Budget Complete Car Audio Upgrade

[J4ckyB0y13579]

Hi Everyone, I’ve just bought a 2002 1.2L Renault Clio as a little run around. However the speakers are completely jacked, they seem to cut out and become patchy at a medium - high volume.
As a result, I would love any advice you guys could give on upgrading my sound system. I currently have an XPlod Head Unit/Control Panel, and as far as I know, Renaults original amplifiers installed.
For this project I have a budget of £400, and I am happy to use 2nd hand equipment (as long as it’s good).
Any advice to the gear to use and how to install it would be fantastic, as I am a beginner.
Many Thanks

[gmaz]

It's unlikely that a 2002 Clio would have its own amplifiers.

I'd suggest replacing door speakers, dynamat the door panels. Add an underseat sub if you want more bass

[J4ckyB0y13579]

yeah your right about the amplifier, I confused myself on the terminology a bit.
Have you got any recommendations for speaker manufacturers?
Cheers

[gmaz]

As you says youre a beginner, I suggest something purpose made like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JVC-2-Way-Front-Door-Re...

Dynamat your inner door skins

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/deadening/damping-...

Underseat sub (because 5" speakers won't move much air)

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/subwoofers/hideawa...

[foxmeister]

Hertz do good budget speakers that fit in exisiting door locations

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HERTZ-DSK130-3-13CM-5-2...f:0

As stated before, some good front speakers, half decent sub in the boot and a 2nd hand good amp is all you need for a small hatch, no need for 6x9 etc

[InitialDave]

First thing to check is, if it's a base model, does it even have rear speakers? If not,you may need to run your own cabling to fit some, though if you're lucky it'll be the same loom as other models and have the appropriate cables tucked away.

Cheap speakers, properly fitted (securely mounted on place, MDF is great for making adaptors if the factory speakers are an odd shape) will still make a world of difference over the originals, and putting a bit of Dynamat on the inside of large panels is a good suggestion. No need to plaster it everywhere, even a single sheet in the middle of a door skin etc makes a big difference.

Assuming you're on a budget, I'd do that first, then see if you want to add a sub later.

Unrelated to audio, but check your secondary bonnet catch, they're a rubbish design on those Clios (plastic sliding mechanism) and stick in the unkatched position, so if the main latch isn't properly secure, you can have the bonnet come open on you. Cleaning and lubricating fixes it.

[J4ckyB0y13579]

InitialDave said:

First thing to check is, if it's a base model, does it even have rear speakers? If not,you may need to run your own cabling to fit some, though if you're lucky it'll be the same loom as other models and have the appropriate cables tucked away.

Cheap speakers, properly fitted (securely mounted on place, MDF is great for making adaptors if the factory speakers are an odd shape) will still make a world of difference over the originals, and putting a bit of Dynamat on the inside of large panels is a good suggestion. No need to plaster it everywhere, even a single sheet in the middle of a door skin etc makes a big difference.

Assuming you're on a budget, I'd do that first, then see if you want to add a sub later.

Unrelated to audio, but check your secondary bonnet catch, they're a rubbish design on those Clios (plastic sliding mechanism) and stick in the unkatched position, so if the main latch isn't properly secure, you can have the bonnet come open on you. Cleaning and lubricating fixes it.

Cheers mate, I’ll give everything a check tonight, and I’ll post my findings on this post if your interested and are able to help.

[Baozhai]

Thanks for the thread, helped me too....

[J4ckyB0y13579]

Just for anyone that’s interested, I had a look today and it turns out that both the front and back pairs of speakers are 5.25 inches and are Renaults factory ones. Theyre easy to check as all 4 just have a separate trim piece that covers them, so you dont have to remove the whole door panel.
All 4 of the speakers had rotten away.
The head unit is also loose in its housing so I’m going to remove that and check that none of the tabs are damaged.
Thank you for the support so far