Hi all,
As some of you will probably be aware, the standard speaker setup in a classic wagon is, well, pants! No bass response whatsoever, sounds like a 1950's wireless radio

So, what i want to know is, what speakers have you upgraded to and what do they sound like now? Did you buy or make your own spacers? Are Component speakers better to go for?

Im not after super sounding mega expensive stuff, just a decent speaker setup that will improve the all around sound and quite a bit more bass would be nice!

Any input appreciated as im a total novice when it comes to ICE setups etc.

Also any pics or links you could throw in would help, thanks

 

Unless you fit an amp and sub you will never get mega bass in a car.

Best solution IMHO is to update the front speakers and also increase the size. I do this by making an MDF spacer and glassing it to the door skin, take a look at how I did the Forester here: https://www.scoobynet.com/ice-2/9443...rezas-too.html

I used exactly the same process for my bugeye and used 6.5' components.

 

Not looking to fit any bass boxes or amps really, im not into that, just want to improve the overall sound quality while still retaining factory looks.
Thanks for that fella, just what i was after. Good write up.

 

I've put an active bass from Alpine under/behind the passenger seat. It makes a HELL of a difference, and is fully adjustable.

Cost me all of £70 off ebay!

 

Blaupunkt

 

Thanks for the comments. I'll look into the active bass thingy lol.

Kas, Blaupunkt what...speakers?

Im thinking what i'll do for now is upgrade the door speakers and get a better headunit than the one i have in there now, then see where i want to go from there.

 

Ye man Blaupunkt speakers. The best components I have heard. Cheap & excellent quality!

 

You'll be better off with some higher end speakers than blaupunkt if you want more bass with good control, look at JL Audio or Rockford Fosgate for starters if you really want to go for it how about focal or Diamond, I have CDT components in mine with front mounted magnets to increase magnet size while keeping a shallow mount, these are £400 a set!

 

Ive got infinity reference comps 6.5" in mine, amped up and they sound incredible when paired up with the sub in the boot!

 

You can buy the spacers needed off ebay quite cheap.

 

jl or focal are very good & well priced. But as with any 'decent' speaker, to get better sound & bass you will need to amp them

 

JL Audio TR525 CXi's any good mate? Or Focal PC100's?
I just want to upgrade the front speakers without having to wire in an amp and/or sub ideally!
Or is it probably a better spend of cash to get an amp and sub package and then leave the existing speakers as they are? Don't really want to spend more than about £150 to be honest.
Grateful for any advice!

 

The JLs will do the job, just make sure you install them properly!

 

go for focal, if money allows

 

I'm running one of these too (SWE 1000) plus some JL Audio components up front (albeit run off a JL Audio amp too) and an Alpine HU. I'm quite picky with audio and I'm very happy with the set up - nice full and natural sound to it... the sub really helps fill things in a lot.

Infitinty stuff always sounds a little bright to me but others swear by them. Focal are also good as are Rainbows (but generally, these need to be run off an amp to get the best results).

When you fit them, don't forget to slap a bit of Dynamat or similar on the doors - no need to do the whole of the door, just enough to stiffen it up a bit will work wonders.

 

Hi mate, I was after the same as you a little bit more bass but no subs amps ect... What i done was upgrade my door speakers too Vibe 6inch components, I also upgraded to a Alpine head unit. Now Alpine do a mini amp that plugs into the back of most new alpine headunits (no cutting wires ect plugs straight in) and sits behind the stereo with plenty of space. Its only a mini 100watt amp but its defo given me a much better not over the top sound. Hope this helps

 

That's a good shout on the Alpine amp

 

Cheers mate, that helps a treat!
Where did you get the mini amp from and how much was it? Have Gogled but can only seem to find stuff located in the USA...

 

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-ktp445.html

Need some more practice with that Google thingy

 

Ha, cheers mate! I'll blame it on the fact that it's Monday!
(I spelt "Googled" wrong too in my post! Man I'm feeling more stupid than normal today! )

 

No problem, I won't rub it in you thick s***

If you end up getting the Alpine unit, please post back as I'd be interested to hear what you think... I have a Z3 which is a bit limited for space and it might make a good option for that.

 

Hi mate i got mine from ebay and payed £65 for it but didnt check the postage and that was £15 lol

Other then that i think you can get them via the alpine website, There about £145 brand new if i remember right

 

Or £99 + p&p from the link I posted

 

Focal ftw plus underseat sub mine sounds awesome \0/\0/

 

I've got an Alpine Active Sub for sale. It's the SWD 1600

Going rate seems to be about £70 + Postage so I'll advertise it at that.

 

Impreza doors have relatively large holes in the interior panelwork. Water/damp resistance being dealt with by the plastic sheeting.

One way to improve midbass response is to cover those holes up. Easiest way is to treat the lot with Dynamat extreme or similar. Take care with the lock/latch rods though.

For crossovers I made brackets of of perforated sheet and mounted them on the car side of the moisture barrier. Don't have pics of that unfortunately.

Also, as stated by others, you need the right set of speakers and a good sized amp. The more solid you can make the doors, can't really do any harm though.

J.