Car Sound Systems Advice

epictring · 2013-01-14T21:12:44+00:00

My dad gave me his old Toyota Corolla and I want to replace the crappy stock sound. I went to the local car audio shop today and the guy was trying to sell me an "entry level" system for R4200 installed I remember some of the specs right now (I'll update tomorrow) XTC Amplifier JVC Head Unit Can't remember speakers I know almost nothing about the different price ranges and systems so I was wondering if anyone here knows something. I don't need intense sub woofer bass, I listen to mostly folk, rock, little metal, blues etc. kind of music and no rave/dubstep. So I'm looking at something to give me good sound quality with basic volume levels, doesn't have to be insanely loud. Everybody says an amp is compulsory for good sound quality and getting the best out of speakers, not sure of that either. I'm looking for something a little cheaper than 4000, any advice? Or is a 4000 system really what I need?

DaFiz

Hey Pete. I'm out on motorcycle if at all possible. The car gets for shopping trips and taking Madam out... Then we soft music at reduced volume...
Gone are the LOUD Led Zeppelin days... ☹
Even then 100watts blew your mind away... today they snigger at anything under a 1000watts driving the 15" speaker in the boot alone. :-\

RJN

Hey my China , lekke 6 by nine's ! ?

epictring

Yeah I've also thought of that. I'm mainly going to drive to university (if I don't end up walking), the sports fields, groceries/clothing etc. and its in Pretoria. So not all that much to justify spending big bucks, just want something listenable when driving back to my parents once every few weeks back in Welkom.

I went to Arctic Electric today (local electronics shop), they have a narrow selection but they install for free.

They unfortunately had no Pioneer speakers/head units but they had Kenwoods.

I wrote down some of the model names:

Kenwood Head Unit with AUX, USB, MP3 capabilities, CD:
KDC 3054URM - R999

Then for the speakers I'm going to take the car tomorrow so they can exactly check it out to see what will fit etc.

Kenwood Speakers (about R300-R400 pairs depending on sizes):
KFC E1654: LINK: http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwood-KFC-E1654-6inch-Dual-Cone-160Watts-Speakers/KFCE1654/
KFC E1364 - LINK: http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/speakers/regular/KFC-E1364/
KFC E1354 - LINK: http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/speakers/regular/KFC-E1354/

Are those speakers any good? Or are they really "cheap" and won't make a difference to the old stock speakers in there?

I'm looking to only replacing the front 2 speakers of the car for minimum modification, so I'd rather want 2 "goodish" speakers.

flatfourfan

epictring wrote Yeah I've also thought of that. I'm mainly going to drive to university (if I don't end up walking), the sports fields, groceries/clothing etc. and its in Pretoria. So not all that much to justify spending big bucks, just want something listenable when driving back to my parents once every few weeks back in Welkom.

I went to Arctic Electric today (local electronics shop), they have a narrow selection but they install for free.

They unfortunately had no Pioneer speakers/head units but they had Kenwoods.

I wrote down some of the model names:

Kenwood Head Unit with AUX, USB, MP3 capabilities, CD:
KDC 3054URM - R999

Then for the speakers I'm going to take the car tomorrow so they can exactly check it out to see what will fit etc.

Kenwood Speakers (about R300-R400 pairs depending on sizes):
KFC E1654: LINK: http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwood-KFC-E1654-6inch-Dual-Cone-160Watts-Speakers/KFCE1654/
KFC E1364 - LINK: http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/speakers/regular/KFC-E1364/
KFC E1354 - LINK: http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/speakers/regular/KFC-E1354/

Are those speakers any good? Or are they really "cheap" and won't make a difference to the old stock speakers in there?

I'm looking to only replacing the front 2 speakers of the car for minimum modification, so I'd rather want 2 "goodish" speakers.

The price on the head unit is okay, pretty much in line with what you can get locally.

If you're really trying to save money, hook up the radio to what you currently have and then decide if you want to change, usually just by doing this it sounds a WHOLE lot better as the old radios have got crappy output. Worst case scenario is you toast the speakers.......lol.

