Wiring

Originally posted by 2ndGenTeg
Actually, there's a big point to having someone install your system who knows what they're doing. Any trained chimpanzee can connect positive to the + and negative to the -. However, a good installer can take any equipment you give them and make it sound good. On top of that, any system requires a certain amount of tuning to get the most out of it. You wouldn't build an H23VTEC, install it into your teg, and tune it yourself, would you? Of course not, and audio is no different. A good installer will have the training, tools, and experience to do the job right and get the most out of your system.

As for product recommendations, gotta have a budget to work with. I can piece together a very good sounding system with quality components for as little as $1000. In general, you should generally budget an additional 25% for installation.

Finally, you shouldn't need an alternator until you get into the big systems- usually anything fused for 150+ amps. Until that point, you can generally get by with capacitors.

couldn't have said it better myself, well except the capacitors part,

CAPS SUCK! Do not use a cap cause you want extra power, or you want your lights to stop dimming. Caps are for SQ systems for a little extra punch on peak notes. If anything at all, get an additional battery, possibly 2, drycells into your trunk. This will completely isolate the cars battery with the systems.