Sony based system

[Vivekphadnis]

Hi all,
I was wondering how this combo would sound. I am planning to buy Sony Xplod CDX F5510 since I do not want to spend too much on my first system. Has anybody used this head unit. Any other Sony head unit recommendations are welcome.
The speaker part is getting me confused. I understand that components are better but what would a fair setup be. I am thinking maybe an Blau or Alpine component system. Or is it better to get 6x9s and some other front speakers. The 5510 has sub pre outs, so I might go in for an amp and sub later.

Thanks,
Vivek

[DCEite]

Vivek, i had recently installed the Sony R5610 in my car... the sound is good.. R5610 is the latest in India... Maruti also recommends it for Swift... and there is not much price difference between 5510 and 5610... so go for sony R5610

[Vivekphadnis]

What speakers did you buy and how much did you pay? Are there any feature upgrades in the 5610 as compared to the 5510?

[Xsailor]

Originally Posted by Vivekphadnis

What speakers did you buy and how much did you pay? Are there any feature upgrades in the 5610 as compared to the 5510?

Hi Vivek,

Me too! I installed the CDXR5610 HU (bough in Dubai 3 weeks back for about INR 6k) and fitted 4 x XS-GF1621X (MRP 1700 a pair less 10% discount with Bill & warranty) 16cm 2 way speakers on all 4 doors (No parcel tray fitting!) of my Swift.
Compared the Audio of F5510 (Ford Ikon) v/s F5610(Swift) and found the F5610 to be richer and crystal clear (the F5510 had 6x9 in the rear!).
Could not find the F5610 on Sony India website but seems fello team member dceite is better informed

BTW, 90% of car acc dealers in Delhi NCR give negative ratings to Sony and recommend their grey market warez - margins are better, I am sure.

Remember - It's a SONY!

Hey Deceite - Thanks for the info re Maruti's recommendation for the 5610! I was unaware.
Cheers

[Stryker]

Hey, Vivek, I have the Sony Xplod CDX-F5510 head unit installed in my car. I have paired it with Sony 4" front speakers and the Infinity 6002i round speakers at the rear. The sound is everything you could hope for.

If you are into listening a wide variety of music, like I am, from Carnatic Classical to R&B to Rap to Hindi movie music, this setup will not disappoint you. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a budget of around 12000/- for their entire system.

[camry93]

Originally Posted by Vivekphadnis

Hi all,
I was wondering how this combo would sound. I am planning to buy Sony Xplod CDX F5510 since I do not want to spend too much on my first system. Has anybody used this head unit. Any other Sony head unit recommendations are welcome.
The speaker part is getting me confused. I understand that components are better but what would a fair setup be. I am thinking maybe an Blau or Alpine component system. Or is it better to get 6x9s and some other front speakers. The 5510 has sub pre outs, so I might go in for an amp and sub later.

Thanks,
Vivek

I have the Sony Xplod system installed in my Petra. Details as under:
* Sony 5510 (plays Atrac, Rs. 8990),
* OE speakers in the front (dealer said its better with OEM, Rs. 1100),
* Sony XPlod 6937 (Rs. 3400) in the rear.
* No amps and no subwoofers.

I mainly listen to a lot of rock and the setup is providing me with a lot of oomph. The only quibble I have is that the speaker shivers a little and creates a rattle at louder volumes. But thats a mounting issue. Do ensure that this does not happen in your setup.

A recommendation: Download Sony's SonicStage software and create your own playlists in ATRAC mode. Then you can cut these playlists on a CD. I think one CD should be able to hold quite a few playlists. The Sony 5510 has this great facility of browsing through playlists.

[Sam Kapasi]

<<<< The speaker part is getting me confused. I understand that components are better but what would a fair setup be. I am thinking maybe an Blau or Alpine component system. Or is it better to get 6x9s and some other front speakers.>>>>

Hi vivek,

A couple of things. Only in India do we CUT all cars to install 6X9s. not always a good idea. I would always recommend stack sizes, and good speaker brands. Sony do make excellent head units at those nice prices.
Components are FAR superior to regular speakers. The sonic staging (huh??) provided by components will add a fantastic realism.

