Sound Advice?

Post Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:17 pm

Just got my iS, want to fit a 'nice' soundsystem. Not going for anything mental just want to be able to listen to music (I listen to quite a lot of house/trance/drum&bass and a bit of dubstep) without everything sounding awful and distorting all over the shop!

First Question
The front speakers in the footwell, what size are they and is there space to slot in a set of discreet replacements?

Second question
To fit a set of 6x9s in the rear shelf, how much space is there underneath- am I going to need large spacers?

Third Question
Will a decent set of 6x9s, and fronts, coupled to a good headunit give me a good sound through the frequencies and reasonable bass?- Not looking to make the interior shake to bits- I just appreciate s 'full' sound!!

Cheers!!

Chris

Post Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:44 pm

First Question
The front speakers in the footwell, what size are they and is there space to slot in a set of discreet replacements?

normal 5 1/2 inch all audio places do them

Second question
To fit a set of 6x9s in the rear shelf, how much space is there underneath- am I going to need large spacers?

yes you need spacers or a grinder

Third Question
Will a decent set of 6x9s, and fronts, coupled to a good headunit give me a good sound through the frequencies and reasonable bass?- Not looking to make the interior shake to bits- I just appreciate s 'full' sound!!

you might be best with an amp to get the best sound possible, once you have installed one you will never go back they make a huge difference

Post Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:57 am

Get yourself a nice set of components up front - and i really wouldn't bother with 6x9's in the back!!!!

Especially with the stuff you listen to - get yourself a nice little 10" sub.

Doesn't have to be mental - if you're installing it more for sound quality than volume, it'll give you a much clearer, better quality - especially if you get a nice little amp to power it all!!

Any idea on how much you want to spend??
Installing it yourself??
What head unit have you got?? Or are you looking to replace that too??

Post Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:34 am

Im getting a new (second hand) head unit from a mate.

Its an Alpine CDE 9857R.

I have a set of Infinity 5022i 13cm to put in the back (or front?), Ive also got an oldish set of kenwood 3-ways that are came in the cars rear shelf.

Ill install it all myself- ive done a few bits and bobs of Audio in the last couple of years.

It sounds bloody awful at the moment- really need to sort it asap!!!

Chris

Post Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:55 am

What you are doing will definately give you better sound,
but I listen to dubstep in my car aswel and I can tell you from experience that its not the same without a subwoofer.
You will definately notice it on motorways when you have to turn the volume up a bit more, you will hear the bass but it will distort your mids and highs.
I would recommend a decent 2-400W RMS subwoofer and amp (kenwood have nice SQL), stick it in the boot with a ported box. can't go wrong!
once you've done that you really won't need the 6x9's

p.s. im new so hello everyone!

Post Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:21 pm

What sort of money dya recon Id be looking at for a half reasonable set up then?

Chris

Post Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:03 pm

ChrisiS wrote:What sort of money dya recon Id be looking at for a half reasonable set up then?

Chris

how much you want to spend ???

ive spent around £200 on audio and none of its high end gear but it sounds amazing

Post Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:09 pm

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -23109.htm

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -22458.htm

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -21692.htm

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product ... -21534.htm

that would be a decent budget setup, you might have to upgrade your HU if it has no pre outs

you could also buy second hand as it will be a fair bit cheaper

Post Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:54 pm

Think that h/u might be the same as i just fitted in my birds Ka!!!! Ipod control?

Should have sufficient pre-outs for your use!

As for how much money - how much do you want to spend???

To keep it cheap, you could quite happily stick the h/u in and put the Infinity's in the standard front locations, running straight off the h/u. Then get a cheap sub and amp to tuck away in the boot. (I would say 10" or bigger to give you some depth - personally i like 12"'s!!!!!)

Spend a touch more on a better amp and run the fronts from that aswell, to improve the sound slightly.

If you want to upgrade further, you could put the infinity's in the back (if you want rear speakers) running off the h/u and then get some decent components up front, which will give you much better quality!!

If you want more, you want a dedicated sub amp and a dedicated amp for the front components!!!!!!

All down to what you wanna spend my friend!!!!!

And don't forget to budget for things like RCA cables to go from the h/u to the amp and power cables for the amp!!

One other touch would be some sound proofing behind/around the front speakers, and maybe mount them on a solid mdf ring?? Will give better quality, but adds a bit more time/money/effort/etc!!!!!

Post Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:47 pm

Picking it up monday- so will slot the stereo in and have a play about work out what my best course of action is.....AS much as I would like to stick a sub in the boot I realy need to avoid it if I can as I carry a lot of equipment with work and will need the bootspace!! (Im an outdoor pursuits instructor)Either that or I need to find a cheeky little sub that can be tucked away nicely!

Ill keep a look out for a compact 4 channel amp that can fit somewhere discreet.......

Chris

Post Sun Jul 06, 2008 1:33 am

Sub and amp don't have to take up much space if you spend a bit of time designing it in!!!

Could always go for a smaller sub - 8"? 6"? 5"?

I fancy doing a small system in the old 318i i'm temporarily in - little pair of 5" or 6" subs in the rear shelf maybe??

Post Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:27 am

Do you recon a sub is doable in the rear shelf?- if so that sounds like a plan!... Going to do some measuring tomorrow night I think!

Ta 4 the heads up miniblob/alex!

Chris

Post Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:47 pm

Just been offered one of these for £90 second hand out of a golf my mate is breaking...

http://www.marine-audio.com/Products/Su ... finity.htm

Any thoughts?

Chris

Post Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:03 am

Couldn't really comment on that one 'cos i've never seen or heard one yet!!!

Subs on the rear shelf is very doable if you put the effort in!!!!

I've got my eye on some 5"'s which should be easier to put in - will prob stiffen the rear shelf and box them in under the shelf.
Bigger subs could obviously offer more, but you'd have to either cut the rear shelf - or think of a clever way of mounting them underneath and letting them vent through the existing speaker holes (that's what i'd do if i could be arsed!!!)!!!!