Chris L

Time to kick off the ICE section..

Looking to upgrade the standard stereo in my MY00 Impreza (4 door). Pretty much decided on a Sony CD tuner, but I would like some advice on speakers.

Not looking to spend a fortune, just some suggestions on good upgrades to the standard items. Also any thoughts on fitting a subwoofer?

Prices and good suppliers in the south-east would be useful.

Thanks

Chris

Mr.Cookie

JL audio coax fit in standard hole and sound very nice thankyou very much.

Thanx
Simon

Ps Not my opion as ive not heard them but i trust the source

chiark

What are you wanting? If you're thinking "sub", then you may be best investing in a decent 4 channel amplifier, good front speakers and a sub.

Speaker-wise, what music do you like and how do you like it played? In yer face bold presentation or relaxed musical presentation?

Personally, I like a neutral sound and love the CD Technologies stuff. Some people may find them a bit laid back compared to Cerwin Vega!.

Generally, if you can get a speaker from a specialist it will be better than from the major generic electronics manufacturers.

Try to listen to someone's car and take it from there.

Finally, what's your overall budget? If stretched, you could leave the sub until later when funds allow.

You'll see two opinions on whether or not to bother with rear speakers. I'm utterly converted to the "don't bother" choir. Listen to people's car and you'll see why.

Good luck!

Chris L

Thanks for the comments guys.

Chiark

Budget - lets say £200 - £250 for the speakers (reckon head unit will cost around £200). I'll forget the sub for the moment.

Musical tastes - varies, but the reason I'm upgrading is the two hours spent everyday commuting - so relaxed rather than 'full - on'.

What's the deal with not fitting rear speakers?

Thanks for your help

Chris

Chris L

Back to the top...

Anymore advice welcome...

Richard Gledhill

I assume you're not going for a separate amp at the moment then. It's worth considering though - you will almost certainly get better sound with a separate cheapish 2 or 4-channel amp (about 100-150 quid) and 100-150 quid front speakers, than paying 250 quid for front speakers running off the head unit.

I have a 2-channel Jenson 300 running my subs, but for a change I abandoned the subs for a week and made it run the fronts (Rockford Fosgate components... mmMMmm!) and the difference was huge. Also, if you get tweeters (i.e. 2-way components for the fronts, definitely the way to go) then get the tweeters mounted up by the wing mirrors rather than in the door panel by the door handle. This brings the sound staging up nearer ear level and gives a much more detailed and enjoyable sound (IMHO).

I've now just bought a Rockford Fosgate Punch 400a4 (4-channel amp, 50x4 for the fronts, + bridging the rear gives 100w into the sub). Should be awesome!

Another note (this should be a FAQ ) - be careful when comparing power outputs. Japanese units are invariably over-stated, as they measure them for short periods at high distortion. E.g. my Sony head unit is supposedly 35W RMS x 4 but is in fact nearer 12W continuous; likewise for Kenwood, Pioneer etc. American and British amps will be generally understated - for instance the Rockford Fosgate 1000W amp actually turns out just over 1400W RMS!

So. If you want to spend 200 quid+ on front speakers, MB Quarts seem very popular, or I rather like the Rockford Fosgate FNXs. I personally would try and pick up an amp for about £130 or so (second hand would be best value) and then spend about the same again on decent front component speakers.

Btw I'm a firm proponent of not bothering with rear speakers, but then again I have a sub in the boot, and removing the rear speakers allows the sub to "vent" through the holes into the car (MY00 4-door) and improves the sound hugely.


Phew! Hope this helps! If I were you I'd head down to a decent car audio place and talk it through with them too.

Let us know how you get on!

Cheers
Richard

Sanity

Or you could go the way I am going! I have a Pioneer MEHP9000R minidisc head unit. Pioneer 6CD autochanger, Pioneer DAB (digital audio) unit.

In the boot will be 2 Pioneer PRS-X720 amps (big ******) 2*100W official, tested at 2*230W. 1 Pioneer GME-X644 4 channel (4*50).

The amps will be driving 2 Dragster 12" (best bang for buck) subs. MB Quart reference 4.5's upper mids and tweets in custom glass-fibre builds in the kickwells, 6.5" JBLs for mid bass in the front doors.

All of the above through an Audio Control EQL equaliser and 4XS 4 ch x-over. I will lay the speaker wire for rear fill on the parcel shelf but don't have the speakers yet.

And if that was not enough I am purchasing an empeg MKII MP3 player that will hold my entire CD collection!! I will use this as the source head unit and have the Pioneer as AUX.

Should be an awesome system when it's all complete. I have all the bits and bobs now (except the empeg) so I am going to have fun over the next 3 months.

Rgds,

M

Mr.Cookie

Sanity
Hi could you give us a little info on that mp3 player ie is it hard drive based, cd, smart card, car unit or walkman type

Thanx
Simon
Pioneer DEX P88
Alpine 3558
JL 10" Sub
JL Component
2 gauge Cable all going in when ive got a couple of weeks spare to do it right

Sanity

Mr Cookie,

Sure, go to

Richard Gledhill

Yeah, does look cool doesn't it! I saw one being installed at Cambridge Car Audio last weekend. Sounds very good, and will run DAB when they finish the decoding software. Very expensive though - £750 + VAT for the 6Gb (100 hours) model, + £55+VAT for the tuner bit too. Not cheap, but very cool! I'm on the waiting list but will be getting one when they come down in price a bit. Apparently the waiting list is a couple of months at the moment but they reckon they'll have cleared the backlog by Sep/Oct.

Cheers
Richard

Tom Evans

Chris L.

Few of my friends have upgraded the ICE in their car and got amps/subs, etc. Personally I would spend the money on a good pair of 6"x9"s and take it from there. If you get a good pair then they should give you enough bass without having to spend more on a sub. Also if you get a sub you will then probably end up buying an amp for a better sound.

You should find that just upgrading to a better headunit will mean you will get a better sound from your standard speakers. To compliment the h/unit I would replace the rear speakers with 6"x9". You can then always buy the sub, and possibly an amp, later on, if you still want a better sound.

Don't know of any dealers in the south east, but found a good website:

sunilp

Chris, speak to Saj Afzal at

sajafzal@atlas.co.uk

and tell him i sent you. He can supply, fit and advise very well.

Chris L

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

Sunil - is there anybody you don't know?

Chris