[sridhar_blr80]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

You were powering the sub without powering the front components at least all this while?

You should definitely get a 4 channel amp to power the front and rear. Will cost you ~6K plus some for cables etc. Had you bought a 4ch amp when you bought the 2channel for the sub, you would have had a system that at a pinch didn't need additional investment.

Whom did you ask for repairing the Blau HU? If you haven't already, ask Bosch Service. They will tell you which of the old service centers will repair it for you. Spares shouldn't be a problem.

Now, if you want a new HU, your budget is already shot. A decent 1DIN HU from Kenwood, JVC or Pioneer with the features you desire will cost you ~8K. Check their India websites for the MRP - street prices should be at least 15% less.

@ DerAlte, Thankyou

I will reach out to BOSCH and try to get them to fix the HU.

Can you please suggest HU and 4 CH AMP models that are tried and tested in the market for good performace?

It is Out of my budget but can stage the upgrade one after the other

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by sparkguy

... What can I do to prevent such fluctuations in future since I am fond of playing music in high volume? ...

Originally Posted by archat68

... When you are driving your alternator is supplying the current NOT your battery provided your alternator is OK. ...

Yes and no. Under some conditions some current is *also* drawn from battery. It is OK as long as the drain is not substantial, and for a long time.

@sparkguy, if the engine started normally after this incident, the drain was not much. It is quite likely that the dimming of the roof light led you to believe that the headlamps are also dimming. The smaller low-power incandescent lamps are more sensitive to voltage, and the roof light, for example, shows a perceptible variation between 11 and 12V. The headlamp variation will not be so obvious, unless you have an SPL/SQL system (power rating 1KW and above).

Just remember to have the engine on (even if idling) when you are playing loud.

Originally Posted by sridhar_blr80

... Can you please suggest HU and 4 CH AMP models that are tried and tested in the market for good performace? ...

4-ch amp: Kenwood M846 or a JBL 646.

HU: As I mentioned earlier, check the India websites of Kenwood, JVC or Pioneer

[pavan_jacob]

Hello All,

I have gone through most of the thread and am hoping i am not repeating this query.

So i recently picked up the following ice set up for my Chevy Optra (CNG) :

- HU : Pioneer FH-X559UI
- Front Speakers - Hertz 2 way components. They come with tweeters.

I got this done last week and now want speakers at the back as well.

On asking around i have been told the folllowing:

-- Get a subwoofer and an amp instead of rear speakers - as my current set up is under powered - is it ?

-- Get another set of components for the back

-- Get 3 way Speakers for the back

And now i am royally confused.

I have a budget ranging from 3-8k. I dont need sounds to blow me off my heels. Just a Good thump at the rear, with clear notes and ill be sorted. Help !

Kindly suggest set up, brands and indicative costs if possible.

Thanks in advance Gurus !

[Pheonix]

Originally Posted by pavan_jacob

Hello All,


I have a budget ranging from 3-8k. I dont need sounds to blow me off my heels. Just a Good thump at the rear, with clear notes and ill be sorted. Help !

Kindly suggest set up, brands and indicative costs if possible.

Thanks in advance Gurus !

If i rightly understand your need you need to just get a decent set of 6*9 Coaxials at the rear those will provide you with enought thump. I guess CNG will already rule out the set up for a sub in your case.
Personally i would recommend Polk dxi series ( i am already using them). They do have a very decent thump. or the others recommended here in your budget can be from JBL,Infinity etc.

[archat68]

Originally Posted by pavan_jacob

I dont need sounds to blow me off my heels. Just a Good thump at the rear, with clear notes and ill be sorted. Help !

Have you damped your front doors? If not even proper damping sealing the large holes in the door with damping material will show a decent increase in the thump.

[pavan_jacob]

Originally Posted by archat68

Have you damped your front doors? If not even proper damping sealing the large holes in the door with damping material will show a decent increase in the thump.

No dampening done yet - Am a novice at this - All i figured was i didnt have enough dough to go ahead with the speakers at the rear. And Now i feel that there typically should be speakers behind, hence my current basic set up is incomplete.

[pavan_jacob]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

If i rightly understand your need you need to just get a decent set of 6*9 Coaxials at the rear those will provide you with enought thump. I guess CNG will already rule out the set up for a sub in your case.
Personally i would recommend Polk dxi series ( i am already using them). They do have a very decent thump. or the others recommended here in your budget can be from JBL,Infinity etc.

