Audio upgrade

[SV666]

Afternoon all,


I was at JB HiFi today just inquiring about possible audio upgrades for my ve sv6 the fella there recommended JL Audio C5 650 6.5" splits front and back or alpine type r rears 6.5" married to a MB Quart Dsc 480 amp <(think that's right). Anyhow he qouted me $1900 for it included cabling (no installation). I did hear the speakers and i must say i was impressed with the quality in sound very, very clear. as i do not want to resort to a sub woofer i rather not be heard down the road as long as it sounds awesome inside I'm happy


Reason why I had a look at JB was that they had 30% off there range of in car audio and was wanting an opinion if yes that is a good deal or am I completely mad in spending that much for what I'm after...


Essentially I'm only after great sounding speakers that wont prompt everyone to look up and see me going past. Only after speakers that will cater for all genres...
If there's an alternative in the way of speakers could someone suggested it?


Thanks in advance.
666.

[neet_wagon]

$1900 bucks?!
And you only want the music to sound decent, no need for subs, and you don't want people to hear it when you drive past?!

If you don't want people to hear it, keep it stock. Or just go buy 2 pair of $100 speakers. No need for that crazy amount of cash.

[SV666]

Got a point but when I heard the JL's I was impressed about the all round good quality, well obviously its an insane amount of money there i agree. So what would be a nice setup without blowing a hole in the pocket? would the Alpine type r series be more than enough? or would you recommend another brand?


Thanks.




666.

[acarmody]

$1900 WTF. No installation in the price WTF x2!!

Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - Audio Development AD6 $435
Shopping Secure - Car Audio Specialists - Steg QM 45.4x $420

There that will get you very good sound, and I'm sure Joe will give it a good discount for you, if you just say "Pretty please with car audio on top".

[StoneX]

as i do not want to resort to a sub woofer i rather not be heard down the road as long as it sounds awesome inside I'm happy

The thing is that it won't sound awesome without the low frequency range of sound that a subwoofer reproduces. You're thinking of a subwoofer as a big booming speaker that everyone can hear, which most Commodore drivers will have But if you keep the subwoofer balanced with your speakers you'll have a much better sounding system than JUST speakers and it won't be so loud you draw attention from outside.

That price is too much for 2 sets of speakers and an amplifier.

[acarmody]

The thing is that it won't sound awesome without the low frequency range of sound that a subwoofer reproduces. You're thinking of a subwoofer as a big booming speaker that everyone can hear, which most Commodore drivers will have But if you keep the subwoofer balanced with your speakers you'll have a much better sounding system than JUST speakers and it won't be so loud you draw attention from outside.

That price is too much for 2 sets of speakers and an amplifier.

I agree with the sub statement. I find that if I turn the subs off, that the music is just missing something. Now I'm not saying that it must be so loud that your friends in the next street should hear it, but the bass should compliment the front speakers, nice and balanced.

[SV666]

The thing is that it won't sound awesome without the low frequency range of sound that a subwoofer reproduces. You're thinking of a subwoofer as a big booming speaker that everyone can hear, which most Commodore drivers will have But if you keep the subwoofer balanced with your speakers you'll have a much better sounding system than JUST speakers and it won't be so loud you draw attention from outside.

That price is too much for 2 sets of speakers and an amplifier.

True, so in other words you just have to find the right balance in the setup. More research is needed! and yes I do agree that price tag is WAY out there, the feedback was all I needed on that part. In the role the subwoofer plays what would be a suitable subwoofer or will go down to what speakers i buy first or whats the first thing you would look at? ie: sub first then work your way down, or speakers first etc etc...




Thanks.
666.

[acarmody]

Firstly tell us what sort of music you listen too and what you expect out of the system, like you listen to rock and want the system to cover the whole spectrum, or listen to orchetra (example only) and want it to play highs without sounding too high.

Also a budget would help.

EDIT: Also do you want to keep the stock H/U

[PRAVX II S]

In a sound system you will need to have lows/mids/highs
To make the sound complete.

[holdenboy]

Personally, i'd be looking at the following:

First of all, decent line out converter......like the Cache LOCs in Shopping Secure. The 6ch one will be sufficient.
Second, front splits. If you liked the sound of the JLs, no need to change from them.
Here they are at Ryda for $568. Should be able to get local stores to come down to a similar price, $600 atleast.
Then a set of rears, the Alpine Type Rs are a little overkill, certainly not another set of the JLs
Should be able to get them for around $200 ($229 retail).
Subwoofer, something like the Boston G2 10" subwoofer would be nice in a sealed enclosure (take up less room too). Here they are for around $220.
An amp, i would be going with a decent 4ch amp. Channels 1 and 2 power the front splits, while channels 3 and 4 are bridged for the sub.
The JL Audio range of amps are great IMO, so heres a suggestion from their range.......the G4500, will provide 80wrms for each front speaker and 250wrms for the sub. Almost perfect.

