27 replies to this topic

[EcHo2134]

Hi

as some of you probably know..still haven't put a system in my car (vw 2001 golf). Taken out the stock head unit, which i then discovered has some sort of amplified antenna system, and the wiring is hooked up to the cars ecu and immobiliser =(.

Anyhow, i'm intend on getting splits. And would like to know if i should shell out to get dynaudio 240gts, boston pro, or focal utopias and use a poor quality install (ie screw them in the factory positions and leave it at that).

OR just get boston rallys, or alpine SPX series speakers and using the money left over to get them properly installed with mdf spacers, and soundproofing in the doors.

Can i please have some of your thoughts please.

Personally i think it doesn't do justice to get > $1000 speakers and put them in stock locations, but i might be wrong.

Thanks

Ernie

[puma]

ever considered installing your loudspeakers in the kicks? they're well worth it.

[EcHo2134]

speakers in kick panels...

thought of that already..but ppl can see it..
considering where i live...and sometimes i park on the street.

i'm scared someone will steal it. then my so called 10g sound system will be byebye =(

this calls for stealth install =). Unless someone lame decides to break into my fully stock looking golf (hubcaps and sheepskin seat covers and all)

[RTTZ]

Quote

Originally posted by EcHo2134:

Personally i think it doesn't do justice to get > $1000 speakers and put them in stock locations, but i might be wrong.

Thanks

Ernie

Not wrong there Ernie. How about u get the good speakers, put them in stock locations for now and then later sound damp?

Regards,
Mohan

[mick007]

Sounds like you want to talk about imaging/staging rather then poor instalation. I have the same problem, I have a EBII fairmont and the factory speaker locations are in the sides of the doors. Now I have infinity kappa perfects 900.00 rrp in there and IMO the better the speaker the beeter the sound. If you can get your hands on a time alignment deck OR even put the fader on your deck to the left a little it can still sound like you have a centre image. I can't see you having a problem, unless your entering SQ comps, but then you have bigger issues to worry about then your speakers
Mick

[dasherhalo]

My Boston Pro's went in 3 vehicles, two of them had the speakers mounted in stock locations in the doors.

Sounded good to me.

[Marlin]

My opinion of a good speaker is that it shouldn't matter how dodgy the install is it should sound excellent no matter where you put them though obvioulsy they will sound better with a good install I reckon your better off buying the best speakers you can afford and just bung them in the stock locations you can always get a proper install later on but if you buy cheaper speakers your stuck with them.

[Nuffsyd]

yeah, but cheaper speakers installed well will sound better than good speaker with a crap install.

[Marlin]

Yeh I'll stick some sony splits in with a $1000 install and they will blow away a set of dyns

[Trough Lolly]

Quote

Originally posted by Marlin:
Yeh I'll stick some sony splits in with a $1000 install and they will blow away a set of dyns

dont be stupid... DNA make splits haha

[EcHo2134]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like i'm going to get better speakers. and get the sound damping done later (if i still have the car, its gettting a bit small)

Cheers

Ernie

[roughcactus]

Quote

Originally posted by Marlin:
Yeh I'll stick some sony splits in with a $1000 install and they will blow away a set of dyns

You may be surprised what you can achieve using cheaper products...if properly installed...

However if you put a set of Focals and a set of Pioneers in the same locations the difference in SQ would be easily noticeable...the install being the same



by the way to all those who suggest kick panels as the be all and end all...they DO NOT work in every car...too many people tend to think they are a magical cure for all front stage ailments...if you experiment you will find what works in your car...not what some people think MAY work

[ December 10, 2003, 20:17: Message edited by: roughcactus ]

[shiny_car]

there are obviously many factors that contribute to SQ. and there are differences between peoples' ideas of SQ and what sounds perfectly good to them.

some SQ elements include:
*frequency response: for example, low-down midbass usually relies on sound deadening doors, sealing service holes, and solid baffle mounts; however, quality midrange and treble relies more on the quality of the speakers themselves
*imaging: relies mostly on installation quality; to a less degree it relies on off-axis performance of speakers where you can't optimally angle the them
*stage height: relies largely on installation technique; however high stage heights can be achieved by mounting tweets up higher

so there are merits in either option.

personally, i'd go with the high quality speakers. mainly coz they will probably end up being a component you can retain for many years, including tranfering them between cars. as mentioned, you can always improve the installation (eg: sound deaden) along the way.

if you can do the installation yourself, then you may find a quality installation is a relatively low-budget affair (sound deadening materials will be the main expense, and probably at least $100).

good luck

[ December 10, 2003, 21:55: Message edited by: shiny_car ]

[BlackRain]

Yeah, go the good speakers.

It makes a hell of a lot of sense.

I mean, sure u could get mediocre speakers and the best install possible..but then where else can u go from there? U'll eventually regret that you didn't get the better ones (anyone else thinkin 'gee thats a familiar feeling' ?).

We dont wanna be doing that now do we?

[Iano]

Ever considered upping the cable quality? People think cables don't make that much of a difference unless your systems worth 1000s. Not true. With the overall quality of HUs being produced lately, a decent signal needs a decent path to travel down. Cables DO make a difference, often quite a big one.

Middle to low range drivers are better than everybody seems to take them for. Speaker sound is coloured VERY easily. I admit I use mid to bottom end splits (//////LPINE SPR-175a) and I've heard these in several different vehicles. They're capable of sounding great, they just require decent mounting/deadening. It's not hard for $350 splits to outperform $600 splits - if the cheaper ones use quality installation and the premium ones dont. True....the more expensive the speaker, the more detail it can produce.....but only if its installed optimally.

[ December 16, 2003, 23:54: Message edited by: Iano ]