Upgrading car sound system

[SynicalFox]

Hello forumers

I am looking into upgrading my cars sound system.

I am new to car audio and we'll do not know much other than the fact that an amplifier and subwoofer when paired with some after market mids will make a decent car audio solution.

I have no clue where to buy car audio equipment and I do not know some of the requirements I may need.

I have a problem whereby the receiver in my car is a unique one and replacing it with a standard unit would require some modifications to the car. So I'm going to avoid that and stick to improving the sound with an amplifier. Unfortunately I will have to find a solution to this because the receiver only supports CD playback and well I only use USBs or my phone for music.

Currently I just take a JBL flip 2 and use that in the car but I would like to have a proper sound system.

Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated.

Synical

 

[Ravin']

[MENTION=29712]Toxxyc338[/MENTION] [MENTION=18619]JollyJamma[/MENTION] [MENTION=26159]Nikkel[/MENTION]

AutoStyle, Sounds Limited, Soundmatch are pretty decent places to buy from.

You also shouldn't have too much trouble installing an aftermarket head unit in your car bud, they can be wired up quite easily.

 

[Nikkel]

What model car?

 

[JollyJamma]

[MENTION=29712]Toxxyc338[/MENTION] [MENTION=18619]JollyJamma[/MENTION] [MENTION=26159]Nikkel[/MENTION]

AutoStyle, Sounds Limited, Soundmatch are pretty decent places to buy from.

You also shouldn't have too much trouble installing an aftermarket head unit in your car bud, they can be wired up quite easily.

You CAN get good items from the above mentioned companies but do your research first. Autostyle grey imports all their items so they have no warrnty. [MENTION=30340]SynicalFox[/MENTION]

Your basic setup is:
A split system which is your main source of audio output. This is area one were you spend money. You can get cheap splits and it'll work but the quality of the sound will suffer.
I would stick with a quality amp and avoid labels screaming "10000000000000000000 watts mega ultra amp". If they focus on the max output, they are usually crap.
I'd go with a good head unit - I prefer Alpine (an Alpine CDE-190R at a start) but for what you need, most normal headunits will do.
You can get fancy with audio matts in the doors to make the door rattle less but that is optional for now.
Avoid 6X9 speakers - they aren't good.

So far my build for you is looking like R 6 150.00 excluding labour, wiring and a sub.

What's your budget? What do you listen to? Do you want a sub? What type of sound do you want?

 

[SynicalFox]

What model car?

Ford fiesta 2004 mk6. It's the car with the triple split head unit. That's why I wasn't too keen on modifying the head unit.

 

[SynicalFox]

[MENTION=29712]Toxxyc338[/MENTION] [MENTION=18619]JollyJamma[/MENTION] [MENTION=26159]Nikkel[/MENTION]

AutoStyle, Sounds Limited, Soundmatch are pretty decent places to buy from.

You also shouldn't have too much trouble installing an aftermarket head unit in your car bud, they can be wired up quite easily.

Thanks for the stores and info

 

[SynicalFox]

You CAN get good items from the above mentioned companies but do your research first. Autostyle grey imports all their items so they have no warrnty. [MENTION=30340]SynicalFox[/MENTION]

Your basic setup is:
A split system which is your main source of audio output. This is area one were you spend money. You can get cheap splits and it'll work but the quality of the sound will suffer.
I would stick with a quality amp and avoid labels screaming "10000000000000000000 watts mega ultra amp". If they focus on the max output, they are usually crap.
I'd go with a good head unit - I prefer Alpine (an Alpine CDE-190R at a start) but for what you need, most normal headunits will do.
You can get fancy with audio matts in the doors to make the door rattle less but that is optional for now.
Avoid 6X9 speakers - they aren't good.

So far my build for you is looking like R 6 150.00 excluding labour, wiring and a sub.

What's your budget? What do you listen to? Do you want a sub? What type of sound do you want?

Thanks for explaining all this.
I was going to set a budget of R2k to R3k.

I listen to a lot of future bass, Nightcore, EDM, house, chillstep, electronic, quite a lot of stuff but mostly future bass songs and Nightcore. I think I would like a sub but as far as I know they are quite costly on their own.

As I have stated, the car I have has a unique receiver that has 3 splits. Replacing the receiver would mean me needing to modify the dash that surrounds it. I think I would rather avoid doing that but then I wouldn't be replacing the receiver and well it's old.

So I'm kind of stuck as to what to do here. I'll upload a pic of what I'm talking about.

I was also considering sourcing some decent second hand stuff but then it becomes risky.

 

[JollyJamma]

I think I would like a sub but as far as I know they are quite costly on their own.

A sub needs an amp. Subs are cheap compared to amps and a split system.
My splits are R2 200.00 new, the amp I would get you is R2 550.00. Labour would be R800.00 ish. Wiring would be ontop of that.

