Spec me some ICE

[TW]Fox · 25 Nov 2009 at 23:59

I've threatened to do this so many times now I've lost count, and each time I get a load of advice then it all goes out of date. But anyway, I know where I'm going with the car so hopefully it's more relevant.

I'd like to overhaul the ICE in the car and I'm going to stick with the OEM head unit (As I'll be retrofitting the BMW 16:9 navigation and television in the new year).

This means I need 4 speakers and an amplifier. I'd favour a compact amplifier if possible as i intend to make the install as stealth and OEM looking as possible.

This is where it gets controversial. I'd like to include a set of 6x9's in the install.

Yes, yes, I know. 6x9's. The speaker of choice for the discerning chav in a Corsa. But there is good reason... I think.

I don't want to go to the hassle of having a sub in the boot because it's not particularly stealthy, the boot is a sealed enclosure anyway, etc.

The E39 has 6x9's as standard fitted under the parcel shelf so the theory is I can slip a set of aftermarket ones in there to provide me with some bass. Meanwhile, up front, I'll have a decent set of components fited in the original speaker positions in the doors.

So, I'm after:

1x Amp
1x Set of 5 1/2 components for the front
1x Set of 6x9's for the rear

Budget? Dunno, what do I need to spend? Lets say 300 quid for now. Can I get something that sounds pretty good for the money with this choice of setup?

Cheers guys.

GT3 · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:06

Does the standard headunit have pre-outs for an amp? hardly any standard fit units do. If not then you are limited to a sound-on-top amplifier that uses the individual speaker outputs. Sony do/did one.

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:08

I already have a Sony Sound on Top amp. Is this actually any good - could I use it to drive aftermarket speakers sufficiently? This would be very convenient if I could.

Skeeter · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:09

I was going to come charging in with a comical "y0, get some 6x9's innit mate!" comment.... but it appears you ruined that

GT3 · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:12

[TW]Fox;15398497 said:
I already have a Sony Sound on Top amp. Is this actually any good - could I use it to drive aftermarket speakers sufficiently? This would be very convenient if I could.

It's not ideal but it is your only option if the headunit doesn't have pre-outs. It will be far better than driving speakers direct from the headunit.

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:14

GT3 said:
It's not ideal but it is your only option if the headunit doesn't have pre-outs. It will be far better than driving speakers direct from the headunit.

I doubt very much there are preouts.

Looks like I'm down to just needing some front speakers and 6x9's then - any advice? Am I thinking along the right lines? What sort of sound quality can I acheive from this setup?

shauncr91 · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:14

why exactly do you want 6x9's? i've never understood the appeal. wouldnt it be better just upgrading the existing system?

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:15

shauncr91 said:
why exactly do you want 6x9's? i've never understood the appeal. wouldnt it be better just upgrading the existing system?

[TW]Fox;15398449 said:
The E39 has 6x9's as standard fitted under the parcel shelf so the theory is I can slip a set of aftermarket ones in there to provide me with some bass.

Janesy B · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:15

6x9s are only good for adding volume. They're a complete waste of time for adding more bass.

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:16

So what can I do? I don't really know what I'm doing with ICE, hence thread

I'd just like to be able to listen to music with pretty decent sound quality etc

panthro · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:17

Didnt TomO have a really decent set up in his E39 M5?

shauncr91 · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:17

ah sorry, i missed that

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:18

He had a hugely complicated professional install which bypassed the BMW navigation system entirely and had custom speaker mounts front and rear and a custom mounted head unit.

I have no desire to spend thousands of pounds on a stereo install

jamoor · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:18

Doesn't the nav cost like £1500??

That's totally not worth it IMO (and I have it)

mjt · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:19

can you retro-fit DSP?

BigglesPiP · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:20

My brother managed to squeeze an amp/sub combi under the passenger side dashboard of his FIAT Bravo.

Surely you could find room for a small sub out of the boot, and plug it into whatever amp you choose. Then use 4 normal speakers and get better bandwidth as a result, it's the 1,000 to 22,000 Hz range that gives you quality, not bass. This is one of the reasons AM radio sucks, it doesn't transmit noise above 11kHz.

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:20

jamoor said:
Doesn't the nav cost like £1500??

This is not a thread about the pros and cons of retrofitting the navigation system, something I'm more than well versed on

mjt said:
can you retro-fit DSP?

Probably, but its pants as well.

mjt · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:22

[TW]Fox;15398577 said:
Probably, but its pants as well.

i remember it being quite good, but that was a long time ago

it did have a 400W sub in the boot though

the Logic 13 in the E60 is pretty decent, but faffing about with the old iDrive is a pita

MrMagoo · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:27

Hi,

You can get Genesis 6x9 subs (http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=GENP69018) and whilst not having the same level of bass that you would get from a proper sub they are far better than nothing and would fit but are also not that cheap.

[TW]Fox · 26 Nov 2009 at 00:29

They look good.

I guess the 6x9's that are fitted as standard are not just subs - what will it sound like with 6x9 subs in the rear and speakers in the front? Will it sound odd compared to how it does now?