Still not happy with my sound system... Do I need an amp?

[gwatson]

Hi guys,

In my new E36 M3 coupe I've upgraded my speakers and head unit & I am stil not happy with the sound, it still lacks a lot of bass even with the bass settings right up, sounds very flat and almost like the rear speaker are farting if you know what I mean, but better with the Kenwood head unit. I guess I was spoilt with the Carver setup in my Z4.. it was truely awesome, soooo much better than the E46 Harmon Kardon. Anyway...

I've installed:
Infinity 9623i 6x9" with adpater plates - http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_932 ... 9623i.html
Pioneer Pioneer TS-E1302IS front speakers
Kenwood KDC-W3037A head unit (I was told it was a £150rrp head unit reduced to £69.99... but I am thinking it is actually a cheap head unit and not £150)

I really miss having a good sound system. Can someone please advise what to do next without spending crazy money and install bass boxes as I need to fold the seats down to get my mountain bike in. Should I get a better head unit, got if for £65, rrp is £149.

Any recommendations where to get a new headunit online? Need to have a ipod input, aux is fine & still want CD. Between £150 & £200 if it'll save my problem... if it's last years model on sale then even better

Do I need an amp to power the 6x9's? How much for a good enough amp and fitting?

Look forward to your advice

Graeme

[Neil.D]

You will always need an amp to give decent sound from 6 9's.
I am 10 years out of the mega bass and phat ICE scene so cannot advise RE exact setup's.
All I can tell you is that a head unit will never power speakers very well as you have found out.

Edited by Neil.D on Friday 28th March 18:38

[1ians]

I would look at fitting an amp and mounting 8" free air subs in the place of the 6x9's. That ought to do it!

[8Tech]

That head unit is only £49 at Amazon!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/KENWOOD-MP3-Car-radio-KDC-...

Looking at the spec of 50W MAX rather than RMS I would say the unit is underpowered for those 6 x 9's.

You have 2 choices, get a better head unit with 4 x 50 RMS such as the Alpine or Pioneer or get a small amp for the rears. The "farting" you hear is the amp overloading and increasing the VOLTAGE to the speakers because it does not have the power to increase the CURRENT. This type of overload is the most damaging possible to the speakers and should be avoided at all costs.

I would get a better head unit and avoid any additional wiring etc, as a new head unit will be a simple plug and play.

8Tech.

[shadowninja]

Check the wires into the 6x9s aren't reversed. I hope you didn't pay a pro to install the 6x9s if this really is the case.

[gwatson]

8Tech said:

get a better head unit with 4 x 50 RMS such as the Alpine or Pioneer
8Tech.

Any suggestions on a head unit beItween £150 to £200... I didn't realise there was a difference between RMS and MAX... thanks for that. Some I've been looking at just say the wattage and not if it's RMS or MAX.

Is 50w MOSFET suitable for my 6x9s? I am thinking this could be a good buy: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pioneer-DEH-P7900UB-MP3-WMA-...

or maybe this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-ALPINE-CDA-9886-US...

Most head units only seem to be 18RMS.. do I need 50watt RMS?

Also.. do the AUX inputs lose a lot of quality of proper USB ipod read head units.

G

Edited by gwatson on Saturday 29th March 11:06

Edited by gwatson on Saturday 29th March 11:17

Edited by gwatson on Saturday 29th March 11:19

[gwatson]

I am thinking of this head unit, will this allow me to attach an amp if the head unit doesn'd do the trick?

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/25/121/61/DEH... dex.html

or

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/products/25/121/61/DEH...

Does having a USB connection provide much better sound quality from an ipod over an aux cable?

Edited by gwatson on Saturday 29th March 23:07