So theres a total of around $1800. Thats not including a sub box but i'd allow $100-$150 for a good one and around $150 on wiring. Thats approx. $2100 right there, a much better system then JB Hi Fi quoted you for only $200 extra.
Installation would be between $200-$350 depending on where you went.

[HCVP]

Or i'm selling these > Great set of splits (Bargain!)
Not as good as they would be with the original tweeters, but still vast improvement over the standard speakers.Add a decent amp, and like mentioned before, if you want sound quality, a sub is a must, i think if you were to listen to a properly tuned sub, you would understand the need.Also IMO, sound deadning is a must..keep the rears as is, and spend your money where your likely to notice it..

Simple front stage upgrade with a good sub is usually sufficient for most listeners.

[UFO]

to the OP, dude.... dont be afraid of a subwoofer. installing one doesnt mean the whole street has to hear you! but it WILL give you a much better sound- even at lower volumes. like has already been suggested when properly balanced, people (both in the car and out of the car) shouldnt even notice it as a "doof doof".

but mate- if you are going to go to the trouble of changing the front speakers (taking off trim, making new mounts etc).... for just a little extra its definitely worth dynamatting the doors. if money is an issue, I'd sacrifice not changing the rear door speakers and instead getting the fronts done right with dynamat. HUGE difference.

[Hsv is king]

if you are going to spend 1900 without install and no sub it getting a bit pricey and the 6.5" inch speakers will not fit directly into the ve custom baffles will have to be made.
You should be able to get higher qualitly stuff and intall for about 2.8k,cheap option is not always the best and you will wnat a least a 10"sub most good amps come with sub volume control

In my opinion you would be best spending a bit more getting a pro car installer to do it,you could possibly get focal amp,sub,speakers and isntall for about 3k and you will also want sound deadening.

I think 1900 from jb is a bit pricey and does not include istall and prob not sound deadedning either

Yes getting a pro to do it will cost as lot more but it is deffinatley worth it

[SV666]

Firstly, I thank you all for your very helpful comments here.

The peanut gallery in me should of mentioned a few things first that would of made a better discussion...


Genre:
Rock! rock and more ROCK!!!! Hard stuff (not to the point where you cant understand the vocals) But i do listen to Rammstien on occasion... I do enjoy Saliva, Papa Roach, Skillet, Old Linkin Park, old Limp Bizkit, and a few others i cant seem to mention...11 hour days do that to ya... but I do listen to pretty much anything else as long as it has a good beat to it (depends on what mood I am in) but 85% of the time its rock all the way!


Constraints:
Judging from the feedback I'm looking at around $1800-$2200 for something decent which is fine just have to wait a couple of months to make up the funds getting paid monthly sucks! My main objective is that i want the exterior of my interior to look stock but obviously have the sound right there so to speak but again it doesn't seem likely it would remain stock otherwise... once i make my formal decision on what I'm after I'll be able to see what I'm looking at in terms of modifying the audio.



Thanks again for your advise thus far!
666.

[acarmody]

Firstly, I thank you all for your very helpful comments here.

The peanut gallery in me should of mentioned a few things first that would of made a better discussion...


Genre:
Rock! rock and more ROCK!!!! Hard stuff (not to the point where you cant understand the vocals) But i do listen to Rammstien on occasion... I do enjoy Saliva, Papa Roach, Skillet, Old Linkin Park, old Limp Bizkit, and a few others i cant seem to mention...11 hour days do that to ya... but I do listen to pretty much anything else as long as it has a good beat to it (depends on what mood I am in) but 85% of the time its rock all the way!


Constraints:
Judging from the feedback I'm looking at around $1800-$2200 for something decent which is fine just have to wait a couple of months to make up the funds getting paid monthly sucks! My main objective is that i want the exterior of my interior to look stock but obviously have the sound right there so to speak but again it doesn't seem likely it would remain stock otherwise... once i make my formal decision on what I'm after I'll be able to see what I'm looking at in terms of modifying the audio.


Thanks again for your advise thus far!
666.

Good choice of music there mate, and trust me you won't regret a subwoofer with that music. It doesn't have to rattle your windows and set of car alarms, but a nice solid amount of bass will make the music sound like it should. And yeah some nice rock is great for getting you home alive after a really long day doesn't it? For me a 16 hour day and then driving down an almost empty, unlit highway, at night. Wouldn't be able to do it without the music.

