Audio upgrades?

[XR_6falcon]

Hey guys ive just acquired a S3 XR6 in liquid silver after owning a BA that was written off. It didnt come with a head unit and the speakers that are currently in it are no good. So I need new speakers but i dont know what size they are. I tryed searching though some treads but came up with nothing. What size's are in the back and front? Also what speakers do you recomend getting? (Brands and sizes etc)

Thanks in advanced!

[bartsau]

They should be 5 x 7 at all 4 corners of the car. As for what you can replace them with. Most people tend to go with either 6" or 6.5" round with an adapter. Brand wise it all depends on the quality your after and how much your willing to pay. I will leave that up to others as this I have very very little idea about!

Rhys

[fourl6]

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/car-sound-g...ers-sku-28128/

and head unit surround

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...&postcount=216

[Donny]

Theres a few really good threads floating around in this area alone that detail what others have recommended re sound stuff..

[robbyj]

They are all 5x7 speakers as mentioned. 5x7 after market speakers arnt the most available speakers.

Id put 6x9 speakers in the rear, simply because the design of a 6x9 speaker is a lot better then 5x7. You will need spacers to fit these but it is worth it. In the doors id put 6" splits.

Do you want to amp these speakers? Do you want a subwoofer?

I have have a mix and match of audio gear, from stuff blowing up etc.
I have kenwood 6x9s in the rear, amped on a 350 watt sony xplode 2CH amp. I have a now MTX thunder 12" sub on a kenwood 1000 watt mono block amp. I run stock speakers on the doors off the headunit. Which is a kenwood double din unit.

As far as brands go, there are always biased opinions, mine included, but..

Fusion - Make decent amps, rest of their stuff is over priced junk.
Kenwood - Cheap, decent quality, good for all round.
Polk - Very good gear
Clarion - not much experience with this brand, heard its ok,
Sony - avoid their speakers, have some decent head units
JVC - Average
JBL - Average
Kicker - good subs and speakers
MTX - have some good subs
Pioneer - expensive but decent gear
Alpine - no experience with their stuff, people on here swear by it tho.

I have also heard focal is good

Id avoid brands like boston, soundstream,
blaupunkt, philips, fusion, axis, panasonic, sanyo,

Depends what your budget is like, but you cant go wrong with an all kenwood, polk, kicker or alpine setup.

It also doesn't matter if you mix and match.

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by Donny

Theres a few really good threads floating around in this area alone that detail what others have recommended re sound stuff..

I had a look around and used the search function but couldnt find what i was looking for.

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by fourl6

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/car-sound-g...ers-sku-28128/

and head unit surround

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...&postcount=216

cheers mate, where did u get the surround from?

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by bobuleh

They are all 5x7 speakers as mentioned. 5x7 after market speakers arnt the most available speakers.

Id put 6x9 speakers in the rear, simply because the design of a 6x9 speaker is a lot better then 5x7. You will need spacers to fit these but it is worth it. In the doors id put 6" splits.

Do you want to amp these speakers? Do you want a subwoofer?

I have have a mix and match of audio gear, from stuff blowing up etc.
I have kenwood 6x9s in the rear, amped on a 350 watt sony xplode 2CH amp. I have a now MTX thunder 12" sub on a kenwood 1000 watt mono block amp. I run stock speakers on the doors off the headunit. Which is a kenwood double din unit.

As far as brands go, there are always biased opinions, mine included, but..

Fusion - Make decent amps, rest of their stuff is over priced junk.
Kenwood - Cheap, decent quality, good for all round.
Polk - Very good gear
Clarion - not much experience with this brand, heard its ok,
Sony - avoid their speakers, have some decent head units
JVC - Average
JBL - Average
Kicker - good subs and speakers
MTX - have some good subs
Pioneer - expensive but decent gear
Alpine - no experience with their stuff, people on here swear by it tho.

I have also heard focal is good

Id avoid brands like boston, soundstream,
blaupunkt, philips, fusion, axis, panasonic, sanyo,

Depends what your budget is like, but you cant go wrong with an all kenwood, polk, kicker or alpine setup.

It also doesn't matter if you mix and match.

Thanks for that

For the moment im just looking to get a resonable sound system, as in headunit and speakers. Sub/amp will come later on its just that driving around with no music is depressing

[Day-mow]

If you want sic and will amp
Alpine R type 5x7
If you want good not amping
Alpine S type 5x7

[saber]

Originally Posted by bobuleh

Id avoid brands like boston, soundstream,

You’re kidding right? Boston & Soundstream make top quality gear, whether it may be splits, subs or amps.
You wouldn’t be going wrong using only Boston/Soundstream gear.

As for the other suggestions, I personally wouldn’t bother buying 6x9’s.
To me, a 6x9 is a crappy size. Too small to play the lower notes clearly and deeply (which a sub does far better, and what you should be using) and doesn’t play the mid frequencies well.

For me, I would buy a decent set of 6.5” splits for the front speakers, which will fit nicely with the aid of a spacer.
Leave the rear speakers as is, or if the now removed front speakers are better, place them in the rear.
Get yourself a sub, whether that may be a 10”, two 12”s or a 15”. It all really depends on how much boot space you want to lose, and if you want bass to complement your music, or bass loud enough to be heard from miles away.

Finally, get yourself a decent amp. If you want a big powerful system, consider buying 2 amps: One to play your 6.5” speakers, and one (called a monoblock) to play your sub.
If you system doesn’t require that much power, you may consider getting a decent 4 channel amp. Use channels 1 & 2 to run the front speakers, and bridge channels 3 & 4 for the sub.
Run the rear speakers off the head unit. Rear speakers (when the system is tuned properly) shouldn’t add anything but a tiny bit of fill to your music.

Think of it this way: When you go to a concert, does the music come towards you (ie from the stage) or does it come from behind you?
You should use the same approach when building a car audio system!

PS: Low frequencies (ie the frequencies played by your subwoofer) are non-directional. Hence why most people place the sub in the boot.
The higher frequencies (ie played by your splits) are directional. As such, their positioning becomes important.
Buying decent gear is only half the battle. If you install it incorrectly, it will sound crap!!!
Please, spend some decent time and cash on the installation. You’ll be rewarded in the long run!

PPS: If you want more recommendations, head over to mobile electronics australia (MEA), Australia's premier car audio website. If you post a budget and your requirements there, they should be able to recommend you a system.

[KR1STO]

Saber is on the ball..!!

Rear speakers should be for fill only, so 5x7's would be fine for that..

Alpine make a 5x7 component speaker which sound quite good for the front doors and you can mount the tweeters in the front pillars..

[fourl6]

Originally Posted by XR_6falcon

cheers mate, where did u get the surround from?

autobarn, i think in narre warren, but you should be able to get it at any decent auto store, they all sell aerpro stuff...

the part numbers are
Aerpro FP9140 - for Black
Aerpro FP9141 - for Grey

more info
http://66.226.77.74/showthread.php?t=11279548

also with the 5x7" vs 6" or 6x9" comments, i personally prefer a product that screws straight in without any spacers etc.

iv got a pair of Alpine 5 1/4" Splits (SPR-13S) that come with proper 5x7" spacer but i was still disappointed with the fit, and sound quality even running of a expensive alpine headunit and/or jaycar response amp.

[fasty73]

Sony Xplod for everything, good price and GREAT sound!!!

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by Day-mow

If you want sic and will amp
Alpine R type 5x7
If you want good not amping
Alpine S type 5x7

Do you know roughly how much the type R 5x7's are?

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by saber

You’re kidding right? Boston & Soundstream make top quality gear, whether it may be splits, subs or amps.
You wouldn’t be going wrong using only Boston/Soundstream gear.

As for the other suggestions, I personally wouldn’t bother buying 6x9’s.
To me, a 6x9 is a crappy size. Too small to play the lower notes clearly and deeply (which a sub does far better, and what you should be using) and doesn’t play the mid frequencies well.

