25 replies to this topic

[shiny_car]

You've obviously made a good choice. Nice one - enjoy.

[hsvmonarogen3]

yeah i just picked my car up last night. definately an upgrade needed. lacks everything. also no sub becasue of wagon. but no spare so one or two will be going in there for sure...

[Lutetium]

I have been contemplating a further upgrade, maybe an amp such as the Alpine F30 and a slimline sub for under the seat. However I’m not sure how much benefit I would get from the amp. The stock HU produces more than enough volume and the SQ is very good, but.... With the wiring kit and installation I suspect I would be looking at another $500+. Would it be value for money?

Also, what are peoples experience with slimline subs, are they value for money?

On a final note, sometimes I am hearing the alternator whine, not always but most of the time. The installer has recommended to move the crossovers to under the seat to fix the whine, is that really the only option? What have other VE owners done?

[occa]

so did SSV seal the service holes and dynamat the doors too? if you dont mind me asking how much did they charge you for that?

i would have thought the Focal speakers, dynamat and installation would have gone over your original budget of $500.

i've been told SSV sort of specialise in doing VE's so one would have expected them to know in advance you were going to come into noise issues.

keep us up to date with how you get on with the noise problems.

[IamtheSteg]

I have a VE...

Good to see the doors are properly treated and the POS centre is removed.

You have a nice pair of splits there and if you amp them up they will thank you for it. It's not just about extra SPL, the factory deck is woefully measly and extra headroom is always a wonderful thing.

I run some Jl C2 splits and they are currently driven off a cheap Sony amp and even that is a huge step in the right direction...

...if you select an amp with high level ins you won't need an LOC, and if you mount it under your drivers seat it's an easy tap in from the HU.

1 other thing, my xovers are mounted under seat (right next to the amp to facilitate the move to 2 way active) and I have zero noise in my system - no doubt that's largely down to the excellent install work of the lads that fitted it but I was still amazed that a cheap amp and high level inputs didn't result in any whine or low level hiss at all.

Edited by DailyDriver, 09 April 2012 - 05:09 PM.

[Big_Valven]

If you want zero noise from your VE, crossovers should be mounted under the dash away from the floor, or under the driver's seat. Your installer should not be charging to move them around though - their job is to get it right in the first place...

[Lutetium]

occa, on 09 April 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

so did SSV seal the service holes and dynamat the doors too? if you dont mind me asking how much did they charge you for that?

i would have thought the Focal speakers, dynamat and installation would have gone over your original budget of $500.

i've been told SSV sort of specialise in doing VE's so one would have expected them to know in advance you were going to come into noise issues.

keep us up to date with how you get on with the noise problems.

Yes it did, the final cost was over $800 which I thought was a little on the expensive side. The dynamat alone was $250.


The guy that appears to be running the Keilor branch said not all VE's have whine with the standard installation so hence why they put the crossovers behind the dash. If I don’t add any more equipment, I may just put up with the whine as I don’t really want equipment under the seat.

Big_Valven, on 09 April 2012 - 10:50 PM, said:

If you want zero noise from your VE, crossovers should be mounted under the dash away from the floor, or under the driver's seat. Your installer should not be charging to move them around though - their job is to get it right in the first place...

They are currently behind the dash, under the tweeter. VSS will relocate them under the seat at no charge.

Edited by Lutetium, 09 April 2012 - 10:57 PM.

[IamtheSteg]

$$$ Wise i think you have done well

you have a $500+ pair of splits, $120 worth of Dynamat plus installation of both. If that makes Install about $200 from a reputable workshop that's pretty good going. Esp as they are prepared to move for you at no charge....

Is there a reason you are not keen to install anything under the drivers seat? It's a very handy (and stealthy) location

Also, please don't just put up with whine - you have laid such a good SQ foundation with door treatments and great speakers - get the best out of 'em (and amp them up while you are at it!)

Edited by DailyDriver, 09 April 2012 - 11:06 PM.

[shiny_car]

Lutetium, on 09 April 2012 - 01:03 PM, said:

I have been contemplating a further upgrade, maybe an amp such as the Alpine F30 and a slimline sub for under the seat. However I’m not sure how much benefit I would get from the amp. The stock HU produces more than enough volume and the SQ is very good, but.... With the wiring kit and installation I suspect I would be looking at another $500+. Would it be value for money?

Compared with running off a headunit (not a factory amp), even a small amplifier will provide a good improvement, like DailyDriver can attest to. Better power for louder volume, better dynamics for better attack-decay, lower distortion for better clarity, better bandwidth for better bass/treble. Also HP crossovers to filter out the really low subbass that the speakers can't comfortably play, so this will improve clarity too.

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Also, what are peoples experience with slimline subs, are they value for money?

Being 'slim' is one thing. It's also important how big the subbox needs to be. Many cheaper slimline subs still require a standard size subbox, say 1-1.5cuft/28-42L for a 12"; so the box can be build slim (shallow), but needs to be long and/or wide to compensate.

So you need to know how much depth is available, and how big the overall box can be. This will determine what subs might suit. They can be good value and perform very well when 'applied' properly. But the good ones - those that tend to work better in smaller boxes - are also more expensive.

The Alpine SWR-T10 10" is an example. Meant to be very good, RRP$549. Modelling its specs, it would be very good in a box as small as 0.4cuft/11L if necessary.

Another big factor is the position of the sub and 'loading'. They don't sound as loud/low under a seat, compared with in a box facing the side/back of the boot to 'bounce'/loud off.

Quote

On a final note, sometimes I am hearing the alternator whine, not always but most of the time. The installer has recommended to move the crossovers to under the seat to fix the whine, is that really the only option? What have other VE owners done?

Unsure about "only" option, but sounds reasonable to me. Locate them away from any source of EMI.

[Lutetium]

Wow, there are a lot a friendly, knowable replies, Thanks everyone.

I am looking at the Alpine MRX-F30 as it has a good reputation, offers speaker level inputs and provide plenty of power for its size. Now as I have only upgrade my front splits, what would make the most sense?
Bridging the amp so I use 2 x 150W purely on the Focals in front and leave the HU to power the rears, or run 4 x 50W to the front and rears?

Then If I was only going to use the amp bridged, would it make more sense to just find a 2 channel amp?

[shiny_car]

If there's a chance you'll add a sub in the future to run off the amp, go with the 4-channel. And if you don't really listen to the rears loudly, bridge the amp for the front speakers.