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£500 ice budget any suggestions? #789213
07/03/2009 01:39
07/03/2009 01:39

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Yourwinner
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Hi,

My car is still being repaired / having full respray at the bodyshop as I write this and I found out the other day the interior is being removed.

Whilst its all out I ordered a load of dynamat to soundproof the entire car . . . well most of it and just wondered if anyone had any suggestions or recommendations for a mid level speaker set up for £500?

Already have a nice Kenwood Mask HU so just need a 6 channel amp, 12 inch sub, component speakers / tweeters for the front and I'm not overly fussed what goes in the back, I know a lot of people swear by using 6x9's but I aint that bothered to tell the truth.

Sound quality and clarity is first on the list followed by a decent level of bass any ideas are welcome confused

Thanks,

Joe

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #789276
07/03/2009 10:40
07/03/2009 10:40

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peanuthead
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get some dimond or rainbow maybe some jl fronts just in your budget 6.5" componets for the front which are about £120 then infifnty kappa 6.5" coxal's rear about £80 then a kicker comp sub £100 and a alpine mono black about £100 and a kenwood 4 channel about £150. with wiring might knock it a little over budget but that would be a very nice setup.

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #789337
07/03/2009 12:54
07/03/2009 12:54

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sweetride
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With that budget pay for good componants up front and you could even get away with no speakers in the back, then a nice and cub and amp to match job done.

Follow peanuts examples on makes, as you get what you pay for smile

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #789405
07/03/2009 15:09
07/03/2009 15:09

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Yourwinner
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Cheers guys, have been looking at JL Audio components already and wondered if I (the driver) would benefit from 6x9's in the rear?

Would it make much of a difference to the sound spectrum leaving out rear speakers? If I not I would prefer to give them a miss!

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #790396
08/03/2009 23:57
08/03/2009 23:57

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peanuthead
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i wouldn't bother with 6x9's if you get a sub.
the 9x9's are designed to give you more bass is your system but when you have a sub you want to cancel out the bass for your compnet speakers to make them hit the high notes better and give more clarity and you work tem less and you want a good sub to deal with the low notes your compnets can't hit without sounding pants.
6x9's are designed to do both but never sound as good.

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #790473
09/03/2009 03:29
09/03/2009 03:29

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will666666
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The fact that you as the driver want the best set up for you answers your question about 6/9's in the rear...

For the music to sound best for you, don't fit 6/9's in the rear. They will overpower the front components and focus the music to much towards the rear which will much up you soundstage. Bass is not as directional which is why it does not matter so much having the sub in the rear, but the other frequencies, particularly the treble are, which is why the bulk of your money should go into your front speakers and the amp that powers them. If you like JL then the XR series components are an ideal choice. With a good sub, you will have all frequency ranges covered, and if your amp that powers the components has a good low pass filter you can stop them being worked too hard trying to produce bass that can be left to the sub...

Spend £50 on the RCA cable that goes to the amp that powers the components, you get what you pay for, you can spend half that on the RCA for the sub amp...

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #790956
09/03/2009 20:00
09/03/2009 20:00

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johnnybravoturbo
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I personally dont notice too much difference with 6X9's over stock rear speakers if your running a sub.
I use 2 legacy ice amps with remote bass controlers.Attatched to 2 15" jbl old style subs.
As far as bass goes you could use 1,but 2 is enough to remove kidney stones,and several number plate fixings.
Thats a good package and about £400 ish for the lot.As for components halfords do a really good package on theres called jls or something.
Great quality sound from the tweeter.and if your running a good 50w head unit then its all the level of sound youll need unless you want to go competition.

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #791245
10/03/2009 08:24
10/03/2009 08:24
Joined: Dec 2007
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Dubai, U.A.E
Jumeirah Offline
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Just get a mid price Alpine components/tweeters wit a 2 channel amp for the front and a mono class D (Alpine or Pioneer)amp for a shallow mount 12" sub. Use a 4 gauge for wiring the amp. i would not bother getting the 6X9'. IMHO they will not make a diffrence. smile


...................driving
Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: Jumeirah] #791246
10/03/2009 08:44
10/03/2009 08:44

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RICHB
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Iv just fitted sony components in the front, 6x9s in the rear, and all rewired with QED speaker cable, II used loads of sound deadening and used it the 'seal' the quarter panel as much as poss, big difference and improvement IMO .... no BIG bass, but a good balanced sound ... with enough bass for me, personally I wanted to improve the quality of the sound not add tons of bass laugh

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #791605
10/03/2009 17:08
10/03/2009 17:08

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Nazo
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did you use an AMP.. can you list the items you used? Will help me and others considering this route, one day.

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #791627
10/03/2009 17:41
10/03/2009 17:41

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peanuthead
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if you are using 6x9's i would always surgest running them off a amp as heatunits just won't deliver the power to them without distorting the speakers.

