There was a big post some time back (by fhrx possibly) listing makes/models of headunits/speakers/amps/etc recommended at each price point.. anyone able to point me to it? I can't find it.

Never mind, found it. :)

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=222547#post222547

That is a little out of date dude.

Here is the current one (http://www.fastfoursforumscarclub.com/temp/fhrxstudios/faq.asp#0). :)

Thanks :)

Got my new headunit in today, DEH-5750. Pretty stoked about it. Now to think about front splits. :)

FHRX/Tim: I asked the guy about Boston, but he doesn't have them. Referred to them as "old school" heh. His recommendation was Earthquake brand. Are they any good? He was claiming to have a shipment of ones cheap - "$500 splits for $250" - don't know which model they were though.

Boston- Old school my ass... ;) (anyway newer doesnt always mean better;))

Be very wary of stores bagging brands they don't sell.
They have no reason to promote them... Just a warning. Although generally most stores only stock a few as this gives them greater product knowledge which is a good thing.

As for Earthquake - they make some Kickass SPL amps... Talking some massive power. D2's are pretty popular.

They have been around for a while, they're definetly not a dodgy brand.
Whilst I wouldn't say they are the best of the best for splits/speakers, I think they're forte is amps.

Have a listen let your ears spend ur money.

peace

Tim

Thanks Tim. I was leaning towards Boston for the front splits, but I have no idea where I can buy them in Newcastle. Would you say that Earthquake are generally better than Pioneer in regards to speakers?

I find it really difficult trying to judge speakers in a shop like that - the accoustics are totally different to a car, the music's probably unfamilar, background noise of other customers, traffic etc.. </whinge>

I havent heard any earthquake speakers so couldn't say.

Correct, acoustics are totally different compared to a car. Some good audio stores will let you audition stuff in cars. They can usually sort something out for you or let you know where to find a place that has them installed.

it is a totally different sound listening to something installed high on a wall with woofer and tweet directed staight at you (in free air enclosures/sealed enclosures), but u can usually notice the differences between speakers.

Always bring ur own cd's in that u r familiar with. I use Alpine First Encounter. If you can find a good sq cd like this and get used to how it sounds on a good home system ul notice the differences. Anything that u r familiar with will help you out though.

Play around with the knobs urself. There are too many tricks to make a speaker sound better. (eg storeman turning up the volume on the expensive speakers) make sure they are running through the same amp with the volume / eq settings unchanged.

Enjoi

Thanks Tim. Couple of other questions if you don't mind :)

- Can you drive a half-decent set of splits froma 4x50w headunit, without an amp?

- The guy who installed my headunit said he'd install the splits with the 6" in the doors, and the tweeters in the 4" spot on the top of the dash (where the front speakers are in TR Magnas but 3rd Gens just have them blanked off.) Does this sound ok, or would it separate out the frequencies too much?

Thanks Tim. Couple of other questions if you don't mind :)

- Can you drive a half-decent set of splits froma 4x50w headunit, without an amp?

- The guy who installed my headunit said he'd install the splits with the 6" in the doors, and the tweeters in the 4" spot on the top of the dash (where the front speakers are in TR Magnas but 3rd Gens just have them blanked off.) Does this sound ok, or would it separate out the frequencies too much?
Sure can drive splits off the headunit. Bass response will not be as good, they generally distort around 3/4 volume, but for normal listening this is more than adequate for most.

It will put out around 15-20 w rms though, to put it in comparison.
If you're thinking about using an amp from the start, there's really no harm in spending more on the splits you want, using the headunit till funds grow, then getting an amp, say 2x50 w rms or higher in the future. (Also means you'll be able to hear your system get better and better :))

That spot isnt for main tweeters. The stock tweeter mounts are in the delta panel (costs ~$30 to buy the mount from mitsu) The Ralliarts use the spaces on top of the dash for ambient tweeters to raise the stage I think)
The spot on the top of the dash is not ideal, but depends how u like ur music. Depends on the quality of the tweeter (what frequency range they will cover, if they are really high quality they will play into the midrange frequencies clearly thus blending in better)

I find that the magna dash doesnt really suit this compared to say a smaller car which isn't as wide and is a bit deeper. (eg polo or starlet)

With the tweets up on the dash you need a significant amount of eq'ing to get a good centre stage. Time alignment helps too. (all equals a worse sound for the passenger though)

The opposite side is just too far away, and the path distance is too large.

I have mine mounted in the kick panels on some little brackets I installed. But given that I am also on the hunt for some ambient tweets. The stage height is about in line with the airvents for a centre image, whereas I'd probably want it closer to eye level.

If you do go the top of the dash, you will notice separation, but you will have a perfect stage height. High freqencies will seem clearer too.

All in all I say go for the kick panels or the bottom corners of the doors. (as far away from the listeners ears as possible and as close to the woofers as possible, you can get away with ~10 inches before separation becomes a problem.) If you are just using the headunit you might want to go the top of the dash as you need a bit of amplification to get the same levels from the kicks as the dash.

I won't barge in as Tim is doing a fantastic job in the question answering department. I might just mention that we can mail order audio equipment to you if you need anything Zaphod. :)

Barge away mate :)

If you want Boston, go and get Boston.

It is no good going for a Brand of Speaker that you have not heard or do not know about.

Thats why I chose Magnat, Very few people have heard of them and their Build Quality is excellent...

Boston make very good sounding gear...
Earthquake , Not too found of in there Mids and Tweeters but there subs and amps are great....

Check out the Earthquake website, then compare the sets of speaker you want with the Bostons you would like...

Thanks muchly for your very verbose and complete answer Tim. AMC is lucky to have you and I'm sure I'm far from the only one who apreciates the time you take to provide such complete answers. That goes for you too, fhrx.

Sounds like using the dash might be a reasonable way to start, and might consider moving them if/when I add an amp later. I have varying listening tastes, but I do prefer to have good clear and strong reproduction of the higher frequencies.

Thanks Zaphod - Appreciate it and always glad to help out

If possible try and mount them aiming directly at the opposite listeners ears. Since the dash is so wide getting everything on axis is important.

Peace

Tim