Any hifi people here ?

[Sundayjumper]

Need a few pointers on hifi for my new Chimp.

[b]Disclaimer[/b] - Yes, I know the engine is musical, but for long journies I'd like to play music from CDs too :)

I've currently got a Nak CD45z that worked well in my last car (BMW) but I'm not sure whether the orange illumination really goes well with the dials in the Chimaera. What's the favoured unit at the moment ?

Front speakers should be quite easy, just some 5¼" components, right ?

Now a dirty word - "subwoofer". Yes, I do need one. Any (sensible, constructive) suggestions ? I had some JL free-air drivers in my BMW which were a great compromise between SQ/weight/taking up too much space.

At least the amp is already in hand. Genesis Quad Mono :D Not [i]quite[/i] sure where I'm going to mount it though...

Steve.

[SharkyTVR]

Try getting in touch with Carl Baker at Car & Bike Installations - He Da Man when it comes to advice on HiFi and other matters electrical. You can contact him via the website: www.tvruk.tv

[Hughesie2]

Twerlie who posts here has some very serious kit in his car, though we're talking him around to a decat so it puts his ££££££££ stereo to shame...

[parrot of doom]

This is my sub:



It doesn't look like much, but its pretty darn good. I put it behind my driver's seat, and covered it with a footwell mat. The wiring runs down the transmission tunnel.

Cost me about £120 IIRC.

As for rear speakers, I wouldn't bother - its such a small enclosed space they don't do anything. Just ask what any respectable car audio person thinks about 6x9 speakers.....

[dparpotta]

i agree with POD. I have good quality speakers up front and its drowned by the 6x9s at the rear, even with the fader set to the front. its not a very good car for audiophile sound but with a good set of components up front and a small sub, it should sound 10 times better.

if i didnt use the boot or rear shelf, i would have installed a sub but went for 4 speakers running off an alpine v12 amp (installed in the boot).

As for the head unit, i have a sony mcd 9900. looks amazing against a stainless steel dash.

hope this helps.

[cerby4.5]

I have recently spoken with Carl regarding doing exactly what you describe. I am after a set up with good sound quality for the times when I want some music as opposed to the exhaust note,

I am waiting for him to come back to me with options and prices, but so far have found him extremely helpful and knowledgable regarding TVRs and in-car entertainment systems.

[Sundayjumper]

Cool, let us know what the answer is !

There's no rear speakers fitted to my car at the moment so I'm thinking one or two subs let into the rear bulkhead and covered with acoustic cloth/carpet to keep it hidden. One 10", or two 8" ??

Steve.

[dtmpower]

That alpine unit looks nice above, but i think one or two 6 inch subs would be nice in a tvr , and a nice component set up front - I am fed up trying to tell my wife's younger brothers (17 and 21) that 6x9's are a joke and have only one use - show the tea leaves that under your parcel shelf of 6x9's in your clio/fiesta/106/tin pot hatch there is likely a cheap amp and sub also to steal....

[andyy]

I've got a Nak 35z that has a green display
Sure you could buy a new display for the 45
Ebay would be a good place to start
cheers Andy

[900T-R]

dtmpower said:

That alpine unit looks nice above, but i think one or two 6 inch subs would be nice in a tvr , and a nice component set up front - I am fed up trying to tell my wife's younger brothers (17 and 21) that 6x9's are a joke and have only one use - show the tea leaves that under your parcel shelf of 6x9's in your clio/fiesta/106/tin pot hatch there is likely a cheap amp and sub also to steal....

Hmmm, I'd have thought 6x9s in parcel shelves were the cheap 'n cheerful alternative to a sub and amp for rockers/ravers on a budget - probably the same people sitting at the bar with their backs facing the music at concerts...

edited 'cos I can't type - as per usual

>> Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 21st September 16:51

[Wildfire]

Yes but 6x9s attract the dregs who steals speakers.

POD that Sub looks cool. How big is it?

