JBL GX600C

[sspade]

Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone has this set up and or has an opinion on it.

Its a component car speaker system including the door speakers, tweeters and crossovers.

Mostly wondering if these will be a noticeable improvement over stock system without touching my rear speakers or amp.

Best buy just quoted me $275 out the door including installation which sounds like a decent deal.

I honestly don't know a whole lot about car stereo and just want something louder and crisper than what the stock system offers. Bass isn't really something super important to me overall.

[Leo72793]

Originally Posted by sspade

Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone has this set up and or has an opinion on it.

Its a component car speaker system including the door speakers, tweeters and crossovers.

Mostly wondering if these will be a noticeable improvement over stock system without touching my rear speakers or amp.

Best buy just quoted me $275 out the door including installation which sounds like a decent deal.

I honestly don't know a whole lot about car stereo and just want something louder and crisper than what the stock system offers. Bass isn't really something super important to me overall.

Give me that quote. i work in bestbuy. ill verify if it is or not

[rotwiler]

The gx600c are like $80 a set on amazon.

[sspade]

I know. I priced matched... don't believe they will install audio that you don't but at the store though. Best Buy had very limited component sets in stock (mostly carried coaxial) and these were "the best" that they had according to sales associate. Made by Harman Kardon.

This was the quote (rounded amounts):

$130 - speakers
$100 - install
$16 - mounting
$9 - harness
$5 - shop supplies


Really, what I want to know - is what I asked in my first post.

[sspade]

Oh yeah... they also offered sound deadening material ($25 + $25 install). I opted against it and the sales associate said he has never sold it to anyone but had to ask.

Is there any benefit to buying this and having it installed? I don't want to deal with any rattling etc.

What are your opinions? For $50 Id do it - if it was truly worth it but I honestly don't know if its necessary or just a waste of money. Opinions?

[Leo72793]

$130 - speakers ( price match online )
$100 - install ( Correct pricing )
$16 - mounting ( unless this is mounting rings for speakers its not a normal charge )
$9 - harness ( Correct )
$5 - shop supplies ( Correct )

DO NOT let them charge you any more.

[ShadowYYZ]

Im curious, will this set up improve OP's performance without touching back speakers/amp

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by Leo72793

$130 - speakers ( price match online )
$100 - install ( Correct pricing )
$16 - mounting ( unless this is mounting rings for speakers its not a normal charge )
$9 - harness ( Correct )
$5 - shop supplies ( Correct )

DO NOT let them charge you any more.

You price matched with who precisely?


$16 is for the required METRA mounting bracket, I'm surprised it's this low however there is no such thing as a harness for the front speakers so maybe 2 B.S. charges equals 1 legit charge.

The $5 shop supplies is pure snake oil. Potentially 6" of electrical tape and arguably a couple of screws, maybe. All of which should be covered by the $100 installation charge.

$100 install charge - Legit, front door speakers take 2 labor hours

$130 for speakers = highway robbery. Newegg sells them for $80 and I know for a fact Best Buy price matches Newegg. "Price matched at 130"? lol what crap. If this Best Buy store doesn't know how to price match Newegg, have them call the corporate office, or do it yourself and file a complaint against the store (doubt it will go that far).


I'd offer then $200 + Tax or do the work yourself ($80 speakers, $100 installation, $20 "miscellaneous"). Front speakers in the Camaro are ridiculously easy, like changing your socks, videos and DIY walk through more than available from numerous places.


I HIGHLY recommend you buy the Speakers and Metra door kit on your own, especially if your state pays no Tax on internet purchases. Then simply offer Best Buy $100 for install or do the work yourself.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by sspade

Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone has this set up and or has an opinion on it.

Its a component car speaker system including the door speakers, tweeters and crossovers.

Mostly wondering if these will be a noticeable improvement over stock system without touching my rear speakers or amp.

Best buy just quoted me $275 out the door including installation which sounds like a decent deal.

I honestly don't know a whole lot about car stereo and just want something louder and crisper than what the stock system offers. Bass isn't really something super important to me overall.

Without a new 4 channel amplifier to go with it, not really. Aftermarket amps don't work with the rear OEM 6x9's so now you're replacing those as well. The JBL (HKs) are a nice entry level and coupled with their 6x9 counterpart (GX963), with a mid-high quality amplifier, you will notice 4x the clarity at a reasonable price. There is simply no such thing as cheap audio upgrade, no different as asking for a cheap path to 500 RWHP, it doesn't exist. Spend the $1,000 and don't think twice about it.




The Sony XM-GS4 recently won first place in a blind amp shootout review testing entry level amplifiers in a SQ peer group I'm in. Beating out the Alpine PDX-F4, Helix, JL audio and even Zapco ST series. None of this probably means much to you but basically, the Sony XM GS4 is the best money can by at this price level right now.


Equipment:
JBL GX600C; $80, Newegg
JBL GX963; $80, Newegg
Sony XM-GS4; $250, Crutchfield
Installation for above; $100 x 3

Miscellaneous:
Fark Harness; $130
RCAs; $50
AMP Kit: $60
Metra front speaker adaptor: $15
Metra rear speaker adaptors: $35

Best Buy may or may not change some of the miscellaneous charges or nickel and dime you $5 here and there, but don't pay more than $1,000 + tax out the door.

[Aaron0731]

Originally Posted by Snoman

Without a new 4 channel amplifier to go with it, not really. Aftermarket amps don't work with the rear OEM 6x9's so now you're replacing those as well. The JBL (HKs) are a nice entry level and coupled with their 6x9 counterpart (GX963), with a mid-high quality amplifier, you will notice 4x the clarity at a reasonable price. There is simply no such thing as cheap audio upgrade, no different as asking for a cheap path to 500 RWHP, it doesn't exist. Spend the $1,000 and don't think twice about it.




The Sony XM-GS4 recently won first place in a blind amp shootout review testing entry level amplifiers in a SQ peer group I'm in. Beating out the Alpine PDX-F4, Helix, JL audio and even Zapco ST series. None of this probably means much to you but basically, the Sony XM GS4 is the best money can by at this price level right now.


Equipment:
JBL GX600C; $80, Newegg
JBL GX963; $80, Newegg
Sony XM-GS4; $250, Crutchfield
Installation for above; $100 x 3

Miscellaneous:
Fark Harness; $130
RCAs; $50
AMP Kit: $60
Metra front speaker adaptor: $15
Metra rear speaker adaptors: $35

Best Buy may or may not change some of the miscellaneous charges or nickel and dime you $5 here and there, but don't pay more than $1,000 + tax out the door.

They sound much better then stock without an amp upgrade, I have them. 80$ shipped out of Amazon, and to the OP yes you can take them to Best Buy they'll put them in for you even if you don't buy from them. Very nice sounding speakers.

[Aaron0731]

Originally Posted by Aaron0731

They sound much better then stock without an amp upgrade, I have them. 80$ shipped out of Amazon, and to the OP yes you can take them to Best Buy they'll put them in for you even if you don't buy from them. Very nice sounding speakers.

I am in the process of upgrading my amp to a sound ordnance m75 from Crutchfield, can't wait to hear it then.

[sspade]

Thanks Aaron... I had a feeling it would be an upgrade over stock. I don't doubt that spending a grand would be "better" somehow but that's not what I asked. I also don't buy the fact that these speakers wouldn't be an improvement without considerably more investment.

Definitely nice to hear from someone who has the same set up. Ill be making my appointment this week. For me, $275 out the door to have these installed by a professional is worth it. Saves me the headache and time.

Best buy said they would only price match if the online retailer is actually shipping the items themselves. They showed me where most of these super deals are actually shipped through 3rd party and not the actual website marketing them which does not qualify for price match...

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by sspade

...
Best buy said they would only price match if the online retailer is actually shipping the items themselves. They showed me where most of these super deals are actually shipped through 3rd party and not the actual website marketing them which does not qualify for price match...

Newegg is an authorized retailer and one of the highest reputable distributors of electronics anywhere in the world, not to mention free shipping and no tax in most cases. I have not heard of them endorsing or 'reselling' through disreputable 3rd parties. You can always go through Amazon direct for the exact same warranty and price @ $80-90/pr. Sounds like their Geek Squad or customer service desk is misinformed. However, in their defense, I also know Best Buy Managers can independently set their own internal pricing policy against corporate direction if they so choose. There is no such thing as a "$9 - harness" for the front speakers in a Camaro or a "$5 shop charge"

I'm all for paying someone else for peace of mind and professional work, though I usually draw the line at price gouging. Everyone's perception is different and if it's worth $275 to you, by all means - you will enjoy the new speakers.