Sound System

[Elliot6267]

I just bought my first car. the sound system isn't terrible. But I'm thinking about upgrading.
honestly wouldn't know where to start though.
the car is a Corsa with stock sound system.

don't really know where to start... any help?

 

[disfunktion]

All depends on budget, what kind of music you listen to etc.

You need to give us more information

 

[siumatfung]

yeh same as above name your budget and type of music or sound preferences ie bass or no bass

 

[Rikki]

Cheap: 6x9s in parcel shelf
Better: Amplified sub with above
Even better: New fronts, amplified and 6x9's amplified
Best: Custom build, fibreglass, component speakers front and rear, not co-axials / not 6x9s

 

[BigT]

Cheap: 6x9s ......
Better: Amplified sub with above
Even ..... 6x9's amplified

Really? I think even on a budget I'd rather not have 6x9s. I think I'd start by upgrading the fronts no matter what my budget and then build the system from there.

 

[Sparky]

Really? I think even on a budget I'd rather not have 6x9s. I think I'd start by upgrading the fronts no matter what my budget and then build the system from there.

+1

Why do people insist on 6x9 's in the rear decent set of comps in the front is the best place to start then build up the rest as you can afford to.

 

[mdixson]

From personal experience its amazing what a good stereo can do for stock speakers - try Alpine or Panasonic around the £150 + mark

Then add a sub to give the stock speakers a rest - if you need more look to upgrade them last imo... others may disagree

 

[Elliot6267]

to be honest, my taste in music is so varied I listen to almost anything. usually in the range of rock/indie/dance/ I do like bass though =D

 

[Elliot6267]

as for budget, I don't want to be spending too much.....

 

[geekyEd]

Remember putting speakers on a parcel shelf will put a lot of buyers off come resale, it screams driven by a chav ragged to within an inch of its life (especially in a corsa).

I would go with decent head unit, upgrade components in the doors keeping the original covers and possibly new wire.

See if thats loud enough and of sufficient quality then think about a small amp and more speakers.

 

[Kenai]

as for budget, I don't want to be spending too much.....

You'll really want to be more specific than that, 'not too much' could be anywhere from £100 to £1000 depending on who you talk to and how much value they place on car audio

What year is your Corsa?

 

[Elliot6267]

52 corsa.... and I was hoping something less than £50? or is that too naive to think I can get some that cheap?

 

[Elliot6267]

and yeah, Parcel shelf speakers don't appeal to me greatly...

 

[Kenai]

Less than £50 won't really get you anywhere.

I'd personally start with a new headunit, it can be surprising how well stock speakers respond to better amplification and then you can always move on to upgrading speakers later.

If you're not fussed about features like SD card support, iPod functionality, bluetooth etc. then something like this Pioneer DEH-1300MP would be a good start (shop around though, it may be cheaper elsewhere when you account for delivery). It has Pioneer's 4x50W MOSFET amplification which may well make a good improvement in your sound quality without touching the speakers.

Now with a 2002 Corsa, you've got one of those stupid massive stereos that's an odd shape to start with too, so you'll need some sort of faceplate adaptor too. You'd need to find a fascia adaptor and I suspect a wiring adaptor too, for a Corsa C, which will probably set you back another small lump, just so you can fit the headunit at all. Something like this and this are what you'd want, though someone else here may know better.

edit - Oh you may also need some removal keys if you don't have any or know anyone who does, otherwise you may struggle to get the existing headunit out.

 

[Rikki]

£50

I rest my case.

You dont get better bang for your buck at that price than 6x9s and if your worried about resale value of a 52 plate corsa due to having them fitted then let me say thats the least of your issues.

 

[Kenai]

If I had a choice between £50 on 6x9s and nothing.... i'd rather go with nothing.

 

[Rikki]

Well thats your choice really. I've got a custom Soundstream install in my car and yes it costs a few grand but its lovely. I also started off with something more basic, a set of Longmill 6x9s back in the day and they worked great ... for around £50

 

[Tican]

Cheap: 6x9s in parcel shelf
Better: Amplified sub with above
Even better: New fronts, amplified and 6x9's amplified
Best: Custom build, fibreglass, component speakers front and rear, not co-axials / not 6x9s

Never, Never.... NEVER have 6x9's fighting for the same air as a sub!!! One of them will die. Unless you run the 6x9's off the amp as well purely for the treble and no bass?

 

[Kenai]

Well thats your choice really. I've got a custom Soundstream install in my car and yes it costs a few grand but its lovely. I also started off with something more basic, a set of Longmill 6x9s back in the day and they worked great ... for around £50

I just don't see the point, you do nothing to address the poor quality of the existing sound, all you do is add more sound at the back. The fronts will still sound gash when you try and crank up the volume, the headunit will still be underpowered and struggling.

I've seen it done many times before and not once have I thought it was worth bothering at all.

 

[Clarkey]

LOL, 6x9's in the parcel shelf, that must be a joke.

Good front speakers
Sub/amp
Another amp or 4 channel to the fronts
Fancy head unit

In that order. Oh and Dynamat is good stuff.

I suppose if you've got a really poor HU then that would be the first step though.