ICE, where to start, stuff to fit in existing positions

[brewmastermk]

Hi guys,

Looking to upgrade the sound system a little, as I find it a bit dull as standard. The key points I'd be looking to acheive are;

Better Sound Quality
No Visual change to the car - so everything fitted in the original speaker positions - no carving out the parcel shelf etc.

Anyone have any ideas on the approach I should take, what standard kit in the Puma is half decent and might not need changed immediately etc. or suggestions of what I could change that will make the biggest change (ie. is the standard single cd player unit gash? or is it the frotn speakers or rears that really let it down)?

Basically I'm not looking to win competitions or blow my eardrums off, I just want a bit of an improvement in sound quality, saving money wherever possible.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[clarkie]

i think you will need 5.5 inch front 3 way coaxal components to fit the fronts or they may be 6 inch but 3 way speakers tend to be loud but you dont get muchclarity from cheaper brands so spend what you can on the best you can. same goes for the rears really without going for full on 3 piece components there is only 1 option and that is to go for 5x8 speakers, again 3 way but spend what you can and get the best you can.

how much are you wanting to spend and i will see what links i can find you for your budget.

 

[pumadad2010]

do a search of items closest to you to save paying weight of postage and you should be able to get some nice equipment cheap for around £50
car amp
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALPINE-IN-CAR-AMPLIFIER-V12-2-CHANNEL-/110551301320?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_Car_Amplifiers_PP&hash=item19bd5efcc8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
car amp 1000watt for extreme sound
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPLA-1000-CAR-AMPLIFIER-1000-WATT-4-CHANNEL-SUB-WOOFER-/140422417974?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_Car_Speakers_PP&hash=item20b1d40e36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
subwoofer speaker
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vibe-BlackAir-II-12-Car-Subwoofer-/330447791606?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_Car_Speakers_PP&hash=item4cf03925f6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
wiring kit
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Complete-Car-Audio-Amplifier-Wiring-Kit-New-amp-/230491697883?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Terminals_Cabling_ET&hash=item35aa6032db" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i only have a simple set up but its more than enough power to rumble a few stomaches when inside without my car rattling ive a got a 600 watt amplifier with a 1000 watt subwoofer

 

[brewmastermk]

Thanks for the info so far.

So as of yet, it looks like we're thinking Speakers are the priority right?

Therefore what I may do this weekend is take the old speakers out and measure the cavity the new ones have to fit into, then measure the frequency range the standard ones offer and try to find replacements that offer better range for reasonable price under a known brand.

I don't really want to go using up the limited boot space with a cannon either, so I may just need to find some component speakers which offer low frequency support (although I think I'll be hard pushed to get much under 40k).

 

[Dal]

I don't really want to go using up the limited boot space with a cannon either, so I may just need to find some component speakers which offer low frequency support (although I think I'll be hard pushed to get much under 40k).

I had one of these in my Puma which hardly took any space:

http://www.autoacoustics.com/sbo-fp97.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not cheap at nearly £200 new, but certainly left you loads of boot space still. They sometimes come up on ebay, but don't hold your breath.

 

[clarkie]

think they mean the original speaker upgrade not so much the bass element dude.

these rear speakers have the adaptor rings to suit.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Puma-Pioneer-Rear-Speaker-Kit-170W-Speakers-/160424077441?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Audio_TV_Electronics_In_Car_Entertainment_GPS_Car_Speakers_PP&hash=item255a052881" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

persoanlly for a budget system i would go for something that has mids and tweeters like this.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-sxe-1350s.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and for the rears go for these

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/alpine-sxe-5725s.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or if your budget can stretch your budget and want quality that will last the life of the car then go for something with a crossover to get clarity in the sound i would recommend these as a bottom of the line competition speaker upgrade as hertz gear sounds amazingly clear.

fronts
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/hertz-dieci-dsk-130.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rears
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/hertz-energy-ecx-570-3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

if you really enjoy your music and would like some properly loud music then you could run all 4 speakers off an amp and the quality and the level you can play your music at will almost double.

i would recomment this 2 channel jbl amp for the the hertz gear above as jbl seriouly under rate their amps and this should power those speakers nicely.

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-ksax3002.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

total amounts to 240 with the amp for a top sound or 180 without for top sound which just doesnt go twice as loud as what you already have.

the cheaper option is exactly that. i wouldnt recommend amping up and cheaper speakers as you are likely to blow them under pressure and high noted but just to wire off your existing headunit the same as the standard ones cheaper options would be fine as long as they are not at full all the time as they will wear over time.

hope that all helps.

tom

 

[brewmastermk]

Excellent, I think Clarkie's reading me right here. Thanks for the suggestions. It looks like the Pioneer ones you suggest rate a pretty amazing frequency range - would these be suitable up front or just as rears?

I've got to be honest, I've always had a bit of a liking of Pioneer gear. I was attracted by the Alpine and Hertz, however they dont seem to be able to go as low?

So if I'm not in the market for a seperate subwoofer (yet) - Im thinking Pioneer might be looking like a pretty sound bet for now.

So how does this sound - Go those Pioneers up front (if you think I'll get away with that) to give me a bit more welly in the bass. Then stick the Hertz ones in the back for the imporved quality and definition element (and also to give me the performance element to build on later). For now just running off the standard stereo, looking to upgrade to a straight CD player (probably by mr Pioneer too).

That'lll give me some kind of starter package eh?

Also, would you know if the standard cavity will take a double DIN stero straight or do I still need to get an adaptor?

Cheers again guys

 

[clarkie]

i like to stick to same brands so if you go for pioneer then stick to pioneer all round front and rears. if you setup your system properly you should have most of the sound coming out the fronts anyway so the rears dont really need to put out that much.
i would run the pioneer system then if thats what you want to do but i would also look at fitting tweeters for high notes.

you can fit a double din but you will need to fiddle with the metal support bar in the dash to get it to fit. best simple option is go for a single din and use a blanking plate that can be found on ebay for pennies. pioneer do some good head units just go for one that has full sound control so you can set bass, mid, treble and where you sound comes from which is mainly front to back. if you dont have a sub you want your sub levels at about 30 % and if you do then you want to set sub levels at 10% and set your sub and amp up to compensate. as a rule of thumb your mids can be 3/4 what your trebles are set at and the sound should be pretty clear. if i was you i would just go park up somewhere out of the way and turn your system up full and tweak the settings until its crystal clear at max volume then you know whatever volume you have it at its always going to be a very clear system and great listening.

 

[pumadad2010]

Also, would you know if the standard cavity will take a double DIN stero straight or do I still need to get an adaptor?

Cheers again guys

You're not going to be able to fit a double din stereo unless you modify he centre console, the hole is only 1.5 din.