Hey guys,

As some of you know i purchased a BF recently, and im looking to do the sound system some time in the next couple of weeks. I want a setup with good splits in the front, 5x7 in the rear (6x9 would require an adapter and look funny, i want to keep the factory look), an amp to power the speakers and a good head unit with bluetooth/iphone/ipod connectivity. Not really interested in the sub at this stage, as i need the boot space.

Basically i am wanting something punchy that can provide me with some clean sound...i listen to alot of dance/house/progressive house etc, but also like rock pop and mainstream stuff.

I went into an audio specialist in my area (not jb or strathfield) and had a chat, these guys seem to know what they're doing - they've done plenty of BF installs before and so they know how to fit an aftermarket HU into the car whilst still making it look professional (For those of you who don't know, the falcon's come with a factory ICC unit that is not removable without making a mess and screwing up heater controls).

Anyway i'll cut to the chase, i was quoted on some alpine and focal gear:

Alpine CDE-104BTi head unit - has bluetooth, iphone/ipod connectivity.
Focal 165CVX 6.5" coaxials for front
Focal 5x7 speakers for rear (can choose from 570 CA1/570 CV1, difference will only be $50 or so)
A soundstream LW4500 amp to run the speakers - but he also said i could use an alpine amp, which i think i'd rather do - i've never heard of soundstream until i walked into that shop.
Also included was a line converter, various adapters and facias to make the install look neat, and of course installation. All this came to $1600.

Need opinions on whether this equipment is any good and whether i've been given a good price!

Thanks guys

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5715/002ruq.jpg

these can house ya splits in a BA-BF. if ya interested for $50 inc post let me know

soundstream arent too bad, a bit blingy in my opinion but they ared pretty good quality

ya wouldnt rather go 6x9 in the back?

5x7 in the rear (6x9 would require an adapter and look funny, i want to keep the factory look)
Looks pretty sure to me.

the adaptors go underneath the parcel shelf and are covered, ill take some pics later and show ya if ya interested

Mad35l, interested in thOse fittings for the tweeters. PM sent.

Edit: yeah show me these 6x9 adapters?

Mad35l, interested in thOse fittings for the tweeters. PM sent.

Edit: yeah show me these 6x9 adapters?

i just went out for a look, if ya want them looking stock ya better off with 5x7s, i thought they were done differently.

pm sent re tweeter covers

soundstream arent too bad, a bit blingy in my opinion but they ared pretty good quality
Please don't buy a Soundstream Lil Wonder amp, overrated pieces of crap. An Alpine will be much more reliable and I dare say sound noticeably better too.

Try and get 165VB's or VR's for the front if you can afford it, splits will sound much better (165CVX are not splits), 570CV1's should be good for the rear. Polyglass range is noticeably better in depth and richness, try and stick to them if you can, but drop back to the CA1's in the rear if it means you can afford the 165VB's or 165VR's for the front.

Edit: My 165VR's might be FS soon if you want to save a few $$$.

Edit: I'm willing to bet you went to Bundoora Street Sound & Vision for that quote?

Bagging out soundstream gear are we Lugo? tisk tisk tisk :P

Bagging out soundstream gear are we Lugo? tisk tisk tisk :P
Soundstream has a horrible reputation amongst most of their range for reliability and there's a few other amps out there for the same money that offer better value and quality. If he's gone to the place in Bundoora I think he has I'm not surprised he's been recommended the LW, the guy who owns that place pushes them like no tomorrow because of the mark up, then sends people away to deal with Soundstream directly when something goes wrong, which usually does happen with those amps. Hate them to bits.

hahaha my tarantula's are working rather well :P

BA falcon owner here,

I've got Alpine 5x7 splits running in the front and rear (haven't mounted the tweeters for the rear set)
The rears are powered by my HU and the rest is powered by an Alpine 4ch amp underneath the passenger seat which runs the front speakers and a the rear channels bridged to run my kicker 12" slimline sub. I mainly listen to trance music and its a pretty "punchy" little setup. Not droney or boomy lol

I've also got a pioneer (8 series) deck with the lot (blutooth/ipod/etc) mounted below the factory ICC unit.
The fascia bracket cost me about $80
Now something you might wanna look into is that i have run a hi to low convertor from 2 channels off the factory unit to plug into the aux on my pioneer unit. This allows me to still use the factory unit if i want to! (steering wheel controls still useful)

this is my car (manual shifter gets ever so close lol)
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/micjaiy/DSC00386.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/micjaiy/DSC00388.jpg

I went into an audio specialist in my area (not jb or strathfield) and had a chat, these guys seem to know what they're doing - they've done plenty of BF installs before and so they know how to fit an aftermarket HU into the car whilst still making it look professional (For those of you who don't know, the falcon's come with a factory ICC unit that is not removable without making a mess and screwing up heater controls).
Gary's Car Radio on Bell St??

thats where i got my car done

lol yeah Lugo, it was street sound & vision in bundy. If you are selling those fronts, i might be interested. Let me know. MicJaiy, I am going for exactly the same setup as you at the front, bracket etc all included in what i had quoted. I haven't finished shopping yet, and am still a few weeks off the purchase considering i just had a new transmission put in the car today :P
Yeah i wasnt too keen on that soundstream thing, was definitely thinking the alpine would be a better idea. I've purchased those tweeter covers from Bad35l, so i think ill go for the 165VR's. I don't mind spending the extra money provided that the equipment lasts and it sounds good.

