MK1 Punto sound system upgrade

Hello there!

I recently bought a MK1 punto and one of the first things i will be doing is improving the interior. The simplest way i thought to do this would be to install a new head unit and speaker system. However, i dont really know what to look for when buying different components, or even really what they do.

The only thing i really want is a HU that can play CD's, has radio, and also had an auxiliary input on the front of it for my ipod.

I have a 75 ELX so it has 6 speakers and i would probably be looking to replace all of them for better/louder ones, in which case is there any special things to look out for on a HU?

And finally i was wondering about a sub or an amp. Does an amp just basically make all the speakers louder or what? If i had 6 speakers, how many channels would i need on the amp? And also would the sub count extra or what?

Thanks in advance for any help, and i apologise for being such an amateur! Any advice on either good components, how to go about installing them or just what they do is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again

Welcome aboard.

First, it's great to upgrade your headunit. Upon the initial cost of the headunit add around an extra £15-25 for the extra bits and pieces to get it to fit, i.e your ISO loom, any fascia surrounds, removal keys and aerial adaptor.

Some great headunits out at the moment that have a Aux in port, are the new JVC and Sony units (can be found in Halfords, Motormania etc). They have quite a good spec as well and put out 4x45, and some of the JVC 4x50watt output.

Upgrading the speakers means you can get more clarity or bass, or treble levels. Usually if you want to add more bass cheaply just add 6x9's to the parcel shelf.

Perhaps invest in a cheap amp to power the 6x9's you can always get a sub as long as it's a 4 channel amp to hook it up to. There is also the bridging technique to get better power, but that's a bit technical to go into.

Best bet is to buy the sub/amp packages that either Fusion, Mutant and Vibe do. They cost around £80-300 depending on the quality and brand, you get a wiring kit and pretty simple to do yourself.

Invest in a tool box, buy yourself some wire cutters, crimpers, isulating tape, bullet connectors, and most importantly a volt/multimeter for testing earths and lives, and currents. Comes in handy. Always remember if you are working on wiring to disconnect the negative battery lead before you carry out any work to avoid blowing any fuses or getting a shock.

Exactly. A lot of people use the acronym GIGO - garbage in, garbage out.

Max wattages mean nothing.

6x9s make a half assed job of it TBH. A sub is a lot better.

And that compounds the problem. Dragging the soundstage back is a no no. Look at the best sounding cars in the world. There's a distinct lack of rear speakers even in large cars.

The bridging 'technique' as you put it is hardly more technical TBH. You usually just connect the +ve of one side with the -ve of the other side. Some stereo amps can't be bridged at all.

Buying separates is no more difficult or expensive than buying active setups.


OP, do you have a 5 door or 3 door?

How much do you have to spend? It's a lot easier to make good equipment sound bad than it is to make equipment sound better. It's all in the installation. Doing research costs nothing but is the absolute best thing a novice can do.

I have a 5 door, and a budget of a couple of hundred quid ultimately. I think i would prefer to buy things seperately, for instance the HU and install that, then speakers etc. Do subs have to go in the boot?

I have seen subs installed under the passenger seat, the main issue is with the amount of air you can enclose behind them. 6x9's are a great option if you value your boot space over audio but it is better to get components up front if you can!

I have 6x9's on an MDF parcel shelf as I can't afford the loss of space in the boot and finding somewhere for a set of components in the rear.