[avi_hi_im]

Hi everyone,

I have been researching a lot over the past couple of weeks for a neat system for my new Polo. However, I am super confused right now in terms of the equipment.

I would really appreciate if someone can just give me 2-3 options each for the fronts, HU, etc. so that I can can go out, try them and finalize the set up.

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Usual songs I listen to: Hindi filmi, house, techno, rock & hip hop

I do not like sharp sounds. The usual listening time at a stretch is not more than 15-20 minutes with a fortnightly drive from Mumbai to Pune (3 odd hours)

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HEAD UNIT:
I do find the sound from Sony's on the sharper side. I've not heard pioneer/ Kenwood/Alpion/clarion etc. So don't know how they stack up against the Sony.

SPEAKERS:
I would essentially like something which gives me a good balance between the hi's/lows. I like the sound more from the rear/ center rather than the from the front. Also, would 4 or more speakers be ideal/necessary?

Front: Components? Rear: No clue?

AMPLIFIERS:
As far I as know, this would elevate the listening experience so will appreciate if someone could tell me what I need.

SUB-WOOFER:
I don't like thumping sound, but if this achieves the balance then sure don't mind putting in a small one keeping in mind the limited space.

OTHERS:
Damping: Is there a brand I need to get?
Wires: Which is the pref. brand?

INSTALLER:
I live in the Prabhadevi area (Mumbai) but don't mind going an extra mile. Need some advise on where I can procure all equipment and get it fitted without having to worry about the authenticity as well as installation expertise/ quality.

This is IMPORTANT! Need help here. I searched old posts but did not find much.

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Once again, any help would go a long way in defining my music experience



Thanks a lot guys.

Utpal

PS: I just did not get the time in Bangkok to look around. To all those who read and replied to my post, thanks a ton. Appreciate it!

[navin]

What is your budget for the whole system?

30K will get you a HU, amp, speakers and sub.

[avi_hi_im]

Thanks Navin.

Budget is flexible. I can spend up to 35K-45K depending on how much difference does every extra 1000 fetch

[navin]

avi,

since you live in Prabhadevi I'd suggest you go to Bharat Motors at WOrli. Ask for Lila there and let her know you are TBHPian (they have worked on many a TBHPian's car including one of GTO's and one of mine). Here is a review of their work
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/mumbai...li-mumbai.html


Your budget spread would oook something like this

1. HU: Pioneer or Alpine @ 8K Get one with 3 pre outs and subwoofer level control
2. Amp: Kenwood 8405, JBL644 or Pioneer6400 @ 6K
3. Front and Rear Speakers: JBL GT5 series (265 in front and cox in rear) @ 8K
4. Subwoofer: JBL GT5-12 or GTO 1215 in sealed box @6-8K
5. Damping of front doors and hatch: 3K
6. Wires and install: 3K
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34-36K depending on subwoofer used.

If you are looking at 45-50K you can replace the JBL speaker with DLS's Performance series (components in the front and coax in the rear) and get a 3 ch amp to drive sub and all 4 speakers.

1. HU: Pioneer or Alpine @ 8K Get one with 3 pre outs and subwoofer level control
2. Amp: DLS CA31 @ 12K
3. Front and Rear Speakers: DLS K6 / 226 @ 14K
4. Subwoofer: DLS W312 in sealed box @10K
5. Damping of front doors and hatch: 3K
6. Wires and install: 3K
-----------------
51K

[avi_hi_im]

Thanks a lot Navin for the detailed reply. Infact I've been going to Bharat for my i10 servicing since a year and a half now. They are quite professional. No doubt.

Q1: But would they be good for buying the ICE also or only the install.?

Since, I didnt hear from anyone on this thread, I was thinking of getting the install done at 4 seasons tardeo (B&T). Guess, he's pretty good.

Also, just to add to the confusion:

Q2: If I avoid putting in the sub-woofer, do I still choose between the JBL GT5's/ DLSK6 or I need some other speakers (may be Polk, Infinity) to make up for the lost bass.

