Is it worth doing... ?
Hi everyone,
I'm considering putting a new head unit in my car. I currently have an aftermarket Pioneer or JVC or something like that. Either way. I don't particularly like it, and I want USB and bluetooth.
This is the Pioneer unit I like the look and features of.
DEH-7350BT CD Tuner with iPod Control, Front USB, 2 RCA Pre-outs and Bluetooth - Pioneer Car Stereo - Digital Media Receiver
Now my question is, is it worth buying the head unit now and doing the speakers/amp/sub later on at some stage, or is it better to just do everything in the one hit ? Maybe even Head unit and speakers for now, and play with a sub and amp later on, or would I just be wasting time ?
The reason I ask is that I'm getting very sick of listening to the same music in the car (and cant be bothered burning cd's constantly with new stuff) and would enjoy being able to use the bluetooth and having a truck load of songs on USB available to me. My current speakers DO need upgrading also though, but not sure what to get exactly. Thinking front 6" splits and rear 6" door speakers only.
Am I going to get THAT much of a saving by buying in bulk?
Also... is it worth rewiring with new speaker cable or should the stock cabling be sufficient ??
Thanks, and sorry for the rambling :P
Rough As
maybe just get the H/U and the speakers for now and see how they go and if you want more then get the sub and amp later but get it all done properly so you dont need to change later on
my Opinion anyways
some shops do good deals when you buy bulk and get them to install it.. if you plan on getting a sub and amp later on you might as well do it all at once
Last edited by Nic92; 12-09-2011 at 11:05 PM.
I'm happy to install it myself. I've installed full systems into a couple of cars before.
The hardest bit will probably just be working out how to safely remove various panels etc to run the cable if running new speaker wire is necessary/beneficial.
This here is semi-decent. I'll be doing a new tutorial within the next few months.
Cheers Mag00 looks like that was a handy link!
So back to the original question, is just installing a head unit worth the hassle ? or should I be looking to install speakers (and possibly amp/sub) at the same time ?
Hand over the dog bikkies
The standard speakers are pretty average just upgrading the speakers and head unit to something good will be ok. But you need to think now whether you want to run sub and amp. Otherwise it's pull all the dash apart to run RCA's and the remote lead.
Welcome to the internet where people have opinions that you might not like
Definitely want a sub and amp at some stage, probably just not at this very moment.
No need to change the speaker wiring for new speakers that are running from the head unit.
I've found my stock VT speakers suited the car better than non-amplified aftermarket speakers... They had more bass (midbass) than aftermarket until I deadened the doors and amplified the speakers. The aftermarket speakers will play quite a bit louder than the stock ones though, just without decent bass.
My current speakers distort on bass straight away if you try and put some decent volume through them.
Might actually just do the standard wiring like you've suggested, and then when the amp and sub go in, rewire.
Hand over the dog bikkies
Wire is wire when it comes to speakers really unless you got some competition style speakers.
Welcome to the internet where people have opinions that you might not like
That's good to know then.
Definitely not planning on doing competition type system.
Last time I did a sound system I blew way too much. I think my front splits back then were 6-700 worth and the rears were about 3-400 worth.
Definitely not looking to go that crazy.
Probably wanting to spend between 150-300 on a decent set of front splits.
The rear's from what I've been reading are near on pointless. So I'd say between $50-150 on those.
What's some reputable speakers these days ?
It's been a long time since I've messed around or looked at stereo's etc.
Highly recommend looking at Morel Tempo 6 splits, fantastic speakers, have them in my commodore, great on a budget and are roughly $300 shipped. Other GOOD models to note are in this article here.
From that article:
Crescendo Opus 1
Hertz ESK165
Morel Maximo 6
That is a link to an Australian forum called Mobile Electronics Australia, or MEA for short. A lot of great advice from some of the most knowledgable guys in the country when it comes to Car Audio etc.
As for exact prices, contact Marty Price over at FHRX Studios. They are based in Sydney, however generally they provide free shipping Australia wide.
Email is: fhrxstudios@bigpond.com
Try to stay away from brands such as Alpine etc. they really are average for the amount of hype they receive, people tend to think they're fully sick because of the brand on the box. Crescendo, Hertz and Morel are HIGHLY regarded brand names within the PROFESSIONAL crowd.
Nice, thanks for that info.
