Am I doing the right thing?

[Muttley]

Ok, I want to upgrade the stereo in my VT. Not after ear shattering bass, just something that will sound good - nice a clear, decent range.

Here is what I am thinking:

Pioneer DEH-P5750MP deck - does MP3 and looks suitable for future expansion.

Pioneer 260 or 350 Watt 6x9 speakers in the rear shelf.

Disconnect rear door speakers and keep existing front door and dash speakers.

Put sound deadening in front door and parcel shelf.

I figure that should fit in the budget of around 6 - 700 bucks, including installation.

Any other suggests before I move on it? Or am I going to be disappointed with the result?

[Dellboy999]

Just remember that in any good stereo system the front speakers are the sound stage and the rear are just fill, you would be better off with a good quality set of splits in the front, then bothering with the rear.

[Tasmaniak]

Muttley...that sounds fine, although you may not want to bother with dound deadening the parcel shelf as it won't do much, although, it's a great idea for the front doors including covering the air holes in the door with 3mm MDF

[Muttley]

Had a good play with the head unit at lunch time. Pretty happy with it. It's easy to use and looks nice without too much distracting flashing going on.

As for speakers. The sales guy there (Autobarn) suggested that 6x9s in the shelf maybe wouldn't make the difference. His suggestion was Pioneer 4-ways in all 4 doors and not to worry about splits in the front either.

Dunno. Sounded a bit flat when I just ran it on the 4 ways in their demo wall. When I added splits for the front it sounded better - more high end.

All up it would set me back about a grand, which isn't much in car audio terms, but I want it to sound at least $1000 bucks better than it does now. The demo wall didn't convince me.

I don't want to keep going back to it, but maybe I should just replace the head unit first and keep the original speakers.

[Dellboy999]

If you plan on a sub at any stage, then the 6x9's will just be a waste of money.

I will also add I am telling from experience and knowledge on sound setup, I drive a Ford dont hold it against me, I am giving advice here, you could drive a toyota echo, and I would still give the same advice.

[Muttley]

If you plan on a sub at any stage, then the 6x9's will just be a waste of money.

I will also add I am telling from experience and knowledge on sound setup, I drive a Ford dont hold it against me, I am giving advice here, you could drive a toyota echo, and I would still give the same advice.

I sense you have received the odd jibe here about being a Ford driver . Don't worry. I have owned fords in the past. This is my first commy. I appreciate all ideas.

I understand what you are saying as I gather the 6x9's are really just to try and fill in a bit of bass that a sub would otherwise be doing. I would love to put an amp and sub in, but budget and real-estate in the boot are factors.

[Dellboy999]

Well dont ditch the splits in the front, any car audio person will tell you this for a start.

Its not about loud, its about quality.

You will not be running an amp, so remember the sound board at autobarn has everythig amped (usually) so you may not get what you expect in your car for start, I will check my ssytem, had it for a long time and am happy with it, will post details in a moment.

[Dellboy999]

Ok this what i have:

splits in the front rated at about 100w
4 way 6x9's in the rear rated at 160w
my cd deck puts out 45w x 4 and runs these speakers
10 stack cd in boot
i have an EQ that goes to the amp at around 100w this runs a 10" sub in one corner of the boot so I still have a usuable boot.

The system is just what I have left over after I lost alot of gear to thieves.

What would I change if I was going to spend money:
Better quality splits in the front amped up via the EQ
2 way 6" speakers in the rear running on amp
12" SUB with better designed/quality box still in corner of boot
in dash 6 stack head unit capable of mp3

[Konker]

i like the unit you have chosen. i have the 70 equivelent they give a bloody nice sound. i would try for kenwood 6inch plus tweeters to give mid and high end. Mine sound bloody nice. also pioneer 4 way 6 by 9 in the back fill nicly but put them in a box as that will enhance the mid range and give some solid bas if you tune the head unit right. i have my eq set to bass/ low +1 mid +3 and high +6/max
mine sounds great on all audio tracks and i can adjust the bass to beat many sub users. my sytem cost 800 nz

[Muttley]

Aaarrrggghh.

I've spent all night looking at this. 6x9's seem to be one of those polarising arguments. I can't see me ever getting a sub so there seems to be more in favour of 6x9s in that case.

