Car audio systems
Discussion
Hi,
Need a bit of guidance here.
Need to put a audio system in a classic car, looking for a quality sounding system, discreet looking and no i don't want one of those 3 million watt boom boom systems with all the flashing lights and the car bouncing up and down with each drum beat.
So what do i think i need ?
Looking for 13cm door speakers with a plain discreet grill that are quite slim fitting as the wiper motor mechanism is behind where the speaker would sit.
Matching rear shelf speakers, can go slightly larger but plain grill cover again.
A head unit that is easy to use without lots of useless buttons and annoying flashing lights.
Last time i bought a car stereo was 30 years ago and it was then simply buy the latest pioneer but i understand things have moved on.
Looking to spend £300 ish
Regards,
Martyn.
Need a bit of guidance here.
Need to put a audio system in a classic car, looking for a quality sounding system, discreet looking and no i don't want one of those 3 million watt boom boom systems with all the flashing lights and the car bouncing up and down with each drum beat.
So what do i think i need ?
Looking for 13cm door speakers with a plain discreet grill that are quite slim fitting as the wiper motor mechanism is behind where the speaker would sit.
Matching rear shelf speakers, can go slightly larger but plain grill cover again.
A head unit that is easy to use without lots of useless buttons and annoying flashing lights.
Last time i bought a car stereo was 30 years ago and it was then simply buy the latest pioneer but i understand things have moved on.
Looking to spend £300 ish
Regards,
Martyn.
As long as they fit Morel are better than most and have very understated grilles. Their Tempo range might just be within your budget - http://www.morelhifi.com/car-audio/tempo
I don't know who deals with them in the Midlands but Auto Audio are a significant distributor of their produce and might be able to give you advice on fitment in your car - http://www.autoaudio.uk.com
I don't know who deals with them in the Midlands but Auto Audio are a significant distributor of their produce and might be able to give you advice on fitment in your car - http://www.autoaudio.uk.com
You might get away without a head unit at all if you only want to play stuff from an iPod or similar. Some of the more sophisticated bluetooth kits have their own amps and can play music from ipods, sd cards USB sticks etc using a tiny 1"x2" (approx) screen and a small remote control. Both of these can be very discretely mounted if necessary. Should come in around the right budget with a couple of decent speakers. Of course you get a good hands free kit too. Which is nice.
You may find the Morels are outside of your budget and you will probably need an extra amp to get the best out of them!
Have a look at Infinity speakers, plain grills and magnets not too big.
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_... (13cm)
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_... (16.5cm)
Or, if you need something with an even shallower magnet, take a look at the JBLs or Alpines.
Stereo wise, you'll probably want something with Bluetooth (take telephone calls hands-free) and iPod connectivity - some of the stereos allow music streaming so you can transmit music from your iPhone without the needs for wires!
Have a look at Alpine and Kenwood stereos:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
Have a look at Infinity speakers, plain grills and magnets not too big.
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_... (13cm)
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_... (16.5cm)
Or, if you need something with an even shallower magnet, take a look at the JBLs or Alpines.
Stereo wise, you'll probably want something with Bluetooth (take telephone calls hands-free) and iPod connectivity - some of the stereos allow music streaming so you can transmit music from your iPhone without the needs for wires!
Have a look at Alpine and Kenwood stereos:
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
See if you can find a Pioneer DEH P77MP - very discreet Champagne fascia which fits most classics well. Great Radio and CD, will read MP3 cd's and you can get an adaptor box to hook up an ipod too.
Usually go for about £100 in good condition on ebay, and will happily power 4 speakers.
As for speakers, Infiinity are ok, but I'd look for something with "silk dome" tweeters whatever you opt for.
They're less harsh and fatiguing over time than plastic or metal domes.
Again, pioneer speakers are well balanced and work wel lform head units power.
Linky
Car audio direct are a very realible supplier. Check mounting depth to make sure they're shallow enough, but you can gain an easy 10mm by making up an MDF mounting ring to space the speaker out a touch more.
