Amp can do wonders?

[AutoS]

What HU U using? W/ or without amp if W/ then which one? Remember what Fabiaman says about MATCHING!

 

"must be value for money"

 

Hey everything AutoS recommends is value for money. Whether budget, mid-range or hi-end ICE, I am the quintissential value for $$ man. It's true ...it's true ...

 

In fact I regularly kenah butter on these forums cuz I point out certain pop brand models that are opposite of value for money. Luckily I know my stuff, so after kenah butter can still avoid kenah poke!

[Bernielac]

mine is stock Bluapluank (dun know how to spell)

thinking of a pair of front speakers plus a 2ch amp.

think it will do any good?

[AutoS]

Ooooh no!

 

Blau-kraut ble blau-kraut und blau-greid ble blau-greid. No lieber Blau!

 

Yea Blaus not my fav brand, and the entry range ones are even worse. Besides lousy sound signal they also produce constant hiss when attached to amps. B4 I kenah sue I just say that only my opinion, others have theirs. oops too late liaoz.

 

Anyway make do W/ what U got. If U'r thinking of installing amp U need to get it done properly and to do so W/ install labour and tuning plus good cables may well cost U more than the amp itself.

 

If U have the budget then U should do at least the 4ch so that U can also hook up a sub later if U want. This way no need to spend on x'tra amp and additional running wires.

 

Not a good idea to get cheap install cheapo amp W/ cheapo spkrs type set up. Will still sound bad and discounted money is still money which is wasted cuz install will need to be re-done and hardware will be useless, if later decide wanna have decent sound.

 

If Ur budget very limited type I would suggest concentrate on the front component spkr change first. Good speakers can use forever W/ or without amp (4 later amp upgrade) and will give the biggest improvement to the SQ.

 

But that Blau dunno whether can drive any decent component spkrs or not.

[Dragonleo]

Hi AutoS!

 

You are the guru for ICE huh! Would like to seek your advise!

 

My 4 months old "Kimchi" car comes with a JVC KD-SX650 model with stock 4x40W speakers. Sounds pretty ok at this moment but has the intention to add a set of tweeters to complete the combination! If budget permits, I intend to put in a small size amp too! Any advice & recommendations? Hopefully the amp for the rear speakers is a small dimension type that can fit below the JVC set. As indicated in the JVC manual, a amp is suggested for the rear speakers.

 

dragonleo

[AutoS]

How much can U set aside to do Ur upgrade?

[Dragonleo]

Hi AutoS!

 

Hmm... tough question indeed!

 

Honestly, I have no ideal at this point in time becos it all depends how much information I can receive from various enquiry. Maybe... a pair of tweeters cost S$100 and amps... S$200 ~ S$400 and labour. Anyway... they are just a few wish list on my planning board!

 

Wish list will go " Poof Poof " if bonus is diluted!

 

 

 

dragonleo

[AutoS]

Hey Dragon,

 

Don't sweat it! Ur budget can just abt achieve what Ur looking at. Though the budget will not quite be distributed like that and the choice of hardware modified just a little.

 

Done right will give best results and no wastage to future mods if any.

 

Call me if U want to discuss (not obligate ) further. 9787-0213.

 

AutoS

[Koolaba]

U've got private message

[Peterkoh]

I can testify to adding an amp alone would not increase the SQ much. I've done that with my Civic and disappointed with the end-result. I use a 4 channel Alpine V12 amp. the SQ only improve significantly after I upgrade to a pair of 6.5" inch component.

 

If budget is a limit, then you have to decide what's your pref. If it is front staging with little bass, then upgrade to a pair of good front components and fade more to the front using the HU. If you car already comes with front component, then I would focus on the bass. If you need decent bass, forget about buying powerful amp to drive the stock speakers as it won't be enuf. Instead go for a subwoofer. Those active one is cheaper and more affordable though those with custom box and sep amp sound better with more choices around.

 

My 2 cents worth.

[AutoS]

Peter,

 

4ch V12 huh? If U got decent front components now, U can bridge the V12's stereo for the front and run the rear fills off the HU without tweets. Done this way properly I stake my bad rep Ur SQ will improve further significantly.

 

If U want to know why just ask but don't eff me for giving straight answer 'kay?

[Toonstar]

Hi AutoS, u operate an audio shop?

 

Anyway i m lookin for some audio upgrade, currently running on stock blaupunkt HU, tweeters, front and rear spkers.

