Does this Audio System look good?

Gamefreak501 · 26 May 2006 at 15:21

Hi everyone,

I have been looking at Audio systems for my Spit. Anyway, I was on the low cost audio website and came across the following:

Pioneer GM-3200T 2 Channel Power Amplifier: £68.99
Pioneer DEH-30MP CD Tuner (has 2 RCA PreOuts): £83.99
Pioneer TS-E176C 17cm Component Speakers: £74.99

Total: £227.97

I think the head unit has good upgrade potential, since it has 2 RCA PreOuts for Front and Rear speakers. The speakers look like they will be loud enough for the various noises of the Spit.

With respect to fitting, I am thinking of boxing up the speakers in the footwell s of the car. Still not sure where to put the amplifier, perhaps the boot?

Cheers in advance!

Vanilla · 26 May 2006 at 15:40

It's 'alright'. It'll be better than the stock by far.

What is you total budget and budget for each stage?

Personally you can spend another 20 quid and get a better HU, one that doesn't have a slot on the face!

Have you taken into account at least £30 for a wiring kit? What do you mean by boxing up the speakers in the footwell? Is that because a spit doesn't have speaker points in the door? Does a spit have pre-existing speaker wiring or will you have to wire from scratch?

Amp could go in the boot. probably be ok under a seat too as long as there is a bit of space for the heat to dissipate.

monkeyspank · 26 May 2006 at 15:50

Looks alright. I'd plump for better speakers personally. If space is an issue there are similar but smaller amps available
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4605

wiring kit - £15 ebay

Gamefreak501 · 26 May 2006 at 15:57

Vanilla said:
It's 'alright'. It'll be better than the stock by far.

What is you total budget and budget for each stage?

Personally you can spend another 20 quid and get a better HU, one that doesn't have a slot on the face!

Have you taken into account at least £30 for a wiring kit? What do you mean by boxing up the speakers in the footwell? Is that because a spit doesn't have speaker points in the door? Does a spit have pre-existing speaker wiring or will you have to wire from scratch?

Amp could go in the boot. probably be ok under a seat too as long as there is a bit of space for the heat to dissipate.

Cheers for your help Vanilla,

Anyway, my budget is £390. I am thinking of spending £130 on the HU, £130 on the speakers, £100 on an amplifier and £30 on the wiring kit. I would go more, but there are a few things I want to buy for my Spit to make her look more tidier.

As for existing wiring, I am only aware of there being a dedicated power supply for radios on the car and a live feed. I think I will probably have to buy the cabling for it.

With regard to speaker mounting, I think speakers can be put in the doors, but that requires metal work. Originally, as far as I know, spits would come with a standard radio, with a speaker that would sit in the passenger glove box.

Gamefreak501 · 26 May 2006 at 18:59

Cheers for the help Vanilla and monkeyspank,

I found the following on Low Cost Audio:

Pioneer GM-6200F 4 CHANNEL AMPLIFIER £139.99

Pioneer DEH-P5800MP £128.99

Pioneer TS-C1300R 13cm. £129.99

Slightly over budget...but I reckon it is better than the last bunch of things!

One question though - would I be better off getting a 2 channel amplifier as opposed to a 4 channel one? I ask this, because I am going to have two speakers in it. There may come a time when I decide to add two speakers in the back somewhere...but that is not going to happen for a while!

Vanilla · 26 May 2006 at 20:27

You can get better than that for your money. Pioneer are OK but there is much much better for the cash. Hu is fine, your choice.

If you have the space and you're going to build a box go for 17cm speakers. Better all round.

Good 13cm speakers
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=4618&cadid=34c652a0dc5f99f060959cf1377513d2

Good 17cm speakers
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=4619&cadid=34c652a0dc5f99f060959cf1377513d2

4 CH amp
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=4842&cadid=34c652a0dc5f99f060959cf1377513d2

Don't bother with speakers in the rear, you just want the sound stage up the front. If i'm correct 'spits' are pretty small and so rear speakers would literally be behind your head, not good!

Now, do bother with a 4 CH amp because if you do decide to go for a Sub you can use 2 channels for the front speakers and bridge the remaining two for the sub.

Also think about getting component speakers instead of integrated. You could mound the midbass in the footwell and hide the tweeter up high somewhere.

Gamefreak501 · 26 May 2006 at 21:09

Vanilla said:
You can get better than that for your money. Pioneer are OK but there is much much better for the cash. Hu is fine, your choice.

If you have the space and you're going to build a box go for 17cm speakers. Better all round.

Good 13cm speakers
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=4618&cadid=34c652a0dc5f99f060959cf1377513d2

Good 17cm speakers
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=4619&cadid=34c652a0dc5f99f060959cf1377513d2

4 CH amp
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pro...d=4842&cadid=34c652a0dc5f99f060959cf1377513d2

Don't bother with speakers in the rear, you just want the sound stage up the front. If i'm correct 'spits' are pretty small and so rear speakers would literally be behind your head, not good!

Now, do bother with a 4 CH amp because if you do decide to go for a Sub you can use 2 channels for the front speakers and bridge the remaining two for the sub.

Also think about getting component speakers instead of integrated. You could mound the midbass in the footwell and hide the tweeter up high somewhere.

Cheers for the help there Vanilla,

You are right though, there is about 20cm clearance before the rear screen and boot, so extra speakers is a bit of a no go!

As for those speakers you suggest, not sure they can get loud enough for my noisy car, but my preferred sound is not bass heavy or not treble heavy, but in between the two, a little like my home hi-fi setup.

As for the 4 channel amplifier - it looks good, and cheaper too! As long as I don't have any issues with connection, getting those 17cm speakers you mention above, that amplifier and my head unit should go nicely

It's just a great shame Halfords don't have that wide stock, so I may end up buying these speakers without any idea of what they sound like and hoping everything sounds good!