Again, I would prefer a nice balance between the bass and treble, hovering lil bit around the bass side. Also, Prefer sound coming in from the rear, rather than the front.

Please let me know. I plan to set up an apt. with either Bharat or Ajay sometime around 18-19th.

Couldnt get my car registered today on account on EiD and then the Sat-Sun

Look forward to some other veterans stepping up and helping me out!!

Thanks again!

-U

[montyguru]

super! +1.

my two bits. i wouldn't recommend JBL, i would suggest for speakers or component sets with silk dome tweeters, they wouldn't be sharp. i don't know if higher series in JBL has silk dome tweeters, the basic ones don't.

[ventoman]

avi,

Have you finalized the HU and rest of the kit by now?
I am thoroughly confused as you were, in trying to upgrade the HU for my yet to be delivered Vento.

My requirement for a HU is a double din with variable color display, ipod, usb and bluetooth. I prefer a Pioneer HU, but they all seem to come with a blue display, which would not match Vento's theme (in red).

Apologies for hijacking your thread. But I am eagerly looking forward to your choice of HU and as well as suggestions from Gurus, which could help my decision as well.

[Mi10]

Originally Posted by montyguru

super! +1.

my two bits. i wouldn't recommend JBL, i would suggest for speakers or component sets with silk dome tweeters, they wouldn't be sharp. i don't know if higher series in JBL has silk dome tweeters, the basic ones don't.

I dont think all Silk dome's are laid back or for that matter all aluminium domes are sharp.

You need to hear the JL CS sereis (Aluminium dome) and the Morel' s (Silk domes) tweeters

[navin]

Originally Posted by avi_hi_im

Q1: But would they be good for buying the ICE also or only the install.?
Q2: If I avoid putting in the sub-woofer, do I still choose between the JBL GT5's/ DLSK6 or I need some other speakers (may be Polk, Infinity) to make up for the lost bass.

1. I normally buy atleast some (if not all) of my ICE from the installer. The installer get a commision (I know that) but that extra earning also keeps the installer more interested in my install.

2. No 6" will compensate for the bass a good sub can produce. I'd consider components that are laid back like Illusion, Infinty etc.. Polk and JBL are more forward.

Originally Posted by Mi10

I dont think all Silk dome's are laid back or for that matter all aluminium domes re sharp.

I agee. There are too many exceptions to make that rule really relevant.

[sanjayc]

Originally Posted by navin

If you are looking at 45-50K you can replace the JBL speaker with DLS's Performance series (components in the front and coax in the rear) and get a 3 ch amp to drive sub and all 4 speakers.

Navin,

As per this link Performance CA31 - 2x65 W + 1x170 W 3-ch amplifier
CA31 is a three channel amplifier with a nominal output of 2 x 65 Watts + 1 x 170 Watts (1 x 280 Watts in 2 ohm).
- Built-in high-pass, low-pass and subsonic filters.
- Variable phase control on sub channel.
- Protection circuits shut down the amplifier in the event of overloads.
- High level input with auto start.
The perfect amplifier for a standard installation with a front system in stereo and a subwoofer in the back.
- RMS output power @ 13,8 V, 20Hz - 20 kHz

Just curious to know... you are suggesting for two 3-channel amps or a single one will be enough for 2 fronts + 2 rears + sub?

[navin]

you can use the Hu's output to drive the rears. If you want to drive all 4 speakers by an amp the CA51 would be needed. Sorry for teh mis-coomunication it comes from senility and trying to do 2-3 things at a time.

[avi_hi_im]

Hi guys,

This is what I am heading towards. Please advise whether this setup would be ideal for my tastes.

Also, the cost for the overall set up including wires for the amps & speakers, installation is around 80-85K.

