recommendation:

HU - Alpine or Pioneer
Speakers (comp & co-ax) - Boston Acoustics, Infinity Kappa, JL, JBL, Kicker
Amp - Kicker, JL, JBL
Sub - Kicker, JL, JBL

[Gnus]

^I would like to know the place, thanks. Looking to get my car inspected soon.... sound keeps cutting out.

[audit13]

I wouldn't go to Best Buy or Future Shop. Not good for car audio. Parts are expensive, over-priced. They charge you extra for "tuning-in". They don't even let you see how they are going to install. Customer service is poor. They just want to sell whatever they have in stock. They desperately insist on buying warranty so they could make some extra $$$. I am not saying custom shops are better. They could be worse than Best Buy. I know a place really good. They did my 2003 Civic. Car audio was extremely loud. I had it for 5 years and never had any issues with wiring, etc.

1. How Loud do you want?
2. How much are you willing to spend?

Don't buy cheap if you want to install after market audio system. It will not be worth it. Here's my recommendation:

HU - Alpine or Pioneer
Speakers (comp & co-ax) - Boston Acoustics, Infinity Kappa, JL, JBL, Kicker
Amp - Kicker, JL, JBL
Sub - Kicker, JL, JBL

It really depends on which FS and BB you go to. When I had the system installed at BB, the people at Number 1 Sound were extremely impressed and they were surpirised it was done by BB. When they had the car apart, I looked at the installation before they started making changes and it was extremely neat and properly wired. For example, power cables were routed kept away from interconnect cables, cable ties were used through out, cable runs were kept short to minimize signal loss and possible hum, etc.

[onecoolloser]

Also suggestion for reliable brands
what are the things that I should know , wire thickness, power, "sound dampening"??
how much is the cost

Depends on what you want. Is all you BASSSSSSS or do you want clarity and sound quality?

If I was going for a good, reliable, SQ oriented budget system I would suggest the following:

Headunit: Alpine or Pioneer (4v output if within budget)
Speakers: Alpine Type-S probably a good choice
Sub: Again, Alpine Type-S sub is good value. Type-R if you want much louder.
Amp: Alpine MRP-F300 for door speakers, MRP-M500 for the sub

By no means am I an alpine fanboy, I have a pioneer headunit, clarion amp, infinity speakers and a JL sub, but the suggested setup is good bang for the buck, IMO.

If you want just real loud bass, get two Alpine Type-R's and a Alpine MRP-M1000 in a ported box and call it a day.

[onecoolloser]

^I would like to know the place, thanks. Looking to get my car inspected soon.... sound keeps cutting out.

Is it just your audio or do you see power to the amp cutting in and out as well?

The first thing I would check is the ground. Then speaker cables. Then RCA cables. Most likely a loose connection somewhere.

[Mayosandwich]

jL audio for subs, i have a W3 and its still rated as one of the best today.

Go pioneer or alpine for HU. I tried a JVC before, not bad but when i went to pioneer there was a noticable improvement in the DAC. Also dont get a basic barebones deck, you want one where you can really tweak your settings. Thats why i bought my pioneer.

Even though 3 months later, same model but with BT came out grrrr.

CAR AUDIO STUFF DOESNT HOLD ITS VALUE WELL AT ALL AND VERY HARD TO RESALE. i know from experiemce .

[falen55]

jL audio for subs, i have a W3 and its still rated as one of the best today.

Go pioneer or alpine for HU. I tried a JVC before, not bad but when i went to pioneer there was a noticable improvement in the DAC. Also dont get a basic barebones deck, you want one where you can really tweak your settings. Thats why i bought my pioneer.

Even though 3 months later, same model but with BT came out grrrr.

CAR AUDIO STUFF DOESNT HOLD ITS VALUE WELL AT ALL AND VERY HARD TO RESALE. i know from experiemce .

Agreed. That's why your best bet is to buy used but in good condition.

[MS MSP]

Auto Links: John
Audio Heaven

[audit13]

Auto Links: John
Audio Heaven

Auto Links is great. They do tinting as well.

[Gnus]

Is it just your audio or do you see power to the amp cutting in and out as well?

The first thing I would check is the ground. Then speaker cables. Then RCA cables. Most likely a loose connection somewhere.

It's fine sometimes, but sometimes after awhile the sound will fade in and fade out. One time, the sound on my entire right side disappeared completely, only to reappear the next time I started the car up.... odd.
I googled the issue and it seems it might be an amp problem, possibly overheating. I checked all my cables that are actually visible and they are firmly connected, but that is the extent of my knowledge in car audio.
Hence why I need to bring it in to have it looked at.