Car Audio Forum?

[MCunable]

As if my home theater habit isn't a big enough drain on my bank account, I've decided that the stereo in my Jeep needs to be upgraded as well. :greedy: Thanks to to forums like this and AV123, however, I can't buy anything audio-related without researching it ad infinitum.

To that end, can anyone recommend a helpful car audio forum or two that I could check out? (By "helpful," I guess I mean closer to TCA than AVS on the arrogant-asshole-meter.:shiftyeyes:)

Also to that end... I know that the Seattle-area contingent here is pretty strong, and I'm still pretty new to the area. Can any fellow raincoat-wearers recommend a local car audio shop? I live in Queen Anne, but am willing to travel anywhere in the area for trustworthy service.

Thanks in advance to the crew.

-Matt

[SnowmaNick]

Have you poked around on elemental Designs forums (formerly ICIX)? It is a bit narrower of a product range but they do some cool builds and a lot of the people on there are pretty friendly and helpful.

[ThomasC]

Try the Car Audio subforum at Home Theater Shack:

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/mobile-audio-shack/

[sbisheff]

Check out your local Car Toys at the base of Queen Anne, right across from the Space Needle. That location is a bit odd, but Bellevue has a bunch of good installers, as does Issaquah. Depending on what you want done, I could probably just help you out (I used to be an installer).

What year is your Jeep and what do you want to do?

[MCunable]

Check out your local Car Toys at the base of Queen Anne, right across from the Space Needle. That location is a bit odd, but Bellevue has a bunch of good installers, as does Issaquah. Depending on what you want done, I could probably just help you out (I used to be an installer).

What year is your Jeep and what do you want to do?

I have a 2003 Grand Cherokee, and I've never really been satisfied with the sound from the stock "premium" system. At first I just wanted to add a sub to fill out the low end, but now I'm thinking about a new receiver with satellite radio and iPod controls, and front speakers as well.

I'm a little picky about a few things, though... My Jeep has stereo controls on the steering wheel, and I'm not willing to sacrifice that functionality. Also, I work in sales and frequently have customers in my car, so I'd like to keep the changes looking as from-the-factory as possible.

I stopped by Stereo Warehouse on Aurora a couple of days ago, and quickly came up with about 2200 bucks' worth of gear and labor to get what I've just described. While it may actually end up costing me that much, I can't spend that kind of scratch without exploring a bunch of options.

Anyway, thanks for the offer to help, skeeter! I'm just beginning the process, but if I decide to do the install myself, I may come begging for your help with beer in hand. Any suggestions for parts, vendors, installers, whatever, are certainly appreciated!

-matt