In the next few months or so I was thinking I might do an upgrade on the stock 380 audio system. I have the oem 6 CD stacker & US Galant iPod interface atm.

I don't want absolute audiophile quality but would like something that sounds very resonable. Not too concerned about a budget but at the same time don't want to go over the top if you know what I mean (read I would rather pay some good money for something decent than cut corners).

I would like to keep the oem head unit but am open to other options, I would still like to use the steering wheel controls & the comm error doesn't overly concern me but it would be nice not to have it.

I don't want to fill my boot up with subs & would probably be happy with some 6x9's in the rear & splits in the front.

I also have access to the Infinity range of equipment at dealers prices, are the Kappa series Infinity's good stuff or what?? What about the Infinity amps?? If they are good I would stick with these due to the large discount I can get.

Advise away boys ...............

Kappa gear is built well.

I would audition the speakers first before you make your mind up. They seem to be speakers that people love or hate without much middle ground.

You should always have an idea of budget - otherwise your bank account will seemingly dry up... :D

sorry for the hijack..but what is this US Galant iPod interface you are talking about..???

Kappa gear is built well.

I would audition the speakers first before you make your mind up. They seem to be speakers that people love or hate without much middle ground.

You should always have an idea of budget - otherwise your bank account will seemingly dry up... :D
Ok how about $2k & I would more than likely put it in myself.

sorry for the hijack..but what is this US Galant iPod interface you are talking about..???
It's a magic box that goes inline with the cd stacker & appears on the multidisplay as CD2. The info comes up on the display as Disc 1, 2 etc for albums/playlists but doesn't actually give you text names so you can't just pic & choose, thats the only drawback. Works quite well but & can do random through the stock headunit controls which I like to use.

sounds like you essentially made most of your mind up on what you rally want, and just want confirmation that its a good idea before you go ahead and do it?

If you can get cost on Infinity gear and like it, you'd be crazy to consider comparable brands. if you end up going to 6x9, splits, and amp option, 1.2k or so should go quite a long way, especially if your doing the install yourself.

Well like Mr C said I would have to see what they're like, I have no idea what's good & what's not when it comes car audio so thats why I ask. If the general concensous is that Infinity is rubbish & brand whatever is the go I would have a good look at that. Like I said, if I have to spend more to get the good stuff I will, I'm not the sort of person to cut corners on price & get something I don't neccessarily like.

Its hard to buy speakers out of a catalogue, while I didn't go around and audition speakers for my car, I lucked out with a 75% discount, and made do. I did read reveiws on subs, and got my first sub amp and box off fleabay for 150. Now after lots of work I fixed their weakness ( mid range ) by sound deadening the doors. Sold the the smaller amps to upgrade to a large one.
Subs are easy, as they don't have much range, and as long as they aren't boomy or farty the sound depends a lot on the box.

Now what I do know about sound selection, and the rule applies to home theatre as car audio, Firstly, the biggest difference in sound is the area they play in.
Take your car's exhaust sound, its different in a tunnel, a forested road, your driveway, underground park etc.
I know the 380 is very well sound deadened in the cabin, for example the rear carpet is almost an inch thick, I've pulled it up. So what sounds good in one car may sound different in another.

Speakers are affected by the three things mainly. The speaker quality and build materials, the crossover (some are highly sought-after in the audiophile market), and the listening environment.
Amps are an important selection, some are tinny, some warm, or flat or dynamic and have different rise times ( ability to shove quickly when when asked by the signal).

Some speaker designers put so much effort into replicating every sound perfectly. that they become very unforgiving when you throw compressed music at them.




All of these combinations suit different types of music. In the Home audio field, there as words to describe these differences. Take a yamaha RXV 3900 for example, excellent home cinema amp, great at jazz, blues, vocals etc, not so hot at Rock, as compared to a Harman Kardon amp with excellent timing and seperation.

Sadly, all the reveiws for car audio, fail to mention most, if not all of these characteristics. They are still there, just not mentioned.

As for the infinty's, they are part of the Harman Group which have a solid sound history in Amplifiers, but wether they tech share is another matter.

Nothing beats listening to your own music, the music you carry in the car. Get out there and listen to few systems.

Like knotched's sound system, I like the warmth they carry, good definition, but lacked the timing I prefer, but his budget was half of yours, yet he got good value for his dollar. So much so, that other customer auditioned his system and bought.

I'd recommend choosing an amp with 10-20% more power than you'll need, so you can get good distortion free music without cranking it. I'd like to hear that 125 x 4 digital Cappa amp. The Kappa Four (http://www.infinitysystems.com/car/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=KAPPA FOUR&cat=KAP&ser=KAP&Language=ENG&Country=AU&Region=EUROPE).