Usually go for about £100 in good condition on ebay, and will happily power 4 speakers.
As for speakers, Infiinity are ok, but I'd look for something with "silk dome" tweeters whatever you opt for.
They're less harsh and fatiguing over time than plastic or metal domes.
Again, pioneer speakers are well balanced and work wel lform head units power.
Linky
Car audio direct are a very realible supplier. Check mounting depth to make sure they're shallow enough, but you can gain an easy 10mm by making up an MDF mounting ring to space the speaker out a touch more.
I would be looking for a pair of Focal speakers. I have these http://www.focal.com/en/car-audio-sound/speakers-d... up front in the Mondeo and they sound very nice. Detailed, rich and not harsh or tinny. They're designed as custom fit direct OEM replacement units and thus are quite shallow. You can obviously get them in the right size to suit 
You can also angle the tweeters as necessary.
But Focal, among various other brands like Morel and DLS are designed to sound accurate and high quality rather than the s
te from the likes of Pioneer and Kenwood and Alpine that just have higher power handling than your average OEM speaker.
That said, head unit-wise I'd recommend something from Pioneer or Alpine.
You can also angle the tweeters as necessary. But Focal, among various other brands like Morel and DLS are designed to sound accurate and high quality rather than the s
te from the likes of Pioneer and Kenwood and Alpine that just have higher power handling than your average OEM speaker. That said, head unit-wise I'd recommend something from Pioneer or Alpine.
Pioneer speakers, or alpines for that matter, really aren't ste. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.
DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
te. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
WeirdNeville said:
Pioneer speakers, or alpines for that matter, really aren't ste. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.
DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
Good job he can get a set of Focals for around £80 then, really te. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
Really rate the focals, I've got a pair of components.
Nakamichi do head units that look 'dated' for want of a better word so you won't have flashing text etc...
Their speakers actually look quite low key too so may be worth a look.
Never run any of their products though so I'm not sure on quality.
Nakamichi do head units that look 'dated' for want of a better word so you won't have flashing text etc...
Their speakers actually look quite low key too so may be worth a look.
Never run any of their products though so I'm not sure on quality.
Edited by TommyBuoy on Thursday 18th October 15:53
Martyn-123 said:
Hi,
Need a bit of guidance here.
Need to put a audio system in a classic car, looking for a quality sounding system, discreet looking and no i don't want one of those 3 million watt boom boom systems with all the flashing lights and the car bouncing up and down with each drum beat.
So what do i think i need ?
Looking for 13cm door speakers with a plain discreet grill that are quite slim fitting as the wiper motor mechanism is behind where the speaker would sit.
Matching rear shelf speakers, can go slightly larger but plain grill cover again.
A head unit that is easy to use without lots of useless buttons and annoying flashing lights.
Last time i bought a car stereo was 30 years ago and it was then simply buy the latest pioneer but i understand things have moved on.
Looking to spend £300 ish
Regards,
Martyn.
HEAD UNIT £45 Need a bit of guidance here.
Need to put a audio system in a classic car, looking for a quality sounding system, discreet looking and no i don't want one of those 3 million watt boom boom systems with all the flashing lights and the car bouncing up and down with each drum beat.
So what do i think i need ?
Looking for 13cm door speakers with a plain discreet grill that are quite slim fitting as the wiper motor mechanism is behind where the speaker would sit.
Matching rear shelf speakers, can go slightly larger but plain grill cover again.
A head unit that is easy to use without lots of useless buttons and annoying flashing lights.
Last time i bought a car stereo was 30 years ago and it was then simply buy the latest pioneer but i understand things have moved on.
Looking to spend £300 ish
Regards,
Martyn.
