Benno's Audio Install thread

[Mr ©harisma]

Would have to find speakers I enjoy the sound of that don't cost over $1k LOL! Then get the 4 channel.

I'll be in touch.

Pity your not in Sydney..

Otherwise you should go see Marty @ Fhrx studios.

[Mr ©harisma]

Cheers for the tips mate. Yeah I got a bit better with the dynamat on the passenger side door. Not super keen on moving the tweeters though given I just cut some big f*** off holes in the trim panels! The headunit in my old car has time alignment stuff, but my new one won't unfortunately.

What do you think of the Blaupunkt THA series amps? Vs the JVC?

Never used either. I like the look better of the THA series lol. Have not heard a bad thing about either of those amps other than they are tiny and make some useful power.

And I just saw these:

http://english.gttrading.it/easysite/scheda3.asp?livello=3&Marchio=ADSSPK&Gamma=X--ION%20line&Modello=SPECIAL%20SYSTEMS&pg=1

Hmm. Just as I finish getting my splits in! What do people think of Audio System speakers? Not that I'm buying, particularly without listening to them, but it would be interesting to know.

If they are half as good as their amps then they would be worth a listen.

[572]

Pity your not in Sydney..

Otherwise you should go see Marty @ Fhrx studios.

I've spoken to Marty a few times already. Just I won't buy speakers without listening to them first. There's a couple of places up here that do enough of the high end gear, just not Morel (one of the brands I want to audition). Otherwise I will end up with Dyn's...

[Paul_OH]

I recently had an Alpine MRP-F300 installed under the passengers seat which runs the factory front door speakers with the rear channels bridged to run a 10" sub. The factory rears run off the AVC9000 head unit. I'm very impressed with the sound of the factory speakers (and so was the installer) and wanted to do this before making the jump to upgraded fronts. We rarely have anyone in the back seat so the rears providing some fill only is fine.
The MRP-F300 retails for around $350 and all up installed (by a quality company) was $500 all up incl quality interconnects. Quite a reasonable deal I thought and very happy with the results.

Paul

[benno]

Which Focal series were you looking at - the SOLID's? I have heard alot of bad reports about their sound quality, nothing better than "run of the mill" products - I had my eyes set on a black SOLID 2 until told otherwise. I'd want something a bit 'special' behind a set of Hertz speakers, but that's just me (and Kenwood is a different kind of special haha!).

Jon have you got any more info or links about the Focal Solids? I can get the Solid 4 for about $400 ish I think, which is one of the cheaper options so far.

And who sells Arc Audio gear in Aus? The 4 channel mini looks nice... bet it's pricey though.

[572]

Jon have you got any more info or links about the Focal Solids? I can get the Solid 4 for about $400 ish I think, which is one of the cheaper options so far.

And who sells Arc Audio gear in Aus? The 4 channel mini looks nice... bet it's pricey though.

I've only got word-of-mouth on the Focal. Little bit of chit-chat here.

Retail on that Arc Audio is either $799 or $899. I was looking at the 2ch which went from a nice $499 to $699 with exchange rate/price increases . FHRX in Sydney or Northfield Moorooka in QLD (where I got my gear from) distribute Arc Audio.

[benno]

Just went in and had a chat to Drew at Northfield Moorooka.

$999 for the Arc 125.4 mini

$799 for the Alpine PDX 4.100

Roughly $500ish for a sub enclosure (custom fibreglass jobby).

$$$$$$$$$$!!!

[Greg Roles]

Turn your spare tyre into a can of sealant like me, and then you can put any monster of an amp in the spare wheel space. Alternately, do you really need that level of gear, as I have had some great results in my poorer past with well installed cheaper stuff like Jaycar amps. Even top end stuff, installed poorly and tuned incompletely will sound bad.

[572]

Roughly $500ish for a sub enclosure (custom fibreglass jobby).

Hence why I built my own non-fibreglass box for a 10th of that lol!

Agree with Greg though, look at the Jaycar gear if the budget doesn't stretch. Those new higher end Jaycar Precision Response models look the business too!

Either of these would do the job;

http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=595
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=595

BTW, I had no idea you were in Brissy! When you're installing if you need another pair of hands give me a yell - more than happy to help.

PS, I have to say changing the headunit has made a massive difference to how the standard speakers sound. I installed a new Alpine in mine on the weekend and I'm still amazed how big the improvement is.

[Greg Roles]

Jon is onto it!

Either of these digital babies would squeeze into below the passenger seat space which I just measured as 30cm wide x 25ish long x 7cm high.

2 x 80rms... $189!
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=595

or better yet this more powerful, same size one. 4x50rms, with a bridge of 160rms into 4 ohms for a sub. Power the rear doors from your Alpine HU you have! $219!
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=595

A lot of bang for the buck. You'd probably just be able to see wires at the front edge of the passenger seat, but I'm sure you could make it work. Heck, I would!

I second Jon's observation that just a HU change makes a BIG difference, sure the full speaker job is better, but bang for the buck a HU is the best option.

[benno]

Cheers guys.

Greg - not keen on ditching the spare, even if it is just a crappy space saver. I'll be getting a bit further afield with work and play shortly and want to keep a real spare in the car.

I did look at those Jaycar amps and for some reason thought they wouldn't fit... but you're right, I just measured up the space under there and they should fit fairly easily.

So there's the 4x50 Jaycar at $220ish
And the 4x75 Focal at $500ish
And then a bit of a step up for Alpine/Arc...

Or I could get the Audio Systems F2 130 for $400ish and maybe have a go at re-using my old 6x9s in the parcel tray for a bit more bass and hope that it will satisfy me.

Choices choices....

Jon - yeah I could DIY an enclosure but I fuggin hate working with fiberglass and paying some other sucker to do it is much more appealing! (And I can't completely copy everything Greg does and make an MDF enclosure.) I think for a weird little shaped corner of the car 'glass is the way to go.

Here's the box I built for the back of my '58 Beetle:




Sounds absolutely awesome in that little cabin.

[Paul_OH]

Sorry, just realised I repeated my findings again (refer post #19) . But I am really happy with the setup

[Greg Roles]

You'd better not copy me, as I am the only person with an MDF sub box, and actually have a patent pending on it.

Go your hardest young fella, you'll never catch up to me.

[benno]

Sorry, just realised I repeated my findings again (refer post #19) . But I am really happy with the setup

Paul, cheers mate, I forgot about that. Where did you get yours? Will do some reading this arvo.

Greg - I reckon I just might, the DSG would be worth a few tenths I reckon

I'm rooted. Stupid night shift.

[Paul_OH]

Paul, cheers mate, I forgot about that. Where did you get yours? Will do some reading this arvo.

I purchased and had it installed by Alberts Car Stereo here in perth, www.carstereo.com.au A quality company and one that has a very good reputation on the West coast (I have no affiliation in any way, shape or form!)

Cheers,

Paul