Head Unit - Alpine 105
Front Speakers - Focal Polyglass 165VB
Rear Speakers - Focal Polyglass 690CVX
Subwoofer - MTX RT12
Amp for speakers - Auditor RIP 4280
Amp for subwoofer - Auditor RIP 2300
Damping - Noise Kill

Hope I am not missing any important equipment.

Also, I would like to bring this down a bit. For me, the obvious choice would be to avoid the sub + 1 amp for now. However, this brings the overall cost to about 60-65K.

Can someone please suggest something in the 40-45K range without having to compromise too much on sound quality (again, not a fan of sharp sounds)

Thanks and please please keep the replies coming in!

Appreciate all your help.

[montyguru]

Originally Posted by avi_hi_im

Hi guys,
Can someone please suggest something in the 40-45K range without having to compromise too much on sound quality (again, not a fan of sharp sounds)

do you want 4 speakers in your car? if you can do with one component set and a subwoofer then you can go for a 100w 4 ch amp on lines of JBL 1004, that'll save you money. rear fills can also be run direct from head unit. fronts and woofer be amplified with the 4 channel.

MTX also has a base bin for around 12k, pre-amplified woofer with in-built amp. though it's not the same as having a mono and a sub in a box.

[Mi10]

Knock off the rears
Knock of the Amp for the sub
Look at some good Subs under 10-12K
Move the Damping to phase 2 if it still exceeds your current budget

[novice29]

Hi All,

I would be buying a new VW Polo TDI TL soon and planning for a basic ICE setup. I have used 2 brands so far, Alpine HU with Alpine Speakers for a Maruti Estilo and Xplod with JBL speakers for Maruti Swift. I do not have any experience with other brands. I am quite happy with the Alpine product and no problem for going for it once again. I visited some of the dealers in my town and got some price quotes. As my username indicates, I am a novice in these things. Please help me to decide on a fair deal.

Quote-1
Head Unit:Alpine CDE-W203E - 13500
Speakers Front: Alpine SPS 17 C2 - 3000
Speaker Rear: Alpine SPS 17 C2 - 3000
HU Case: 2500 (dealer saying that since VW Polo cannot accommodate a double din HU in stock, he needs to get a case for mounting it. Is this true?)
Wires, Connectors, Installation, etc. : 1000
Total : 23000 Rs

Quote-2
Head Unit : Alpine CDE-W203E - 13500
Speakers Front: JL Audio (Component) - 8000
Speaker Rear : JL Audio (Coaxial) - 5000
HU Case - 2500
Wires, Connectors, Installation, etc. - 1000
Total : 30000 Rs
* I do not know the exact JL models he was quoting.

Quote-3
Replace the Head Unit in the above quotes with Alpine CDE-102E (9000 Rs). This will also reduce the HU Case cost of 2.5K since this is single DIN. So effectively, cost would become 16K for Quote-1 and 23K for Quote-2.

Quote-4
Head Unit : Pioneer 6050 - 10500
Speakers Front: Rockford (P1S652) - 5500
Speaker Rear : Rockford (P1S652) - 5500
(This dealer is saying that VW Polo can accommodate a double din HU in stock and no case needed. Strange!)
Wires, Connectors, Installation, etc. - 500
Total : 22000 Rs

I am really confused with all these. Please help me to decide the best configuration. Or else if somebody could suggest me a good configuration that can be accommodated in 30K, that would be a great help. But please stick to some popular items like Alpine, Pioneer, etc. since I am not interested in some Chinese models. Below are some more points in case useful.
I would be driving the car most of the times.
I listen to ARR songs, Gazals other than MLTR.
Do not wan to loose the boot space.

Also how would you rate the speakers of different brands? I am including Alpine, JBL, RockFord, Infinity, JL Audio, Pioneer here since I heard only these many so far. My personal order of preference on SQ is JL Audio > RockFord > Infinity > Alpine > JBL > Piioneer. I assume this is a blunder to ask without any facts or figures. But still I just wanted to know your personal preference among these.

Thanks,
Novice29