NA Car audio options

[Bevan]

Next time you see me, ask me for a demo.

I shall. I've only heard the sound in your Merc so far...

[Benny]

I've seen your sub. The install is sublime. Is the sound on par with the Benz?

Jules

In some ways, even better Jules.

[NMX516]

Guys the fewer speakers you use the better. Instead of spending all your money on multiple subs, amps to drive them, 6x9's, splits in the back etc, buy some high quality 6inch splits for the doors and be blown away. Something from Focal, Boston, Alpine etc should do the trick. Then a quality amp to drive them.

My NA system comprised a pair of Alpine DDDrive 6.5inch splits, Alpine 90w x 2 amp, and Alpine headunit. Along with sound deadening, quality cabling and a decent install, it sounded awesome, roof up or down. I had been considering a sub, but once I got this setup I found I didn't need one. I'm a bit of a sound nut, being used to Bang & Olufsen gear at home, and this setup really impressed me.

About ten years or so ago there was an NA6 doing really well in the national car stereo comp (can't remember its exact name) which used an 8inch woofer, 4inch or 5 inch mid (can't quiter remember) and tweeter in each door. That was it speaker wise. He then obviously had quality amps to power it all. With that setup installed and tuned correctly he was blowing most of the competition away and won multiple trophies....

[Brad]

Well i have a 1200w 12'' sub, in my own custom box on the rear shelf i will show pics for you later (when i get credit to send them from my phone). With a big amp hahaha!!!!!!

Sony head set with ipod input

6'' splits in the door

5'' splits in a custom bracket in the corner behind the seats

1'' tweeters in the top part near the visor

And plus i have a remote YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Its pretty loud!!!!!!

Riiight, and how many litres is the box for the 12"?

[mio]

Hi, just wondering, how would I fit a set of 6.5\" in the door (NA6)?
Would I need to use a spacer/door pods/cutting?
Could members post a pic of their door installs?

Currently only running $40 jaycar 6\" 2 ways off the headunit.

[Brad]

There is no such thing as a standard box dude. It needs to be matched specifically to the sub and the type of box you are using (ported sealed etc). Did you just build a box of a non specific size and put it on the shelf?

[Brad]

Ok, but you can't just put holes in it either. The ports need to be a specific length and diameter to tune the box to the frequency you need, and that depends on the woofer and the box volume. It's not rocket science but it's pretty close.

[meanmx]

Hi, just wondering, how would I fit a set of 6.5\" in the door (NA6)?
Would I need to use a spacer/door pods/cutting?
Could members post a pic of their door installs?

Currently only running $40 jaycar 6\" 2 ways off the headunit.

Hey Mio. I put some 6 1/2 Audiobahn speakers in my door a little while ago. I found mine needed to be mounted in the speaker grill as they didn't fit into the hole that was in the door otherwise. This is not a very good way to mount them so soon I will be cutting some wood into that shape and mounting them properly. With a bit of sound deadening on the door they sound ok at the moment. I guess ultimately you would want proper door pods to house them in the right direction but then you will be up for either a fair bit of money or a fair bit of work. By the way your wheels look awesome!!!

[NMX516]

Hi, just wondering, how would I fit a set of 6.5" in the door (NA6)?
Would I need to use a spacer/door pods/cutting?
Could members post a pic of their door installs?

Currently only running $40 jaycar 6" 2 ways off the headunit.

The ones I have, bolted straight into the NA6 without any metal cutting. Having just gone and had a look at them, the 6.5" is measured to the outside diameter of the speaker frame, so that might make a difference - some 6.5" speakers may be larger or smaller than others perhaps??

[mio]

Thanks Ben, your wheels look mighty good too

I guess the plastic covers aren't the best material to mount a speaker onto, maybe i'll make something out of mdf. See how it goes...

NMX516, I thought it would be measured in the diametre the holes for screws around the speakers are arranged... not sure. Could you tell me what brand/model of speakers you have?

[NMX516]

Hi mio, my speakers are Alpine DDC R17A. They are about 6 years old now though.

Looking at current Alpine specs, their 6.5\" speakers have an 'installation diameter' of 140mm. So it seems Alpine at least, measure their speaker sizes by outside frame dimensions... I could only guess as to how many, or which other manufacturers follow this same \"standard\".

[smiles]

Thanks all for the tips/advice, I went shopping today and have bought:
Sony MEX-BT5000 head unit
Jaycar 4 channel amp
Jaycar 6.5\" kevlar splits

I hope to get the install completed tomorrow. I'm thinking of mounting the amp low behind drivers seat, has anyone else done this? I think there should be sufficient clearance from the fuel tank.

Where's a good place to mount the crossover box's?

thanks to the search function I found a thread on removing air vents which helped not braking the dash surrounds.

[Adam_NAclubman]

How much are the Jaycar amps these days?

[smiles]

How much are the Jaycar amps these days?

I paid $260 for the 4x100w amp. There are a few others to choose from, along with a digital version which has a smaller footprint but is $100 more.

$400 got me the amp and speakers, which is just under trade prices at Jaycar, store manager at Hornsby was quick to do a deal.

Head unit from JB HiFi, paid $500, first retail price I saw was $799, so always shop around!

[NMX516]

Thanks all for the tips/advice, I went shopping today and have bought:
Sony MEX-BT5000 head unit
Jaycar 4 channel amp
Jaycar 6.5" kevlar splits

I hope to get the install completed tomorrow. I'm thinking of mounting the amp low behind drivers seat, has anyone else done this? I think there should be sufficient clearance from the fuel tank.

Where's a good place to mount the crossover box's?

Hi smiles, looks like it should be a good system. The jaycar speakers have certainly received good reviews in the past.

I had my amp low down behind the passengers seat, as I needed to make sure the drivers seat would still go back the full amount. Never had a problem with it there. Seemed to avoid any rain, and with the seat backrest leaning back a little, there actually ends up being a gap (depending on height of amp of course) to aid air circulation around the amp. My crossovers were mounted behind the glovebox.

Keen to hear what you think of the setup once it's installed. Also, sound deadening the doors will make a surprisingly good difference to the sound.