Use a dealer or a "techno-geek" consultant?

Grover · « **on:** 10 Sep 2003, 04:16 pm »

Hello everyone, this is my first post and I'm interested in upgrading the stock stereo in my 2000 Volvo S70 Sedan. The S70 has 6.5 in speakers in the door panels, rear deck can be 6x9 or 6.5 in and there's a spot on top of the dash for tweeters.

I visited a stereo installer last night who works out of his garage, and is into purchasing new equipment off e-bay, looking for good deals on used amplifiers, taking apart my door panels and putting in sound deadening insulation, and filling up my trunk with fiberglass molded containers for amplifiers, subwoofers and the CD changer. Then there's the equalizers, time aligned head unit, and I forget what else.

I really would like some space left over in the trunk for suitcases and stuff. If I go with this techno-dude, I'm really going to need to rein him in.
He blew my budget by almost 100% after he got done specifying everything he wanted to put into the car.

On the plus side, he was talking some good equipment. Nakamichi CD-400 head unit, CDT speakers, etc.

Is it possible to get good (near audiophile quality) sound in a car without doing all the extensive modifications? My budget would be up to around $1,200 for equipment and labor. Should I just head on down to the Alpine dealer and do it that way?

I know these are some pretty open-ended questions, but I'm open for suggestions. So, if you had $1,200 and wanted to upgrade a stock car stereo, how would you approach it? Thanks

KevinW · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Sep 2003, 06:42 pm »

$1200 is tight if you want to go hog wild. I would first ask whether you need a subwoofer. You can save a bundle if you don't need people to know you are coming 10 minutes before you get there.

If you want good sound and a sub, a 5-channel amp would be the ticket. Otherwise a 4-channel. Nakamichi has great sound quality, but Alpine isn't too bad if you use external amplification and don't use the onboard amp. I would also avoid mounting a tweeter on the dash, as there is simply no good way to get the signals from tweet and woof to align time and phase. If you use a signal processor to do this, it only does a half-ass job and still distorts the sound. If you do use separates, mount the tweet next to woof using a custom kick panel (expensive). On your budget, just use a high quality 2-way with external XO, like MB Quart.

For subwoofers, a custom fiberglass box is expensive because of the labor required to produce. Just use a pre-fab wooden box and have your friend install a reliable and safe quick-disconnect so you can take it out if you need trunk space. Check out Adire Audio for some of the best values in subwoofers that play LOW and clean.

Carlman · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Sep 2003, 08:39 pm »

Equalizers? what for?
If you want to constantly adjust and tweak your sound, get crossovers, eq's, and the like... (I agree that the tweeters should not be in the dash but, you can experiment with this during the install for what you like best)

If you want good sound, get the Nak CD400, Some nice separates that you like and have heard for the front doors and some OK full range speakers for the back....
If Q-logic makes a sub-box for your car, it will integrate very well and not take up much space. An 8 or 10" sub will be plenty for that car unless you want to win SPL competitions.

As for amps, I've used MTX, Alpine, and Kenwood. I couldn't hear a difference between them.... I'm sure any mid-level 200-watt 4-channel amp would be plenty for the 2 fronts, and 2 rears. Fade to the front a bit and you will get better imaging and detail. The rear deck is good for some fill but, I've found putting 2way's there are very distracting. 6x9's sound bad to me.

If you can't do the q-logic prefab box, a normal enclosure that's easy to remove would be my second choice. Having someone make a custom fiberglass box would be over $1200 if they did it right. (i.e. considered volume requirements, driver placement requirements, type of driver, etc.)

Using a little soundproofing in the doors is a good idea but, don't expect miracles. I thought it would make a big difference and it didn't.

Try calling Crutchfield (www.crutchfield.com) to see what they recommend. I've had good luck with their phone sales. They can recommend installers and such. Oh, buy the XTC foam baffles for your speakers. They're cheap and effective.

That's about all I can think to tell you. If it were me, I'd install it all myself because I'm the only person I trust for that kind of thing. However, if you can sacrafice the CD400 and get a $200 HU you like, I would imagine you could do this for within your price range.

By the way, I bought Boston Acoustic's RC620's for my main speakers in my last car. They have a solid midrange and midbass and smooth, sweet highs from a 1" silk dome tweeter. I heard these at a local shop before I bought them on ebay. ($300+ vs. $200 shipped, new)

I'd say the front speakers are the most important thing you like. Whatever you buy will sound different in the door than it does on a display.... but, it'll have the same character. (except Polk's... they just suck in a car but, sound great on a board)

OK, now that's REALLY it....

Grover · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 05:38 pm »

Thankyou for the replies. I've done a bunch of research on Adire and some of the other suggestions. Here's what I have decided.

Although working with the consultant has it's positive side, ultimately I don't feel comfortable with someone who is fairly new to town, is working out of his garage and is procuring most of the equipment off the internet. I drive a VOLVO after all. "Risk" is not my middle name.

So I've chosen to have the local Alpine dealer do the work - the shop has been at the same location for over 15 years, so they must be doing something right. And I know they'll be around if there's a problem.

Here's what I have chosen.

Alpine CDA-8905 CD Receiver, Alpine CHA-634 6-disk changer, JL Audio e4300 amplifier, JL Audio VR650CXi 6.5" coaxial speakers for the rear deck, and JL Audio XR650CSi component speakers for the front.

That should be a nice sounding system and it (almost) fits in the budget I had specified. Thanks again to those who gave me your thoughts/opinions.

Carlman · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 05:52 pm »

Congrats! My wife has an Alpine and she has been very happy with it. I don't have a strong opinion of them...
I've owned JL's sub's (an 8, a 10, and a 12) All very nice and punchy which I like.

As long as you were happy with the front speakers/amp combo in the store, I think you'll be happy with the results.

I see you snubbed the sub idea. Probably a good choice. Subs are overrated for car audio. Road noise cancels a lot of the bass you've paid heavily for when driving.

Too bad you didn't get XM or Sirius. I have it and love it.... I play the radio non-stop now where before it was almost always off. Does Alpine make 'XM ready' or 'Sirius ready' stuff?

Grover · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 06:06 pm »

The Alpine deck I chose is XM ready. I understand I'll need to buy a satellite tuner and install an antenna at a later date if I want to go with this option. That's about $350 extra investment. The idea does intrigue me so I'll look into it more seriously in six months or so.

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Sep 2003, 06:13 pm »

FYI, I bought the antenna at Circuit City for $50, the tuner was free, install was $50. (I know I said I don't trust installations other than my own but, I needed it quick and this was an easy install.) I bought it and got it installed last week. It's a deal offered through Sirius right now, I would imagine XM would match it.... I hope so...

It was $15 to 'activate' and it's $13/month. I honestly thought I'd get rid of it in a month... now I can't live without it.