Classic car sound system – advice for a moron

[GregMac]

I'll preface this by saying that electronics is not my area of expertise, and no matter how many websites I've read, the black magic of watts and RMS power is still very much a mystery! With that in mind, I was hoping you knowledgeable lot might be able to give me some easy-to-follow advice.

I have a head unit already (https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/classic-car-stereos/autosound-classic-car-stereo/ccs-spindle-mount-dab-radio/), but I'm very much in the dark as to which amplifier and parcel shelf-mounted speakers to pair it with. What would you recommend?

I was looking at this amp (https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-sony-xm-s400d_p-33280.htm) – the price is right, as is the size.

I'm not looking for the very best, it just needs to sound good and be loud enough to compensate for a silly exhaust and no sound deadening at 70mph.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[rsbmw]

Doesn't look like you need an amp, the head unit can drive two front and two rear speakers. I expect you'll find that's perfectly adequate

[gmaz]

Parcel shelf speakers are only suitable for a 1990's Vauxhall Nova with st bodykit. Get some decent front door speakers and an underseat sub

[GregMac]

Thanks guys. Could you give me a steer as to what power of speakers I should be looking at?

[rsbmw]

I'm not sure what size your door speakers are, but something like this should work fine

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-sony-xs...

As long as they are rated higher than the 45w per channel output from the head unit basically, which will be just about everything.

[rsbmw]

Looks like the head has a line level sub output too, so adding an active underseat sub (built in amp) like this one shoud add some thump

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-kenwood...

[gmaz]

Do your doors have existing speaker holes? You may need to remove the door cards to determine the mounting depth and while the cards are off add some dynamat to the door skins.

What car is it?

[derektrimblitz]

How did you go on with this?

I’m on with the same job in a Corvette C3 which needs a spindle mount head unit like that one.

I’m looking at the Retrosound unit that should physically drop straight into my car but it only has 25w per channel.
https://www.retrocarstuff.com/shop/classic-car-ste...

The one you’re looking at has 45w per channel and might give a bit more sound.

I don’t want to fit a separate amp but maybe I’d use an undersea sub.

[derektrimblitz]

Underseat

😂

[HBG12]

Replying to an old thread but would like to know either how these installations went or whether anyone else has recent experience of choosing and fitting a spindlemount stereo in a classic car?

I've got a Fulvia and like the look of the 200 series radio. Want to stream music, have dab/ fm radio, be able to take and receive calls, listen to satnav commands.

Any other radios I should consider?

Thanks folks

[tiggerjaguar]

I bought one , a bit of a faff lining all the knobs up but doable.

Trouble was it was a rubbish item, pulled it out and fitted another unit.

[HBG12]

tiggerjaguar said:

I bought one , a bit of a faff lining all the knobs up but doable.

Trouble was it was a rubbish item, pulled it out and fitted another unit.

Oh no, just ordered one today and then looked at this! What did you replace it with?

[tiggerjaguar]

Apologies for the late reply.
Your experience may differ from mine.

I purchased a secondhand Blaupunkt unit.

[LeighW]

tiggerjaguar said:

I bought one , a bit of a faff lining all the knobs up but doable.

Trouble was it was a rubbish item, pulled it out and fitted another unit.

I have one in my Firebird. 6x9s under the rear shelf plus under dash speakers in the front (didn't want to cut the door cards or kick panels). Sound is at best mediocre, I can't hear it over the car at anything above 40! The DAB reception using the aerial supplied is rubbish. Good job the engine sounds so nice!