There I was thinking Alpine and Pioneer were still good :P
Looks like those highly recommended ones by mea for 2011, the hertz ESK165 I can get for about $130 haha
All though it's not nessacary, i would run new wiring. It doesn't have to be expensive, i've been using this stuff lately for both home and car audio and i can't fault it. Really flexible with it's silicone jacket, you can pick up a 25 meter roll of the 14 awg from Bunnings for about $30, so at $1 something a meter it's good value. outdoor speakers speaker cable If you looking in Bunning's they don't usually put it with the rest of the cable / wire, it's with the outdoor lighting.
For what it's worth i have speaker cable valued at $45 per meter on my fronts at home, and i can't tell the difference between the two when listening
MAG00's info is the typical bandwagon brands that they always push on MEA. Go listen to speakers in your price range at chain and independent stores to see what speakers you like. Definitely don't stay away from the mainstream brands as recommended above.
Alpine and Pioneer are decent at the top end of their price range, in your price range they probably don't compare to other brands out there but you should decide that with your own ears, don't trust forum poster's ears
What for when he's running them from the head unit? There will be NO benefit at all for 15-25Wrms from an aftermarket head unit.Originally Posted by HCVP
I don't mean as far as power into wire gauge goes, i just meant it he wanted to run new wiring, and was after something that would do the job without wasting money. With a 25 meter roll he'd have enough left for when he adds an amplifier, and he could use the left over bits between the xovers ect.
I think the best advice so far is to go listen to a bunch of speakers myself. Like StoneX suggests, I think it would be best that way, rather than going for something just based on price/writeups.
Thanks for that. I read that listening to them yourself would be the best option previously, but I think I just overlooked it.
Nah I wouldn't listen to experts with trained ears either, what would they know?MAG00's info is the typical bandwagon brands that they always push on MEA. Go listen to speakers in your price range at chain and independent stores to see what speakers you like. Definitely don't stay away from the mainstream brands as recommended above.
Alpine and Pioneer are decent at the top end of their price range, in your price range they probably don't compare to other brands out there but you should decide that with your own ears, don't trust forum poster's ears
This info is the typical bandwagon that many people push. The fact of the matter is, it is very hard to find places with these brands outside of Melbourne and Sydney, so people settle with the big brand stuff they hear in stores. Why let what you have locally limit you, when you can go for trusted, very well respected and very highly regarded gear, rather than just settling for a big brand item that quite simply isn't up to par with similarly priced equipment?
While listening to it yourself is great, people in NSW and Victoria have to realise that stores that stock these brands in other states are very limited. For instance, there is literally no stores in Adelaide that stock Morel gear, and there are very few stores that stock anything other than Alpine, Pioneer etc.
Why settle for a sub-standard speaker, when a much better sound can be achieved? Makes no sense. If you can't trial a speaker, ask for opinions, read reviews etc. etc.
I suggest you head on over to one of these stores and trial their hertz and focal gear, find out their price and then shop around. If you find a better price elsewhere, get it from them.
In your price range I would suggest you have a look at the Focal 165A1 or the Hertz ESK 165.
At the end of the day go with what you like the sound of, but don't limit your views based on brand, you may be thoroughly surprised.
Last edited by MAG00; 13-09-2011 at 06:44 PM.
The professionals (retailers) are biased and the SQ competitors love their bandwagon brands. I've been there long enough to watch the brand trends change
[edit]
By the way, I'm in no way against your recommendations. Hertz, Focal and Morel are excellent speakers, I just get sick of seeing them always recommended. I followed their bandwagon push on Morel years ago and they just didn't cut it for my music taste and volumes. I ended up going through Dynaudio as recommended on there too and ended up with top end Boston which they all (SQ guys) didn't have a great opinion of. That was several thousand dollars psent trying to find speakers I liked because I trusted other's ears.
Perhaps because they are proven performers?
Perhaps my generalizations have been slightly incorrect, but you said it yourself, in this price range they may not be up to par with other brands. I also said that he should go listen to some different brands before he goes and buys a big brand item, nothing wrong with that? Add me over on MEA, username is the same, still looking to broaden my knowledge with help from the more knowledgeableIt's not getting through, is itI've been on there for over 10 years and have seen how it all works. You'll see too eventually
Edit: Sorry I didn't see your edit before my next post
WA's ASR Rep
dan ive now upgraded my system as u know and have the Hertz HSK 165's and HCX 690's (not that ud really need these with a sub) but pop on over if u wanna have a listen. they r definatly much better than the pioneers i had in there and r fairly cheap 2.
Check out my ride in progress.... 98 VT V6, V8 Supercar kittedDaily toy.... 92 VP Calais 5L
********4 Sale- 2 x 7' Pool Tables********
Posting Permissions
5Likes
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