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
13MM SPEAKERS PLAIN GRILL £22
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
17MM SPEAKERS PLAIN GRILL FOR PARCEL SHELF £27
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
total cost £104 ish plus p&p
theheff said:
HEAD UNIT £45
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
13MM SPEAKERS PLAIN GRILL £22
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
17MM SPEAKERS PLAIN GRILL FOR PARCEL SHELF £27
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
total cost £104 ish plus p&p
I would look to be getting the highest quality HU you can if you are not going to run an external amp - the headunit really does make the difference in sound quality. http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
13MM SPEAKERS PLAIN GRILL £22
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
17MM SPEAKERS PLAIN GRILL FOR PARCEL SHELF £27
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_...
total cost £104 ish plus p&p
To be honest any Halfords speaker will probably be OK for sound quality if you are running a HU only.
Components would be the next step but ideally an external amp would be needed - it really depends on how much you want to spend and what quality you want to get...
Howard- said:
WeirdNeville said:
Pioneer speakers, or alpines for that matter, really aren't ste. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.
DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
Good job he can get a set of Focals for around £80 then, really te. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
Many people love focals or rainbows - I can't stand them, I find them brash and sharp and overbearing across the board - particularly the cheaper ones!
I'm more of a DLS, Morel, CDT, JL-Audio kind of person. I like the more natural, warm reproduction of those speakers, but that's me, and people are entitled to tell me I'm wrong.
It's down to what the OP wants. He should listen and make his own mind up.
Sound quality in a car isn't down to buying the most expensive speakers, its all about the installation.
Dump a pair of £300 speakers in a standard door and they will sound as bad as a pair of £15 speakers. It also works vise versa. A cheap pair of speakers can sound great if installed and deadened properly.
Dump a pair of £300 speakers in a standard door and they will sound as bad as a pair of £15 speakers. It also works vise versa. A cheap pair of speakers can sound great if installed and deadened properly.
MysteryLemon said:
Sound quality in a car isn't down to buying the most expensive speakers, its all about the installation.
Dump a pair of £300 speakers in a standard door and they will sound as bad as a pair of £15 speakers. It also works vise versa. A cheap pair of speakers can sound great if installed and deadened properly.
True. The HU and installation are crucial - and vibrations etc ruin the sound that you hear, whilst the speaker may sound fantastic in a shop the quality changes drastically when put into a car.Dump a pair of £300 speakers in a standard door and they will sound as bad as a pair of £15 speakers. It also works vise versa. A cheap pair of speakers can sound great if installed and deadened properly.
One of the reasons I like Focal are becasue they aren't as muddy or warm so when in a kick panel of the car you don't get the bass reverbarating as much.
OP - what car is it out of interest? Is there also a reason you are going for larger speakers in the back as this will move the sound stage towards the rear?
WeirdNeville said:
Howard- said:
WeirdNeville said:
Pioneer speakers, or alpines for that matter, really aren't ste. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.
DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
Good job he can get a set of Focals for around £80 then, really te. They're £50 speakers, not £300 speakers, granted, but for the price you pay, and being run off a headunit, they will be fine.DLS, CDT, Morels -all very well, but they're an order of magnitude mroe expensive and need to be amplified to reap the benefits.
The guy wants to spend £300 all in, not £3k.
Many people love focals or rainbows - I can't stand them, I find them brash and sharp and overbearing across the board - particularly the cheaper ones!
I'm more of a DLS, Morel, CDT, JL-Audio kind of person. I like the more natural, warm reproduction of those speakers, but that's me, and people are entitled to tell me I'm wrong.
It's down to what the OP wants. He should listen and make his own mind up.
.I do have some Morels in the cupboard to install with some hybrid audio mids as well as 4 dls classic amps to power the top 4 channels and 2 rf 55.2 or 60.2's to run a mid each and a 100.2 to add the rumble, when i have the chance to install it in something suitable.
Together with the rockford 8250/ denon headunit.
WeirdNeville said:
See if you can find a Pioneer DEH P77MP - very discreet Champagne fascia which fits most classics well. Great Radio and CD, will read MP3 cd's and you can get an adaptor box to hook up an ipod too.
Usually go for about £100 in good condition on ebay, and will happily power 4 speakers.
As for speakers, Infiinity are ok, but I'd look for something with "silk dome" tweeters whatever you opt for.
