Hi All,

I have a question in regards to the cost of audio installation. While many people on this forum are confident and capable of installing their own custom audio system, I unfortunately am not one of them, so I am looking to have someone else install it for me. How much will it cost to do a good install? I had a price quote of about $300 including labor and materials to install a component speaker set and an amplifier from a highly qualified installer, so I am told (*EDIT*: Does not include the actual speaker equipment or amplifier, just labor and wires needed). Is that too much? I have also seen pairs of speakers (coax) installed for $50 or so at standard big car audio stores, which is an option I am NOT going for, but then how much is too much?
Also, I am in the Socal area, and I go to LA quite often, so if anyone can recommend a good installer there, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

PS I searched audio installers and not much has come up for the California area.

 

check out simplicity in sound. they are great

 

An amp wiring kit from a store can be between $40-$80 without RCAs. RCAs can be expensive or very cheap. So the price varies greatly. $100-$120 for wiring with RCAs is reasonable from a shop. $60 to install a set of components and another $80 for the amp. So $300 is a little high.

FYI, not all Circuit City's or Best Buy's suck a$$ for car audio installation. It varies greatly by location. To give you a ballpark of what you *could* pay from them..... buy all your wiring online for $60 with RCAs. Circuit City charges $50 for components I think and $75 for a 4-channel amp install. $200 bucks after tax.

So anywhere between the $200-$300 mark would be a ballpark. You're not totally getting RIPPED OFF if you're between that mark.

 

Tweeter is a pretty good shop. i had them do my entire audio system in my 4-Runner i used to have.

 

Thanks for all the replies.
I checked out Simplicity in Sound, and it definitely looks great except it's in San Jose I think (unless there's another one somewhere else). I do go to the bay area sometimes so it's on my maybe list.
And unfortunately, the Tweeter group seems to be on the east coast.
I might just stick to the installer I found here, not sure yet, but please keep the suggestions coming!!

Thanks again!

 

Tweeter is in San Diego too, thats where i had mine done when i lived there.

 

So after obsessing about car audio for awhile, I finally narrowed it down to one shop. They are charging me $1000 for:
CDT component speakers
EFX 10 inch sub
EFX 4ch Amplifier
Installation, materials, bass enclosure

Is that a good deal? From what they were saying I'm getting almost 25% off. Just wanted to make sure I'm not getting jacked here.
Thanks again!!

 

Depends on what CDT components really....also what kind of sub box they are giving you. If they're making you something totally custom and one-of-a-kind, then $1000 could easily be gobbled up. If it's the lowest end CDTs and a dime-a-dozen sub box, then $1000 sounds high.

EDIT: Surely there is a sub amp as well? Maybe $1000 isint too bad...

 

I'm getting the HD-62 CDT components; they are quite nice, although I'm debating if I should go with entry-level CDT components, but I really think I'm getting a good deal from them for the HD series (good salesmenship I presume). The sub box will be custom to fit that awkward side area of the trunk. The sub will be powered by bridging 2ch of the amp.

I also decided to go with this shop, because I'm just tired of shopping around at this point. I think the deal is not too bad (can't just milk the installers for all their worth right?), and I heard that they are pretty good. On one hand, I'm quite excited of getting such a system, but on the other hand, I'm worried that the result might just be "eh, it's just okay....", than that $1000 is gonna hurt.....

 

Im kind of in the same boat. I've got a set of focal components, 6x9s and a jl 300/4 amp I need installed to go along with me pioneer D3. Mainly what's scaring me is the wierd 9" opening on the doors...how do you get a 6.5" speaker in there nicely? Also running the speaker wire seems like a daunting task for the 8. I was quoted $480 in labor from a local tweeter (IL). Seem decent? I don't know how I feel about people I don't know messing with my car.

 

i'm sure you won't be disappointed with Tweeter's work.

 

Hi All,

So, just wanted to ask if there are any reliable installers in the Santa Monica area? I was going to get it done at this one place, but it's soo far, and I'm sure I should be able to find some place in Los Angeles. Has anyone heard of Al & Ed's Auto sound? How about Santa Monica Car Sound? I've read reviews online, but I just want some first hand stories to ease my mind.

Thanks!

 

Hey guys I'm in Placentia - (northern tip of orange county) and I can help you do your installs. I isntalled everything you see in my sig myself.. I can help you with yours too. Just PM me.

 

If anyone needs any installing done and lives in MN i can do about everything use to install as a profession!