Searching for a V8 Vantage - Stereo Question
Discussion
Hey Guys,
First post here - seems like a good community of owners and I look forward to better to getting to know you all. I'm currently searching for a 07-08 V8 Vantage. I have heard the 700 watt stereo and it's fantastic, I can't imagine not having it in whatever car I end up with. How does the 160 watt system compare? There are some clean cars out there with this option, but again i'm worried that the sound may be sub par when compared to the 700w. Opinions? Sorry if this is in the wrong section of the forum, by the way.
Thanks!
lexus thang long
lexus rx350
First post here - seems like a good community of owners and I look forward to better to getting to know you all. I'm currently searching for a 07-08 V8 Vantage. I have heard the 700 watt stereo and it's fantastic, I can't imagine not having it in whatever car I end up with. How does the 160 watt system compare? There are some clean cars out there with this option, but again i'm worried that the sound may be sub par when compared to the 700w. Opinions? Sorry if this is in the wrong section of the forum, by the way.
Thanks!
lexus thang long
lexus rx350
Edited by vannhukien on Thursday 22 January 03:51
My opinion, the Premium Audio (700W) is well worth the er....premium. There are plenty of good cars out there with this option so focus on those at least to start with. Otherwise I fear you may not be happy with your chouce. Best to at least start with a no compromise approach on your ideal spec
Welcome.
Don't worry, you've come to the right place.
I've only ever heard the Premium sound system (700w) because that's what I've got in my car. Those owners with the 160w system say that it is perfectly adequate, shortly followed by..."you won't be listening to it because you've be listening to the melodous sound of the V8" etc etc.
Personally, I am very happy that I've got the Premium system and it was on my list of 'must haves' when I was searching.
If you haven't bought it already, buy the book: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... It will tell you everything that you will ever want to know when looking for one of these great cars.
Don't worry, you've come to the right place.
I've only ever heard the Premium sound system (700w) because that's what I've got in my car. Those owners with the 160w system say that it is perfectly adequate, shortly followed by..."you won't be listening to it because you've be listening to the melodous sound of the V8" etc etc.
Personally, I am very happy that I've got the Premium system and it was on my list of 'must haves' when I was searching.
If you haven't bought it already, buy the book: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... It will tell you everything that you will ever want to know when looking for one of these great cars.
i guess it depends on how much of an audiophile you are...personally I dont find the 160w standard stereo lacking...certainly i dont drive with it so loud that it runs out of steam otherwise I would be deaf by now 
I guess im easily pleased as I dont mind the mid 2000 era Volvo sourced sat nav either ...with an updated disk, its actually pretty good when you get used to it...better than some other newer cars Ive driven anyway
I guess im easily pleased as I dont mind the mid 2000 era Volvo sourced sat nav either ...with an updated disk, its actually pretty good when you get used to it...better than some other newer cars Ive driven anyway
Here's my opinion.
The standard 160w audio does the job. The 700w Premium sounds OK. B&O sound is deeply flawed.
The 160/700 systems have a huge mid bass hole and no attack. The B&O has awful sounding highs.
They are all more than adequate to listen to and far too flawed to be classed as audiophile.
In the DBS we have an Audisson Bit-one with JL amps hooked up to 3-way Morel Elates. Sounds good, b
h to setup. Needed one laptop on the Bit-One and an RTA.
In the V8V I just replaced the front components with 4" 2 way components. Sealed the drivers in enclosures and RTA'd the system using the stock EQ.
The point of the above is that the spend on the upgrades had to be excessive to make it true audiophile. The V8V speaker change was more than enough. you can do that to any of the systems.
The standard 160w audio does the job. The 700w Premium sounds OK. B&O sound is deeply flawed.
The 160/700 systems have a huge mid bass hole and no attack. The B&O has awful sounding highs.
They are all more than adequate to listen to and far too flawed to be classed as audiophile.
In the DBS we have an Audisson Bit-one with JL amps hooked up to 3-way Morel Elates. Sounds good, b
h to setup. Needed one laptop on the Bit-One and an RTA.In the V8V I just replaced the front components with 4" 2 way components. Sealed the drivers in enclosures and RTA'd the system using the stock EQ.
The point of the above is that the spend on the upgrades had to be excessive to make it true audiophile. The V8V speaker change was more than enough. you can do that to any of the systems.
I've spent many thousands on top end car audio installs, chasing that perfect sound and they all sound great sat on the drive...until you start the car engine and take the roof down
I don't think most cars are ideal listening rooms ...sure some sound "very good" but its not like an extra £5K or £10K good.. most car OE installs are obsessed with trying to give you home cinema setups in the car, surrounding you with speakers
If you are really not happy with 160w factory then theres always the aftermarket.... If I found the perfect spec used car and the right deal, I wouldn't let the stereo sway it (and didnt)
Once you get past a certain technical point of overall sound reproduction, home/car audio is really subjective....hence only you can really tell for yourself what you will be happy with
there you go, the usual arguments for and against
I don't think most cars are ideal listening rooms ...sure some sound "very good" but its not like an extra £5K or £10K good.. most car OE installs are obsessed with trying to give you home cinema setups in the car, surrounding you with speakers
If you are really not happy with 160w factory then theres always the aftermarket.... If I found the perfect spec used car and the right deal, I wouldn't let the stereo sway it (and didnt)
Once you get past a certain technical point of overall sound reproduction, home/car audio is really subjective....hence only you can really tell for yourself what you will be happy with
there you go, the usual arguments for and against
I find the "basic" system more than enough, (it's got a sub so plenty of range) it's better than the HK system from my previous M3 by far. In a roadster I can see how the premium would be needed if you wanted to listen to music at 80mph with the roof down
If you are a real audiophile, the car isn't the place for it!
If you are a real audiophile, the car isn't the place for it!
krisdelta said:
I find the "basic" system more than enough, (it's got a sub so plenty of range) it's better than the HK system from my previous M3 by far. In a roadster I can see how the premium would be needed if you wanted to listen to music at 80mph with the roof down
If you are a real audiophile, the car isn't the place for it!
Agreed, and FYI - the 700w isnt hugely loud.If you are a real audiophile, the car isn't the place for it!
If you can get a car with the 700w, its the best of the bunch.
If you cant and good sound is essential, get any of the systems and budget in a few quid for some decent component replacements. That's all you'll need.
Chances are you will never care enough to do it.
This is amusing this morning and explains a lot. Just been for a hearing test and been told I need hearing aids ...Im missing much above 4Khz in both ears
too much loud music in my early years, and riding motorcycles without ear plugs until the last 7 years or so
/no wonder Im not so fussy these days with my car audio requirements LOL
too much loud music in my early years, and riding motorcycles without ear plugs until the last 7 years or so
/no wonder Im not so fussy these days with my car audio requirements LOL
simonpa said:
Components, as in speakers?
Any recommendations for upgrading the standard system - and how to fabricate suitable enclosures, please?
Depends how good you want it and how deep you want to dig in your pockets. Any recommendations for upgrading the standard system - and how to fabricate suitable enclosures, please?
Tell me your music tastes, how invasive your are prepared to make changes and a budget and I can probably give you an idea.
Unless you plan on keeping the car forever, you also need to consider that not having Premium Audio will dramatically reduce the number of potential buyers for the car when it comes time to sell.
To me, the Premium Audio is the perfect balance of quality versus price. The standard audio sounds nice but is no match and the B&O is too expensive for what you get. IMO, spending a huge amount of money on a system that has to compete with all the surrounding noise whilst driving is a bit of a waste.
To me, the Premium Audio is the perfect balance of quality versus price. The standard audio sounds nice but is no match and the B&O is too expensive for what you get. IMO, spending a huge amount of money on a system that has to compete with all the surrounding noise whilst driving is a bit of a waste.
Personally I wouldn't buy a car with the 160W system. I listened to both the std and premium options closely back to back with my own music in the showroom before I bought my first car (when some people and the dealer was saying there wasn't much difference), and I felt there was a huge difference. It would be a deal breaker for me.
If I could have afforded the B&O setup, then it would have been on my list. However the 700w Premium setup was a deal breaker for me, my music is important to me, so its got to sound good.
I have a Parrot Mki9100 system in my car so I can play my iPod/phone through the 700w speaker premium system and its a great sound. I have used the FAQ sound set up on this forum and its not too bad and makes the speakers sound just right for me. I turn on the bass in the Parrot system and away I go.
If music is important to you, then don't get a car with a 160w system, get a 700w system, if you can afford a B&O, then go for that.
By the way, everyone including me, will tell the radio side of the systems is se because it is. If you want to test out the systems, take a CD with you and if you are going to get a car with iPod connectivity, take your phone/iPod and cable and test it.
I have a Parrot Mki9100 system in my car so I can play my iPod/phone through the 700w speaker premium system and its a great sound. I have used the FAQ sound set up on this forum and its not too bad and makes the speakers sound just right for me. I turn on the bass in the Parrot system and away I go.
If music is important to you, then don't get a car with a 160w system, get a 700w system, if you can afford a B&O, then go for that.
By the way, everyone including me, will tell the radio side of the systems is s
e because it is. If you want to test out the systems, take a CD with you and if you are going to get a car with iPod connectivity, take your phone/iPod and cable and test it.bomberh said:
I have a Parrot Mki9100 system in my car so I can play my iPod/phone through the 700w speaker premium system and its a great sound. I have used the FAQ sound set up on this forum and its not too bad and makes the speakers sound just right for me.
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