JBL for SX4

[amit]

First things first, I am a novice at ICE. I kept the stock ICE in my last car that I bought in 2003 so I am really unsure of how to go about bettering the speakers in my SX4.

I love music and have reached a point where I just can’t listen to music on the stock speakers. The SX4 speakers are pretty weedy IMO and volume has to be cranked up to atleast 25 and above to have a not so decent output.

Lets see the conditions first:

1. It's a ZXi so the Integrated HU will not be changed.

2. Only the speakers are to be changed. SX4 has 2 speakers in the front and 2 tweeters in the front door with a provision for 2 more speakers in the rear doors.

3. Only the provisions made for the speakers will be used. As far as possible, I would like the keep the 'factory fit'.

The idea is to have 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. Dealer has suggested a amplifier so I could do with tips on that too.

Budget is about 15K without a amplifier.

I was suggested JBL 650C speakers and tweeters. The entire set with installation would cost me Rs.13,000.

I think it’s better to go in for a amplifier. It would really improve the sound experience but do the experts believe that merely changing the speakers and installing a amplifier would make that dramatic an improvement if the HU is not changed?

If I go for a Infinity amplifer with the JBL speakers the entire set would cost me Rs.17,500. I haven't negociated on the cost as I wasn't buying them today.

Dealer also said I can opt for a Blaunkput amplifier with the JBL speakers. This, he said, will be cheaper then the Infinity+JBL speakers. If the difference in costs is going to be a few hundreds or a couple of grand, I feel it would be better to stick to Infinity+JBL. What do you guys think? Is it worth spending more and going in for the infinity? Is Infinity really that much better? Dealer says Infinity+JBL will be better.

The dealer is Bittu Auto Care, Chembur. Anyone having any experience with them? I want a good professional installer. Remember, this is a Maruti we are talking about and looking at their build quality, I don’t want to end up with swanky speakers and rattling door panels.

From reading a bit on this forum, I understand that the SX4 has 6” speakers while the JBL’s are 6.5”. Would that be okay and ensure a proper fit/install? Are the 650C good enough? Does the cost seem okay? Any more/better suggestions? Any problems or concern areas that I should watch out for?

[abhibh]

Originally Posted by amit

[/b]

I was suggested JBL 650C speakers and tweeters. The entire set with installation would cost me Rs.13,000.

If I go for a Infinity amplifer with the JBL speakers the entire set would cost me Rs.17,500.

infinity Amp for Rs 4500 ?? Which amp is this ?

Cost seems to high for 650C even if its included with installation. Is the Damping included in the cost ? I think they will accommodate the speakers with spacer rings.

[DerAlte]

Looks like Bittu is pulling a real fast one (or 2, really):

1. He is overpricing the JBL speakers and making a killing
2. The amplifier (obviously a fake) is a psychological ploy: if you fall for it, he obviously gets to know that you don't know fact from fiction - and he sells a fake safely. If you say anything otherwise, he becomes wiser and smoothly backs out (saying "sorry, galti ho gai") - he has quoted a Blau amp

JBL comps (6K; must be GT5 or the old CS) + JBL ovals (4.5K) + Blau amp (6K) = 16.5K. With b&w, it is still cheaper than the "Infinity" combo even if you account some extra for the wiring etc. - he will make a decent margin anyhow.

[Magma]

Amit ji

Please check out the following link
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...io-thread.html (SX4 ZXi - Integrated HU Audio Thread!!)

then you can check out my query (im in the same soup as you only im getting a dezire which has the same Stock HU as your SX4)
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...dzire-vxi.html (Am i Doomed With respect to ICE in DZire Vxi)

Lastly the installer prices are a little off
i would suggest you get GTO607 componets for the front (these are 6.5inch compos but should be able to fit with spacers) these are for 6500rs with bill , you should be able to get a 8-10% disc. these components sould be AMp driven

now for the rears i suggest what im plannig
Leave the speakers on the rear doors stock-and run them off ur HU

now add an amp in a sealed/ported ( depending on your tastes) in the boot and drive it off the amp

i would like to mention that im an ICE novice too.
So the above is not exactly "guru" advice

Lastly please inform me of your install i would love to accompany you since im gonna be doing almost the same thing very soon!
P.S - Good installers are FM Drive in SAntacruz , Boom in Bandra and theres a chap at opera house/lamington rd too (i can find out more if your interested)
PLs check http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...n-suburbs.html (Reputed ICE INSTALLERS in Mumbai Western Suburbs)

[rocksterraghu]

Originally Posted by amit

Budget is about 15K without a amplifier.

