Hello ICE buffs.

My current set-up is standard speakers, with a Kenwood Mask KD6080C head unit (4 x 45w).

I'm not impressed with the sound. I fitted a decent Alpine head unit to my last Coupe (4 x 50w), which sounded good with the standard speakers - so I'm not sure whether it's the speakers or head unit that are cack in my second Coupe. The only other thing I can think of is that this Coupe is about 2 years older than the last; did they change the standard speakers?

Anyway, please recommend me a decent CD-based set-up. Parameters are that I like the current head unit (it folds in and looks "factory") and I don't fancy doing any butchering to panels. Budget is flexible, though I'd need to be convinced!

Will a decent set of new speakers perk things up a bit? Or do I need to get busy with amps and subs?

Well this is what I would recommend:-

New set of front speakers, I have some infinity components, costs around 100 plus for a decent set. You can place the cutovers in the dash end panels. Best to re-wire to as the standard wires are split somewhere in the depths of the dash.

However I would also at this point consider a 4 channel amp in the boot. With upgraded fronts it will give your HU a new lease of life.

Best thing to do is try one thing at a time.

I did the following in this order:-

New front speakers - made a difference but was not as impressed as I thought I would be.

Lined the door panel with a sheet of sound dampening tar backed foil - Made a massive difference to bass response.

You may want to stop as this set up will probably sound good. I was in a similar position but was then given a 4 channel amp FOC.

I have to say that this alone a massive difference and I am now more than happy with the sounds.

The main thing is that no matter what HU you have until you change the standard paper coned speakers you will not hear mch difference. Once these are changed then you may find yourself quite happy with that.

The rear speakers are even worse as they are fixed to the plastic panel rather than the inner body work. I replaced these with some bog standard 6x9s fixed to the inner metalwork and this made a tremendous difference and well worth it. No panel cutting is required either.

Hope this helps.

JOhn

Thanks John.

For the 4-channel amp, what did you wire it up to? I had a single channel amp powering a sub in the boot of a car I had about 5 years ago. Would a 4-channel power 2 front and 2 rear speakers?

Also, you mention re-wiring the front speakers. What exactly do I re-wire?!

Cheers

I have the four channel amp running the fronts and rears. If I was to run a sub I would run a separate amp for it alone.

As for the front speakers it depends on if you are going to run an amp.

Without amp:-
Run a wire from the ISO plug (cuting the existing wires as close to the ISO plug as possible) to each end of the dash. Remove the dash end covers and connect the wire to the cutover unit and find a way of securing the crossoversr in there so they do not add to the Coupe rattle and squeak count

The replace the tweaters with the component articles and wire to the crossover. Then finaly run a wire behind the carpet near the door and though the corrugated ruber piping and into the door. This is actualy very easy as the rubber piece unclips at the body and door end and makes it easy to route the wire. Now remove the door speakers and cut the existing wire. You should be able to see the new wire which I connected by soldering rather than those spade conector things.

With and Amp:
Run the wire from the boot down the sides of the car and route to the dash ends and connect to crossover, ensuring it does not run alongside any power cables. Then do the above procedures from the crossover onwards.

Hope this makes sense

Oh yes and don't scrimp on the wire quality

JOhn

I've been considering the best way to improve my sound too. The talkaudio.co.uk guys tell me to stand clear of the 6x9s I took out of my old car and get some new 6.5s for the front, and a sub, both amped.
Think I'm going to see how I go with the 6.5s to start with and also get a 4 channel amp to give flexibility if I feel a sub is neccessary.
Does anyone know the maximum depth I can afford the front 6.5s to be? I was also thinking of mounting the amp under the passenger seat, any problems I'm likely to get with this?

i run a 4x50 kenwood h/u. off that i power, infinity door speakers with sony tweeters (with infinity reference crossovers) and power my JBL 930e 6x9's. in the boot, i have a 4 channel 1000 watt amp powering 2 JBL GT3 12's. i have bridged the subs so the amp will send 500 watts max to each sub. the sound is very well ballenced, it's not overly loud....but loud enough. when i fitted the lot, i stripped the interior and made sure every wire was the exact same legnth. i used autoleads wires, and it took me about 3 days to put in....

BUT DON'T SKIMP ON WIRES i would advise you to save 10% of your budjet for wires...

at the end of the day, you don't see the vodafone network linked up with tin cans and string do you?

ha ha!