Advice please on putting a new stereo into my car
Discussion
Has anyone any useful advice or pitfalls to be aware of in fitting a new stereo in my car
Should you only let a TVR specialist fit or can a local audio shop be able to do the necessary?
Some chap in Halfords told me that if you want to turn it up loud and up the bass, you have to get low frequency speakers, is this true?
I dont want any of this amp business being fitted, just want a decent loud quality stereo for no more than a £1000 - anyone have any recommendations
Should you only let a TVR specialist fit or can a local audio shop be able to do the necessary?
Some chap in Halfords told me that if you want to turn it up loud and up the bass, you have to get low frequency speakers, is this true?
I dont want any of this amp business being fitted, just want a decent loud quality stereo for no more than a £1000 - anyone have any recommendations
I suggest you have a place that has installed in a Tuscan before. I recall someone on this site saying that they drove home with the smell of petrol fumes as the installer had drilled into his petrol tank!
If you want loud, then an amp is the only way to go. Just from a physical size point of view - look at how big an amp is, and then compare to the size of a head unit (which also squeezes in a CD player, tuner etc).
As with home hifi, Watts RMS is the only figure you should be looking at as an indication of actual power. Watts, Peak, PMPO are all numbers that are useless anyone other than marketing depts.
If you want loud, then an amp is the only way to go. Just from a physical size point of view - look at how big an amp is, and then compare to the size of a head unit (which also squeezes in a CD player, tuner etc).
As with home hifi, Watts RMS is the only figure you should be looking at as an indication of actual power. Watts, Peak, PMPO are all numbers that are useless anyone other than marketing depts.
I'll second the recommendation for an amp. I've recently finished installing a new stereo into my Tuscan, including an amp, and the difference in sound quality over the nasty standard Pioneer speakers is amazing.
I've fitted a 4 channel Kenwood amp in the boot (4x50W RMS), a pair of 10cm MB Quart Reference component speakers in the normal side panel locations, and a pair of Genesis 6x9 subs in the rear bulkhead.
The only complexity with the fitting was that there isn't enough clearance between the fuel tank and the bulkhead for the large magnets on the subs, so I mounted them to a fake MDF panel just in front of the bulkhead. The new panel is trimmed in matching black acoustic carpet, covering the speakers, so you can't see there are any speakers there unless you notice that the bulkhead is a couple of inches further forward.
I'd recommend fitting an amp and some decent speakers before you change your head unit. Even allowing for professional fitting, if you don't want to go DIY, it should cost well under £1000.
I'll post a few photos later.
Cheerio,
Pete
I've fitted a 4 channel Kenwood amp in the boot (4x50W RMS), a pair of 10cm MB Quart Reference component speakers in the normal side panel locations, and a pair of Genesis 6x9 subs in the rear bulkhead.
The only complexity with the fitting was that there isn't enough clearance between the fuel tank and the bulkhead for the large magnets on the subs, so I mounted them to a fake MDF panel just in front of the bulkhead. The new panel is trimmed in matching black acoustic carpet, covering the speakers, so you can't see there are any speakers there unless you notice that the bulkhead is a couple of inches further forward.
I'd recommend fitting an amp and some decent speakers before you change your head unit. Even allowing for professional fitting, if you don't want to go DIY, it should cost well under £1000.
I'll post a few photos later.
Cheerio,
Pete
yeh, you need an amp if you want decent sound.
have a look at my build. done for 613 quid including head unit.
http://tvr.kilncadzow.co.uk/
have a look at my build. done for 613 quid including head unit.
http://tvr.kilncadzow.co.uk/
Powerhead - you obviously know what you are doing.
I popped to the local car audio shop, said i wanted bass, he was leading me along to putting a huge sub woofer speaker in the boot, not want i want to do, saw your web site has 2 fitted behind the seats, is that the same kind of thing?
I popped to the local car audio shop, said i wanted bass, he was leading me along to putting a huge sub woofer speaker in the boot, not want i want to do, saw your web site has 2 fitted behind the seats, is that the same kind of thing?
It depends on what kind of bass you're after.
You can have bass inside the cabin, suitable for listening to music whilst driving OR you can have a really loud, really low frequency, boot lid rattling bass so that the whole street can be entertained at the same time.
I've seen (but not heard) one install that put a subwoofer in the boot of a Tuscan. Has your installer ever fitted a system in a Tuscan before? If so, it could be very beneficial for you to check it out.
You can have bass inside the cabin, suitable for listening to music whilst driving OR you can have a really loud, really low frequency, boot lid rattling bass so that the whole street can be entertained at the same time.
I've seen (but not heard) one install that put a subwoofer in the boot of a Tuscan. Has your installer ever fitted a system in a Tuscan before? If so, it could be very beneficial for you to check it out.
adman said:
Powerhead - you obviously know what you are doing.
I popped to the local car audio shop, said i wanted bass, he was leading me along to putting a huge sub woofer speaker in the boot, not want i want to do, saw your web site has 2 fitted behind the seats, is that the same kind of thing?
yup. 2 little subs, one behind each seat: one tuned for deep sub, one a bit more full range.
result: nice deep bass you can feel in your stomach when you want it, and enough power to hear the stereo with the roof off at XXX speeds.
but NOT for the rest of the street :-)
stu
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