The Autobarn guy reckon the $93 3 way 6x9s would sound better than the dearer 4 or 5 way models. They are only 40W which seems a bit low. The next model up ($149) are 80W and have a slightly lower frequency response (25 against 28) which I am guessing should help bass (maybe it wouldn't be noticeable).

Phase 2 would be new splits up front and finally an amp to drive them.

It's supposed to be a father's day present so I guess I better just choose something or I might miss out till next year

Thanks for all the suggestions people.

[Tasmaniak]

3 ways are generally better then 4-5 ways which overload you with treble.

80W speakers are only a little bit louder then 40W speakers (3dB)
Your not going to notice the difference in response.

I can definetly understand getting the 6x9's first. I only suggest the splits first if you are putting 6" rears, since you have chosen 6x9's for the rears...let's boost your bass and volume before deciding upon the splits up front and getting the quality in there.

I wonder what I'm getting for Fathers day...... Probably f($*ing socks again

[Muttley]

80W speakers are only a little bit louder then 40W speakers (3dB)
Your not going to notice the difference in response.

*Final* question. Would the 80W speakers be more suited to an amp (no sub) in the future than the 40s, and would the slightly lower frequency response (25 vs 28) give better bass or not be noticeable? If the answer is NO and NO, then I guess i can save $50 and get the 40W.

Actually that's 2 questions. Hmmmm.

[Dellboy999]

Yes higher watt speakers will alsways be suited to an amp, finding a pissy little amp putting out less the 40w watts a channel will be hard to do.

I am running 170w 4 ways of a 45w per channel head unit, and they sound fine, but no where near potential.

When you have made your final selection of compenents then post it up for comment, wether you take the possible advice given or not, you will have to live with the decision not us.

[Konker]

if your not getting a sub (i dont suggest you do) 6 by 9s wil give enough bass for ya and ALWAYS when in doubt get the higher wattage speaker. sound nicer and wont sound strained by the head unit. either way let us know how you get on. no sub = no rice (good thing) and splits?? is that what you fellas call components over there?

[DavidPartay]

Since when does having a sub make your car rice? I've got a 10" sub in the boot of my car which fills out necessary levels of bass that 6x9s can't achieve. Believe me, I've been using 6x9s for about a year!

I think we call them splits when the speakers come in a package. They are still obviously component speakers...

[Dellboy999]

Since when does having a sub make your car rice? I've got a 10" sub in the boot of my car which fills out necessary levels of bass that 6x9s can't achieve. Believe me, I've been using 6x9s for about a year!

I think we call them splits when the speakers come in a package. They are still obviously component speakers...

Yeah I agree, i think 2 15" subs is bordering on rice, but a 10" or 12" is fine, it's all a personal thing anyway, stereos are not rice, a rear wing that looks more at home on a jumbo jet is (sorry for the rant)

[Konker]

i agree if you genuinly like the sound of one 10 or 12 then go for it. the minute its in there to impress or to be obnoxious then its uncle bens

[Dellboy999]

i agree if you genuinly like the sound of one 10 or 12 then go for it. the minute its in there to impress or to be obnoxious then its uncle bens

Yeah you build a system for you to listen too, I dont really care to hear what music you are listening to from downthe block and around the corner

[DavidPartay]

My music gets loud enough to deafen me when it's played just on the head unit, I don't see the point in wearing earplugs to listen to my music in my car .

[DavidPartay]

On the other hand, it's simply a competition. You could even compare it to a dyno shoot-out - nobody NEEDS 1200hp at the wheels, but it's all about having the best .

[Dellboy999]

On the other hand, it's simply a competition. You could even compare it to a dyno shoot-out - nobody NEEDS 1200hp at the wheels, but it's all about having the best .

Yeah but 1200hp wont get you a fine for excesive noise by mr plod will it, let alone annoy everyone around you.

[DavidPartay]

That's true, but those who are actually using the car as a showcar for the most part would understand that it's a showcar and to respect other people.

[Dellboy999]

That's true, but those who are actually using the car as a showcar for the most part would understand that it's a showcar and to respect other people.

True, and thats the difference between rice and nice

[Muttley]

"rice" ? Forgive my ignorance. I have seen this term used a lot here. Can anyone enlighten me?

[DavidPartay]

Ricing your car is making it look fast when it's not .

Like adding racing stickers, gigantic spoilers, big ugly bodykits!