Thanks for the quick reply Phoenix. I might be able to consider making space in the boot as luggage requirements is very rare. Also, if i can get one of those detachable subs ive been hearing about, it might work right ? Do i even require a sub is the question? or an amp ? I just don't understand why people are telling me that my existing set up is underpowered as it is and that theres no point adding more speakers without an amp... What are your thoughts ?

[archat68]

Originally Posted by pavan_jacob

Do i even require a sub is the question? or an amp ?

The best way to find out will be auditioning a car that has an amp and sub installed. Play your favourite song in both your car and the car with amp+sub setup.
You'll soon find out that you need both . I was in the same dilemma a few weeks ago .

[pavan_jacob]

Originally Posted by archat68

The best way to find out will be auditioning a car that has an amp and sub installed. Play your favourite song in both your car and the car with amp+sub setup.
You'll soon find out that you need both . I was in the same dilemma a few weeks ago .

If i had those resources, i would have never bin in such a dilemma :P ... i know the sub+amp will obviously sounds better - but my initial query was - is it required ? Can i fit it into an 8k budget ?

Thanks for the idea tho !

[sridhar_blr80]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

4-ch amp: Kenwood M846 or a JBL 646.

HU: As I mentioned earlier, check the India websites of Kenwood, JVC or Pioneer

Thanks for your help DerAlte

I picked up JVC 1-DIN CD Receiver KD-R736BT, got the work done @ EVO Bangalore, got my Components powered by existing 2 channel AMP, Overall experience very good so far

Powering my component made a whole lot of difference, he tuned my AMP quite well that is sounds AWESOME

4 CH AMP upgrade - postponed to future.

Cheers,
Sri

[archat68]

Originally Posted by pavan_jacob

If i had those resources, i would have never bin in such a dilemma :P ... i know the sub+amp will obviously sounds better - but my initial query was - is it required ? Can i fit it into an 8k budget ?

Thanks for the idea tho !

Go to any good installer and ask him for a audition in a car.

Sub+amp in 8k wouldn't be possible unless you go for some used items.
A decent 4 ch amp like Kenwood 846 would cost you 5.5K
12inch sub +enclosure : 6-7K
wiring for amp: 1K
damping (front doors): 2-3K

What you can do is get the Amp and power the front comps through the amp, damp the doors. Enjoy till you get some more cash in hand then get the sub and connect to the Amp.

[pavan_jacob]

Originally Posted by archat68

Go to any good installer and ask him for a audition in a car.


What you can do is get the Amp and power the front comps through the amp, damp the doors. Enjoy till you get some more cash in hand then get the sub and connect to the Amp.

Installers can do that ?? Damn, i wish i knew ! Thanks for the Info archat68.

I think I'll go in for the Amp idea. Sounds good. I am getting some great sound and thump as it is, the amp + Dampening will enhance that aye? That should be fun !

[NMS]

Originally Posted by NMS

Hi Friends,

I am not much of a audiophile, but I definitely like listening to good music while driving.


I have been searching a lot of threads here to try and make up my mind for a good setup. However, each time I visit a thread I end up being more confused. And my illiteracy of the ICE terms make the task even more difficult.
I would really be grateful if I can get suggestions about a good ICE setup for a safari.

This is where it started.

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

At that price you will be able to get an ICE installed. One that is powerful, loud, bassy but not very accurate and might fall short of your expectations.

Originally Posted by navin

Beginning Budgets............plus install costs

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Speakers......And please don't compare the headphones with ICE - different listening conditions. For sure it will be better than the Bose, but still.

DAMN !

Originally Posted by NMS

Thanks for the help guys !! Next update on this thread from me will be when I am actually out trying out and buying stuff !!

Friends, finally got Safari Storme ! I had posted the queries sometime in December for a purchase that was to happen in May, and finally happened in August !! Phew!! One of the main things on the agenda was to get a good ICE done, before I start getting comfortable with the existing setup.