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #791630
10/03/2009 17:52
10/03/2009 17:52

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RICHB
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Well, I have a sony head unit, Sony front components and sony 6x9 rears, all connected with good quality QED cable. I spent hours sound proofing the rear quarters ( theres a guide on the forum somewhere ), no amps, subwoofers etc, but it sounds crystal clear and has enough 'grunt' for me, in context compared to the original cables / unit / speakers its 500% better, IMO laugh

Last edited by RICHB; 10/03/2009 17:53.
Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #791640
10/03/2009 18:13
10/03/2009 18:13

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Thanks for all your help and advice so far guys smile

I've got 36sq ft dynamat xtreme to use first, will be removing rear speakers and wont be replacing them.

Will be looking at decent JL audio components for the front and will have one 12" sub in the back.

Will be running speakers and sub off an amp or two, would I notice much of a difference using a monoblock for the sub with a seperate amp for the components instead of just using one 4 channel amp for everything?!?!?!

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #791648
10/03/2009 18:43
10/03/2009 18:43
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 453
Dubai, U.A.E
Jumeirah Offline
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Well it is best to run your components on a stereo amp to get the mid and high notes and your sub with a mono block.

I have tried both setups. 4 channel amp and 2 channel wt class d mono. with the mono it made a diffrence. Mono gave me cleaner sound, and stereo amp gave my sub a slight fuzzy sound.


...................driving
Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: Jumeirah] #793366
12/03/2009 20:43
12/03/2009 20:43

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Just a few more questions confused

Which is the best way to wire up 2 amps? Also the best place to install the crossovers for the components up front?

Thanks again,

Joe

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #793936
13/03/2009 18:09
13/03/2009 18:09

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will666666
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Crossovers will fit in the end caps of the dashboard...
How many pre outs has the mask head unit got?
It depends on the headunit as to how the amps will be wired, ideally it will have at least two preouts so you can control the amps gain from the headunit.
If you don't mind going second hand, check ebay for either rockford fosgate or directed audio monoblock amps...

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #793948
13/03/2009 18:46
13/03/2009 18:46

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Thanks Will, thought the dash would be one of the best places for them, wasnt keen on putting them in the doors as a friend of mine suggested shocked

I think the mask has 2 x pre outs (can't check at moment) although if it only has 1 lot can I not link the 2 amps together with extra phono cables?

Would prefer to buy some decent second hand amps to be honest, I'm tracking quite a few on ebay already smile

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #794062
13/03/2009 21:40
13/03/2009 21:40

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Well I just bought one of these for £72 ----> Mono Amp

Hoping to buy one of these to drive the components for £120 or less ------> 2 Channel Amp

The dynamat is being fitted tomorrow along with QED speaker cable I bought today and the amp wiring kit.

Just need a Alpine Type R enclosed subwoofer approx cost £100-£150 and then finally the JL Audio components at £150+ and I should be finished evil

Any comments, suggestions or alternatives to what I'm looking at would be appreciated as always!

Joe

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #794562
14/03/2009 20:10
14/03/2009 20:10

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will666666
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While my advice is based impartially on a few years of doing installs etc...

I DO HAVE TWO 12" TYPE R SUBS IN ALPINE MATCHED ENCLOSURES...

Which i may decide to sell...

Xr series is the way to go with JL components, the alpine r type components sound pretty good too (had these when i was running the alpine subs)

Image dynamics are quite unknown outside of the ICE world and if you come across a set buy them, the crossovers are a work of art and the tweeters sound the tits.

Soundstream are what i'm about to put in, but it's the older soundstream stuff which were imported from the states (the current stuff in made in the far east and is a bit shoddy imho)

Infinity kappas are still a popular choice...

Buy a couple of distribution blocks for the boot for the power and earth feeds for the amps, and you can also use these for a direct voltage feed for when you uprate your fuel pump (or even just to supply a better feed to the standard one).

Don't buy focal components from ebay as they are shitloads of fakes about...

If you have only got one preout, you can still link the amps but most mask headunits had two/three preouts so you should be ok...

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #795709
16/03/2009 18:49
16/03/2009 18:49

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Well the decent JL Audio components fell out of my budget, didnt really want to buy their bottom of range components at £150 so I picked up the Infinity Perfect 6.1 instead.

Providing I can pick up an Alpine Type R Sub in a box for £100 I should land just a couple of quid under the £500 budget laugh

Managed to get the whole lot of eBay so far :-

Components

Mono Amp

2 Channel Amp

Just watching a few Subwoofers at the moment on ebay and once I get one I'll finally be finished, just hope it sounds decent.

Thanks for all your comments, you've been a great help as always smile

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #795727
16/03/2009 19:11
16/03/2009 19:11
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 453
Dubai, U.A.E
Jumeirah Offline
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Dude you got some real super equipment on your shopping basket. The Mono amp is very powerfull and IMHO your 2 channel is one of the best in the market. thumb


...................driving
Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: Jumeirah] #795749
16/03/2009 19:37
16/03/2009 19:37

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the_mule
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smile


Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #796449
17/03/2009 19:42
17/03/2009 19:42

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will666666
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Good choices, the perfects sound lovely...

