EDIT: Ordered new head unit, been persuaded to buy an amp (lol) and do self-install.

*Skip to the bottom for the short version*

I have a 2002 Magna Advance Series II TJ with stock head unit and speakers. Obviously this will not do - especially now that the CD player doesn't work. I'm a complete car audio novice, so I have a few silly questions I hope you guys can help me with. Onto those in a second.

First thing's first, I don't know what size my front door speakers are. The manual was no help, Mitsubishi (head office and both service and spare parts department at the Nunawading dealership) had no clue. I ask you, if the spare parts guys don't know the dimensions of their own products, who would ever go to them for anything?

After a few hours googling, I *think* that 6.5" speakers will fit in there. Can someone please tell me if that's the case? Here's a pic if it's of any help:

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/3724/frontspeakerpm4.th.jpg (http://img391.imageshack.us/my.php?image=frontspeakerpm4.jpg)
Note that I have power windows; I think that might impact on what speakers I can get.

Now, I might have my terminology wrong, but I think I will need to get component speakers, as I have seperate tweeters mounted on the doors:

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7164/righttweeterdm9.th.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=righttweeterdm9.jpg)

I was under the (probably mistaken) impression that component speakers had three parts - tweeter and mid- and bass drivers. I'm probably not even using the right words, but my question is - do I just need the one 'big' speaker and the tweeter?

I only want to upgrade the front speakers and tweeters and buy a head unit that plays mp3 CDs. The rear speakers I'm not fussed about - they can stay stock. I don't want a sub either. Basically just looking to upgrade from stock so I get a half-decent sound out of the buggers. So any advice on this will be most helpful, especially from any other TJ owners who have done what I want to do.

My other question is where to buy parts and get them installed? I've seen Bain's excellent pictorial on removing the console, and read a whole lot about taking the covers off the doors, etc, but I'm wondering if it's not worth just getting the whole lot done by an installer.

I'll steer clear of Strathfield auto - I've ready many horror stories. Ebay looked good, but apparently there's a lot of cheap **** on there I'd be best to avoid. So I was thinking about going to JB Hifi at Knox and seeing what they have and how much they reckon for installation. Failing that, I hear there's a place in Narre Warren near Bunnings that could do it.

Short version: Novice looking to upgrade stock front speakers/tweeters/HU in Magna Advance Series II TJ (2002). Don't want amps/subs, looking for advice on what to buy, where to go, whether to get it installed or DIY. Budget ~$500.

read short version, that was all :)

ok, first off, budget? decent cheap splits can be had for the $200 mark, think $500-$600 for some very nice ones.

as for the headunit, what features do u need? again budget? maybe spend around $500 on a deck as this is the main heart/brain of ur system.

as for no amp with the splits... trust me you'll want one in there, it will make the world of difference! just a small jaycar model will improve it all.

oh and yeah ur after 6.5" 2-ways for easy install :)

cheap budget:
alpine/pioneer splits - $250
alpine/pioneer/low end eclipse - $300
Jaycar/Response 2x80W - $170

Total = $720

Higher Budget:
Morel/Dynaudio/Hertz/Boston splits - $500
Eclipse CD5100 - $600
Jaycar/Reponse 2x80W - $170

Total - $1270

so yeah, $500 difference makes a world of difference in the overall sound quality of those 2 systems :)

ok, first off, budget?

as for the headunit, what features do u need? again budget?

as for no amp with the splits... trust me you'll want one in there, it will make the world of difference! just a small jaycar model will improve it all.

oh and yeah ur after 6.5" 2-ways for easy install :)


Thanks for the suggestions. I probably wouldn't want to spend much more than $500 (house deposit and wife, grr!), but I might be able to stretch to about $700 depending.

With the head unit, I'm really only looking for something that'll play CDs and mp3 CDs and has a detachable face. Don't need any bluetooth or anything fancy. Around the $200-250 mark is what I'm looking at there.

And when you say 6.5" 2-ways, excuse the silly question, what does 2-ways mean? Do you think this would be an easy install for a first-timer? I've built my computers for donkeys years, so I'm hoping it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to bung in a new sound system.
How much do you reckon installation would cost for the system you outlined above?

EDIT: The reason I didn't want an amp was that I was hoping to get a HU that'll be able to drive the speakers by itself, since we're only talking about the two fronts. But if it'll make a big difference then I guess I might as well get one. I'll see what the consensus is!

Hey, another quick question. Does anyone have any experience with importing head units from the US? An installer I know over there has found a brand-new in-box SONY CDX-GT705DX, and I was wondering what sort of adapter I'd need (if any) to chuck that in.

EDIT: I'm thinking of pairing that head unit with PHOENIX GOLD RSd 65cs 6½" component speakers (60 W RMS). The sony HU outputs 4x52W. Surely that'd be very listenable without an amp?

I've just sent a slew of emails asking for installation quotes. Autobarn said they fit US parts, but any advice on this area is particularly welcome.

Expert installs (http://www.expertinstalls.com.au/about.htm) have quoted me $209 (Deck - $88.00 Speakers - $55.00 per pair, Splits - $66.00).

EDIT2: Bought my head unit, will buy speakers when I've heard back from the company.