For me, I would buy a decent set of 6.5” splits for the front speakers, which will fit nicely with the aid of a spacer.
Leave the rear speakers as is, or if the now removed front speakers are better, place them in the rear.
Get yourself a sub, whether that may be a 10”, two 12”s or a 15”. It all really depends on how much boot space you want to lose, and if you want bass to complement your music, or bass loud enough to be heard from miles away.

Finally, get yourself a decent amp. If you want a big powerful system, consider buying 2 amps: One to play your 6.5” speakers, and one (called a monoblock) to play your sub.
If you system doesn’t require that much power, you may consider getting a decent 4 channel amp. Use channels 1 & 2 to run the front speakers, and bridge channels 3 & 4 for the sub.
Run the rear speakers off the head unit. Rear speakers (when the system is tuned properly) shouldn’t add anything but a tiny bit of fill to your music.

Think of it this way: When you go to a concert, does the music come towards you (ie from the stage) or does it come from behind you?
You should use the same approach when building a car audio system!

PS: Low frequencies (ie the frequencies played by your subwoofer) are non-directional. Hence why most people place the sub in the boot.
The higher frequencies (ie played by your splits) are directional. As such, their positioning becomes important.
Buying decent gear is only half the battle. If you install it incorrectly, it will sound crap!!!
Please, spend some decent time and cash on the installation. You’ll be rewarded in the long run!

PPS: If you want more recommendations, head over to mobile electronics australia (MEA), Australia's premier car audio website. If you post a budget and your requirements there, they should be able to recommend you a system.

I will check them out, thanks!

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by fourl6

autobarn, i think in narre warren, but you should be able to get it at any decent auto store, they all sell aerpro stuff...

the part numbers are
Aerpro FP9140 - for Black
Aerpro FP9141 - for Grey

more info
http://66.226.77.74/showthread.php?t=11279548

also with the 5x7" vs 6" or 6x9" comments, i personally prefer a product that screws straight in without any spacers etc.

iv got a pair of Alpine 5 1/4" Splits (SPR-13S) that come with proper 5x7" spacer but i was still disappointed with the fit, and sound quality even running of a expensive alpine headunit and/or jaycar response amp.

I will source one tomorrow through work. I am weighing up just getting some 6.5 with spacers.

[fourl6]

Originally Posted by XR_6falcon

I will source one tomorrow through work. I am weighing up just getting some 6.5 with spacers.

with the headunit surround make sure you dont get a headunit with a flip down face, i can use the cdplayer on mine without removing it from the surround, the face cant flip down (to access the cd player) some of the flip down ones might be ok but mine isnt

Cheers Cam

[NC1183]

If you end up getting a brand of front 6.5" speakers for the front, other then Alpine, go to your local Car Audio installer and ask them if they have any of the Alpine spacers, the fit behind the factory trims and will allow the greater depth required stopping the basket of the speaker hitting your window.

Here is the link to a thread that was done a couple of years ago about mounting headunits.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...light=headunit

[saber]

Originally Posted by fourl6

also with the 5x7" vs 6" or 6x9" comments, i personally prefer a product that screws straight in without any spacers etc.

iv got a pair of Alpine 5 1/4" Splits (SPR-13S) that come with proper 5x7" spacer but i was still disappointed with the fit, and sound quality even running of a expensive alpine headunit and/or jaycar response amp.

fourl6, if you prefer a straight factory swap, go with the 5x7"s. I've currently got a set of Boston S85 5x7", which sound pretty good when run off an amp.

I've also got a set of Crescendo Opus 1 sitting in a box, just waiting to be installed. Just got to find the time to do it!!!

Personally, I've found a 6.5" speaker delivers more richer sounding music, and a much stronger midbass punch than the equivalent 5x7". Its really noticeable when you play back each speaker side by side. The best way of course is to get out, test and listen for yourself. You'll know what sounds and what doesn't sound good!

[Day-mow]

Originally Posted by XR_6falcon

Do you know roughly how much the type R 5x7's are?

