Audio: Just got a quote... deal or no deal?

[BadBong]

Hey guys,

Recently went to these folks near my place (http://www.metrosound.com.au/) to upgrade my existing stock sound system (NB8A without CD).

The guy seems like he knew what he was talking about and we agreed on the following:

- We should concentrate on getting some really good front speakers with tweeters;
- We don't need any rear speakers (but i really like surround sound...);
- We won't get our bang for the buck for putting in a sub (cause i prefer clear softer music than loud music with heavy bass);
- Given that I don't listen to loud music, a good head unit should give the speakers enough power for now and I can invest in a good amp later and spend more of my budget on the front speakers instead;
- I'm interested in a DVD system, preferrably one with sat nav but can't find anything within my budget, so we settled for the Clarion listed below;

So... here's the quote he's given me:

AVI EL-160 6.5" http://www.avisound.com/mid_bass/el160.htm - $650 for the pair;
AVI HF 25D 1" http://www.avisound.com/tweeters/hf25d.htm - $550 for the pair;
Clarion MAX386VD DVD Multimedia station http://www.clarion.com/au/en/products/2009/multimedia/multimedia_source_units/MAX386VD/au-en-product-pf_1172419833216.html - $1000;

All the above prices include installation.

Now my thoughts are:

The speakers and tweeters are a bit more than i'd thought i would pay... my original budget was $2000 incl. installation and I was hoping to get away with a head unit, front speakers, tweeters, a small amp and a small sub. Might have been optimistic but it's very different from what i'm getting atm with this quote. My question is - are these AVIs worth it? (never heard of them before today but they did sound very good compare to the focal he had on display);

For my budget of $2000, what would others recommend I spend it on?;

Is there another 2 DIMM unit that someone would recommend instead of this Clarion? I would ideally want to get sat nav but the Alpine ones they had were like $1500 installed;

Is there another shop that someone would recommend for me to compare prices? (this one's nice and close but i get the feeling that they are charging above average prices at $90 - $110/hr for installation)

and last but not least... if someone can kindly explain to me what's the difference between just a Mid-Bass speaker and a set of Component speakers... that would be great (all the Component speakers have crossovers as part of the package but i dont know what it does);

[Garry]

I know I'm old and all but $1200 for a set of speakers for an MX5?????? Unless you're planning on driving around with the volume cranked right up to the threshold of pain anything over about 80km/h and the traffic, road and wind noise drowns all the quality out. Even when stopped at the traffic lights roof down next to a big semi I can hardly hear my music over his engine. Sure it might sound great when stationary but I'd rather sit in my lounge room and listen to good quality music than sit in my stationary car.

Another thing to think about is having a flashy looking head unit in an MX5 is a great way to get your roof sliced. I'd be looking for the most plain boring factory looking head unit I could find.

I'd be very surprised if you cant find something that sounds quite acceptable for your $2000 installed price point.

[sliq]

i'd agree with Garry. at the end of the day, sound quality will never compare with a car that has a solid roof. don't go blowing all your hard earned pennies on audio..

sorry to go off topic, but how did you mount your amp Garry? I know it's next to the fuel tank, but is it lying completely flat or resting on an angle?

[BadBong]

So you guys reckon I should be able get a decent set of amp & sub for the $2000 I'm willing to spend as well?

Any places you would recommend?

I know the mx5 isn't the ideal car for good sound insulation (even with the hard top) hence that's why I was hoping to get rear speakers fitted so that i can at least rely on the surrounds (adding rears) than investing purely on good front speakers.

In all honesty, $1200 was over my budget for just the fronts so i held back from buying it right away ... but i want to get it soon though

[Garry]

Sliq,

My amp is in the drivers side tunnel. The fuel filler tube cuts down on the available room on the passengers side. Unfortunately it's just a smidge to wide to mount flat so it sits on an angle. I couldn't work out a way to mechanically mount it so it's just wedged in tight with some rubber. It's been there for about 145,000km now without moving.

Mounting it in the tunnel limits the choice of amp but the stealth advantages outweighed that for me. From the outside my stereo system looks stock and I've lost no cabin space and only a little bit of boot space taken up by my easily removable baby sub. Still plenty of room in the boot for my weekly groceries or a trip away for a week or so. And the whole set up cost way less than $1k, though I built the sub and installed it all myself. It's far from competion standard but it does the job for me.

[sliq]

badbong, i'm getting my doof doof installed tomorrow afternoon thru a friend of a friend. you'll be one of the first to hear it, actually.

if i drive to work this saturday, pop by, and you can listen for yourself. bring your favorite CD

[Juffa]

I'm using Jaycar components in the doors (6.5 inch). About $200 a pair. I have a Alpine head unit with a 3cd stacker ($700) about 8 years ago. Alpine v123 2 channel amp ($4-500) abut 8 years ago. Does me.. I was going to replace the head unit with a MP3 unit, but found an adaptor that allows me to plug in external MP3 players into my head unit.

I would suggest trying to meet up with other Sydney based 5 owners and have a listen to their systems. Speakers that sound good on the display board in the shop, can sound way different in the car! Also, you might want to check with you insurance company to see if they have a limit on the maximum value they will cover for components. You also want a headunit that is stealthy, or the face-plate can be removed...the last thing you need is to attract the wrong attention in a soft top.

My 2.2c worth (GST inclusive).
J

[NMX516]

In Sydney, go to these guys - http://www.fhrxstudios.com/ Very good reputation, and stock much of the top line gear. If nothing else, it will give you more speakers to audition, and get some fresh advice.

If you're prepared to spend that amount of money (or much less for that matter) on speakers, you should make sure that you get the doors sound deadened properly or you're wasting you're money. Have a listen to Dynaudio and Rainbow speakers. Expect to require an amp to run a decent set of splits at a reasonable volume. Personally, I wouldn't buy a flashy (visually) head unit, mainly for the reasons Garry mentioned.

Don't skimp on install costs. The installation is near enough to the most important part of the whole system. Those speakers will sound ordinary if not installed well, and you'll wonder why you ever forked out $1100 for speakers...

Have fun!

[BadBong]

Thanks guys.

NMX516 - I'll definitely pay those guys at fhrx a visit. Looking at their prices though, I'm not sure it's any cheaper but they definitely look like they have a bigger range.

Thanks Juffa, I was planning to get some kind of cover for the head unit whenever it's parked but a removeable front would be even better.

Sliq - if you don't mind, that'll be a great idea. I'll txt you on Sat to see whether you're driving to work

Garry - by a mini-sub, what did you have in mind? I'm not sure whether subs come in anything less than 10" but i reckon for a car of mx5's size and given that i don't listen to loud music, something smaller would be enough...?

[philz]

Alright, I was hooked onto the audio bug for about 2 years spending up to 7k on numerous different setups.

What I found for the average listener, is that you don't need to spend big bucks on components for quality sound, it all comes down to the quality of the install.

the mx5 is obviously not the best audio environment, but we will have to work around it

With a budget of $2000 not including install

-$500 on headunit
-1 bulk pack of dynamat sound deadening for the doors, or 2 if u want to do the floor rear shelf and boot. $250 each
- $300-$500 on some front speakers, go have a listen to some and see which one suits your music.
- $300 on amplifier
- $200 on sub
- $100 custom box
-$100 on cabling fuses etc.

Now that's just a rough guide, the important things, are the sound deadening (dynamat only), and front splits.

Amplifer is not that important IMO for the mx5, unless you were in the parking lot at night with high quality CD you might hear a difference to your ears, but honestly get a reliable, powerful amp (ie/ jaycar or similar).

Look for a 4 channel amp, to run the splits upfront, and bridge the rear channels for the sub. Stick with one amplifier for the mx5 as you want to save room.

That's all i can think of now.

But do talk to Fhrx- Marty will help you, or if you are closer to Bankstown, Tony from Doran Pro audio. I highly recommend both.

[sliq]

Tony from Doran Pro audio.

fully bro.

[philz]

Tony from Doran Pro audio.

fully bro.

LOL. No seriously, despite the people who go there, they are a very friendly and professional bunch, been in the audio industry for a long time. They make seriously loud cars, but can supply very good sound quality gear as well.
The only people I would let work on my car and they are priced very reasonably, get a quote from them I can guarantee the price will be significantly cheaper than most professional shops, but the quality of install top notch, not strathfield/jb hifi quality install.

[sliq]

hrmm.. is it worthwhile spending a bomb (>$100) on a wiring kit just for a 2 channel amp and splits? or will a $50 wiring kit from jaycar suffice?

[philz]

umm copper is copper, so no need to spend big bucks.

Don't use kits get the seperately.

If its just 2 channel amp and front splits, no sub etc.

Then you will be fine with 8 gauge wiring, no need for 4 gauge. ( jaycar kit uses 10 gauge wiring, which imo is too thin)

High quality kits have better fuse holders and more flexible wiring ( ie/ stinger), but the mx5 is not a difficult car to wire up, because the battery is in the boot etc.

[sliq]

thanks for the advice i'll keep that in mind.