Otherwise you guys would say what i've got here would sound pretty sweet?

those tweeter covers are wrapped with bubble wrap and ready for post..... as soon as i find something to send em in. aus post had nothing (was gunna send em this arvo so ya had em by fri)

im thinking bubble wrap and cardboard???

im not fussed, so long as they're in one piece when they get here lol

ill dig something up tomorrow

lol yeah Lugo, it was street sound & vision in bundy. If you are selling those fronts, i might be interested. Let me know. MicJaiy, I am going for exactly the same setup as you at the front, bracket etc all included in what i had quoted. I haven't finished shopping yet, and am still a few weeks off the purchase considering i just had a new transmission put in the car today :P
Yeah i wasnt too keen on that soundstream thing, was definitely thinking the alpine would be a better idea. I've purchased those tweeter covers from Bad35l, so i think ill go for the 165VR's. I don't mind spending the extra money provided that the equipment lasts and it sounds good.

Otherwise you guys would say what i've got here would sound pretty sweet?

Haha how did I know, that guy has tried to sell Soundstream to every person I know who's walked in there, and its always the Lil Wonder amps when they need an amp. I've discovered Gary's car audio in Watsonia is actually happy to beat the prices Street Sound and Vision give anyway for the most part, I'd give them a whirl.

I'll let you know about the splits of mine, have you got a time frame for when you want to gear ready to install?

I think you should go and Audition some more speakers, you may still end up with the Focals, but having a look couldn't hurt. It will be more about the installation ( deadening / MDF mounts etc ) that will make your car sound decent.

Plenty of amps / speakers out there :D

Haha how did I know, that guy has tried to sell Soundstream to every person I know who's walked in there, and its always the Lil Wonder amps when they need an amp. I've discovered Gary's car audio in Watsonia is actually happy to beat the prices Street Sound and Vision give anyway for the most part, I'd give them a whirl.

I'll let you know about the splits of mine, have you got a time frame for when you want to gear ready to install?

Thanks mate, i will be sure to check them out as well. Haha i definitely did not want the soundstream stuff he was pushing, im a salesman myself i can tell when someone's trying to push something for what seems to be their benefit. What's the address of Gary's car audio?

I'd like to install ideally within the next 6 weeks, depending on how cash flow goes - like i said, i just forked out a large amount of cash for a new transmission today so im not in a great hurry to get it going, however the stereo will definitely be the next mod on the list :D

Also, Mr ©harisma, you raise a good point - i didn't look into sound deadening a whole lot, what kind of pricing am i looking at, and is it worth deadening just the doors or more? Keeping in mind i am not installing a sub.

Well I've just ordered a new set of splits which should arrive in the next week or two, so when I get them I'll test fit them and then I'll let you know with the VR's. If you want to have a listen before I change over the splits your more than welcome to, just PM me and we'll work out a time to catch up.

Gary's Car Audio is 369 Greensborough Rd Watsonia 3087.

Well I've just ordered a new set of splits which should arrive in the next week or two, so when I get them I'll test fit them and then I'll let you know with the VR's. If you want to have a listen before I change over the splits your more than welcome to, just PM me and we'll work out a time to catch up.

Gary's Car Audio is 369 Greensborough Rd Watsonia 3087.
Gary's Car Radio is in watsonia, bell st heidelberg and high st preston.
There are more outlets but watsonia one is the worst lol

Thanks Lugo, depending on what you're willing to let them go for and what i can get a new set for, i will let you know.

I'll go check out Gary's on my lunch break today, i work on bell street so it'll only be a quick drive.
Cheers for all the replys guys, i've posted on other forums and gotten stupid responses like "NAR MAN PUT SUBWOOFERS IN SICK SICK", so its nice to have a mature response here.

I'll keep everyone posted with gear, prices and when i finally install the lot.

Thanks Lugo, depending on what you're willing to let them go for and what i can get a new set for, i will let you know.

I'll go check out Gary's on my lunch break today, i work on bell street so it'll only be a quick drive.
Cheers for all the replys guys, i've posted on other forums and gotten stupid responses like "NAR MAN PUT SUBWOOFERS IN SICK SICK", so its nice to have a mature response here.

I'll keep everyone posted with gear, prices and when i finally install the lot.
If you are going to gary's on bell speak to the asian bloke there, he knows his stuff ;)