RRP is bout $229. JB hi-fi always do good deals. go ask them (+1 for shopping local)
or buy it from america on flea bay and you'll save a heap (but not so good for australian economy)

[ronwest]

To the OP, I'd have a hunt around audio forums eg http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/ there is a lot of assistance and some of those guys really know their stuff as far as comparisons are concerned.

You can then sashay over to http://www.ryda.com.au/Car-Stereos-C...Store-s/20.htm for a bit of an idea on costs.

I'd suggest that anything you buy will be fine.

If you're sitting in your sound booth listening to your $20,000 system you'd pick up minor differences pretty easily. With road noise, engine noise, general background noise, whatever system you buy under $1000 will sound as good as any other system you can buy under $1000.

[IGALOP]

Looking to replace the tape player/radio in my 2000 AU Wagon. Just want a single AM/FM/CD type..................what's my simplest, cheapest option? Prefer a remove old and plug in new C/O.

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by IGALOP

Looking to replace the tape player/radio in my 2000 AU Wagon. Just want a single AM/FM/CD type..................what's my simplest, cheapest option? Prefer a remove old and plug in new C/O.

I think you can get somthing called a junction cable that plugs into the exsiting wiring plug and plugs straight into the head unit. Not 100% im sure someone here will know...

[XR_6falcon]

what do people think about JVC headunits? This one seems to have all the features i want...

http://www.ryda.com.au/JVC-KD-R626-C...r-p/kdr626.htm

[robbyj]

Originally Posted by IGALOP

Looking to replace the tape player/radio in my 2000 AU Wagon. Just want a single AM/FM/CD type..................what's my simplest, cheapest option? Prefer a remove old and plug in new C/O.

Go to wow (or similar store), ask for the cheapest headunit they have, ask the best price they can do. Grab a wiring harness for the AU.

Then its almost simply out with the old, plug in the new. You will have to hook the existing wiring harness, into the new headunit one. And change the wires that are needed. (it should come with an instruction booklet on which wire is which)

For a simple head unit like that, $60 - $80.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by XR_6falcon

what do people think about JVC headunits? This one seems to have all the features i want...

http://www.ryda.com.au/JVC-KD-R626-C...r-p/kdr626.htm

I bought a JVC about 4 years ago (was discounted to around $700 at the time) and was disappointed that it didn't have a front usb port (mine has a tail and usb connector).
I use usb mainly and I reckon that the 'tailed' usb is more practical. I've got mine in the glovebox where it's out of the way.
Other than that, that unit you're looking at looks fine. Again, it's in the price range where any of those available will do a good job.

Keep an eye on Supercheap. Quite often they'll sell out slow moving or superceded stock at very good discounts.

[Day-mow]

Originally Posted by XR_6falcon

what do people think about JVC headunits? This one seems to have all the features i want...

http://www.ryda.com.au/JVC-KD-R626-C...r-p/kdr626.htm

JVC are pretty good. i've found Alpine are the clearest tho. higher and clearer output. better sound. etc

but you pay for it

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Day-mow

JVC are pretty good. i've found Alpine are the clearest tho. higher and clearer output. better sound. etc

Probably more to do with speakers.

I've got Type X splits and I doubt head units within the same price range would make much difference to the sound.

[XR_6falcon]

I brought some JL audio 5x7's $160 a pair and a sony head unit for $195.

[Donny]

If your not that fussy an wanna do it on the cheaper side and keep a mostly factory look, just upgrade the speaker setup to the Premium sound setup and throw in a better headunit..

This is what I have done for mine.. Cost me about $100 all up in buying parts.
Mine had the normal 4 speaker setup, I bought the factory amp, sub, rear parcel shelf top and front tweeters second hand via a Ford Forums member and hooked that into an older Pioneer MP3 headunit I have.. For me that setup does the job good enough.. Its not the best it could be, not even close, but then I aint throwing wadds of cash at it either.

The beauty of this way is it sounds reasonable now for minimal outlay.
You can spend thousands goin nutts buyin all the fancy stuff available. The next day its old news and supersceeded..

The power wires etc are all there for the amp, as is the mount location and holes for all the extras. All you need is a set of BA/BF front A pillar covers for the tweeters and your all good to go..