They're less harsh and fatiguing over time than plastic or metal domes.
Again, pioneer speakers are well balanced and work wel lform head units power.
Linky
Car audio direct are a very realible supplier. Check mounting depth to make sure they're shallow enough, but you can gain an easy 10mm by making up an MDF mounting ring to space the speaker out a touch more.
That is a cracking headunit. Burr Brown DACS too Usually go for about £100 in good condition on ebay, and will happily power 4 speakers.
As for speakers, Infiinity are ok, but I'd look for something with "silk dome" tweeters whatever you opt for.
They're less harsh and fatiguing over time than plastic or metal domes.
Again, pioneer speakers are well balanced and work wel lform head units power.
Linky
Car audio direct are a very realible supplier. Check mounting depth to make sure they're shallow enough, but you can gain an easy 10mm by making up an MDF mounting ring to space the speaker out a touch more.
I had one when they first came out and was blown away by the quality - even through old and tired OE speakers. It's kept my buying Pioneer stuff ever since.
I couldn't make my mind up for my early 90s car. It came with a horrific Clarion "upgrade" from the late 90s, and currently has an earlier mid-80s Blaupunkt tape deck in it, so the replacement options for me were between:
- a more modern Becker Grand Prix that had later functionality
- a period Blaupunkt or Sony that would have been OEM at the time
- another period hifi
I went with the third option, as I found out that Nakamichi were actually specified as OEM in some markets, and because some owners had not ticked the radio option back then and fitted their own stereo. Also, I don't drive the car too regularly, so it's more for the look and feel really. Not been fitted yet, but bought this on eBay:
If my preference was more for sound quality and functionality, I think I would have gone down the Becker route, although I'm not sure if you can still buy these new
- a more modern Becker Grand Prix that had later functionality
- a period Blaupunkt or Sony that would have been OEM at the time
- another period hifi
I went with the third option, as I found out that Nakamichi were actually specified as OEM in some markets, and because some owners had not ticked the radio option back then and fitted their own stereo. Also, I don't drive the car too regularly, so it's more for the look and feel really. Not been fitted yet, but bought this on eBay:
If my preference was more for sound quality and functionality, I think I would have gone down the Becker route, although I'm not sure if you can still buy these new
Hi,
Need a little more guidance here please in the tech dept.
1/ My Marcos has a battery cut off switch which i use each time the car is put away in the garage and when parked up, do i have to have continuous power to the stereo to avoid it loosing the settings (pre set radio channels etc) or if the power is cut off does it remember the settings, if it does need a continual power feed i shall have to wire in a new section of loom from the battery to the stereo.
2/ Speakers. This Pioneer unit apparantly has 50x4. I am looking at installing 4 speakers, two in the door panels which in a tight fitting car sit would right next to my ribs and two on the upper rear parcel shelf which would face directly at the rear of my head approx 15 inches away. I have looked at Focal speakers and for both sets 13cm is my size limit. What type of speakers would be best for this installation. Do i put in 4 of the same speakers or different types for the best balance of sound, approx £200 on 4 speakers is what i would like to budget to.
Regards,
Martyn.
Need a little more guidance here please in the tech dept.
1/ My Marcos has a battery cut off switch which i use each time the car is put away in the garage and when parked up, do i have to have continuous power to the stereo to avoid it loosing the settings (pre set radio channels etc) or if the power is cut off does it remember the settings, if it does need a continual power feed i shall have to wire in a new section of loom from the battery to the stereo.
2/ Speakers. This Pioneer unit apparantly has 50x4. I am looking at installing 4 speakers, two in the door panels which in a tight fitting car sit would right next to my ribs and two on the upper rear parcel shelf which would face directly at the rear of my head approx 15 inches away. I have looked at Focal speakers and for both sets 13cm is my size limit. What type of speakers would be best for this installation. Do i put in 4 of the same speakers or different types for the best balance of sound, approx £200 on 4 speakers is what i would like to budget to.
Regards,
Martyn.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff