adding more sound, ideas?

I'm looking to buy some new speakers and an amp. Ideas?

A stereo shop suggested JL Audio for speakers and amp. He said it'll set me back $700-900. I thought I'd open it up to you folks. I figure if I'm spending that much, I might as well get some advice on what to get... I know you guys, tons of FREE advice! Let it RIP.

Not to big on heavy bass. Don't need to wake up the neighbors.

Thanks,
David

Best thing you can do for an audio system in one of these cars is add some sound insulation, undercoat the fenders to reduce road noise, and use a quiet muffler. Why spend big bucks when the sound has to compete with the engine noise?

JL Audio components are quality items. $700-$900 for an amp and speakers? I hope that includes the install! It depends alot on what you want for sound quality. A good quality subwoofer is extreamly important in realisticaly reproducing your music. The problem is that the Speedster has very few inexpensive options to add a good subwoffer.

If you are looking for something that sounds decent and is loud enough when buzzing along at 60 MPH this is what I would suggest.

1. A nice head unit. Look at pre amp voltage (higher is better, less noise) - $200-$300
2. 2 Channel amp 50-100 watts/channel - Look at RMS wattage - $250-$350
3. A nice pair of component set speakers (6-1/2 mid and 1" tweet)$150-$200

4. Optional: Add a powered sub, if you can find room.

Install them yourself, it's not difficult.

Check out:

crutchfield.com
sounddomain.com
etronics.com

Hope I helped,

Jerome

One problem with Speedsters and "D"s is limited number of options for speaker installation, especially if you don't want speakers in the door panels (ick) or sitting on the "back seat" (yuk). Under dash works - like in the kick panels - but not very well; more amp power is definitely a plus.

I installed an underdash stereo pod. I cable tied it to the Square beam(one screw in front against wall).

I installed JBL component speakers. 6.5" in doors and 1" on pillar under dash. I use a powered Bazooka in back seat(adds nice vibrations to the seat backs). I placed a 300Watt(65 RMS/Channel) amp in trunk for JBL component speakers.

This is plenty of sound. The amp can be increased to taste.






(Message Edited 5/29/2003 4:01:42 PM)

My first Speedster had the speakers behind the seats in a panel, under the panel was a powered-bass tube (Bazooka) and the kick panels had tiny tweeters. This sounded great, wasn't expensive and could be heard at any speed. The panels in the back also created a nice place to store things out of site.
-=theron









(Message Edited 5/29/2003 4:10:47 PM)

Hey, that panel idea is pretty cool.

One thing that has always bothered me with car audio - in any car - is the poor stereo balance and imaging. The left and right speakers are no where near where they should be in relation to the listener's ears.

What about taking the panel idea to the next logical step. Instead of the left speaker behind the driver's head and the right speaker behind the passenger's, place the stereo pair behind the driver, maybe 18" apart, but centered on the driver's seat. So as you're sitting there, you have the left speaker near your left ear and the right near your right. Those two could be mid/tweeters, with a single subwoofer for the low end. You could even place another stereo pair behind the passenger if you want to.

Or why not just eliminate speakers altogether and wear a set of really good stereo head phones? Probably not legal in some states...

Hey, I've solved the audio problem on my Speedster! Not getting one...
I don't really hear all that well anymore and I never use the radio in my regular car. I didn't want to miss those wonderful engine noises. My JPS is painted and John was putting the body on the chassis today I believe so I'm inching closer to delivery, hurray.Bruce

I've decided to give up trying to listen to my IM's stereo at anything above 30 mph. I'm thinking of going with a small MP3 player and ear plug style head phones.
Ron

My 'FERN" will be on the raod this weekend. I bought a 200 WATT system from Pioneer. That 200 WATTS will give enough sound to go over the motor and road, wind noise. With the system you will need at least 2 6" BASS speakers. I will put them on each side under under the dash (rain protection) near the doors. I will install the 6" speakers in about 2 inches of foam so that the fenders don't vibrate. (That affects good tuneage)
In the door skins near the hinges go the 1" tweeters.
The tunes come from the tweeters and the rythm comes from the BASS. All system is Pionner and with speakers was $400 CDN. Oh and get a system that has removeable front. Kids love sound systems, especially from cars that don't lock.
Cheers

I think I am going to have my broker invest in hearing aid stock.

Ok here's what I've got....

Keep in mind my Speedster was never ment to be all that practical and not at all cosmetically true to the original...

With that in mind I went a little nuts....

Rockford Fosgate MP3/CD Head Unit

AudioControl Epicenter Bass Restoration Processor (Very Cool Toy)

Rockford Fosgate Punch 301M (75 X 2 @ 4 Ohms) Set at 100Hz High Pass

Rockford Fosgate Punch 301S (150 X 1 @ 4 Ohms) Set at 100Hz Low Pass

3 - 8" Rockford Fosgate Punch Z 8 Ohm Sub
Mounted in a custom 3/4" MDF box in the "back seat" (Stealth was the objective, the box is only 6" tall and should look like an upolstered seat when done.) 3 - 8 Ohm subs wired in parallel drops my impedance to 2.67 Ohms that results in about 250 Watts from the 301S.

Rockford Fosgate Fanatic 6-3/4 mids and 1" tweets Mounted in the doors for best possible imaging.

Just for giggles I'm trying out some Aura Bass Shaker transducers. These work on the pricipal that most low frequencies are felt and not heard. Low frequencies are very dificult to reproduce in a convertible, I will have to do some testing to see if they really make a differance.

2 - .5 Farad Capacitors to be sure the amps never run dry of power.

Tested things before sending the car to paint, sounded very nice with no engine noise and no sound proofing yet. Can't wait once the car is done to tweek every thing in and crank it up.

Jerome

The bass shakers do work. I have some in my home theatre, and they are excellent. I get better bass 'feel' and can turn the subwoofer down enough that the neighbors don't complain any more, while increasing the overall sensation of bass. Never thought of putting them in a car though...
Ron

In my car at highway speeds there is so much wind and engine noise that I miss most of the subtleties of the music. Jazz and classical get lost but it does sound nice when I

Previous comments were fantastic. Any other idea? Thanks, never disappointed with asking for the groups comments.

David