I would like to setup a 5.1 Home Theater System in my ride as it doesn't come with one. I do listen to all kinds of songs too, but mostly when I'm driving alone. Majority of the time, I would be ferrying my family around in long distance trips. Hence, I'm preferring to have an ideal video setup over an ideal audio setup. However, being a complete retard in ICE, I would need some help and information on how I can go about having an ideal 5.1 setup.

Setup and Layout
What would be the ideal setup and layout so that both front and rear (2nd & 3rd row) passengers would truly experience the 5.1 channel system?

Head Unit
Which would be the ideal head unit? I would prefer one with 9", I'm afraid the options are very limited. I like the Alpine X009E, but the price is just too steep.

Sound Processor
I know it improves the sound quality a lot, but is this necessary for movies? I'm digging the Alpine H800 if I need one. Or any other recommendation with better value in terms of price vs sound quality?

Amplifier
Is the Audison Prima 8.9 good? Was recommended by someone. It does have a lot of channels to power more speakers and comes with a DSP.

Subwoofer
I guess an 8" would be sufficient? Any recommendation?

Speakers
How many speakers would be ideal? I don't intend to replicate the original 18 speakers in those high spec-ed Alphard/Vellfire, but again, I would like to have both the front and rear passengers to experience ideal 5.1 channel system. So, how many speakers would I need and how would it be laid out? Which is better - less units but more power or more units but less power? And is it even possible to even install a speaker as a center channel in the middle of the front dashboard? This seems to be the difficult part for a 5.1 installation, for both the front and rear passengers. Which brand of speakers are recommended by the way?

I'm prepared to burn 8k-10k for this. Hopefully all the sifus here are able to help me out to garner some valuable information and suggestions before I pay the local shops for visits and enquiries.

That, is my biggest concern!! You hit the nail right on the head!! Finding the right knowledgeable person with good workmanship is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Adding in the options you mentioned for a better setup like the one on the KIA Forte, it would easily set me back for around 15K I suppose? Just wondering, with 2 processors and 12-channel on the speakers, would the 2 units of Audison Prima 8.9 amplifiers be able to cover that? Theoratically, it should work right, just probably sacrificing some quality with probably a more inferior built in DSP and less power output from the amps? Or maybe going with 2 units of Helix P Six DSP for more power?

I guess I belong to the minority, I would want the ideal position to be at the 2nd row. I'll be looking at the road 99% of the time rather than looking at the screen. But still, it would be nice to be able to hear it while driving.

This post has been edited by kanasai: Sep 11 2015, 12:41 AM

No one recommended this actually. It was just something that just crossed my mind since I have almost ZERO knowledge in this. I'm just thinking out loud on what are the available options as I would have to strike a balance between quality and cost as seeing how the potential for performance pretty much depends on how deep one's pocket goes.

1 unit of HU with optical out
2 units of Processors
3 units 4-Channel Amps
2 sets of component speakers
1 pair of mid-range speakers
1 slim woofer

Depending on the brands, I'm looking at least 15K-20K for equipments alone. Not to mention other electrical components, sound proofing/dampening and labor cost that would easily drive the whole thing to 20K-25K. I don't want to chop of my limbs in pursuit of perfection, and my pocket is not deep


That actually triggers some further thinking on my side. I get your point. I'll have to think it over.

Come to think of this, I'll agree with you on this. I doubt anyone in my family member would be able to appreciate how great the surround system is other than me. I mean, they would appreciate that the surround is great, but they wouldn't be bothered with the details on what made it so great. Like I mentioned above, I'll have to reconsider what I want.