Anyone know any good installers in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne? Still tossing up whether to do it myself or not.

hehe bought ur deck already... ok :P

ok well 52Wx4, or 50Wx4, is quoted in peak power... in reality any deck will put out around 22W RMS x 4, so definitely not the power u'd expect.

trust me when i say the concensus will be to buy an amp to power those fronts, and that jaycar amp is a very decent one, and very cheap price as well.

if u went the sony headunit (not my personal choice, but moving on :P ), u can buy adapters by the brand AerPro, which makes installation a breeze, plug and play. save yourself $88 and just get the magna adapter, and the sony adpater... probably looking around $30 maybe for those, and then it makes it easier if/when u choose to change decks (upgrade, or to downgrade wen u sell the car).

as for the splits, i havent personally heard them, so i cant tell. pricewise they seem cheap, this may or may not be a good thing!
if u want to go cheap on the splits, to save on costs, then again i recommend the Jaycar/Reponse gear, in particular the 6.5" splits Link here (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=CS2329&CATID=&keywords=response+speakers&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=). These get very good reviews both on these forums, and others, and only $150 :)

if u choose to go the response/jaycar amp + splits, go to the main forum page and go down the bottom to the forum sponsors. Bugger it heres a link directly to the forum (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=40). Post a new thread in there asking for a quote on the 2x80W amp and 6.5" splits. (he currently actually has the splits on special for $120 :) )

hope that helps, but yeah the response gear comes recommended, u wont go wrong :)

As spackbace said, jaycar response splits are your best budget speakers by far. $150 max and will sound very very nice.

I know you said no amps, but 1 4ch to run your in car speakers is highly advisable, the sound clarity and overall loudness (and ability to go louder) will be increased exponentially. Maybe go for headunit/speakers now, and save up for an amp later down the track?

6.5's fit but if you throw away the junk plastic baffle they mounted to you can fit up to an 8 inch and use a better baffle.
I used 18mm MDF. This will improve your midbass.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o182/sjh350/My%20Car/2.jpg

if u went the sony headunit...u can buy adapters by the brand AerPro, which makes installation a breeze, plug and play. save yourself $88 and just get the magna adapter, and the sony adpater... probably looking around $30 maybe for those, and then it makes it easier if/when u choose to change decks (upgrade, or to downgrade wen u sell the car).


I did actually like that Sony unit and a friend of mine in the States has it. It's a done deal now, anyway, and I'm happy with that. So, I'll need both an Aerpro adapter and a Magna adapter? No idea what I'm adapting but I'll look it up :)

As far as the splits go, if the Jaycar's are that popular here then I'll definitely consider them rather than buying overseas. Especially since they just quoted me US$76 shipping and only accept international money orders. Forget that. And yeah, I know I should really go for an amp. I have a decent hifi setup at home and holy **** amps do make a difference.

If I'm going go for response/Jaycar amp + splits route I'll probably just do a self-install and that'll obviate the cost of installation. Can I get away with a two-channel amp for the front speakers but still have the rear speakers running from the head unit? You can tell I'm never looked at the back of a car's CD player, lol.

Summary of my ever-changing upgrade:
Got the head unit. Going for quote on response/Jaycar amp and splits, will do self-install. How ****ing hard can it be, right? Measure twice, cut once. It'll be a good weekend project for me.

Question:
Can anyone recommend a good amp/speakers wiring kit/s?

And could you point me in the direction of what Aerpro/ adapters I'll need? There's a bewildering array of stuff on the Aerpro site and I don't know what I'm looking for. The site doesn't seem to be working for me now either.

ok well if ur doing self install, may as well just go ahead and do the wiring yourself, its a good learnin technique and lets you know ur car a bit better :) Click link here (http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/Mitsubishi-Wiring.pdf). that gives u what colours go to what on the sony etc, some 3rd gens are a bit of a hybrid, but that should be correct :) otherwise just post up on the day if you're not too sure where a cable goes.

you can get away with a 2CH amp, unless u upgrade the rear 6x9s. if you go another $150 or so and upgrade them, then you can look at the 4CH amp, but to be honest they'll be fine off the deck, and youd want the better quality up front anyway (think of it as a concert, you want it all coming from the front so just balance it forwards) :)

as for wiring kits, not too sure on wiring grades yet sorry! if you want a good answer, pm s_tim_ulate with that question about wiring :)

and go the response gear, good bang for buck stuff

definatly go the response splits

i upgraded? :confused: from the stock paper cones to a $100 set of kenwood 3ways..

i gave then 2min playing time and chucked them back in the box where thay stayed! put the stockies back in then the next day went and got me some of them splits and they were heaps better...

then i amped them.... pwoarrrr the difference was amazing! sounded good unamped but off the amp they are something else....


sure there is stuff tons better but at what cost

This might sound a little silly but maybe just put the new deck in on the stocks first and see what you think. In my experience with the stock audio in the newer Magna's the stock speakers are actually a lot richer and have much better bass with a decent deck. If you not satisfied then replace the speakers, it doesn't really involve that much more effort to do this way.

This might sound a little silly but maybe just put the new deck in on the stocks first and see what you think.
I could do this, but I'm sure that with new splits and an amp the sound will be far superior to the stock speakers + amp.


ok well if ur doing self install, may as well just go ahead and do the wiring yourself, its a good learnin technique and lets you know ur car a bit better :) Click link here (http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/Mitsubishi-Wiring.pdf).

as for wiring kits, not too sure on wiring grades yet sorry! if you want a good answer, pm s_tim_ulate with that question about wiring :)

and go the response gear, good bang for buck stuff

Thanks, Spackbace. Always good advice. I've spent the past day or so just poking around in my car, working out where things are going to go. Going to put the amp under the front passenger seat for ease of wiring, after I remove the tray. Cheers for the link, and I might PM that guy before I go out and buy a wiriing kit.

Inicidentaly, can anyone get to the Aerpro site? It always times out on me.