If you have a split system and just need the amp then that's fine. It's the head unit that's a mystery You'll need to see what outputs it has.
Here is a rough guide to a normal HU

 

[JollyJamma]

 

[Nikkel]

Hi to low level line converter if no rca outs on the deck....add sub 4channel amp and splits... Run sub bridged off rear channels and splits off the front two for starters...

 

[Kay150]

I had the same shape Fiesta ST. Setting up a decent system in that car isnt too difficult.
You will need to get a pocket adapter to replace the triple split headunit - http://i1.adis.ws/i/washford/255802?w=637&h=403

Get a decent headunit (I love Alpine and Kenwood for good sound quality), split system (I went for Hertz in my car), sub and an amp. I think I had 6" split system installed in the stock speaker locations on my car and I had the tweeters mounted on the A pillars with some fibreglass custom fabrication.

Get a good split system and a decent headunit, I think those are most important IMO

Not sure where you are located but you can contact Jules from Tremor audio. Guy is a genius - http://www.tremoraudio.com/site/contacts.htm

 

[Kay150]

Also, if you are going to stick to the stock headunit, you will need a line out converter (around R80)

 

[SynicalFox]

Wow thanks everyone for all the info. Love this forumers because everyone is so super helpful at times.

I think I'm going to do this in stages and maybe start with the head unit and split system.
I don't know if I could keep the current split unit but still be able to connect a USB to it somehow. I mean probably impossible.

My location is Pietermaritzburg in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

I still have to wait for financing but just getting an idea of how much it will cost. Thanks for the info.

 

[SynicalFox]

I had the same shape Fiesta ST. Setting up a decent system in that car isnt too difficult.
You will need to get a pocket adapter to replace the triple split headunit - http://i1.adis.ws/i/washford/255802?w=637&h=403

Get a decent headunit (I love Alpine and Kenwood for good sound quality), split system (I went for Hertz in my car), sub and an amp. I think I had 6" split system installed in the stock speaker locations on my car and I had the tweeters mounted on the A pillars with some fibreglass custom fabrication.

Get a good split system and a decent headunit, I think those are most important IMO

Not sure where you are located but you can contact Jules from Tremor audio. Guy is a genius - http://www.tremoraudio.com/site/contacts.htm

This is the current head unit. I think that's the head unit.

It only supports disc as a source of media.
[MENTION=27637]Kay150[/MENTION]
How did you remove the bars in the middle. I wanted to avoid sawing them off never then the modification is permanent but probably my only option.

Also the prices mentioned for the head unit, does that exclude speakers?

I also want to ask your opinions on a powered subwoofer over a subwoofer and separate amp?

 

[Kay150]

I cut my bars off.
To be honest, you could go with an amp and sub first and then upgrade after some time.
I actually had an amp, sub and splits running off the stock headunit for some time because I liked the stock look

 

[SynicalFox]

I cut my bars off.
To be honest, you could go with an amp and sub first and then upgrade after some time.
I actually had an amp, sub and splits running off the stock headunit for some time because I liked the stock look

Are splits basically the speakers in the doors???

I quite possibly would like to do that option but I would have to accept the fact that I can only use CDs.

 

[Moolz]

Hi to low level line converter if no rca outs on the deck....add sub 4channel amp and splits... Run sub bridged off rear channels and splits off the front two for starters...

As simple as that.
I would opt for a proper set of splits, i.e old school MB Quart or Focal splits. Alpine also make a few good split systems. But it all depends on your budget...

I opted for an Audiocontrol LC8i hi-low converter, MB Quart Premium splits, two RF amps (250a2 and 400a4) and an RF P2 12" sub in my Golf 6. I bought the amps off ebay for under $100 for both, R3k for the splits and had the sub from a previous install.

 

[Nikkel]

[video=youtube;_IOiEoUjYo8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IOiEoUjYo8[/video]

 

[SynicalFox]

As simple as that.
I would opt for a proper set of splits, i.e old school MB Quart or Focal splits. Alpine also make a few good split systems. But it all depends on your budget...

I opted for an Audiocontrol LC8i hi-low converter, MB Quart Premium splits, two RF amps (250a2 and 400a4) and an RF P2 12" sub in my Golf 6. I bought the amps off ebay for under $100 for both, R3k for the splits and had the sub from a previous install.

Sounds like a great plan. That controller seems like a great idea for me as I could bypass my current head unit and just directly connect to the controller from the source. I'm not sure if it is possible but I mostly use my phone for music at the moment.

[video=youtube;_IOiEoUjYo8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IOiEoUjYo8[/video]

Thanks for the video.
Hopefully I can avoid removing this thing.


Is it not possible for me to get a controller that allows for input from Bluetooth or aux or usb without having to have a head unit? I know this is not the best solution but it would be ideal for my setup and it means I can keep it when I move onto another car. I also want to be able to remove the amp and controller in order to make it more protected from theft if that is also maybe possible?

