Car audio - quality over level spec?

Trifid

Trifid

Trifid

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Joined
18 Feb 2006
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9,858
Hello.

I've recently purchased a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec and am dissapointed with the stock radio and would like to replace it, plus I can't connect my Zune to it. I am new to car audio so require some assistance.

My aim would be to have a sound setup similar to what I have at home, B&W 601 S3 speakers and a NAD C320BEE amp (50w minimum continuous). I also love the warmth of my headphones, Audio Technica ATH-ESW9. I will not be listening to music at deafening volumes. I listen to a large mix of music, usually post-rock, classical, bit of metal, indie and The Prodigy. http://www.last.fm/user/trifidw

Not knowing much about car audio I put this spec together, obviously I need to add cables and converters for HU and speakers.

Pioneer DEH-P4100SD - CD/MP3/USB/SD Player £149.99
Rainbow SLX265 Deluxe - 16.5 components £139.99
JL Audio JL12W1v2-4 - 12" subwoofer £109.99
Alpine MRV-T420 Amplifier £149.99
12" Slot-Ported subbox £39.99

Sub Total £589.95

Total: £589.95


The thing is, I think I would prefer to spend £50 less on the HU, amp and components to bring the price nearer £400 but don't want to sacrafice quality, but I don't really know how these compare with what I know.

Some other points, ported vs. sealed sub enclosures? I want to have sound and less vibration, but my understanding is a ported enclosure allows the sub to produce lower frequencies within the +- 3dB?

Amplifiers, is it worth getting a 4/5 channel amp and not using the ones in the HU?

Thanks for the help. :)
 
For a car the size of the focus you wont need a 12" sub if you're genuinely after quality over volume - I've got a 10" in my mondeo and its plenty
 
What is the actual difference in sound quality? The price difference between a 10 and 12 is nominal. Obviously a 10 would have a bit more room to breathe?

I plan to move the main components from car to car, and prefer larger cars anyway so next upgrade will be a large saloon.
 
You'll also need some sound deadening to help the sound staging, it's not going to be as easy as gluing on some new speakers and expecting it to match your B&W home system. You need to be sure that adaptors are available for that speaker size, you also need to check speaker depth to make sure they don't foul on windows.
 
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Trifid said:
What is the actual difference in sound quality? The price difference between a 10 and 12 is nominal. Obviously a 10 would have a bit more room to breathe?

I plan to move the main components from car to car, and prefer larger cars anyway so next upgrade will be a large saloon.
Click to expand...

10" is more punchy than a 12" however a 12" will do lower frequencies.
 
ie more suitable for rock/indie type music. Mine sounds terrible if anyone dares to put any R&B/dance crap on it but sounds brilliant for rock
 
Janesy B said:
You'll also need some sound deadening to help the sound staging, it's not going to be as easy as gluing on some new speakers and expecting it to match your B&W home system. You need to be sure that adaptors are available for that speaker size, you also need to check speaker depth to make sure they don't foul on windows.
Click to expand...

I don't expect it to be as good as my HiFi, but I need an improvement over what I have now. Adapters are avaliable for 6.5 and 5.25" speakers to get rid of the stupid sized ones in there now. I haven't thought about adding deadening foam. Are there pre cut kits avaliable? Or do I just fill the doors with sound deadening foam?


Finglonga said:
10" is more punchy than a 12" however a 12" will do lower frequencies.
Click to expand...

Define punchier? More vibration? As that's not what I want. I want sound where the bass integrates well into the mids. I don't tend to listen to bass heavy music. If you have a scan of my last.fm you will see there is a big mix of classical, post-rock indie and then <1% very bass heavy stuff.
 
Trifid said:
Define punchier? More vibration? As that's not what I want. I want sound where the bass integrates well into the mids. I don't tend to listen to bass heavy music. If you have a scan of my last.fm you will see there is a big mix of classical, post-rock indie and then <1% very bass heavy stuff.
Click to expand...

Punchier = Kick in the gut.

The bigger the speaker the lower the frequency it as able to reproduce, also depends on the type of bass box you go for. Best is to go listen to some in some where like Halfords to get an idea of size and box you want.

More info . . . . HERE.
 
I have a couple of good car audio shops near me where I will experiment. I think I will go with a sealed enclosure then.

I don't particularly want kick, I want music. A sealed enclosure looks to be the better option after reading the wiki and doing a couple of searches?
 
To be honest if youre trying to match your home setup you're on a hiding to nothing.

You'll never get anywhere close to proper home hifi quality in a car, fact. A tin can with road and engine noise isnt exactly a good acoustic environment
 
Nods. I want the road going equivalent to what I have at home. I wanted the thread to go with the side of more fine taste in sound rather than a chav wanting lots of bass and vibration that sets off car alarms.
 
Something like this maybe?


Alpine CDE-9880R Alpine CDE-9880R
£149.99

Diamond Audio D373i Diamond Audio D373i*
£122.49

Infinity Reference 475A Infinity Reference 475A*
£119.99

Vibe Slick SLR10 Left Vibe Slick SLR10 Left
£68.49
Sub-Total: £460.96

The HU is really important for the quality I find and the Alpines are really good. The speakers will fit the doors perfectly and the sub doesnt look chavvy. Its not going to come close to your home setup but it should be satisfying enough :)
 
Rainbow and Hertz are well rated for speakers.
For HU I would only choose Alpine personally.
For amps, you need to be spending money to get quality. Rainbow, Harmon Kaidon, Diamond Audio.

Avoid vibe, JBL et all, they're great budget but not sound quality. Spend money, and time, on sound deadening, it makes a world of difference.

Not throwing aspersions or making assumptions, but just want to make sure you appreciate the work involved in installing a comprehensive setup in your car. You need to run power from the battery to the boot, which usually involves drilling a hole in the sill and using a rubber grommet, running high gauge cable through the car. You've also got to to run a set of RCA leads from the HU to the boot for every output you use (fronts, rears, sub) and speaker wire from the amp(s) to every output (each speaker needs two wires, which really need earthing to avoid any interference). If you're using decent component speakers (which I recommend) then you've also got tweeter mounting to consider, as well as crossover boxes to put somewhere. You've also got to make good earth contact (usually on one of the suspension strut nuts, which can involve scraping off paint) and mount the amp(s) appropriately.

Not saying you don't know, but it's a consideration, and wires (unless you're in the know) can cost an absolute fortune. Sound deadening likewise is not cheap.

Ant :cool:

EDIT: RE the head unit. If its you're using amplification, then you're essentially just sending a signal, so quality isn't much of an issue. It's only features, build quality, interface and name you're paying for. You do need to consider how many RCA outs you need, and if the unit will be driving any speakers. I suggest you play with any head unit first, as some are awful in the flesh, and the styling, or lighting, may not suit your car at all (consider the dash illumination colour, and plastics)
 
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Finglonga said:
10" is more punchy than a 12" however a 12" will do lower frequencies.
Click to expand...


old wives tale.


given optimum boxes and all other things being equal there's no difference. only difference being a 12" doesnt have to travel so far to push as much air ero more ability at the bottom end. besides if you are using sealed boxes you'll probably find a 12" to be 'punchier' due to the 30-50hz exaguration caused by a large driver in a small box. in fact for that matter, the same could be said for a large driver in a small ported box.
 
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Alpine speakers are rubbish, seriously.

For that budget, as stated I'd be looking at Hertz and Rainbow, personal preference for Hertz Hi Energy comps at this budget.

Alpine speakers are harsh, lacking in finesse at the top end and just nothing special.
 
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