[coke]

The real problem with car audio is the noise to signal ratio. 

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

I agree.  The car either has to be turned off, or lots of sound deadening has to be used to fix this issue.

If the car is turned off and you're not moving, to me it makes much more sense to relax in your home while listening to music instead of sitting in a car. 

My previous car audio system had multiple rolls of raamat, but even with that, I found myself listening at levels much higher than I should have been in order to hear details in the music while driving 70 mph.  Not good for ears 

I sold the car that everything was installed in, and also purchased Salk speakers around the same time.  After hearing speakers this good in my house, I gave up on trying to get my car to sound right. This also allows me to spend more time and money on my home stereo 


Previous system for reference:

Horns - Image Dynamics Ultra Full body
Mids - Image Dynamics X65
Subs (2) - Image Dynamics IDQ15
CD Player - Alpine CDA-9813
Signal Processor - Alpine PXA-H701
Signal Processor Remote - Alpine RUX-C701
Amp - Alpine MRV-T320
Amp - Alpine MRV-T420
Amp - Alpine MRD-M1000

(it's also for sale  )

[DMurphy]

I guess I'm not that fussy.  I love my original equipment VW Jetta Monsoon radio--I couldn't improve on the crossover, and the drivers are very decent.  I can hear everything I need to hear while stuck in traffic or zooming around the Beltway before getting stuck in traffic.  I think subs are a waste, but I can enjoy mobile sound if it's basically uncolored, not boomy, and the tweets actually tweet. 

[mcgsxr]

Once I heard great home audio, I decided that for me, OK car audio would do.  Really good sound can be done, but as with home systems it requires dedication and compromises - often beyond what many are willing to make!

In my 1997 Accord today - Zapco 6.5 components, Pioneer deck, Orion Extreme 200 amp, 2x10 inch subs - isobaric.

Doesn't compare to my home system, but when I am stuck in traffic and a good song comes on, I can enjoy it far more than the stock system ever allowed me to.

Agree that to improve signal to noise it is best to install a Dynamat type product, but with an STi as the car in question, that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

It is not that hard to build an adapter plate to allow for deeper speakers in a door - I had to build rings out of mdf to fit the 6.5 Zapco's in my doors - the cast basket and large magnet interfered with the window otherwise.

I think that replacing the stock speakers with affordable ones (eBay) will bring more enjoyment, with no weight issues.

I would imagine that simply buying decent coaxial replacement speakers the same size as the stock ones, would bring a dramatic increase in enjoyment.  You might also be surprised what a small (8 inch sealed box less than 10 inches square, 100w amp) sub can do in a car - if you have never enjoyed cabin gain bass, you have not lived!

[OgOgilby]

How about an iPod and “open air” headphones I'm not sure about MA driving laws on this...

[oneinthepipe]

I think that I am going to replace the head unit with a double din CD/DVD/nav unit, get a four channel amp, and replace the speakers with coaxials in the same locations in the door panels.

Thank you all for your help.

[coke]

I think that I am going to replace the head unit with a double din CD/DVD/nav unit, get a four channel amp, and replace the speakers with coaxials in the same locations in the door panels.

Thank you all for your help.

Adding one of these or a piece of dynamat behind each speaker would help and wouldn't add much weight.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=268-242

[Nuance]

I think that I am going to replace the head unit with a double din CD/DVD/nav unit, get a four channel amp, and replace the speakers with coaxials in the same locations in the door panels.

Thank you all for your help.

Good choice.  Your car audio quest makes me hate my car system (I finally paid attention to it today, and its rancid).  Salk Car Audio anyone? 

[DMurphy]

Good choice.  Your car audio quest makes me hate my car system (I finally paid attention to it today, and its rancid).  Salk Car Audio anyone? 

I don't see many cabinet opportunites for Jim in that enterprise.  But MurphyBlaster......Hmmmmmmmmmmm.      Anyhow, I'll be checking out Oneinthepipe's automotive audio nightmare Friday afternoon in Boston. 

[Big Red Machine]

I guess I'm not that fussy.  I love my original equipment VW Jetta Monsoon radio--I couldn't improve on the crossover, and the drivers are very decent.  I can hear everything I need to hear while stuck in traffic or zooming around the Beltway before getting stuck in traffic.  I think subs are a waste, but I can enjoy mobile sound if it's basically uncolored, not boomy, and the tweets actually tweet.

I know the guys who first developed the Monsoon products back at Delco Electronics in the 90's.  Most of them were true audiophiles, as well as good engineers.

[DMurphy]

That's really interesting. I wasn't expecting anything good to come out of a name like Monsoon, but it was a real jaw dropper when I fired it up. 

[coke]

Here's something else to consider.  Gives you EQ, crossovers, time alignment, removes any factory eq, and a bunch of other stuff.  Some of the processors even have mic which can tune your entire stereo in a few seconds   

http://signature.crutchfield.com/S-dY3IBqPP8xy/s_136441DSP/JL-Audio-CL441dsp-CleanSweep.html?c=3&tp=428&avf=N

http://signature.crutchfield.com/S-dY3IBqPP8xy/s_5753SIXTY2/Rockford-Fosgate-3SIXTY-2.html?c=3&tp=428&avf=N

[oneinthepipe]

I don't see many cabinet opportunites for Jim in that enterprise.  But MurphyBlaster......Hmmmmmmmmmmm.      Anyhow, I'll be checking out Oneinthepipe's automotive audio nightmare Friday afternoon in Boston.

As the motor approaches 4000 RPM in third gear, audio will be the furthest thing from your mind.     When I ordered the car, my delivery was contingent on the car being available before 4/23.  Just kidding, but I will have the car cleaned and washed for your visit.   

[Nuance]

I don't see many cabinet opportunites for Jim in that enterprise.  But MurphyBlaster......Hmmmmmmmmmmm.     

Oh yeah!

[kenreau]

I know the guys who first developed the Monsoon products back at Delco Electronics in the 90's.  Most of them were true audiophiles, as well as good engineers.

Are these the same Monsoon guys that made the killer planar computer speakers? 

As good as their products were, I'm suprised someone hasn't carried on with their technology torch after they went out of business.

Kenreau

[Big Red Machine]

Are these the same Monsoon guys that made the killer planar computer speakers? 

As good as their products were, I'm suprised someone hasn't carried on with their technology torch after they went out of business.

Kenreau

No, they only engineered the head units.  What happened post-Delphi days I do not know.