Santro ICE - Installation & Tuning Queries

[nura]

Thank you for all the help you have already given.

My Car
Santro LS 2002

Present ICE Setup
HU Sony CDX-MP50 with 2 pairs of pre-amp outs of 2 volts
Pioneer TS-D690R 6 x 9 inch 2-way ovals, with built-in crossovers LPF -6db/ octave & HPF -12db/ octave, yellow colour, on an MDF tray at the rear
Pioneer TS-G1010R 4 inch, 2-way, mounted in stock dash location
Pioneer TS-S250 40 mm ceramic horn tweeters, with built-in -6db/ octave capacitor, mounted on top of the dash
All the speakers are driven by the HU

Upgrade Plans
Retain old HU
Hertz Hi Energy HSK 163 3-way components
Image Dynamics IDQ12D2V.2 sub in a sealed box
Audison SRx5 amplifier
Audison power, RCA & speaker cables
Fonomat sound-deadening sheets

The new items have been delivered & I hope to get them installed & tuned with your help in a few days.
A big thank you once again to TBHP.

[shuvc]

Wow . What an upgrade.
Doc, I thought you would be getting the installation done this weekend and then we might get the chance to check it out during the 15th meet.

[nura]

Hi Shuvc. I'm an old man, so a little slow-moving. And I have an old car, which is capricious at times. I had given it to the workshop to get the grease off the doors & now the central locks are playing up. I think I need to get them fixed before sealing off the service holes with Fonomat during the ICE installation. Also awaiting some beautiful spacer rings from Gunbir.

[razor4077]

Wow! That's a heck of a list! Not even gonna ask u how much it's setting u back by!! Like I requested before, do keep pictoral logs of the equipment and the install process.

Can't wait to sample the sound. Probably the first Audison+Hertz setup in Cal (at least that I am aware of).
Only one thing doc... you're sparing no expense with the equipment. So why retain the old HU? Am sure you can do better than the Sony

[nura]

Thanks for your suggestions, Razor. Have a vague plan to upgrade the HU after a few months, if necessary. Do you think it will be very difficult trying out a few HU's in my car, once everything is in place?

[shuvc]

Originally Posted by nura

Do you think it will be very difficult trying out a few HU's in my car, once everything is in place?

That does seem to make sense. You can feel the difference each HU makes. The problem could be easy 'demo' access to your shortlisted HUs - presuming you'll be considering some high end HUs.

And sir, very soon you'll could also start getting suggestions for upgrading your car

[razor4077]

Originally Posted by nura

Do you think it will be very difficult trying out a few HU's in my car, once everything is in place?

Not really. But it helps if you know the dealer. I tried the Pio 7950UB and the Alpine CDE-9881 before settling for the latter. Even to a non-audiophile for me, the difference in SQ was tangible.
When you're shopping for HU's, let me know and I'll give Vinay (of Glix) a call, and ask him to be nice to you

[low_bass_makker]

Originally Posted by shuvc

That does seem to make sense. You can feel the difference each HU makes. The problem could be easy 'demo' access to your shortlisted HUs - presuming you'll be considering some high end HUs.

And sir, very soon you'll could also start getting suggestions for upgrading your car

The change of sound with the change of HU is like change of sound due to the speakers. Like if you hear a sony, blau, pioneer, alpine you can feel the difference but there will be quite less difference between 4950 and 7950.

[nura]

Thanks Shuvc, Razor & LBM. Was vaguely thinking of the Alpine CDA-9856 & would welcome your comments about it. A car upgrade doesn't look likely in the near future. More dampening sheets seem to be a cheaper alternative!

[hydrashok]

Originally Posted by nura

Thanks Shuvc, Razor & LBM. Was vaguely thinking of the Alpine CDA-9856 & would welcome your comments about it. A car upgrade doesn't look likely in the near future. More dampening sheets seem to be a cheaper alternative!

Believe me, you'll need a new HU to really know how good the Audison+Hertz+IDQ combo (Esp. The HSKs) can sound. The current Sony will not even begin to do justice to the rest of the equipment. That said, take it slow. You've spent a pretty packet on the new stuff. Upgrade when comfortable.

The 9856 will sound very good with the new equipment. I say this from having listened (quite a bit) to a BlauHU+Audison+Hertz+IDQ combo (mine), a PioHU+Audison+Hertz and two Alpine+Audison+Hertz combos. there is a world of difference. Two of my friends (non-TBHP) have great-sounding Alpine + Hertz combos that I've listened to quite a bit.

I've listened to the 9856 (with HERTZ) in another BHPians car and I loved it. The 9857 (also listened-to with Audison+HERTZ in a BHPian's car) is also a really good buy if you want to spend the extra 4K. I've had my eyes on a 9857 for quite a while now, except that my finances are in complete disagreement with my heart :(

EDIT: If you spot a 9833 or a 9835 in somebody's car, try and con it off him ASAP! I've been on the lookout for these here, but they are hard to find. You can always sweet-talk the owner into selling it to you so he can upgrade to a more "modern" and bling HU

[swathyd]

How much you are paying for fonomat sound deadening sheets ?

[nura]

@Hydrashok - Thanks for your suggestions. Any idea about 9856 & 9857 prices?
@Swathyd - If I'm not mistaken, Fonomat is Rs 225 per sheet.

[low_bass_makker]

Originally Posted by nura

@Hydrashok - Thanks for your suggestions. Any idea about 9856 & 9857 prices?
@Swathyd - If I'm not mistaken, Fonomat is Rs 225 per sheet.

What is the size of the sheet ?

[nura]

@LBM - The sheets are a little small, approx 10" x 10", but should be easier to install, with less need for cutting.

[nura]

What is closed cell foam & how does one use it to sound-deaden the doors?