Car Audio

[Pinturicchio]

Needing some help understanding car audio, guys

I have a stock 6-speaker sound system which I want to upgrade, the bass isn't too great.

I have two tweeters just behind the windscreen, two Speakers in the front door and two in the back doors.

The music I listen to is drum n bass and hardcore (not the dance variety)

I just don't know where to start, I've tried reading about it but it's hard to understand

I'd be looking for a subwoofer first, could somebody recommend me one for the music I listen to, or a few differently priced ones.

If I get a subwoofer that means I need an amp, right? Unless one is already built in. Could you please offer me advice on buying an amp?

Any other advice I need to know when/if I choose to replace my stock head unit or Speakers?

Advice will be MUCH appreciated!

[Jan van de Wouw]

What kind of budget are you thinking about?

And do you want to sacrifice what little boot space there is,

or does the boot have to remain useable???

[adilmon]

I would start with an Active Sub, which is the one with an Amp built in. Halfrauds have rebranded a Mutant 200W Active sub and sell it for half the price (£50), which is great value, although it is still 100W. Starting off with an active sub, which fits under your seat, is not only easier to fit, but if it suits your needs (like me) you can stop there, without having spent £100s on a new head unit, amp, Speakers, labour etc. Also, if you can avoid changing the head unit, it will be less attractive to thieves.

http://thebassbin.co.uk/shop/product/products_id/4114.html

and

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ategoryrn_98185

Next step would be a new head unit and upgrading the front Speakers to a decent brand (leave the rear Speakers alone for now, in case you fancy swapping them for 13cm instead of standard 10cm). Reason being that the standard head unit output is very low. A 4x50W headunit should help get the best out of the speakers with minimal labour and should only cost about £150.

Only then, if you're still not happy with the sound, would I suggest sacrificing the miniscule boot space with and amplifier and sub. If you go this far, you're probably looking at £300+ and with the labour of routing all the wires I think a minimum of a 500watt amp and sub will be worth the effort. Fitting the sub and amp in the spare wheel well is also an option.

[Pinturicchio]

What kind of budget are you thinking about?

And do you want to sacrifice what little boot space there is,

or does the boot have to remain useable???

Hi Jan

I have a budget of around £200-£300 for the sub/amp

I don't mind about boot sacrificing the boot, I never use it anyway.

I would start with an Active Sub, which is the one with an Amp built in. Halfrauds have rebranded a Mutant 200W Active sub and sell it for half the price (£50), which is great value, although it is still 100W. Starting off with an active sub, which fits under your seat, is not only easier to fit, but if it suits your needs (like me) you can stop there, without having spent £100s on a new head unit, amp, speakers, labour etc. Also, if you can avoid changing the head unit, it will be less attractive to thieves.

http://thebassbin.co.uk/shop/product/products_id/4114.html

and

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/...ategoryrn_98185

Next step would be a new head unit and upgrading the front speakers to a decent brand (leave the rear speakers alone for now, in case you fancy swapping them for 13cm instead of standard 10cm). Reason being that the standard head unit output is very low. A 4x50W headunit should help get the best out of the speakers with minimal labour and should only cost about £150.

Only then, if you're still not happy with the sound, would I suggest sacrificing the miniscule boot space with and amplifier and sub. If you go this far, you're probably looking at £300+ and with the labour of routing all the wires I think a minimum of a 500watt amp and sub will be worth the effort. Fitting the sub and amp in the spare wheel well is also an option.

I was going to get a nice 4x50W headunit as you suggested and risk thieving little gits.

For my £200-300 budget, what amp and sub could you recommend me for the music I listen to? (drum n bass, rock, hip hop, rap)

Would any Alpine products suit my taste and budget?

Thanks so much guys

[Jan van de Wouw]

Both Alpine and Pioneer make an Active Sub that will easily fit

under the passenger seat and will not break your budget.

Alpine SWD1600:

Pioneer TS-WX11A:

I actually have the latter installed in my Aygo:

It's "only" 150W, but imho that's plenty of power for such a small car,

especially if the sub is so close to you, with no dampening from being in the boot...