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help
im looking at uprating my ice i want to keep the original head unit just upgrade the front speakers possible amps and subs as well give me your ideas please
You need a nice HU, 4 channel amp, component front speakers (or high quality coaxials) and a 10" or 12 sub.
Pop across to www.talkaudio.co.uk where you will find all the answers you need.
They are sponsored by www.caraudiodirect.co.uk who are the best online retailer bar none, and have some cracking deals on all the time, no matter what your budget is!
I have a sony 4 channel iso adapter amp for teh front and rear speakers, Alpine 6.5" components up front (rear sepakers to follow) and an Alpine v12 amp powering a 10" Infinity sub. Sounds very nice too. Anything bigger than a 10" sub is total overkill if you ask me.
Icecavern
02-03-2004, 08:52
Just don't ask about any other companies on TA, cause they're obviously biased, www.icecavern.co.uk isn't ;) :lol:
Right you want to keep the HU... So you're restricted to amps with high level inputs or a high to low convertor. Despite the bad press I've had good results from these covertors if you're not a real audiophile it'll be fine. The Alpine one seems the best at the minute and costs about £30.
Give me a budget for the upgrade and I'll see what's good value at the minute ;)
Pete
im looking at the same sort of setup as what garth has sub, amp front door speakers also i have already (jbl gto 6x9s in the rear)
You don't want to be putting rear speakers in the back if you are running a sub in the boot.
There are several reasons, let me try and explain best i can:
1. The sound pressure levels from the sub can damage the rear speakers if they are not enclosed i.e. boxed in under the shelf
2. When listening to music, at concerts for example, you normally face the music, so it is best to use the highest quality speakers you can in the front, driven by an amp for maximum effectiveness
3. When after market kit in installed, rear speakers are normally only used in larger cars such as executive saloons, and are played at a very low level which can help to 'lift' the front soundstage and obviously provide some sounds to rear passengers who are sitting a greater distance from the front speakers than in say an Ibiza.
Having said all this, you may prefer the sound to be all round, as in a nightclub where speakers are situated all round the venue.
If you do install your rear speakers, i hope it works out for you and you enjoy the sound produced by your system.
If you choose not to, welcome to the first step of incar 'hi-fi'.
Telf.
Icecavern
03-03-2004, 08:10
Ahhh forgot to ask something... What car?
I'll assume Ibiza but correct me if I'm wrong...
Right first off. The most important thing is you're happy with it. So you need to take your time and choose what ever you like the best. A really good way to choose speakers is to find a local car audio shop with a demo room or that can bring in customer cars for you to listen to. Don't bother with halfords though as it doesn't help, the room is too big and all the speakers ( when I last saw behind a display in halfords ) are either in different enclosures or not at all.
OK you won't be able to tell exactly what the speakers will sound like in your car this way but you can compare them and pick the ones that have the sound you like. Oh and you'll be surprised at what sort of deal you can come up with at a local shop once you've chosen.
As Telf said rear speakers aren't the best way to get a nice sound, you'll end up with volume yes but it'll all come from behind you.
Much better is to go for a set of decent components up in the front doors, and an amp and sub in the boot. I run front speakers and 2 12" subs in my Leon and no rear speakers ( I unplugged them ) and I don't think a single person has got out not seeing the light.. :D
Give us a budget you're thinking of spending, and most importantly what type of music you listen to and what sound you're after and I'm sure we can give you some pointers.
Pete
firstly thanks for all the info.........
secondly lets say ive a budget of £200
although the less the better ....so im keeping my original head cos i dont think putting an after market head in looks good in the centre console or under the steering wheel for that matter and defo dont want it in the glove box
so im sticking with the original so i need ....
a.iso convertor (which make )..
b.sub (how big ? which make )..
c.amp (how big ? which make )
as you may realise im not that clued up on ice installs ;)
CupraR-Rog
03-03-2004, 22:13
Originally posted by ICE MAN
Much better is to go for a set of decent components up in the front doors, and an amp and sub in the boot. I run front speakers and 2 12" subs in my Leon and no rear speakers ( I unplugged them ) and I don't think a single person has got out not seeing the light.. :D
True...
Although, I'd be after some rear fill to keep the passengers happy... Amped fronts perhaps, but rears from the HU?? Just a thought...
Icecavern
04-03-2004, 07:57
Rog if they don't like it they can walk... :lol: You need a demo mate ;)
Right back to the budget... hmmm
Right Convertor, stick with the Alpine one, it's the best one I've used. It's £30
Sub and amp to run it... http://www.cel-direct.com/details.asp?ProductID=948
That little lot comes in at £210 roughly. Then you can change the front speakers later on and then buy a more powerful amp for the sub and use the amp you get in the above pack to power the fronts.
Pete
whats the model number for this alpine convertor cos i cant seem to find it no where a link would be nice as well if you got one
Originally posted by ICE MAN
Just don't ask about any other companies on TA, cause they're obviously biased, www.icecavern.co.uk isn't ;) :lol:
what?
what are you on about now Pete?
Geoff.:cheers:
Icecavern
09-03-2004, 17:58
Nothin :think: