Bit of an ICE virgin here.

I'm planning to junk the existing standard tape-only Philips unit for a 10 CD disc changer. I had a Sony XRC450RDS disc changer on a set of two Kenwood speakers and two standard fit BMW ones in my old car - which was pretty good but let down by the speakers (depth of sound - the Sony D-Bass response seemed a bit much for them). Before I could get around to doing something, the car was stolen by low lives.

Anybody got any good suggestions on a combination of £500 on a disc changer system and four good speakers for around £200. I guess in the 4x40W range? What about a pair of tweeters?

In fact, are the extra tweeters that Subaru will fit inside the the wing mirror mount any good?

Thanks in advance for any nuggets of wisdom.

Well, it seems from "across the board" that a lot of people on this BBS have fitted Infinity's in the standard location with good results. They seen a very popular choice. I have them in the rear of mine.

£200 should happily see you with a set of Infinity's all round, maybe even some components up front (mids in the lower doors, tweeters in the door hinge fittings). But I wouldn't put yourself out to fit any in there if you're just going for standard spec stuff.

Disc changer recommendations are a little harder - plenty to choose from, and I'd only be recommending stuff that I've used or seen. Alpine 1505R + CHAS614 should put you out around £550, maybe less. Maybe Sony? Clarion? Blaupunkt? I'd try some at a nearby ICE dealer before plumping for one.

Cheers,
Dan

top man - thanks for that...

Or you could try Alpine stuff - I got a TDA7560R head unit + CHA-S614 6-disc changer for under £500 fitted, plus a set of Alpine speakers with tweeters for £130. Have a look at www.arnesta.freeserve.co.uk/hifi.htm for pics.

My local Alpine dealer (John Kleis Car Hi-Fi, Baningstoke Rd, Reading, Berks.) was prepared to match the 430 UKP I quoted from a mail-order ad for the Alpine 1505R + CHAS614 (very cute little 6-disc with 150 title memory).

For a previous car, I upped to the 12-disc for an extra 100 UKP. This is easily installed, but perhaps somewhat large for under-seat installation in a 5-door Scooby, see other thread.

The units were priced and bought about September last year.

I looked for 6 inch Infinity coaxials, but coudn't find any a few months ago.

regards,
Rob.

Oh, may I add that the 1504R sounds to me like it has a very clean 4x40W output. It manages to drive the standard 5-door rear pair and a pair or Mission coaxials in the front reasonably well.

I'm sure a 150 UKP amp (like I have in the loft!) would drive things a little better, louder and a little more slam, but I'd rather not bother with taking the dash apart to site it, with running a custom power supply, OFC speaker wires and the extra alternator/battery juice it will draw.

Rob.

I can confirm that the built in 4x55w amp in the 1505R is a great piece of kit for someone looking for a head unit that can mix it with many a small, cheap 4channel separate amp. If you were looking to simply improve on the standard setup, you could do little wrong than going with such a head unit and 4 new speakers.

Anyone with that little extra to spend would be advised to buy a sub, box and another amp (50w rms+) to give the system some 'kick' because the standard Impreza doors are a bit tinny.

Laters,
Dan