Team-BHP - ICE for a true audiophile. Best 'real' sound quality?

Hello all,

The question is simple. I need the best sounding audio system for my car. But, the catch is this. My idea of best sounding is the one which, with the EQ off, would give me the most neutral sound quality - the way the producers of the albums intended them to be heard. I am someone who believes Bose speakers are a piece of crap. I use studio monitors for my computer speakers.

I have read the basic articles on ICEing in the forum and with the research following it, I got nowhere. Can you guys suggest me a complete setup with 2 or 4 speakers that would give me the best possible clarity / sound quality?

I listen mainly to Jazz and rarely, classic rock. I am only 22 though. And, the car would be my first car - Hyundai Accent, which I will hopefully get in another 2-3 weeks.

Budget? Hmmm, would 25-30k be good enough? The lesser the better but I would of course like to get the most bang for the buck, the bang here not standing for heavy bass but perfect low, mid and high frequency response.

Thanks in advance!

Which studio monitors are you using at home? Maybe this could help identify your definition of good sound quality.

Anyway, you should look at either 5.25" or 6.5" speakers for the front. Avoid rear speakers if no one is going to occupy the rear seats. A sub, and a 4 channel amp to drive everything should do it.

Also make sure you know an experienced and knowledgeable installation fellow in your neighbourhood.

I can't edit my post till it gets approved so pardon my double post.

Thanks for the breakdown Navin. I got a similar one from your sticky thread too. But, I would love to know some specific options (models, etc) so I can research on them online (if reviews for these would be available) before talking to the accessory shops in Chennai. Thanks again!

P.S.: I don't listen to MP3s. All I need in functionality is the ability to play CDs and the ability to plug in my FLAC Player or iPhone (ALAC encoded songs). Thanks!

Jazz. Bright sound is what i'd prefer with Jazz.
Try JBL GTO 608c ( 4k without bill and warranty ) - bang for the buck.
HU - Pioneer (5050 or something like that 7k-approx-maybe)
4 Channel Amp. - Try a used 75.4 or you will have to do with Blaupunkt (not sure about model no. 7k approx)
GZTW 12MK² - 5500 + 1500 ( Enclosure - Sealed)

3k Damping
2k Wiring

I shall work backwards too!
Honestly, LYNX, if you have such a HUGE understanding of music, then I would think that 25-30k will not help you get anywhere to close to how the Producers of Music intend you to listen to it!
I'd say, BANG for buck can be obtained at a higher budget too, and since you are the kind who loves music the way it should be, here's an honest suggestion from me! Just a suggestion, not a compulsion, since i will be crossing the 25-30k limit in a big way, but making sure you have the best music playing in your car.

Damping: Front Doors: Rs 3000
Wires, RCA's and Installation+ enclosure for the sub: Rs. 7000
Head Unit: Alpine CDA-9886: 12500; Pioneer P80RS: 15000 grey CDA-9887: 21500 if you know what Time Alignment is and feel the DIRE need for it, since you deal with studio speakers anyways!
Components: Illusion Audio Electra EL 6.1: Best bang for your buck in 7k!/ JBL power Series 6560- 10k
Sub: Ground Zero TW-38T- 13k very musical sub!
Amplifier: Now here's where one CAN go wrong. The budget amps are not recommended if you like you music CLEAN, hence a more powerful amp should be used for cleaner sound and more power to the sub(in making it blend with the music, and not overpower it) so the amp has got to be either the Ground Zero Entry Level Amp that pushes about 70*4 and is sufficient for the components and sub. Any more models in this range i cant recommend, so only one model from me! 11-15k!

total: rs. 50-55k!

see, i told you, you shouldnt listen to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn (Post 1115930)

an alpine HU, I insist
they start from 8k.

and where are you planning to get it installed ? The right installer makes a world of difference :)
is ekm on your radar?

I live quite close to Chennai so I will probably try to find someone good here. If not, I don't mind traveling anywhere in South India to get it fixed right if that would make a huge difference as you say.

meh, since you use monitors, and bass is not high in your list, lets focus on something else - the MIDS !
suggest you get a good HU, and some good 3 way comps you'll lose a good chunk of the mid range with most two way speakers because of the way the woofer is installed.a 3 way will bring the mids back to a more acessible location
Bi amp the comps using the HU's front and rear channels , mids + tweeters = one channel, woofer = other channel
something along the lines of this
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sound-...e-install.html

Alpine HU ~ 9k
Damping ~5k
Speakers = the rest :D

else if you want to go the conventional way instead of bi amping, throw in a stereo amp for 4k onwards

having studio monitors doesnt mean theres no bass/less bass guys. im sure one cant do with JUST the midbass, however good the midbass is and however good the damping is! he needs a sub. i repeat the fact that a sub is not there to add heavy bass. the sub is there to complement the system and provide the low end that will not be produced by the midbass..

i agree, but i feel that the OP would , given a choice between perfect bass and perfect mids/highs ( given his tight budget), would rather choose the latter , and hence my recommend. the money he spends on a sub would imho be better spent on better comps and damping.

after all, he doesnt have a 2.1 system , does he ;)

@ lynx - Same thought and expectations from audio systems here too. I have been an LP fan and have some good hifi stereo equipment at home. Have similar opinion on Bose.

A true newbie when it comes to ICE, I got my new ride (Bolero) kitted with a pioneer HU, JBL GTO 3 way ovals and smallish JBL front speakers, basic kit which cost me 12K. Not being staisfied with the install, I did visit an ICE specialist in Tnagar with the intention of going for an amp and sub. After he understood my taste, he suggested that i retain the HU and go for a HERTZ amp and component system. He suggested this system would give the hifi sound that I was looking for. The quote was 30K for the amp+speakers and 6K for a custom enclosure.

@ ICE Gurus : Would this configuration give the desired result? All advice and tips welcome. please: