Hi Guys,
I had been dying to get a good ICE in my car but was a bit wary because of some bad experiences and more so because I moved to Bangalore some 4 months ago and didn't know of a trusted place.
Thank God and Thank Google that I came across this great forum. Was totally hooked on it for the 2-3 weeks before the install. One thing was very clear that it would be tough deciding the whole setup on own so pmed Satya(blueraven) as I came across some of his great installs in the posts.
One fine Saturday went to his outlet and for the first time heard some real great installs. One that his Zen has (killer install) and the other of Anant's(Akbaree) palio weekend (though I left before the palio was completely tuned but still the experience was nothing short of music nirvana to me).
Satya assured of a great install in my budget of about 30k.
I already had a Sony head unit. Front Sony coaxials and rear sony 6*9s. Not completely fault that I had a sony. (Now all this is lying in boxes at home)
Satya said that I would have to let go the head unit if I really need a good sound. I agreed and left. Next day heard to his father's Ikon at his place. Liked the sound so decided that would visit him one saturday and everything done.
The story started early morning, reached Satya's place at about 12:30. He prepared a couple of options in my budget range. I was totally unsure as to what I want. I kept screaming Bass-Bass-Bass as I thought that was what good system meant. I listened to his Zen a couple of times with various songs. Still unsure. By that time Anant also came and since Satya was busy with some other customers Anant offered a demo of his now fine tuned Palio. Listened to a couple of Hindi/Punjabi songs which normally I listen to and really liked the way they sounded in his car. He actually made me realise that it was not just about bass but the whole music. The natural sound. He cleared a lot of other doubts. He also suggested that I should go ahead with satya's suggestion of HiFonic Atlas Components and I am delighted that I followed there advice.
Thanks a tonne to Anant for advice and for the demo of install in his car
and a million thanks to Satya for the great advice and great install.
cheers: Cheers to both these Great Guys.
Below is the final list of ICE equipment:
Head Unit: Pioneer 4050
Front Components: 6.5" Hifonics Atlas
EFX 4 Channel Amp HD 4300 : 65x4 RMS at 4 Ohms
HiFonics 12" Sub in Ported MDF Box
EFX Scosche wiring
The entire set up cost around 40 k, a little more than my maximum limit but it is totally worth it.
Some Pics:
The Head Unit
Front Components (mid basses). They had inbuilt Light, though not something that I fancied but looks cool
The tweeters
The sub in the rear.
The boot now shuts with a solid thud (something very non maruti) thanks to some 5kgs of stuffing that has gone into it.
The install is very clean and I wonder if it could have been any cleaner.
A closer look at the amp
Head unit integrates very well with the head unit which is my preferred mode of listening though I totally agree with Anant that an Original CD is Original
Playlists created in Ipod can be seen in the head unit and can be browsed.
I am totally loving the install and simply can't get enough of it. My office commute is just 10-15 mins so before moving I decide what all would I like to listen so that I don't waste time scrolling
The components sound great and I listen to the soft songs as well now and enjoy the finer notes.
Bass is really tight and loud as well. Played the Timbaland song : I like it just the way you are and it felt as if the entire boot was one big Sub, totally floored me. My usual Punjabi songs with dhol and beats sound great as well.
Next I am going to get coaxials in the rear and a steering remote as I don't preety much like the Head Unit knob, everytime I press the centre it goes left or right and so diverts attention. Moreover it is a bit slippery to touch.
Thanks again to Satya for the great install and to Team Bhp gurus who have really explained all of the ICE stuff inside out in the posts.