A nice set of component splits, sound deadening in the doors, decent Speaker wire, High level inputs (so you keep the OEM H/U) from your speakers to the Kappa 4 Amp, and I'd recommend a small 8-10" Sub in a sealed box (for tighter, punchier bass), over your prefernce for 6x9's.

But get out there and listen,

Sorry Knotched, had to get you back for that suspension remark, so, so long ago. lol

Thanks mate, the Kappa amp isn't available here & they only have a 75w x 4 reference series so I'm thinking the Infinity amp might not be the way to go. (The reference series is the cheaper line it seems)

Re the sub I'm interested in the idea but don't want to lose boot space, any suggestions there?

So what wattage amp do you think I should be looking for & what brands of speakers should I be listening to in the upper quality range? You mentions splits in the front & a sub, what about the 6x9's?

BTW I'm sure you remember roughly what mine in like in the green car, despite giving Richard a bit of a back massage that day (mostly music choice), another member previously listened to my system and asked if I had a woofer. That was a fantastic compliment for me. Bass, Mid range and treble should be a smooth transition from one through to the next.
Despite some* young fellas out there chasing SPL with huge woofers x 10 in there boot. Their systems are designed for that and do it well.

Good luck in your hunt for SQ.


Thanks mate, the Kappa amp isn't available here & they only have a 75w x 4 reference series so I'm thinking the Infinity amp might not be the way to go. (The reference series is the cheaper line it seems) Shame

Re the sub I'm interested in the idea but don't want to lose boot space, any suggestions there?

So what wattage amp do you think I should be looking for & what brands of speakers should I be listening to in the upper quality range? You mentions splits in the front & a sub, what about the 6x9's?

If you go the sub ignore the 6x9's, I'd look at slim line sub boxes, and you'd be surprised how small a 10" sealed box is.

If you want a good idea of the sound you'll get with 6x9's, set your yamaha amp to cut off at the same frequencys the 6x9s would, (and imagine road noise cancelling some of that), and run you stereo without a sub, wait, that won't be hard ATM

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80869

6x9 or Sub

Here's some recent previous debate on SQ

Here on rear fill
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80909

My rears are not noticable.

Also, 2.1 systems outsell 4 channel systems in the Home audio arena, in fact no I think they are virtually non existent. 5.1 is theatre. 2 channel for music. (or 2.1)

A 10" could take up as little space as 1 cubic foot 12 x 12 x 12. And is removable.

If you go the sub ignore the 6x9's, I'd look at slim line sub boxes, and you'd be surprised how small a 10" sealed box is.

If you want a good idea of the sound you'll get with 6x9's, set your yamaha amp to cut off at the same frequencys the 6x9s would, (and imagine road noise cancelling some of that), and run you stereo without a sub, wait, that won't be hard ATM
No your wrong, I have got it back now, the windows were rattling last night while watching Terminator Salvation lol


http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80869

6x9 or Sub

Here's some recent previous debate on SQ

Here on rear fill
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80909

My rears are not noticable.

Also, 2.1 systems outsell 4 channel systems in the Home audio arena, in fact no I think they are virtually non existent. 5.1 is theatre. 2 channel for music. (or 2.1)

A 10" could take up as little space as 1 cubic foot 12 x 12 x 12. And is removable.

I'll have a read of the links, will have to have another listen of your setup next time I see you. Maybe over a couple of beers & some coilovers?

Re the slim sub would something like this be a good idea http://www.c-t.com.au/content/basslink-t ?

http://www.ryda.com.au/Clarion-APX4361-4-Channel-Car-Amplifier-p/apx4361.htm

Here's a good value 4 x 90 watt Amp.
100W x 4 RMS [4Ω @14.4V ≤1% THD+N] Lots of punch for the dough. 400

Focal Quailty splits 700
165KR $729 (AUS)
http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/k2_power.html
Award winner best speaker under $1000.00
2009 incar awards.

Focal 6x9 350
690CVX $349 (AUS)
http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/polyglass.html

Wiring 200

Sound deadening (Dynamat for front doors) 150

Installion 250




But, it will pay to get it all at the one place, installed by the same people. Your warrantys are longer and the after sales service better.
The focals are pretty popular round here, this would sound pretty sweet.

H366 x W1026 x D164mm Would that fit.
Looks alright
http://www.c-t.com.au/system/files/imagecache/product/sites/default/files/basslinkt_0.png

Looks like it uses passive radiators, similar to earthquake Subwoofers SLAPS, to create the same acoustics as a larger box, those radiators flex instead of the larger volume of air.
Expect to much more of that tech in the coming years.

Btw, I'd be happy to bring either car and temorarily wire 6x9's and then a sub, so you can get get an idea of both.