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #798536
21/03/2009 11:35
21/03/2009 11:35

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Nazo
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As some of you know I am looking to do the same.. been researching this for 7-8 weeks now, so some questions

1. Sextons say JL Audio is the way and will upgrade my speakers, amp, cabling and solid fitting using all JL Audio stuff for £550
p.s. they also say Alpine is the most bankable headunit brand for them, should i want to add that to my list of upgrades

2. John Kleis say £600 will get my Hertz or Rainbow speakers, dynamat deadening and decent amp..

Peanut has given me top advice and said to buy bits myself and do it DIY, however i just dont have time or confidence..more of a time issue tbh

any feedback welcome and is Alpine really that good (got a Sony bluetooth MP3 HU)

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #798548
21/03/2009 12:07
21/03/2009 12:07

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Shifty
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Have alook at the hu's and try them out. If you can afford to do it then get it fitted by an expert, they will also set it up correctly. The set up and sound deadening if done well will make a cheaper system sound like an expensive system fitted diy.

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #798577
21/03/2009 14:11
21/03/2009 14:11

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sweetride
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Not sure what sony are like now, but i have always avoided them, due to having one temporary and it sucked bad.

Alpine have always been the best in most cases, many people will agree with this also.

I personally have a pioneer bluetooth hu and it sounds great.

As shifty says sound deadining is a must smile

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #798602
21/03/2009 15:25
21/03/2009 15:25

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Nazo
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Thanks guys

So how does JL audio compare to Hertz/Rainbow

I listen to classical music which has been remixed a little like Vanassa Mae and Bond type bands

So after clearer high notes with bass without adding a Sub

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #798627
21/03/2009 16:58
21/03/2009 16:58

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will666666
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Alpine are always the way to go with headunits, they've always had the best signal to noise ratio... Depends if you listen to cd's or mp3's as to what headunit to go for, although personally I still stick with cd's for sound quality, but that's just me, if you want to save money, you can get a second hand headunit off ebay that sounds the tits and costs bugger all eg cda 9811, cda 9812, 9815 etc that will have three preouts, very good sound quality etc...

You should buy the kit yourself even if you get someone else to install it as you will save loads...

JL Hertz and Rainbow are all good brands, always recommend the XR series JL as my mate had it in his competition (winning) install I helped him with.

Sound deadening you realy should do yourself, it really isn't hard to change doorcards, remove rear quarters etc (guides on forum)...

Edead is cheap but you have to use twice as much, Dynamat is still the best option...

And you would still benefit from a sub, even if you just go for an 8 inch in the boot as the front speakers can be low passed so that they are not overworked on the low notes and the sub can fill in the missing notes that you would otherwise not hear/feel. Also JL do a good 8 inch sub that would match the fronts, they even do a 6 inch sub if you really don't want much bass or have issues with boot space...

Spending £100 on sound deadening will benefit you more than an extra £300 on speakers (honestly). Even if you just do the inner door skins behind the speakers you'll be surprised just how much difference it makes... Also the cable to connect the amp to your front speakers is one of the most important things NOT to scrimp on, you will notice the difference if you don't get a decent triple shielded one...

For the setup you want and the budget you have, you don't need the rear speakers...

Hope that helps a bit, have done dozens of installs (although my car is currently devoid of ICE as still sound deadening it)... lol

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #799251
22/03/2009 23:12
22/03/2009 23:12

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Nazo
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wow gee thanks

i was bidding on a genesis amp, until sextons rep told me that its not as reliable as JL audio..lol

I am a Home Theatre guru and specialise in systems for home, but in-car is a different ball game.. :-)

Re: £500 ice budget any suggestions? [Re: ] #804654
31/03/2009 13:11
31/03/2009 13:11

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proccy
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Originally Posted By: will666666
Alpine are always the way to go with headunits, they've always had the best signal to noise ratio... Depends if you listen to cd's or mp3's as to what headunit to go for, although personally I still stick with cd's for sound quality, but that's just me, if you want to save money, you can get a second hand headunit off ebay that sounds the tits and costs bugger all eg cda 9811, cda 9812, 9815 etc that will have three preouts, very good sound quality etc...

You should buy the kit yourself even if you get someone else to install it as you will save loads...

JL Hertz and Rainbow are all good brands, always recommend the XR series JL as my mate had it in his competition (winning) install I helped him with.

Sound deadening you realy should do yourself, it really isn't hard to change doorcards, remove rear quarters etc (guides on forum)...

Edead is cheap but you have to use twice as much, Dynamat is still the best option...

And you would still benefit from a sub, even if you just go for an 8 inch in the boot as the front speakers can be low passed so that they are not overworked on the low notes and the sub can fill in the missing notes that you would otherwise not hear/feel. Also JL do a good 8 inch sub that would match the fronts, they even do a 6 inch sub if you really don't want much bass or have issues with boot space...

Spending £100 on sound deadening will benefit you more than an extra £300 on speakers (honestly). Even if you just do the inner door skins behind the speakers you'll be surprised just how much difference it makes... Also the cable to connect the amp to your front speakers is one of the most important things NOT to scrimp on, you will notice the difference if you don't get a decent triple shielded one...

For the setup you want and the budget you have, you don't need the rear speakers...

Hope that helps a bit, have done dozens of installs (although my car is currently devoid of ICE as still sound deadening it)... lol


great post mate - just a question, do you do this as a business venture or just for fun?

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