 

From your advice, i should upgrade my front spkers and tweeters first? I m also lookin at amps. My HU is 40X4W.

 

I m thinkin of buying 2nd hand components, so what are the specs i should look out for when buying 2nd hand stuff for my car? Cos i m a newbie to this, i would like to know if a certain item i buy is good for my listening pleasure.

 

eg perhaps u can tell me the spec recommended for a 4 ch amp for a basic upgrade.

 

rgds.

[Wintersonata]

Hi AutoS,

 

I have a friend which can offer me good discounts for Siemens VDO car audio systems? What do you think about this particular brand? Cheers !!!

[Chris_ck]

Hi Kianbeng,

 

If I've not mistaken, the 45x4 rating means that the total power the HU supplies is 45W. Effectively, each channel will get 45/4 W.

 

Your installer is 1/2 correct in saying that an amplifier will do wonders for ur sound system. Usually, the front speaker is first upgrade. Getting a good pair of front components will improve the system. For this purpose, a decent 2 ch amp to power the front speakers will do.

 

The rear speakers r meant for rear fill. It is secondary in importance compared to the front speakers. U can use the HU to power the rear speakers.

 

BTW what front speakers r u using?

 

 

Do you think it's better to get a four channel or more AMP so that when you want to upgrade no need to change the AMP? For all stock audio on cars even those brand new I think most of the music comes from the rear speakers instead of the front ones right? I'm very green in this ICE thing as i used to think music in car not very important can hear can already . One more thing all this upgrades will avail to nothing right if you dun soundproof your car properly from outside noises? Any recommendations for that cos i'm not really into DIY although i read a few forumers do their own sound proofing.

Edited December 15, 2002 by Chris_ck

[Koolaba]

Hi Chris,

 

For all stock audio on cars even those brand new I think most of the music comes from the rear speakers instead of the front ones right?

 

The music may tend to come from the rear probably due to the bigger speakers installed. However, do note that most of the sound should come from the front instead.

 

I'll find out for u which place provides labour for soundproofing. Better to bring along ur own materials as some of the installers charge high $ for exotic soundproofing materials.

[Sucker]

Hi there,

 

These are following upgrade path for my ICE:

first upgrade

1. Sony HU and Front Speaker

 

second upgrade

1. Sony 2-Ch Amp and Front Component Speakers

2. The Former Front Speaker move to rear speakers.

 

third upgrade

1. 4-Channel Amp to drive the 2 front speakers and Mono the 8" Bass speaker

2. 2-Channel Amp to drive the 2 rear speaker.

 

Future upgrade..... it depends on my budget....

1. Use Dynaudio speaker for my 4-Channel Amp.

2. Add monoblock amp to drive the Bass speaker.

3. Soundproof the car....

 

As for the Mission and the Audiolab, I agree with that matching is quite important. I believe such compbination is quite harsh and bright. Please do not forget the source is very important. In Atlas, I think they use Meridian CD transport and DAC. what about the interconnect and speaker cable?

 

I believe all the audiophile components are very important(including power cord). In every setup, the owner of the setup should the judge instead of the seller. Individual has different taste, some prefer lay-back, warm, fast, smooth, soft or etc...

 

The cheapest upgrade is to gound your car!!!

 

Cheers

Sucker!

[Chris_ck]

Thanks

[AutoS]

Urr, what are the products U aiming 4 on this VDO stuff and how much U gonna pay for it?

[AutoS]

Toonstar,

 

Nowsadays there's a lot of pretty decent stuff going really cheap what with OEM being done in places like China etc. Second hand stuff in general becums less worthwhile to look for. Unless, U are getting some hi-end originally expensive goodies which match W/ Ur intended set up.

 

Thing is to know first hand which are cheap and good and thing is to get the stuff matched up properly (cannot cook a good car audio system using a bad recipe) and installed properly (and must be cooked with some expertise). And that will cost if U wanna get it done right. Dirt cheap and properly does not exist in Sgp as far as I know.

 

If Ur budget low do step by step, start W/ front speakers. This way when wanna upgrade stuff already have will still be used. Lousy stuff done in a lousy way will give U lousy sound and will be worthless cannot get money back when wanna improve.

 

If U going 4 a 4ch amp get one that is at least 50Watt Rms per ch W/ in-built LP and HP X-overs. Watch out for those cheapo amps that claim 600Watt etc.

 

Speakers- front speakers don't skimp and must be 6 inchers or 6 1 /2 inchers and no smaller.

 

AutoS