Car Audio Advice from the Audio Gurus: Use "Search thread" before posting a new Q!

[navin]

There is a sticky for those with budgets upto 30K. Since I have penned it please read it with a pinch of Sam, B&T etc...

[Xfade]

Hi Car Guru's

Need suggestions from all of you to upgrade the ICE setup for my SANTRO XING.

Current Installation:
Kenwood HU KRC 108S (Cassette/Tuner)
Front & Rare Speaker provide by the dealer

Planned Upgrade:
Pioneer HU 6850
Pioneer TS-G421 (Front 10CM 2 Way Speakers)
Pioneer TS-A6981S (Rear 6"X9" 4 Way Speakers)

Accroding to me ICE should be installed from SINGLE OEM rather than mixing with different vendor's product.

I want to avoid usage of AMP and SUB. I think the HU output should enough to drive all the speakers and rear speaker will be enough for BASS. Please post your suggesstions on my Planned ICE upgrade.

Thx

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by Xfade

Planned Upgrade:
Pioneer HU 6850
Pioneer TS-G421 (Front 10CM 2 Way Speakers)
Pioneer TS-A6981S (Rear 6"X9" 4 Way Speakers)

Accroding to me ICE should be installed from SINGLE OEM rather than mixing with different vendor's product.

I want to avoid usage of AMP and SUB. I think the HU output should enough to drive all the speakers and rear speaker will be enough for BASS. Please post your suggesstions on my Planned ICE upgrade.
Thx

First of all please state your budget & listening tastes for the guru's to determine what would be suitable.

Secondly, you are making some sweeping statements like the HU's power should be enough & that sticking to one brand is recommended. Have you done some research on this or just heard it from somebody? 'Cause the way you state it, it looks more as if you're giving suggestions rather than asking for them.

Here's my 2 cents: Same brands speaker are preferable in a setup but same brand HU or Amp is not necessary. It's always better to buy speakers from a brand which specializes in them (hint: avoid Sony speakers!!) In some cases not all brands manufacture everything like JBL does only speakers, amps, subs etc. no HU or screens. Also some brands are great at making HU's while some make great speakers and so there are many specialist manufacturers across the globe. No one brand makes all of the required products which are all best in their category. So you have to pick & choose what brands you want/like.

My advice would be to take a CD you like to listen to and test out speakers from a few different brands and buy the ones you like sound wise. Moral being to use your ears as they are the best judges of what you like. Similarly you can try if an amp makes a difference or if a sub is needed. Also just for your information the best sounding setups almost always use amps & subs but they are not necessarily for the boom but for the low notes.

EDIT: Also if you can find the time go through this thread or atleast as much as you can, believe me you'll learn a LOT about car audio & it's do's & dont's.

[NIP]

Originally Posted by s0uljah

My dads colleague has booked Fiesta diesel in Cochin and is planning to bring it to Bangalore for his son... called me to find out regarding ICE as he has no clue.

He is keen to put in a subwoofer as well so in all probability the HU will need to be replaced I reckon.

Suggestions/Ideas please

whatta dad !! subwoofer even !!

[navin]

Originally Posted by iraghava

...some brands are great at making HU's while some make great speakers....

Rags, take it easy. You'll scare everyone.

XFade, It might be better to consider "best of breed" instead of one brand systems.

Your Pio HU looks fine, Consider other speakers but compare them to your chosen Pioneers so you know what the differences are. Audio is a journey (albeit a long, strange one) not a destination.

[Xfade]

Thx Rags & Navin for your inputs, I have been looking through the Car Audio threads from quite long time, but every one has different taste for music. For me even a small vibration of paper on the dashboard makes me annoyed.

I listen to Ghazals (jagjit Singh), Punjabi (Dr. Zeus) , Hindi Pop (Kailash Kher) , New Hindi Movie songs (Woh Lamhe). I have given some names which will help you to get more idea on the kind of music i listen to.

MY BUDGET: Around 18 K (Thats why i thought of excluding the AMP & SUB, coz if i include all the things then I might have to go for low quality stuff which i dont want to compromise on. I can go for buying/adding other components later in next 3/4 months )

I have done enough research for HOME THEATER and owns DTS 7.1 systems but new to CAR AUDIO, so I need inputs from all you guru's.

And one more things As I will be buying new car next year so i am looking to move the ICE from my SANTRO to my next car (SEDAN)

[navin]

Originally Posted by Xfade

Thx Rags & Navin for your inputs....

MY BUDGET: Around 18 K ...And one more things As I will be buying new car next year so i am looking to move the ICE from my SANTRO to my next car (SEDAN)

my mistake. i thought i read 30K. senility strikes again.

If you are not looking at a sub...

One option is to Spend about 12K on the HU and about 5K on the speakers. In most cases the speakers might not move from the santro to a sedan while the HU definitely can. The Santro stock options are 4-5" in the front and similar in the rear.

Another option is spending 10K on the HU, 5K on a pair of 6x9 in the rear, and 2.5K on a pair of 4" coax in the front and 1K on a good MDF board. Most sedans will accomodate the 6x9s in the rear (not the Viva or the Octavia but then they are really notch backs). BTW I know this adds up to 18.5K but I'm sure your friendly neighbourhood installer will fit it under 18K.

[Xfade]

So navin, what you say on my planned installation

Pioneer HU 6850
Pioneer TS-G421 (Front 10CM 2 Way Speakers)
Pioneer TS-A6981S (Rear 6"X9" 4 Way Speakers)
MDF Enclousre for Rear Speakers (Can i hook these with Parcel so the boot space is not effected)

Whats your inputs on the PIO speakers? What can be substitute for POI speakers.

[iraghava]

Originally Posted by navin

Rags, take it easy. You'll scare everyone.

Sorry Navin, I think I went overboard there Apologies if I scared anyone!!

[navin]

Originally Posted by Xfade

So navin, what you say on my planned installation

Pioneer HU 6850
Pioneer TS-G421 (Front 10CM 2 Way Speakers)
Pioneer TS-A6981S (Rear 6"X9" 4 Way Speakers)
MDF Enclousre for Rear Speakers (Can i hook these with Parcel so the boot space is not effected)

All you need a MDF tray that is well sealed.

I would consider other speakers as well Alpine, JBL, and a few other speaker manufacturers might offer nicer sound.

[jkdas]

Navinji, some consider teh Pio as better bass pumpers

[navin]

Originally Posted by jkdas

Navinji, some consider teh Pio as better bass pumpers

That is why it always pays to listen with your ears. I like a laid back sound that is not bass heavy or dripping in treble.

[Xfade]

Thx Navin for your inputs, I will check for the Alpine, JBL & HERTZ different speakers (demo) over this weekend.

As of now I think Pioneer HU 6850 is final...

And regarding MDF Enclosure, my question is, Can I install them with Parcel Tray, like sandwitch of speaker, parcel tray and MDF Enclosure?

[karthik247]

Uh, guys...some help

The system in my car was went thru some rewiring recently, and kinda think i have a prob with it. Everytime i use the horn, a crrk (a shory circuit sound) comes from the speakers/tweeters i think. The installer said its some earth connection thing and corrected it, or so i thought. It still keeps happening.

Why does this happen?

[Sam Kapasi]

Hi Kartik,

I have forgotten, did you have an amplifier? What sort of rewiring was done in your car? This is electrical disturbance, could be faulty wiring, improper earthing or even a faulty horn.
Give us a few more details please.