Speakers/Amp/Sub

Haggisman · 31 Dec 2009 at 18:17

I posted a thread a while back about getting some speakers for my car (Mitsibushi Galant), however I decided just to get the H/U at the time and wait for a bit more cash to get the rest.

So I got myself an Alpine 104bti, massive improvement, but now I want to get the rest put in, I'm getting a lot of fuzzing at not huge volumes - what's the most likely cause of this? Crap speakers/not enough amplification? something else?

I have 2x components in the front (6.75" in the doors, tweeters by the mirrors) and 2x coax on the shelf in the back (again 6.75").

Having looked at the back, there's a metal shelf, and then on top of that a wooden/chipboard/something shelf. The standard speaker grilles are ugly grey square things, with matching shaped holes cut in the board, so I'm guessing if I was to replace these I would want to completely replace the board? Also because I can't see many speakers of 6.75" size (most are 6.5") i would have to mount them in the board. Also in the metal shelf there's a larger hole in the middle which currently has no speaker mounted in it, I'm guessing this would be for a sub? (I measured it, and the hole is about 7" across, with the screw holes diagonally about 9" apart, what size speaker would this actually be for?)

The current rear speakers are screwed straight into the metal shelf through mounting holes already drilled into it.

The H/U has 4 RCA outputs, on the connections diagram it shows one pair are for front left/right and the second rear left/right or subwoofer(s).

What's going to give the best sound quality/volume combination for not a huge amount of cash (~£3-400)?

As far as I can tell I have the following options:

4 channel amp / 2x comps in the front / 2x coax in the back shelf
4 channel amp / 2x comps in the front / sub in back (mounted in shelf or in boot?) - 2 channels bridged
6 channel amp (do these exist?) / 2x comps in the front / 2x coax in the back shelf / sub in back (mounted in shelf or in boot?) - 2 channels bridged
2 channel amp powering 2x comps in front / 4 channel amp powering 2x coax in back shelf & 2 channels bridged for sub (would this even work?) =P

Now probably just from those you can see I'm not sure what I'm looking for, so please enlighten me!

Thanks =)

Ah yes, musically I would be mainly listening to rock/metal and trance/electronica (stuff like Opeth, Disturbed, RATM, Above & Beyond, Royksopp, Mind.in.a.box if you want it more specific =P)

Cyanide · 31 Dec 2009 at 19:08

Haggisman said:
6 channel amp (do these exist?)

5 Channel - 4 for speakers and one dedicated sub

Haggisman · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:15

Is this a good way to do it though? Have been reading various things around, and some places say it's good to only have bass in the back so you don't "flood" the sound, others that you should have the 4 speakers etc. just wondered if any of the more knowledgeable members here could help =)

Along with that - brands, or more particularly product recommendations would be very appreciated =)

Lakeland · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:18

I've always been told to only put speakers in the front and sub in the back. Speakers in the back moves the soundstage behind your head, that'd be good for surround sound but not for audio. So only put speakers in the rear if you have kids or a mrs who wont let you do otherwise

Scooby_WR1 · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:24

Its best to just upgrade the front speakers and get a sub for the boot and also if you sound proof the front doors that will help a lot with sound qualtiy.

Haggisman · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:26

so i'm guessing nice expensive components in the doors and a sub in the back - 4 channel amp with 2 bridged for the sub? or is it better with a 2 channel and single channel?

For the sub - would it be best to mount it in the rear shelf (facing up into the car) or to have a box in the boot?

Lakeland · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:30

Id personally have two seperate amp's. As scooby said make sure you soundproof the doors, it makes a huge difference! Id stick the sub in the boot, you would need a lot of work to get it sounding as good sitting on the parcel shelf.

Haggisman · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:37

Well, I guess that saves me having to cut holes in my current shelf =P (also makes it less obvious XD).

How does wiring things like remote turn on and power work for 2 amps?

So parts wise, I have about £300, could push it up to £350.

I'd be looking for:

front components
Amp(s)
sub
wiring for the above

Lakeland · 1 Jan 2010 at 17:42

You would just use a small distro block which works like a Y splitter, with your budget you will probably be looking at a multi channel amp though. If you're after a spec me head over to Talk Audio Forum . Try not to get sucked in to spending £1000's

Some people on there have some seriously nice kit!

Haggisman · 1 Jan 2010 at 22:59

Have just posted on there, thanks for the suggestion =)

Would be nice if I had £1000s to spend! (although then I'd probably upgrade the car first =P)

Lakeland · 1 Jan 2010 at 23:32

if you dont get any response check out the 6.5" hertz components 165 or 165.3 from memory. you can buy or make a wooden baffle / ring to fit them though ive not heard of that size, have a google to see where manufacturers take their measurements from.

in terms of where to bias your money, id go for good components like the hertz and an ok sub as most in your price range will be similar and its harder to notice quality bass than it is for mids and highs