Average cost of an audio system ?

[anlauto]

I've NEVER in 30+ years bought an aftermarket sound system for anyone of my cars or customer's cars.
Please educate me on the rough cost of a basic system that will sound nice pumping AC/DC but doesn't have to win any awards..

I'm thinking six speakers, two in the center dash, two in the kick panels and two subs out back, a decent amp, and a latest technology deck....NO cassette, or CD, but something that can be synced to a cell phone, maybe...I don't really know what's out there...

What could one expect to pay ROUGHLY ?

.....and what is the latest tech ?

[Brads70]

 

I need to plan for something in the Javelin....

[Fern]

So I wanted a descent sound system in the vert. JVC deck $120, under seat box speakers $145, component system with 2 tweeters in center of dash and 2 mids one in each kick panel $200, and sub in trunk $350. A friend gave me an amp which is in trunk worth about $500.
Sounds great total cost $1,315.00. that was a few years back, today probably add another 300-400 on top?

[njsteve]

I like retro - I just found a vintage 1977 Sanyo FT-489 AM/FM Cassette for around $65 on ebay and then sent it off for refurbishing (new belts and cleaning/adjusting) which cost around $145 total. It sounds awesome with the old 6x9 speakers under the rear deck and the modern dual cone speaker in the center of the dash. The tone sounds just like I remember it did back in highschool and I can play all my old tapes in it. I really like the fact that the stereo is the same era as the car.

And yes, it does crank out AC/DC HIGHWAY TO HELL pretty damn well!

[anlauto]

And yes, it does crank out AC/DC HIGHWAY TO HELL pretty damn well!

........and THAT is ALL that really matters 

[anlauto]

So actually the reason I'm asking is because me building this current resto-mod has attracted a lot of attention as far as potential furfure customers are concerned. The owner of this Black Challenger has opted for NO radio, only USB ports. He plans on using his phone and some Bluetooth speakers

I would like to be able to give a "rough estimate" on a decent sound system....if $2K would more then cover it, I'm good with that.

What's the latest tech ? I guess linking it to your phone for in-coming phone calls ? I don't know, I don't own a cell phone. What's Apple car play ? Would that be something a new deck would feature ?

I know I don't want a large screen NAV or back-up camera 

[Poolshark314]

So actually the reason I'm asking is because me building this current resto-mod has attracted a lot of attention as far as potential furfure customers are concerned. The owner of this Black Challenger has opted for NO radio, only USB ports. He plans on using his phone and some Bluetooth speakers

I would like to be able to give a "rough estimate" on a decent sound system....if $2K would more then cover it, I'm good with that.

What's the latest tech ? I guess linking it to your phone for in-coming phone calls ? I don't know, I don't own a cell phone. What's Apple car play ? Would that be something a new deck would feature ?

I know I don't want a large screen NAV or back-up camera 

I would think $2k would be plenty.

Apple Car Play is like a better integration of connecting your phone, but with iPhones only. The same goes for Android Auto and Android phones. They would allow your receiver to use your phone's connection for things like music, GPS map for directions, etc. If your goal is to not have a screen, then you don't need to spend money on either of these features.

[anlauto]

I appreciate the input 

[Bullitt-]

Cost of the equipment isn't the only factor especially if your looking at subwoofers
  A custom box and labor to install everything could be significant. 
Might be a good idea to bring in a local audio professional to give an estimate before you commit to a customer.   

[Dakota]

An add-on to the comment about labor: 

Since modern speakers have much larger magnets than their counterparts from the 70's, there is trimming to be done inside the dash frame to make room for them.   This is true whether it's just a center speaker (which in my case actually has 2 speakers) or the 3 speaker version of the dash pad.  Maybe this can be done with the dash installed, but I wouldn't have wanted to try to do it that way... it's much easier with the dash out on a workbench.   I'll have to dig a little for the pictures taken of the dash surgery and will add them to this thread if I find them.

I bought round speakers to fit the L & R covers on the dash on my 70 Challenger. The housings of the speakers had to be shaved down a bit with a small sanding drum on a Dremel to fit into the covers.

There's plenty of room for modern 6x9's to hang on the rear deck.

For the "head unit" on my radio, I didn't want to touch the dash trim piece that goes under it, so I ended up trimming the bottom off the bezel that came with the radio.   

This particular unit came with a microphone for use with the Bluetooth connection for my phone.   I ran the wire for the mic under the driver side A pillar cover and clipped the mic to the shoulder strap clip on the headliner.   I switched to 3 point seatbelts from XV so the shoulder strap clips aren't in use any longer.

[anlauto]

Ahhh, a microphone, I never thought about needing that too