mx5cartalk.com

As I've never built a car stereo system before, I'm interested in hearing your opinions on my proposed setup.

My requirements are:
Super stealthy. My car is parked outside in the city all day.
Clear highs and mids.
Bass is obviously nice but doesn't need to be nuts, as long as it's tight. I'm not really one for huge subs.

Budget is about $1500.

At this point I'm thinking of going for a head unit, amp, and new 6.5" coaxial speakers. Everybody says splits are best but I really do want an 'invisible' install.

So far I'm looking at:
Head unit - Nakamichi MB-100
http://www.nkmca.com/auto/musicbank/MB100SPEC.HTML
I can't stand the 'midnight in tokyo' look of most (all?!) modern head units. Nakamichi have a good reputation, although it's true they're no longer in business. Bling new features are not as important to me as good sound quality. I've already bought this, $550 off eBay.

Amp - Focal Solid 4
http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/pdfs/solid4.pdf
I've read good things about the build quality of these amps. I would bridge the connections to utilize just 2 channels. I figure this way I have some flexibility in the amp if I want to change anything later. Having said all that, I'm not really sure what amp to go for. It doesn't seem that much sets amps apart other than wattage and power handling. Should I just go for a 2 channel amp? Advice would be appreciated here.

Speakers - ???
I auditioned some Focal splits (no coax on display) at Tonkins in Adelaide this week, and they were good but they were very bright and I would like something a little warmer. There were also some cheaper Polks which didn't really impress me. I'm not sure what to do here, as I don't have much time to audition different speakers. I'd like to listen to some Morel and Rainbow speakers but I haven't yet found anywhere in Adelaide that sells them... Any hints?
Muzzy66, I read you mentioned Jaycar stock some dark horses (ie vifa). I wonder if any Jaycars in Adelaide have them set up for auditioning.

Deadening - Just plain old dynamat on the doors.

Installation - I want to do this myself as it sounds fairly straightforward. If I were to go for the Focal Solid 4 I'd be using this wiring kit:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA0442
I've not figured out where best to put the amp, but assumedly somewhere in the boot =D

Your opinions are appreciated!

would you really spend that much money for a few tunes in a noisy car and then park it in the city for someone to help themselves- does insurance cover this?

why not just get a complete clearwater setup for speakers, incl the headrest ones?

i too am a fan of the Nak decks.. truly understated....

Mr Mrlock, I love music, and I love driving. I spend a lot of time behind the wheel so there's nothing I'd like more than to put a nice stereo in my car. Yes my insurance will cover it. And like I said, it will hopefully be invisible.

Entice, thanks for the advice. I'm a bit unsure about the headrest speakers. Surely the imaging is going to be pretty weird having the speakers right behind your head? Also, how do the Clearwater compare to other mainstream audio brands?

Very valid points.

I guess the main difference is that the Clearwaters have been made with a specific application in mind. They are a solution for a replacement/upgrade option for the MX5, and have been engineered and designed to suit.

As opposed to an item that can be made to fit.

I'm currently in the same boat as you, but didnt go the Nak route (I had a Nak unit in my previous MX5, but this time i wanted Bluetooth/parrot capability and ability to charge my phone (iPhone), and hence I chose something else.

But, as far as speakers go, I'm looking for a complete set of clearwaters (6 units) for my 93 NA. they will be replacing the no doubt tired and perished 18 year old units in there at the moment. The main benefit is as mentioned, designed to fit without mucking around with extra mount holes, cable changes etc etc.

Also, they are much cheaper than the Boston Acoustics set I had been desiring!

Hmmmm, thanks. Lots of food for thought.

On the flipside of that argument, I assumed (rightly or wrongly) that the Clearwaters would suffer due to economy of scale. As they are purpose built, they must charge a premium as they won't sell many (relative to mainstream manufacturers). Ergo, a mainstream product at the same price would have better components.

I've just gone and read some reviews, and while I'm still interested to hear some in the flesh, from what I'm reading my concerns seem to be valid, so I think they are not for me.

Not that there isn't some appeal to an easy installation

cheaper approach - MP3 player - and bank the difference.

Mr Morlock wrote:cheaper approach - MP3 player - and bank the difference.

MP3 players will block out outside noise, and your passenger won't be able to listen as well.

I doubt that an MP3 will block out other sounds provided it is not too loud-ie the same argument raised for walkers etc. There is a sound argument, excuse the pun, that a fancy sound system banging away also can be distracting. Insofar as the passenger not being able to hear that may well be a very positive aspect. A passenger can suffer great pain in having to listen to Pavarotti as much as having to listen to Kylie or some other choice of the guy" in charge" I have a feeling that inksta or Lee will not agree.