The speakers that you posted are normal run of the mill fullrange speakers and I'd save a bit and get something a bit better. Don't throw R400 odd down the toilet. Those ARE cheap, basic design that hasn't changed in 30-40 odd years, they just gave them a lick of paint.

epictring

flatfourfan wrote
epictring wrote Yeah I've also thought of that. I'm mainly going to drive to university (if I don't end up walking), the sports fields, groceries/clothing etc. and its in Pretoria. So not all that much to justify spending big bucks, just want something listenable when driving back to my parents once every few weeks back in Welkom.

I went to Arctic Electric today (local electronics shop), they have a narrow selection but they install for free.

They unfortunately had no Pioneer speakers/head units but they had Kenwoods.

I wrote down some of the model names:

Kenwood Head Unit with AUX, USB, MP3 capabilities, CD:
KDC 3054URM - R999

Then for the speakers I'm going to take the car tomorrow so they can exactly check it out to see what will fit etc.

Kenwood Speakers (about R300-R400 pairs depending on sizes):
KFC E1654: LINK: http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwood-KFC-E1654-6inch-Dual-Cone-160Watts-Speakers/KFCE1654/
KFC E1364 - LINK: http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/speakers/regular/KFC-E1364/
KFC E1354 - LINK: http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/speakers/regular/KFC-E1354/

Are those speakers any good? Or are they really "cheap" and won't make a difference to the old stock speakers in there?

I'm looking to only replacing the front 2 speakers of the car for minimum modification, so I'd rather want 2 "goodish" speakers.
The price on the head unit is okay, pretty much in line with what you can get locally.

If you're really trying to save money, hook up the radio to what you currently have and then decide if you want to change, usually just by doing this it sounds a WHOLE lot better as the old radios have got crappy output. Worst case scenario is you toast the speakers.......lol.

The speakers that you posted are normal run of the mill fullrange speakers and I'd save a bit and get something a bit better. Don't throw R400 odd down the toilet. Those ARE cheap, basic design that hasn't changed in 30-40 odd years, they just gave them a lick of paint.

I'll do that, which speakers would you recommend instead without needing an amp?

Fleming

I have been putting big sound systems into my cars for 12 years and have learnt alot over the years.

If you want a system that plays clearly at moderate volumes on a budget this is my advice.

You dont need to spend too much on the headunit. R800 will get you something fairly decent from Pioneer, JVC, Sony, Kenwood with Aux input and USB. I recently bought a Sony CDX-GT45U for this price and it has really impressed me. Brands like Alpine are better but at this price you really are paying for the name and not going to see the benefit. Also, you really do want the USB functionality. I always said I dont need it until I got a HU with it. Now its all I use. The big advantage is it has no moving parts so doesnt jump, no matter how bumpy the road is and there is obviously less wear and tear on the CD mechanism.

For speakers you need to spend as much as you can on a set of splits. I know Hertz now make a set of splits that are designed to be connected to the HU without an amp. I think other brands are also bringing out similar set ups. As far as I know the corolla you have has 4 inch speakers in the dash. If you are not getting a sub 4 inches wont cut it. In fact even with a sub they wont cut it. I would recommend a set of 6.5 inch splits mounted in the doors with the tweeters in the base of the A-Pillar. A mate of mine once did this in a conquest (similar to your corolla) and it was pretty easy getting the speakers in the doors. Any decent installation shop should be able to do this.

You dont really need back speakers however if you are not getting a sub they may be beneficial. You dont need to spend alot here though.

There has always been a lot said about 6x9's. Generally they can play pretty loud but sound terrible. One thing they do quite well is play bass with very little power. They may be worth considering if you are not getting a sub. The Sony HU that I mentioned above has a nice feature where it allows you to set your rear speakers to only play bass. I think this would sound pretty good with a decent set of splits up front and 6x9's in the back.

Norman86

Hertz Dieci splits play off the HU very well.
As do Focal Access1's.

But, i doubt he's going to go for splits.

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