Audio / Sound system upgrades

I've been thinking of upgrading the sound system in my white SX for a while now... I would really appreciate some input from you guys wrt ideas, specs, product brands, etc.

The idea is to upgrade the entire system to sound as clear as possible without comprimising the look of the car and without any blatant evidence that the system has been upgraded. So it needs to look 100% original (door card covers to remain), yet sound 1000 times better than the stock setup.

Atm I have only upgraded the head unit to a Pioneer Double Din type. That is the only part that I dont mind not looking stock, but the rest has to.

Thanks, Nat

Hi Nat, first, I don't know whether you want to go with amplifiers or just off the radio, you need to decide on that.

you need to get what is called a split system for the doors, normally JBL have some good splits for a reasonable price, normally a 5 1/4" fits nicely, you get different ranges meaning power output, you need to go according to what you gonna run,amp or no amp.

You might be able to get 6" splits in but you need to make sure that the depth will not hamper your window.

From there I assume you don't want your backboard cut, if not, it's going to be hard to get clarity from the back, you might be able to fit a 4" in the oem space for the back, but that is not going to heald much more than stock sound.

You can fit ether a set of splits in the back bourd from the bottom or go 6*9's, mostly people keep the oem board and make a aftermarket for the speakers, instead of cutting holes that will expose the speakers, mount them from the bottom as I said with very thin speaker mesh flush on top before couvering with carpet, this will make it look stock and not be visible that there is speakers.

Then you need to decide if you running amps and whether you want a sub ot 2, I will advise further as soon as you tell me what you want.

Thanks Derick

I do not neccesarily want to install and amplifier and yes I definitely do NOT want to cut the back board..

I don't want to go overboard with the install as I want it "fairly stock" sounding like a factory system fitted in a new BMW for example (can't believe I just typed that... lol)

Thanks for your input!

I have 6 1/2" JBL GTO splits in the doors, all you need to do is trim a small bit off the back of the doorcard - looks completely stock.

Also JBL and infinity make 4x6" speakers that will fit in the OEM brackets.

DO NOT install splits in the back - it's useless.

Run dedicated good quality speaker wires - the old OEM speaker wires are now very old and I would avoid using them.

Enzio wrote:

DO NOT install splits in the back - it's useless.

Don't want to start an argument here....but I ran 2x15" dvc subs in the back running 140 db's on normal set playing with a pair of 6 1/2" splits in the back and one in the front....obveously amplified....far from useless!!!!

1) He wants a hidden/stock looking install.
2) paying a lot of $$$ for splits only to put the tweeter where they don't improve sound stage is stupid as you don't really gain anything. This would then make co-axials far better value and easier to install.

That's it, no more thread jacking his post.

Enzio wrote:

1) He wants a hidden/stock looking install.
2) paying a lot of $$$ for splits only to put the tweeter where they don't improve sound stage is stupid as you don't really gain anything. This would then make co-axials far better value and easier to install.

True in his case, much easier to install but far from BMW cuality sound....if you want the car to sound like the average golf speaker put a 6x4 in the back.

If you have a capable head unit without amps you will definately improve sound stage with splits, the only way splits will not improve sound stage is if you put them in the same spot, that will be almost the same as an coaxle....seperating the mid from the tweeter is where sound stage will improve as you said in not so many words. but you will be able to separate the tweeter and put it in a not so obveous space to emprove sound stage and quality.

You right....thats it, no more highjacking....

I see the JBL 4x6" speakers are R595, not sure if that is good or not but I think I might try a set. I currently have 5 1/4" sony in the fornt doors with adapter cards and they are good but I would like to get back to the original 4x6" all round.

Those are the JBL's Autostyle sell?? Had a look at them - should be OK, they are GTO series IIRC and I think they are 60W, which means the head unit can drive them. Should be a HUGE improvement over stock.

Look 6x4 is not ideal for sound quality, but it is the best compromise as it mounts in the OEM spot.

never go 6X9"

DLS is a highly recommended brand.

6 1/2 inch coaxial or split would work great!

Don't get heavy speakers and sound deadening for a sports car.

Lightweight cockpit liner, like the ones they use on airplanes or the cheaper alternative, orange carpet under veldt can be used in the doors to deal with the back wave cancellation etc.

If you buy the best front stage (Head unit/speaker wires/speakers) you can afford now, you can maybe avoid buying amps and subs for now.

If you want a little more power buy the best 4 channel amp you can afford add a sub later to one set of bridgeable channels and run the front stage from the other two.

Do not bother with rear stage, as you would need to much possessing power to create the musically correct ambiances.

If you can find a head unit with time alignment and a 7 band or more equalizer built in you will be many steps ahead to make it sound 1000 time better than the stock stuff.

Hope it helps.

Thanks to everyone that has provided feedback.

Much appreciated!!!

Tobie do tell more about that Light Weight Cockpit Liner...

Nat, if you just going to run speakers, it is best to get a good head unit, I know you said you already got a pioneer bubble oven 🙂, don't know what model, but if it is good you will have a grafic eq in there aswell as a sub sonic filter, if you get 2 good sets of splits and install it right, you will have a nice stock look and it will sound very good.

I would recommed if you think of an amp in the future, for best quality, get a small monoblock or digital for sub, and then a good stereo for the splits, it is always better for sound quality/stage to separate the signal, you will be able to set up your system almost perfectly....sub sonic freq where it should be and mid and high where that should be.

As you have the money 😂 , Zapco makes great amps and very small and nimble, you won't have big space issues....unless you want monsters....which I am sure you don't.

Nate, you know where I live, come see me and we can chat my friend. You know what I am capable off.....

Tobie wrote:

DLS is a highly recommended brand.

I agree totaly. My 2 DLS mids in the doors, sounds much better than a Golf with 4 x 550w 6x9`s.

DlS is quality and you will never have to replace them. I`m impressed with the sound quality.

Gary57 wrote:

Tobie do tell more about that Light Weight Cockpit Liner...

http://www.dynamat.com/technical_specs_tac_mat.html

It is called TACMAT

Would hate to know the cost of the TacMat...

Gary57 wrote:

Would hate to know the cost of the TacMat...

That is why the orange corrugated carpet latex based underfelt comes in handy.

Hey Nate, well here is what I would do......

Door speaker slots not really fit 6.5" so rather go 5 1/4 or 5.5" splits, otherwise u will have to mod somthing on the door.

1. 5 1/4" Pioneer Splits 60 to 70watt rms in front doors
2. Pioneer or Sony head unit with 3 rca out in dash
3. 6 1/2" Pioneer Splits 50 to 60watt rms in the back board
4. Audiobank 3 way active X-over anywhere it fits
5. 1000watt Audiobank 4ch amp to run the splits
6. 2000 or 2500watt Audiobank 2 channel amp to run the subs
7. 2 X Pioneer 10" 1000watt 2ohm DVC subs
8. Duel 35L sealed sub box. For the subs.

Will all fit without looking like you have modified any pannels

Brax Helix Blue52 and 62 series splits also sound friggin awsome .....

As for quality, with the above splits and head units, it's all upto settup.