sedmonds.org

The good folks over at Audiosource took care of the stereo and alarm today. The stereo gear cost a little more than what State Farm would cover, and ended up with less per-channel wattage for the main speakers and more wattage for the sub.

What I had before was a Memphis Audio - MCA150 powering JL Audio - XR 653-CS in the front and another powering JL Audio XR 650-CXi rears, and a Memphis Audio MCD250 powering a JL Audio 10W3V2-D4 sub. All of this was fed by a Pioneer - DEH-7600MP head unit.

The crooks nabbed the amps and head unit, but were unable to get the sub or other speakers. And they were kind enough to leave all the wiring in good shape. State Farm default coverage caps at $1500 for stereo equipment - including any installation. Each of the amps runs about $450 new, and a head unit runs $200+. Without any labour or miscellaneous parts needed for the installation, I'd already be dipping into my own pocket. Memphis Audio has a 5 channel amp line, the "Belle" and "Baby Belle" with the same audio characteristics as the gear I was replacing. The MCH600 has four 55 watt channels, to replace the pair of MCA150s, and a 400 watt channel to more than cover the MCD250. It's not a perfect replacement, but it's pretty close and it's more affordable than separate units. Audiosource doesn't carry Pioneer gear, and even if they did the head unit is a few model generations behind and might not even be orderable through normal supply channels. They do carry Alpine gear. It's not from the current model lines, but CDA-9857 was a reasonable price so that's what's in the car now. I also had them put in an alarm system while it was there.

The total cost to me resulting from some sleazebag is $500 deductible, $95 for stereo equipment replacement and installation, $235 in supplemental insurance on the rental while my car was at the body shop, $240 for an alarm, and a little compassion for my fellow man - I'm all about Old Testament retribution for bad behaviour now.