Put a set of compos in the front and a stock size 6" 3 way in the rear. Trust me.

[Vivekphadnis]

Ok. This is going to shock all you guys. I checked out both Sony and Pioneer head units. I somehow felt that the Pioneer had better midrange clarity than the Sony with the same set of speakers. I was a little scared of fake Pioneer sets but a good friend who put me on to a dealer who supposedly deals with good maal. With a prayer on my lips, I bought the DEH P5750 MP.

I am planning to buy Blaupunkt/Alpine/JBL speakers. I have to check them out to decide.

Thanks,
Vivek

[Vivekphadnis]

Can anyone tell me how the Blaupunkt/Alpine/JBL speakers would mate with the Pioneer 5750. The shop where I bought the HU from told me that this set will go well only with Pioneer speakers. Personally, I think this theory is nonsense. Inputs are most welcome.
Cheers,
Vivek

[navin]

Vivek. there is no rule. as a rule more sensitive speakers mate better with HUs and Hus cant deliver much more than 10W rms/ch. but speake rating differs so much from one manufacturer to another that 88db/w/m of one manufacturer can be 91db/w/m of another and that is a big difference. so you gotta try. there is no substitute for expereince. Sam K might be help more. he is more uptodate. I just realised after talkng to Viper that I am a fossil.

[Vivekphadnis]

With a basic front/rear speaker setup I aim to get good mids and highs. If I feel I need lower bass extension I might add a sub. So I do not intend to drive the HU's internal amp very hard.

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by Vivekphadnis

Can anyone tell me how the Blaupunkt/Alpine/JBL speakers would mate with the Pioneer 5750. The shop where I bought the HU from told me that this set will go well only with Pioneer speakers. Personally, I think this theory is nonsense. Inputs are most welcome.
Cheers,
Vivek

Utter Cr*p. There are companies like JBL and Kicker etc that only make speakers! That logic itself means it's nonsense.
I am a little surprised that you preferred the Pioneer, but not shocked. Often the human ear percieves unnatural treble as improved clarity. To each his own i always say. My mothers daal is always better than yours. Your money, your car, your sound. Pioneer have good sound and good features.
I suggest you dont buy pioneer speakers. The mating results in a harsh terble that will give you listening fatigue.
Go for a specialist speaker. It'll cost a little more, but trust me it's worth it.

[Vivekphadnis]

I realise that speakers are the most important component of the audio chain. The speaker is where the electrical signal is converted to sound. So, it makes sense to go for good transducers.

I was considering both Sony and Pioneer. But I believe Pioneer is more reliable. That is what I have heard. I might even build my own external amp with discrete components and bypass the internal IC power pack.

[Sam Kapasi]

<<<<< was considering both Sony and Pioneer. But I believe Pioneer is more reliable. That is what I have heard. I might even build my own external amp with discrete components and bypass the internal IC power pack.>>>>>>

It's debatable. I'd rather buy a speaker from a Speaker Manufacturing company.
It's nice to hear that you're capapble of building your own 12V operable power amp. My suggestions:
By discrete components i assume you mean you're not going to build a crappy STK or car IC based amplifier. If it's a mosfet based amp, you'll have to be careful building the chopper circuit for the conversion from 12V to 45V.
Also if you're shielding is improper, you'll pick up some serious electrical whine.
I would recommend this option only for the super super terribly most advanced brainiacs. Building an amp is kind of ok types difficult, but building an automotive amplifier.... well WOW!

Have fun building the amp.

[Vivekphadnis]

I was talking about the reliability of the HUs. As you said, I prefer speakers from a speaker mfg company.
I will certainly not be building amps using the STK, TDA or other ICs. Sorry, no way. They are for beginners. I was looking at amps with MOSFET or bipolar output stages. Discrete amps certainly give better transient currents, particularly when a subwoofer amplifier is concerned.
I know it is a big challenge. But after building several amps (and taking them apart) for home audio, it is time to graduate to bigger challenges. What do you say?

Cheers

p.s: which JBL/Blaupunkt 6x9 (rear) and 4/5/6 inchers (front) will be good for my Alto and any idea about the price?