I was suggested JBL 650C speakers and tweeters. The entire set with installation would cost me Rs.13,000.

I think it’s better to go in for a amplifier. It would really improve the sound experience but do the experts believe that merely changing the speakers and installing a amplifier would make that dramatic an improvement if the HU is not changed?

If I go for a Infinity amplifer with the JBL speakers the entire set would cost me Rs.17,500. I haven't negociated on the cost as I wasn't buying them today.

Dealer also said I can opt for a Blaunkput amplifier with the JBL speakers. This, he said, will be cheaper then the Infinity+JBL speakers. If the difference in costs is going to be a few hundreds or a couple of grand, I feel it would be better to stick to Infinity+JBL. What do you guys think? Is it worth spending more and going in for the infinity? Is Infinity really that much better? Dealer says Infinity+JBL will be better.

The dealer is Bittu Auto Care, Chembur. Anyone having any experience with them? I want a good professional installer. Remember, this is a Maruti we are talking about and looking at their build quality, I don’t want to end up with swanky speakers and rattling door panels.

From reading a bit on this forum, I understand that the SX4 has 6” speakers while the JBL’s are 6.5”. Would that be okay and ensure a proper fit/install? Are the 650C good enough? Does the cost seem okay? Any more/better suggestions? Any problems or concern areas that I should watch out for?

If your budget is 15k without an amplifier, buy the 607s and 637s (Since you want it to look stock) - About 6+3 = 9k
You can buy a good 4-channel JBL/Blau amplifier for 8k. I am not sure how good an idea it is to buy Infinity amplifiers for JBLs.

Ask the dealer to quote individual prices instead of the total. We'll have more clarity that way.

[Mr. boombastic]

Any kind of amplification would be better than no amplification...i'm no expert but i would suggest that a amplifier would make a world of diff even if you dont change the HU
i think ur narrowing down urself a lot.....with a budget of 15K only for speakers ur options are vast... i suggest you audition a few set of speakers before u zero in on any
my recommendations would be Infinity, Illusion, Hertz, Ground Zero, JBL

[amit]

I have a basic question. What is the difference between componants and ovals and which one is better?

Here is another quote from a dealer in Vashi. This guy gave me a quote for oval speakers and said though componants are better the clarity is much better in ovals. (go figure!)

Quote from Vashi dealer:

JBL 652 (4 speakers): Rs. 3850

JBL Amplifier 604: Rs.5000! (Looks like an overkill to go in for such a high end one)

Amplifier Kit: Rs. 500.

I was quoted Rs.9300 PLUS installation. On initial negociations, he quoted Rs.9000 INCLUSIVE of installation.

The difference between the two quotes is HUGE.

I asked him if 652 would be a perfect fit since it's 6.5" speakers and he said there would be no problem.

What about the amplifier? Does it really make sense to go in for a 5K amplifier?

[navin]

Originally Posted by amit

Here is another quote from a dealer in Vashi. This guy gave me a quote for oval speakers and said though componants are better the clarity is much better in ovals. (go figure!)

JBL 652 (4 speakers): Rs. 3850
JBL Amplifier 604: Rs.5000!
Amplifier Kit: Rs. 500.

What about the amplifier? Does it really make sense to go in for a 5K amplifier?

components allow the tweeter to be placed closer to your ears and hence improve the imaging.

an amplifier is essential only if you play loud. If you find yourself pushing your HU past it's halfway mark get an amp. The JBL amp is as basic as one can get as a starter amp (others in the same price range are the Pio 6300, Kenwood 8401, and Blau GT4 Special).

[shuvc]

@Amit, I'm no ICE guru, but I'll give you one advise based on experience as a user.

Do not hurry into the install.

Postpone your install by 2-4weeks. Spend a few days (yes, it'll take time - but is worth it) reading through the wealth of information on this forum. Be armed with some more info/knowledge on the basics, ask questions, get clarifications, try and hear fellow T-BHPian ICE installs, chalk out a couple of possible combinations for the money you'd want to spend and then visit some shops.