Hi, I was thinking of buying some speakers to replace the just average std. units, and I'd sort of assumed that I would put 6" coaxial speakers in there, but the guy at one of the car audio places started telling me about "splits", which have a separate tweeter. he didn't know where the tweeters in the magna are.

Obviously I'm dim because this is new on me.

Where are the the tweeters in a TW EL? And what are they like? Could I get away with replacing only the units in the doors.

I'm thinking of a new system for >$500.

Thanks

What are your plans/wants for a sub $500 system? If just a new headunit and speakers, that's alright, but if you want a sub as well, really, don't bother at all until you're willing to sink more into it - or find all the parts second hand and install it yourself.

Hi,

I just want a new headunit and speakers,

Peter

Your tweeters (presuming your model has them), will be either in the round dome either top corner of the dash (carpet covered if there's a speaker there) and/or in delta pods on the top of the door, where the exterior mirror lines up.

Red circles:
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r161/rhys_fairall/AMC/6.jpg

OK, thank you, I've located those round things on the dash.

So: next question: what are the std tweeters in a TW EL like, bearing in mind my sub-$500 budget. I'm prepared to look around for 2nd-hand and fit stuff myself.

In my opinion pretty average, but it depends what you like the sound of I guess. I personally think you can get basic splits which sound leaps and bounds better than whats factory in the car for little money. You'll need the pods though for the top of the doors to fit aftermarket tweeters in, the dash spots don't really house new tweeters well and they're not as good a location as the tops of the doors.

Whats your $500 budget going to cover?

Edit: If your $500 is for the lot, I'd estimate about $200 for a decent headunit (look for something preferably with at least 2 pair of RCA pre-outs, you'll need at least 1 pair if you want to amp the front speakers), then about $150-200 on your speakers (Maybe something like these Jaycar Response Kevlar splits (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=CS2329&keywords=response&form=KEYWORD), great bang for buck speakers IMO.), then PM Ers regarding his 2ch Clarion amp he has, and budget about $50 for a basic 8awg wiring kit to power the amp.

Thing to remember is not to buy speakers based on someones opinion, find out whats available in your price range and demo as many of them as you can, with the same song by preference. Its all about what you prefer the sound of, not other people.

$500: well that is the big Q, do I need to spend more? I just want a headunit and speakers, no amps, subs.

As you can see I'm at a very early stage of research on this, but I do know that the std setup is not good and I want some improvement.

Any recommendations for a headunit <$250 and set of speakers -it seems I should go splits- for <$250 would be welcome.

I could stretch that budget perhaps 1-200.

if you want nice sound a decent set of splits is the way 2 go, and a good headunit is fairly cheep if ur not gona use dvds dont bother getin 1 that supports it cause they are slower anyway... its not 2 hard 2 install the splits urself if u wana save some money but id leave the headunit 2 a pro if u dono what ur doing

If you don't want amps, then $500 will suffice, no point over spending on speakers that'll be running off a headunit, it'd be wasted.

Have a look at the JVC headunits, one of the best bang for buck brands around, $150-200 will get you a nice MP3 headunit depending on what features your after (USB, iPod etc). As far as speakers go I'd just go to JB and have a listen to whats on their soundboard, you'll probably still end up spending $150ish on the fronts to get decent splits, no need to go overboard on the rear, you listen to the front mainly after all, probably set aside $100 odd for some brand name 6x9"s. Do check out the Jaycar splits too, they're very good for their money.

I think you mean that you have a TW ES (not EL).. If it is an ES, then they did not come with tweeters at all... You will need to go to Mitsu and buy the delta covers (triangle plastic bit), you can then fit (with a bit of work) most tweeters in there..

I have 1" tweeters installed in mine, fixed in place with a little bit of hot glue.. Works a treat.

From memory, the covers are about $25 each.. Search on the forum and you should be able to find the Mitsu part numbers.

Hope this helps..

Well spotted Barty1978 you're right, it's an ES (you'd think I would have noticed that). Thanks also for the tip re delta covers.

Peter

just a little added msg, if u have no subs all ur bass comes from ur 6x9s so if u like a little bass maybe dont cheep out on them

Also consider where you may want your system to go in the future. If you were to chase a reasonably good sounding system in the future, I'd be spending 150 max on a deck, 350 on front speakers and keeping the rear stockers. When that no longer does the job for you, look at throwing another couple hundy at the rears. You can probably see a pattern here. Remember, while shopping for components, a system will only sound as good as it's speakers.