H366 x W1026 x D164mm Would that fit.
Looks alright
http://www.c-t.com.au/system/files/imagecache/product/sites/default/files/basslinkt_0.png

Looks like it uses passive radiators, similar to earthquake Subwoofers SLAPS, to create the same acoustics as a larger box, those radiators flex instead of the larger volume of air.
Expect to much more of that tech in the coming years.

Btw, I'd be happy to bring either car and temorarily wire 6x9's and then a sub, so you can get get an idea of both.
Not sure about the width but it's pretty slimline, will have to run a measure over the car. I'll be able to get a good price on one of these, so if it fits it might be on the shopping list. So with the previous post you would still do the 6x9's just not go over the top?

Thanks for the offer too, I'm in no real rush but might take you up on that one.

The bass link is an interesting idea - it is very wide but.

Have a listen to the Kappa gear and if you don't like it let me know.

AD, Vibe, Cresendo, Steg all make quality gear which you might like in your budget. :D

The bass link is an interesting idea - it is very wide but.

Have a listen to the Kappa gear and if you don't like it let me know.

AD, Vibe, Cresendo, Steg all make quality gear which you might like in your budget. :D

Yeah I'll have to find out who stocks Kappa in Brisbane & hopefully they have Focal & some other good ones to compare with. If the Kappa's are the goods they will save me a fair bit of money.

I dont think it will fit, suits a flat walled ute with no wheel arches, I can't tell really I have a big ass gas tank in the way.

I just had a quick squiz at the incar awards site, there is some nice stuff there.

I'd drop the clarion over this.
Focal solid 4 @ 599

Four channel amplifier.
Came second in the awards and very affordable.
The first was huge.

I dont think it will fit, suits a flat walled ute with no wheel arches, I can't tell really I have a big ass gas tank in the way.
I just had a quick squiz at the incar awards site, there is some nice stuff there.

I'd drop the clarion over this.
Focal solid 4 @ 599

Four channel amplifier.
Came second in the awards and very affordable.
The first was huge.

Just had a look in my boot, yep won't fit between the strut towers. Would be ok behind them but would lose a heap of boot space & wouldn't be able to access the bit in front either.

Hopefully you can find some decent gear to audition!

See if you can audition some Vibe gear, I recently installed some BlackAir 6 components and they are very good speakers!

For a versatile active sub, I have always been a fan of these (http://www.shoppingsecure.com.au/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=132). They offer the choice to "tune" the box, come with a nice little amp, and has all the hardware you require.

3 "tunable" options are:

Ported 40Hz - leave all ports open
Ported 32Hz - plug one port
Sealed - plug both ports

Drop the subs and have a look at this for a suggestion.

http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/images/solid_4.jpg
SOLID 4 $599 (AUS) (http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/amplifiers.html)

http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/images/k2_165kr.jpg
165KR $729 (AUS) (http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/k2_power.html)

http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/images/polyglass_690cvx.jpg
690CVX $349 (AUS) (http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/polyglass.html)


And if you can afford it. Audison Bit One signal processor. It'll turn your 380 Deck into a fully adjustable aftermarket unit.
http://www.performancecaraudio.com.au/media/products/149/thumbs/audison-bit-one-processor-151-300x300.jpg

Drop the subs and have a look at this for a suggestion
What no sub now???? lol



And if you can afford it. Audison Bit One signal processor. It'll turn your 380 Deck into a fully adjustable aftermarket unit.
http://www.performancecaraudio.com.au/media/products/149/thumbs/audison-bit-one-processor-151-300x300.jpg
Mate this thing would put a horn on a jellyfish!! $1000 though .....

Think of it as a supercharger for for your six stacker. lol

On the other hand you can take it with you to the next car with intergrated Audio.

Lets just compare 6x9 and subs for now.
Looking forward to catching up!

ive got an RF 360.1 thats been lying around for over a year. its like the Audison Bit One but slightly older, will still have the same effect. and 1/4 the price :)

ive got an RF 360.1 thats been lying around for over a year. its like the Audison Bit One but slightly older, will still have the same effect. and 1/4 the price :)

Is that the model with Bluetooth EQ adjustment etc.?

Is that the model with Bluetooth EQ adjustment etc.?

I came across that one when looking around the web. Not sure if it that one with the bluetooth or the 360.2 the bigger better one.

Mate - they both have bluetooth EQ, the 360.1 or .2 is an excellent product, I used the 360.1 in my old 380, running Audison Lrx amps DD Sub ra ra ra

one potential issue you may experience with any of these signal processors is possible introduction of noise - whilst they correct the frequency response quite well, a problem exists when connecting amps to a factory headunit - voltage, most factory headunit only offer 1.5 - 2V output - this of course needs to be bumped up to at least 4v to better suit an amp and allow you to get full potential out of your amps - whilst upping the voltage, they also up the amplification - hence noise introduction

I had this issue, but it was so slight that it didnt bother me - i could only hear a hiss at volumes below what I would listen to, and between tracks, but there are cases where people have experienced hiss beyond a level they were prepared to live with

Its a risk, but one worth taking considering the cost factor of upgrading to a decent line of double din headunits

The 3sixty.2 adds a few things:


31band 1/3 oct EQ
Fully adjustable Xovers for each channel up to 24db / oct
Allows you to bandpass a channel


I think the .2 adds Time Alignment as well...

