Amp and subwoofer for SX4

cooljay · 30th June 2009, 21:56

Dear Gurus,
I have 6.5 " bull component speakers installed in the front and bull coax installed in the rear of my SX4. The headunit is the OE and I do not wish to change it although I have been advised to change it for a better music experience. However that is not really an option as I really like the original look of the car and also do not want to lose the steering controls.

My question is this. Is it a good idea to install an amp and subwoofer in case the head unit is not going to be changed? Will it make a huge difference in the sound quality or will it just make it marginally better? At the moment I am just about satisfied with the sound but it is pretty average and I am looking for a richer sound.

In case an amp and sub is recommended, which one to go for. I would like something decent but not very expensive- can spend about 15k at the most.

I have searched the forums but am not able to decide based on the whats been discussed so far.
Look forward to some advice.

anantnehru · 1st July 2009, 10:36

It is possible to change the HU of a Sx4 without losing the steering wheel controls. You get an adaptor, I've forgotten its name; which allows you to retain your steering wheel controls.
I have an amp (Sony 4 Channel), but no woofer. I've two JBL 936s carried forward from my old car and JBL 607c in the front. The sound with this configuration itself was amazing, and I dont really miss having a woofer. I'm toying with the idea of changing the HU myself because if it sounds so good on the OE HU; wonder what it would sound like on say a Pioneer or JVC double din.

ragzv · 1st July 2009, 11:39

Hi cooljay. I had installed a component system (Boston) to the OEM Head Unit of my Swift Dzire which uses the same Nippon Hardware albeit with minor cosmetic changes in SX4.

Though there was perceptible difference in sound quality, I was not satisfied so went ahead and installed a 4ch Amp and 12" Sub (Both JBL). Still something was amiss and finally had to get the HU changed.

Make your choices:

1. Prefer good looks than good sound and on a budget: Install 4 ch Amp. Currently you can power your front compos and rear coaxs from the Amp and later (if) you upgrade to an Sub you can bridge two channels and power the same. In this senario the rear coaxs can take power directly from the HU. You will get a decent Amp-Sub combo from 10k onwards. Audition JBL and few others in the range of 10-15k.
2. Prefer good sound over good looks and exceed your current budget: You will have to spend approx. 10k more on a decent HU. Pioneers are good VFM at this price point. You will also need to buy a dash adapter which will allow the new Single DIN HU to be installed. Should cost between Rs. 2000-2500.

raj_5004 · 1st July 2009, 13:27

according to ragzv, SX4 uses a nippon HU. if that is true, i STRONGLY recommend you to change the HU. the diffrence is sound quality is worth it.

even i miss the steering controls in my scorpio, but the good sound quality more than makes up for it.

ghpk · 1st July 2009, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragzv

so went ahead and installed a 4ch Amp and 12" Sub (Both JBL). Still .

Can you please share the model details and pricing for these ?
thanks

ragzv · 1st July 2009, 23:35

These were purchased around 6 months back:

GT5-A604 - Rs. 6000 (4ch amp)
CS1204T - Rs. 5000 (12" Tube)

Both without bill and warranty.

ghpk · 2nd July 2009, 00:10

thanks for the pricing details raghav ji

Off topic : I was passing by the blaupunkt store and my soul said oh STOP STOP, no don't take out that card, Manu STOP IT, If you get down car I'll SLAP you on Back, drive away, don't get MAD, you shouldn't go for GT4 MKII from blaupunkt, Wait wait, and i drove away :-)

30th June 2009, 21:56	#1
cooljay Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 3 Thanked: 0 Times	Amp and subwoofer for SX4 Dear Gurus, I have 6.5 " bull component speakers installed in the front and bull coax installed in the rear of my SX4. The headunit is the OE and I do not wish to change it although I have been advised to change it for a better music experience. However that is not really an option as I really like the original look of the car and also do not want to lose the steering controls. My question is this. Is it a good idea to install an amp and subwoofer in case the head unit is not going to be changed? Will it make a huge difference in the sound quality or will it just make it marginally better? At the moment I am just about satisfied with the sound but it is pretty average and I am looking for a richer sound. In case an amp and sub is recommended, which one to go for. I would like something decent but not very expensive- can spend about 15k at the most. I have searched the forums but am not able to decide based on the whats been discussed so far. Look forward to some advice.
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 10:36	#2
anantnehru BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 447 Thanked: 14 Times	It is possible to change the HU of a Sx4 without losing the steering wheel controls. You get an adaptor, I've forgotten its name; which allows you to retain your steering wheel controls. I have an amp (Sony 4 Channel), but no woofer. I've two JBL 936s carried forward from my old car and JBL 607c in the front. The sound with this configuration itself was amazing, and I dont really miss having a woofer. I'm toying with the idea of changing the HU myself because if it sounds so good on the OE HU; wonder what it would sound like on say a Pioneer or JVC double din.
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 11:39	#3
ragzv BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 107 Thanked: 8 Times	Hi cooljay. I had installed a component system (Boston) to the OEM Head Unit of my Swift Dzire which uses the same Nippon Hardware albeit with minor cosmetic changes in SX4. Though there was perceptible difference in sound quality, I was not satisfied so went ahead and installed a 4ch Amp and 12" Sub (Both JBL). Still something was amiss and finally had to get the HU changed. Make your choices: 1. Prefer good looks than good sound and on a budget: Install 4 ch Amp. Currently you can power your front compos and rear coaxs from the Amp and later (if) you upgrade to an Sub you can bridge two channels and power the same. In this senario the rear coaxs can take power directly from the HU. You will get a decent Amp-Sub combo from 10k onwards. Audition JBL and few others in the range of 10-15k. 2. Prefer good sound over good looks and exceed your current budget: You will have to spend approx. 10k more on a decent HU. Pioneers are good VFM at this price point. You will also need to buy a dash adapter which will allow the new Single DIN HU to be installed. Should cost between Rs. 2000-2500.
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 13:27	#4
raj_5004 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dubai/Mumbai Posts: 5,238 Thanked: 3,169 Times	according to ragzv, SX4 uses a nippon HU. if that is true, i STRONGLY recommend you to change the HU. the diffrence is sound quality is worth it. even i miss the steering controls in my scorpio, but the good sound quality more than makes up for it.
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 23:35	#6
ragzv BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kolkata Posts: 107 Thanked: 8 Times	These were purchased around 6 months back: GT5-A604 - Rs. 6000 (4ch amp) CS1204T - Rs. 5000 (12" Tube) Both without bill and warranty.
	() Thanks

2nd July 2009, 00:10	#7
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 872 Thanked: 213 Times	thanks for the pricing details raghav ji Off topic : I was passing by the blaupunkt store and my soul said oh STOP STOP, no don't take out that card, Manu STOP IT, If you get down car I'll SLAP you on Back, drive away, don't get MAD, you shouldn't go for GT4 MKII from blaupunkt, Wait wait, and i drove away :-)
	() Thanks