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From: markv@dartvax.UUCP (Mark F. Vita)
Newsgroups: net.audio,net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Seeking Car Stereo Recommendations
Message-ID: <3392@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 20:47:41 EDT
Article-I.D.: dartvax.3392
Posted: Wed Jul 24 20:47:41 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 04:17:45 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Lines: 51
Xref: linus net.audio:4720 net.auto:6362 net.consumers:2149

<...>

    This past weekend I did some shopping for a car stereo.  This would be
the first car stereo I've ever owned, so I'm looking for some advice
from netlanders who have been through this routine before.

    After looking in three different audio stores, I came up with the 
following questions:

    1) Deck: The deck that I liked the most out of the ones I had demonstrated
was the Alpine 7162.  This is a 6-watt deck with most of the features I 
wanted, including a digital tuner w/memory, and metal/chrome tape capability.
The price for this deck in all three stores was about $199.
    Question: Has anybody had good/bad experiences with this deck, or have
opinions about the Alpine line in general?  Anybody recommend a different
deck with comparable features and price?

    2) Speakers: Here is where I have the greatest need for a clue.  I was
told by a salesman that 4x6 speakers are appropriate for the model of car
I own (Pontiac Phoenix).  Unfortunately, he only had one model of speaker
in this category, that being the Yamaha YCS-460.  They sounded excellent in
the demo room, but since he had no other 4x6 speakers to compare them with,
I couldn't really make an informed decision.  The price for a pair of these
speakers was $80, or $63 if I also bought the deck from them.
    Question:  Once again, any comments on these Yamaha speakers?  Is there
a better pair that I can get for a similar price?

    3) Price:  I suspect that since the stores I shopped in were price-tag
audio stores and not discount stores, that the prices quoted have a 
considerable mark-up.  I'd like to get the stuff at a discount store if
possible.  Anyone know of such a store in the Boston area (something
like Manufacturers Marketplace, perhaps)?
     One possible problem is that I've been told that Alpine won't sell to
discount houses, so as to protect the pricing at the audio stores.  Can anyone
confirm/deny this?

    Please mail any advice or recommendations you have to me personally,
and I'll post a summary to the net if there is sufficient response/interest.
Note also that I'm looking to spend < $250 if at all possible.

    Thanks in advance...


-- 

                                Mark Vita
                                Dartmouth College

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