So I had been through the suggestions posted per my requirements, and I thought I had all of them memorized ! Armed with the understanding, and reviews of Poona Motors Camp, I went straight to them without bothering to inquire elsewhere.
There I was introduced to Vinit Chauhan, and all I was able to tell him was that I wanted a decent ICE setup for my Safari ! He took charge and started suggesting several configurations ... That's where I lost track.. I did mention that I need a neat install without the wires being cut or tampered with, which he promised to adhere to. He then asked me my budget. Post that he gave me 3-4 choices for each component. Here is what we finally decided upon (rather he decided, I only agreed ! )

Head Unit: Default Alpine.
Front: Hertz Energy Series.
Rear: Infinity.
Sub: JBL or Ground Zero, depending on my choice. Finalized JBL.
Amplifier: Ground Zero. 4 Channel I believe
Damping: Dynamat. Only on Front doors. 3 Sheets were used.
Wiring: Something in a very nice looking packaging. Costed me around 3K.

Since it is only the two of us who drive around, we were keen on having a good setup in the front. And it sure is awesome.

We also sat in the second row, and realized that there was a slight difference in the sound quality. However, second row doors are not damped as of now. That's next on the agenda.

After finalizing all the details, my wife and I left from there to go gallivanting around Camp. More Importantly we did not have the heart to see the Storme being ripped apart !
Vinit confirmed that he would take around 3 Hours to complete the install.

So exactly after 3 hours we returned. And most of the things were done. The final tune up/balancing was to be done. In fact that was the best time for us to reach so that we could have the system tuned to our liking. So after spending another 30 minutes on the tuning bit, we had the system set up to our liking !
The music was really a music to our ears !

Frankly I couldn't have been happier at that point in time given the resources we pooled into the setup. The total cost came to 33K.

Here are a few points that stand out:

1.) Frankly I was happiest when we reached back to see the car completed in the time frame we were promised. I hate it when people do not stand by the committed time frames.

2.) I remember mentioning once that I am a noob member at Team-Bhp. That made quite a difference

3.) I felt the prices quoted were quite good. And Frankly we did not over shoot the budget much . Though I would really like to know from more knowledgeable members their opinions.

4.) I did come back home and compared the installed components vs the suggested ones. I did realize that the set up more or less was similar to the one I had planned by from the suggestions posted here.

5.)Slightly OT but I guess i should mention.Vinit mentioned a few names of people he knew from Team-Bhp. The first name he mentioned was Sam. And very fondly so. It feels very good to know that people still remember Sam very fondly. That statement really made me happy for a moment. I have never had the opportunity to interact with Sam, something I really wish I could.

IshaanIan, DerAlte and Navin: Thank You Guys ! Your suggestions really helped me in making up my mind. It is surprising that without even having met/interacted for long, you guys could suggest a setup that I had really thought of !

[sparkguy]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

4-ch amp: Kenwood M846 or a JBL 646.

Dear DerAlte; I am going to order JBL 646 and postponing sub to next quarter.

1) Is it wise enough to do this or my system won't sound like an upgraded one without sub
2) Without sub front and rear speakers both would be powered by amp and not by HU. Correct? After connecting sub rear would be on HU
3) Is relay/fuse required to power amp?
4) Anything else I need to consider.

Thanks once again for reading and helping me out.

[coloneljasi]

Right! Here goes....

A friend of mine wants to install a small android tablet in his Hyundai Accent. He wants to fit this into a custom mould which is to be placed in the space in front of the gear lever.

As shown below. Image courtesy of www.gtcarlot.com (flipped to roughly show RHD layout)



The tab has already been procured, a Karbonn A30 tab, but I have unsuccessful in finding a person who can make the mould for me in fibreglass. The initial plan was to get it wrapped in cf finish after deciding on the installation location and the like.

The mould will come in two parts, the first will be a bezel that will hold the tab, one which can be pulled off the main mould for maintenance work. Additionally we could merely get a new bezel made if my friend decides to upgrade the tab in future. The bottom part would hold the bezel and will be sat flush with the centre console.



Is there any person, preferably somewhere in Kerala, who can make this based on this specs and send it over to Calicut? Or I could drive the car down if it is somewhere like Kochi.

Apparently there is only one person in Calicut who does this kind of jobs with fibreglass and he has been incommunicado for some time, or so I've been told by the ICE guy who has agreed to install the tab in my friend's car.

Any help from the ICE experts would be deeply appreciated.