When you got the funds together, ask on the forums again and we will be happy to recommend a good system.

[SV666]

Good choice of music there mate, and trust me you won't regret a subwoofer with that music. It doesn't have to rattle your windows and set of car alarms, but a nice solid amount of bass will make the music sound like it should. And yeah some nice rock is great for getting you home alive after a really long day doesn't it? For me a 16 hour day and then driving down an almost empty, unlit highway, at night. Wouldn't be able to do it without the music.

When you got the funds together, ask on the forums again and we will be happy to recommend a good system.

Thanks mate! yeah management in k-mart doesn't give much you much of a social life half the times but judging from your 16 hour days I shouldn't complain... Being 22 one would think you would want to be out with your mates and such having a good time every weekend, but I chose the career path for two reasons 1. Get a new car which I've done tick that off. 2. Get some rel-estate I'm a firm believer of working hard to enjoy the benefits later on in life but that doesn't mean I cant have fun along the way... So little things like a sound system is like a reward milestone lets put it then other things like rims and other aesthetic upgrades are other milestones along the way.

But thanks again really I will most definitely be looking into the JC forums once I get the financial's in order!


666.

[acarmody]

Thanks mate! yeah management in k-mart doesn't give much you much of a social life half the times but judging from your 16 hour days I shouldn't complain... Being 22 one would think you would want to be out with your mates and such having a good time every weekend, but I chose the career path for two reasons 1. Get a new car which I've done tick that off. 2. Get some rel-estate I'm a firm believer of working hard to enjoy the benefits later on in life but that doesn't mean I cant have fun along the way... So little things like a sound system is like a reward milestone lets put it then other things like rims and other aesthetic upgrades are other milestones along the way.

But thanks again really I will most definitely be looking into the JC forums once I get the financial's in order!


666.

Oh I don't do 16 hours every day, they just throw them my way every few weeks. 8am start and 12-12:30am finish. Also wish I didn't live 30 minutes drive from work. Peak hour in the morning usually turn it into a 1 hour drive, though my record stands at 2.5 hours to get to work, I was a tiny bit late that day.

[Hsv is king]

if you like the hard metal/rock (metallica,mudvayne,fear factory) look he focal range the sound awesome and dont distort at high volume but that dependant on your amp and cabeling.

[SuperSixty6]

As if you would want JB to install your system anyway - Haha.

If you find some gear you like, Or want some recommendations from myself feel free to send me a PM when you are ready to buy, I should be able to hook you up with some good lads and get some good prices for you.

Cheers,
Super6

[StoneX]

if you like the hard metal/rock (metallica,mudvayne,fear factory) look he focal range the sound awesome and dont distort at high volume but that dependant on your amp and cabeling.

Focal aren't that strong in the midrange/midbass which is a necessity for hard rock/metal.

[rbrash10]

I wouldn't go to JB to have stuff installed, your probably better going to a dedicated Car Audio Store, for 1900 you can get alot better stuff than JL's

[wraith]

Focal aren't that strong in the midrange/midbass which is a necessity for hard rock/metal.

Are you serious? I have sold countless Focals and also have a pair of splits on the sound board. For the price they are the best I have ever heard and we deal with all the big names.

[Rubber_Burnin_Gal]

YUCK! @ alpines............ only thing they are good for is findin spare change/metal in long grass :| i have all factory speakers with a pioneer head unit and a kenwood 350watt amp(its only running front speakers off it)(dont have any subs) and i too listen to alot of rock/metal ect and it is crisp as, depends how loud you actually want it (if i have it turned up, you can hear me coming a mile away!) and if the settings are set right! that was just a temp fix as my factory CD player crapped itself n i couldnt afford what i wanted at the time, im soon upgrading to POLK gear + dual 12" subs

[StoneX]

Are you serious? I have sold countless Focals and also have a pair of splits on the sound board. For the price they are the best I have ever heard and we deal with all the big names.

No, I just said it for the sake of posting. Of course I'm serious. I'm not a big fan, I prefer the sound of other brands plus it annoys me how so many newbies to car audio talk up Focal like it's the best thing since sliced bread.

[wraith]

No, I just said it for the sake of posting. Of course I'm serious. I'm not a big fan, I prefer the sound of other brands plus it annoys me how so many newbies to car audio talk up Focal like it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Ok I was just saying in my experience and by the sounds of it another user on this forum Focal's are good. By the way have you heard about this thing called sliced bread? I can't get enough of it.