The 3sixty.1 is more comparable with Alpines H650, JL cleansweep etc.

The 3sixty.2 is up there with the best - like the Audison.

Thought I would revisit this thread since I got a bit side tracked with LSD's & big arse brakes lol

Circumstances have changed a bit since I started this thread originally so I thought I'd get some more opinions.

Firstly I have bought a JBL MS-8 Digital Processor which allows me to interface with the stock head unit but with quality audio. This unit a has 7 x 18W RMS built in although I will still put in seperate amps. I was going to install this as a starter with the stock speakers & then work from there but just looking at it I'm thinking maybe I should just go all out straight up.

I have decided I want to go high quality front splits with some reasonably good quality 6x9 rears for fill & will then put a sub in the boot but not neccessarily straight away, although I will cable for the lot up front.

Ok question time ...

1/ Been doing some research, been looking at Hertz MK165 splits for the front as they seem high quality but also pretty good value for what you get. Any other suggestions? (Note - I want high quality similar price so no suggestions of bargain Supercrap speakers or anything thanks)
2/ These speakers are rated at 150W continuous so what would be a good power amp (RMS) to run these? Also amp brand suggestions in this quality range please.
3/ The 6x9's, not too concerned about these but should I get a 4 channel amp or a 2 channel for the splits & run the 6x9's off the 18W MS-8 amp. (Would it be more balanced with the same power all round basically?)
4/ Wiring. I spotted some install kits from China with the big cable & fuseholders etc, are these any good or are they crap? If so what size cable should I be running to the amps?
5/ Subwoofer. Not real worried about this & will probably get the rest going first but thought I'd look at something with a built in amp for ease of install & removal if the space is needed. Suggestions?

Nobody? ..... not even Marty? lol

Sorry mate...I am happy with the AVN6000...;)

Sorry mate...I am happy with the AVN6000...;)

Well that was zero help, I want something better than your AVN6000 :facepalm

I look into it, mtx do a few amp and sub packs IIRC, and yes get a low wattage 6*9 if you want a sub, to run of the jbl gadget.
But if you don't want sub, better 6*9 would would involve stretching the existing speaker holes, and you could sound deaden the parcel shelf for more bass.
I'm looking forward to doing this to my 380, so I can get you involved in this so you can notice the difference for yourself, might be just the trick if you're a bit reluctant to run a sub, richard might do it as well, ;)

Do you have an amp in mind?
You can pick up some nice d class amps, 4 x 100 rms with about a 200 x 200 footprint, ideal for under seat installation, they are about 90 % efficient and don't get hot, making them ideal for in cabin mounting.
Keeping your boot free and clear for methanol.

I look into it, mtx do a few amp and sub packs IIRC, and yes get a low wattage 6*9 if you want a sub, to run of the jbl gadget.
But if you don't want sub, better 6*9 would would involve stretching the existing speaker holes, and you could sound deaden the parcel shelf for more bass.
I'm looking forward to doing this to my 380, so I can get you involved in this so you can notice the difference for yourself, might be just the trick if you're a bit reluctant to run a sub, richard might do it as well, ;)

Do you have an amp in mind?
You can pick up some nice d class amps, 4 x 100 rms with about a 200 x 200 footprint, ideal for under seat installation, they are about 90 % efficient and don't get hot, making them ideal for in cabin mounting.
Keeping your boot free and clear for methanol.

lol I like that bit!!

Nah I have nothing in mind amp wise & yes I would prefer under the seat. I pulled the dash apart hoping to squeeze the MS-8 in somewhere but it will also need to go under the seat. Not sure how much room there is under the drivers seat with the electrics etc?

What's your thoughts on the splits I mentioned? You know me, I will want good shit! lol

We need to talk about this over some amber fluid & yeah maybe get Richard involved too so we can give hime an upgrade too :P

There is a set an audio installer was raving about, hehas cood credentials, but I can't remeber the model#, I'll get back to you, $600ish Aud.

Its a TXC6.1 from same company, MTX, you should find good reviews out there, plus they are so adjustable, more fun than coilovers :)
Getting up there in price, but will run on 100 watts a channel from a good amp. Even a 4 x 60 alpine bridged, butb that means another amp, or try a mtx ta7804.

Ok cool I will do some research :)