[parrot of doom]

fts n the space behnd seat eas*ly
1
1apologes, cat splled a drnk on keybv*oard ts broke now

>> Edited by parrot of doom on Wednesday 21st September 19:55

[twerlie]

Hughesie2 said:

Twerlie who posts here has some very serious kit in his car, though we're talking him around to a decat so it puts his ££££££££ stereo to shame...

Getting a straight through pipe on Friday......!

With regards to your stereo...the Chimaera can sound acoustically very good because of the shape of the interior, there are less reflections and standing waves than you would get from most cars. If you spend the time and the hard eared you can get VERY good imaging for the size of the car, but you will need a digital processor to do this! There is no point in getting 6&9's in the rear as music is supposed to come from in front of you.....NOT behind! You can put a Sub behind you though because lower frequencies are harder to pin point, plus you can use time correction to bring the bass forward in front of you. If i was you I’d spend your money on decent front components (JL Audio) , a sub and a pair of decent amps to run it all. Then if you can afford it, get a processor. (AudioControl)

It is also a very good idea to use Dynamat in the doors and where ever you can to help keep the sound in and stop unwanted rattles etc. It's well worth the money!

If you need any advice on audio for your car.....or home! Email me and I’d be happy to help!

Good luck!

P.S. Get a decent Head Unit like Nakamichi or some of the Alpine range as they use 24 bit processing for a MUCH better sound...!

>> Edited by twerlie on Wednesday 21st September 22:53

[victormeldrew]

parrot of doom said:

... As for rear speakers, I wouldn't bother - its such a small enclosed space they don't do anything. Just ask what any respectable car audio person thinks about 6x9 speakers.....

Sorry, have to disagree. I have Kenwood 7x10 rear speakers. My Pioneer head unit (KEH8400RW) has a "front bias" option which basically sends full range to the fronts but lower frequencies only to the rear. I have two Pioneer amps in the boot, and Alpine DD component speakers in the doors.

No need for a sub to encroach on cabin space, bass aplenty, and a decent soundstage with the fronts holding their own, and perfectly audible at 100mph+.

[twerlie]

You can have a Sub without loosing cabin space!
And this will sound MUCH better than any 6*9's or 7*10's...!

[pic]http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00489186f00000102.jpg[_/pic]

JL Audio 8W7 Sub.....but you do need a very strong and well built box to exactly the right cubic capacity like this...!

[pic]http://photos.fotango.com/p/eba00489186f00000109.jpg[_/pic]

[Sundayjumper]

I'm very much liking the appearance inside the car

Think I'd prefer a sub that's not so deep though, and make the box wider, if possible so it looks standard in the boot.

Steve.

[twerlie]

Sundayjumper said:

I'm very much liking the appearance inside the car Think I'd prefer a sub that's not so deep though, and make the box wider, if possible so it looks standard in the boot. Steve.

I made the Box as shallow as possible, but the magnet on the sub is HUGE!

[Bomber Denton]

I'm going to have to disagree with the 6x9 thing.

I have an Alpine CDA 9812 head unit complete with Ipod docking station and of course Ipod. The docking station lives behind the driver's seat in the standard cubby and the Ipod is wired in under the small triangle in the rear of the centre console. I have Infinity speakers front and rear with the head unit feedeing the fronts only. I then have a small amp inbetween the rear speakers behind the carpeted cover above the fuel tank driving rears only.
So apart from the 6x9s the whole install looks pretty standard.
With the gains and bias set correctly the sound is superb, absolutely no need for a sub in mine.

[Nuggs]

Could somebody please recommend a head unit with iPod connectivity, front speakers and a bass unit for my Chim.

(Looking for quality, but not looking to destroy the bank balance for this one...)

[Bomber Denton]

My unit is the fifth one down, in my local ICE specialist it sells over the counter for £460, these people do the set-up for £305!

Here...

www.caraudiodiscount.com/acatalog/alpine_ipod.html