Like I said, just getting an idea of what I could possibly do. Trying to stick to R3k at the most for now.

 

[Kay150]

Are splits basically the speakers in the doors???

I quite possibly would like to do that option but I would have to accept the fact that I can only use CDs.

Splits are the main speakers in the door plus the smaller tweeters which you can place on the corner where the windscreen starts. Alternatively, you could just get normal speakers (not split system).
If I were on a budget, I would probably leave the headunit for now and get speakers in the doors/splits and an amp first.

 

[SynicalFox]

Splits are the main speakers in the door plus the smaller tweeters which you can place on the corner where the windscreen starts. Alternatively, you could just get normal speakers (not split system).
If I were on a budget, I would probably leave the headunit for now and get speakers in the doors/splits and an amp first.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice.

I think I'm going to go with upgrading the speakers in the doors and adding an amp. Will maybe try a more customised solution, so like a controller that will allow me to input using aux.

I just need to decide on whether I will go with a 2 channel 2 Ohm Stable amp just for the speakers and later get a mono 1 ohm stable amp for the sub or go with a 4 channel 2 Ohm Stable amp and bridge two channels for the sub at a later stage?

 

[SynicalFox]

I went to a local shop called radio electronic services today to get pricing.

A setup with a Starsound amp, Starsound 12" sub in box, Sony split system. They will perform the installation with the necessary amp kit 2 into 1 converters and hi/lo for a total R5000.

Unfortunately I can only max R3000 for now, so not sure if I should look at second hand.

If I do consider 1 or two components second hand, which would be the better ones to pick up second hand.

 

[JollyJamma]

I went to a local shop called radio electronic services today to get pricing.

A setup with a Starsound amp, Starsound 12" sub in box, Sony split system. They will perform the installation with the necessary amp kit 2 into 1 converters and hi/lo for a total R5000.

Unfortunately I can only max R3000 for now, so not sure if I should look at second hand.

If I do consider 1 or two components second hand, which would be the better ones to pick up second hand.

Um Ok they are offering you shit products for R5 000.00. Do it but understand you'll spend more later on. I suggest you wait and budget more for your sound.
If you don't do sound properly in the first place, you'll just end up redoing it in the long run.

 

[SynicalFox]

Um Ok they are offering you shit products for R5 000.00. Do it but understand you'll spend more later on. I suggest you wait and budget more for your sound.
If you don't do sound properly in the first place, you'll just end up redoing it in the long run.

I think I'm just going to be happy with what I have.

Due to the headunit being difficult to replace and the price of headunit as well, I think it's just going to cost too much and well the car isn't brand new to make it worthwhile.

So I would rather save the money for something else. I was thinking I could maybe add an aux input to the stereo but it's too old. I'll just burn make a few music CDs with custom tracks and use that.

Does anyone know what the head unit of the Ford fiesta (4500 RDS E•O•N) specs are. Maybe I could swop out the factory fitted speakers for something slightly better as currently they aren't terrible but just not loud. I doubt anything being powered by the head unit will sound loud though.

 

[Nikkel]

For R5k with those products you'll even get an entry level head unit included if you shop around...

 

[SynicalFox]

Yeah. I'm going to keep options open but R5k is completely out of my budget. I also feel I shouldn't be spending soo much on a system I'll use only when I'm driving.

I was hoping I could just add an aux port to the existing head unit or allow for aux input and just upgrade the two speakers in the front doors.

Maybe a cheaper option is to get a 4 channel amp and upgrade the split unit only. Do it all myself

 

[ThatGuy_ZA]

I was hoping I could just add an aux port to the existing head unit or allow for aux input and just upgrade the two speakers in the front doors.

Why don't you have a look at something like this. I have no experience with them but it could work.

Your budget is pretty restrictive but I'd also look at an entry level pair of components/"split speakers", some of these will run perfectly off your head unit and they'll be a massive step up from the factory speakers. While you've got the doors open and speakers out, try to add some sound deadening, even if it is just half a sheet per door, directly behind the speakers.

 

[phenix456]

Gumtree is your friend...One nice thing about car audio equipment is that the resale is absolute rubbish. Get a decent hi-low converter, a reputable brand at least (R300), a nice cheapy sony amplifier (R500) and a 10" rockford/cerwin/jbl sub (R1200). Sorted for R2000.

Stay away from brands like starsound and ice power. They're gonna deceive you with nice looking numbers and shit performing products.

 

[SynicalFox]

Why don't you have a look at something like this. I have no experience with them but it could work.

Your budget is pretty restrictive but I'd also look at an entry level pair of components/"split speakers", some of these will run perfectly off your head unit and they'll be a massive step up from the factory speakers. While you've got the doors open and speakers out, try to add some sound deadening, even if it is just half a sheet per door, directly behind the speakers.

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely look into it.