Hi all,
Had my ride for 4 months now, about to go bush for a while and thought it about time I get some tunes happening since there are no worthwhile FM stations and I only have one tape really worth listening to.

I'm getting Tonkins to install a Pioneer 4650 CD/MP3/WMA head unit, with remote control, 4x50W with Sub preouts. And adding dome tweeters in teh cut outs up on the dash to bounce treble abck at me (and potentially cause my head to explode with crystal clear high frequency ... ooooh yeah). I now have around 80 hours of music on MP3 CDs. Take that you crappy tape deck! Actually I must say apart from th enasty hiss with tapes the standard sound setup was not to shabby at all.

In a few months time the 6x9 eurovox on the rear parcel shelf, and the 6" splits in the front will be replaced and an Amp added. Final step will be the 10" removable sub box in the back.

Anyways I'm looking forward to my new toy. Looking forward to blasting tracks through the outback with tunes flowing freely.

Dave

Just some advice on the 6x9s don't waste your time replacing them if you're getting a sub... the sub will over power it spend some of the money you were gonna spend on the 6x9s and get even better quality front splits, I recommend Focals for the front you will not be disappointed even with there entry level 165As .... just leave the stock 6x9s in and don't amp them but do amp the fronts. otherwise there will be clashes of bass level sounds coming from the rear of the car and does not sound good... well at least not to those who appreciate quality sound.

I wouldnt buy the focals if you listen to alot of dance/ trance/ heavy metal/ R&B etc get the boston FS60's if those are the gerne's you listen to.

I'm into the Acid Jazz, Funk, groove, plus electronica ... and classical (roll on Eric Satie!), it's gotta cope with massive dosses of slap bass (James taylor), cutting brass Tower of Power), and those smooth keys of Brubeck, and chilling sounds of Moby.

Good stuff, be sure to give us a full rundown on the system before you head off to the bush. :)

Ohmagawd!
The sweet sweet sounds oozing from my car as I gave it a wax and wash. I swear I want to move my office into my car!
If you hear on the news that some poor guy in a white magna died when his head was split open by the cutting sounds of Tower of Power, then that will be me!
New HU is a Pioneer 4650M - MP3/WMA/CD player
1) Without changing the stock speakers (ie 6" rounds in the doors and 6x9" in the rear) the sound is already much fuller. The bass is punchier, the mid tones are clearer
2) Adding Alpine SP 1005 Dome tweeters to the factory cutouts in the dash, the high range is so bright! I'm bouncing the sound off the windscreen. OMG it's just so ... so ... it's just brilliant OK!
3) I have a remote control nah nah nah! Hey its a novelty to me OK! Is that such a crime?

Well looking in teh boot there is a parcel shelf cut out for a 10" sub (I think it's 10" anyhow) - anyone have any suggestions on hanging one from there? I read somewhere that it may interfere with the 6x9's in the rear.

Man! I'm in love with my car! It's sucking me for more cash than the ex, but the car is much more satisfying! I might even get two (when the cash presents itself on a silver platter).

Here's the picks plus one of the sub port in the boot (note my box of manly posessions that every guy shouuld have in the back of his car!)

Damn thats a nice headunit mate 8) How much did that set you back ?

$399 fully installed at Tonkins, $469 including the dome tweeters.

looking good Preacher Man :D :D

That looks like an absolutely awesome system, and it's great that you love it. However, as an Audio Engineer \:D/ there's just a few things I thought you might be interested in knowing.

Bouncing the high frequencies off the windscreen of your car isn't desirable as it can cause comb filtering (more commonly, albeit slightly incorrectly, known as cancellation or phasing). However, you don't seem to have any problems, so who cares, right? I mean, there's 5 other bloody windows in a sedan that could do just as much damage. :lol:

Ultimately, though, we try to avoid what is known as First Order Reflections (ie. the first reflection to reach the listenners ears after the direct sound). And as high frequencies are extremely directional (while low frequencies are verging on being omni-directional) we try to set up loudspeakers so that the listenner is staring straight down the barrel of the high frequency driver, whether it be a direct radiator (eg. a dome driver), or an indirect radiator (eg. compression driver with horn). Having said all that, for security reasons, using the tweeter mounts in the dash is a good idea as no-one can really tell that you've got yourself a fancy set of splits and possible a nice amp, unless they hear it, of course. :lol:

Okay, sub mount on parcel shelf. Firstly, you would have to find a free-air sub, and from what I can gather you'd spend less time trying to find hen's teeth. Second, it's a security issue. Theives can see it, and while it's hard to get in there, they won't know or care that it will be just as hard to get out. Third, DON'T DO IT. The vibrations through the parcel shelf (thanks to Acoustic Coupling) will conflict with the mechnical components of your 6x9s, which will then have to work harder, which all leads up to a nice seized voice coil or some cracked cones and an expensive replacement. Plus, it's a hard job. Albeit, there was a guy here just recently who did it and was very happy with the results, but I just thought I'd throw you a little Caveat Emptor before you spent valuable time and money on it. I could tell you a horror story about a man, his brand new XR6 with 8" sub in parcel shelf, a 3 hour trip and some destroyed 6x9s, but I won't. :shock:

I hope you still have as much enthusiasm for your system after reading my short novel here. :lol: You should, what it comes down to is: If you like it, who cares what anyone else thinks. Keep cranking all that funk dude. Tower of Power forever!! 8)

Tower of Power Lives forever man!
Thanks for your post Damien.
I'll be rethinking the strategy for the next upgrade the next time useless cash presents itself. As much as I desire clear punchy bass I also desire to keep my boot size as I cart stuff everywhere as part of my work.
Anyone out tehre have a formula that delivers reasonably inexpensive high quality bass, while retaining valuable boot space?

Cheers
David

(Head spinning after nice long drive with a MP3 CD full of Ronny Jordan, US3 and Incognito)

Nope, not really, you could always make 2 custom box's and mount them against the boot sides facin towards the middle..... HANG ON!! u dont need room in the boot, stuff work :lol: DOOF is better... well thats what i think anyways..

ANYWAY below is how i had my 2 12" subs my the AMP in my 1995 KS Verada