Aaahahaha!!!! Thank you djhives! That is golden. You sir are awesome.

Re: passenger... Not concerned about what my passengers do or do not hear! ;P

Oh and I'm not keen on headphones as those little ones never fit me and big ones are impractical.

I'm going to order the focal amp and wiring kit. Will figure out the speakers later.

the most overused expression - "life is too short"- next to "awesome"- so I guess we are all supposed to trot that out for every hair brained silly thing we do.

Mr Morlock wrote:would you really spend that much money for a few tunes in a noisy car and then park it in the city for someone to help themselves- does insurance cover this?

Please don't spam the forum, this owner wants advice on what stereo items to buy not for you to question their choice, of course you can get stereo gear added to your insurance policy.

I bought myself a pair of Alpine Type-R speakers and a Kenwood KDC-X8016BT. They really don't need an amp, as it has plenty of volume from the built-in amp. Those speakers have built-in tweeters, so they have a good, clear range. Bass response is pretty good, but I am tempted to stuff a sub somewhere. They would compliment a decent set of headrest speakers very well.

All up I think they cost me about $550 or so, but that was at a JB sale. The face plate of that head unit is removable, so it looks pretty discreet when you're out of the car.

Mr Morlock wrote:I doubt that an MP3 will block out other sounds provided it is not too loud-ie the same argument raised for walkers etc. There is a sound argument, excuse the pun, that a fancy sound system banging away also can be distracting. Insofar as the passenger not being able to hear that may well be a very positive aspect. A passenger can suffer great pain in having to listen to Pavarotti as much as having to listen to Kylie or some other choice of the guy" in charge" I have a feeling that inksta or Lee will not agree.

I certainly agree with your point that "a fancy sound system banging away also can be distracting", which is why I don't drive around with my system cranked up to 11. Funnily enough, I also agree with your point regarding passenger pain while listening to Pavarotti or Kylie; I tend to care more for my passengers than to play 'music' by 'artists' in that particular section of the industry. But I don't see why you would prefer to listen to music through earbuds than through a proper audio system when given the chance.

The first thought to go through my mind is sound quality. The biggest drivers you'll find in earbuds will be around 8mm for earbuds, and perhaps 20 to 30mm for headphones. These drivers just aren't capable of providing any form of decent bass response, no matter what words manufacturers use to describe them. The door speakers in an NA mx5 are around 150mm, which instantly allows them to move a lot more air. If these speakers have built-in tweeters like my Alpine Type-R speakers do, they can provide clear, balanced response for most frequencies in the human hearing range without having to shatter mirrors and set off alarms.

The second thought is in relation to comfort. I don't think I'll ever find a set of headphones or earbuds which are as comfortable as wearing nothing at all. Outer-ear buds like the ones provided with iPods tend to not fit my ears, and in trying to, actually cause me pain after a short period of time. They also sound terrible, as they have no bottom end to speak of, and their treble response is piercingly loud. In-ear buds get uncomfortable quite quickly, and they have a habit of collecting material from inside the ear canal, which is not incredibly hygienic, and rather unsightly. Headphones sound much better than earbuds, but they are bulky, and at least in my situation, tend to press the arms of glasses into the side of my head, which is about as comfortable as being gently but continuously prodded.

The third thought is appearances. People look like absolute twats wearing any form of personal audio things while driving.

Mr Morlock wrote:cheaper approach - MP3 player - and bank the difference.

the main reason against this is that I think that this option is illegal.

1: use of a handheld device while driving (so you'd need to buy a car bracket to mount the player to)

2: I don't think you are allowed to use headphones in the car (can't hear emergency vehicle sirens) *note, uncertain of this one, will need to check.


edit:
upon searching I can't seem to find the specific laws that relate to my points, however my first point is part of the new laws bought in probably a couple of years ago now relating to GPS units etc being secured correctly.

as for the headphones one, I can't find mention of it anywhere so perhaps I've heard wrong.

I'd look at getting a head unit (Alpine or pioneer) that'll also do ipod/iphone and bluetooth car phone perhaps consider one that also does GPS.

I have 8" pioneer 3 ways that are a direct fit in the NB, there may be better options available now. In the NA I have 6.5"(I think) focal splits, they seem to sound pretty good too.

If you have money left over look at a smallish amp.