Advice needed?

[Regan21]

Ok.........Fiat GP with a bog standard Grundig HU. More than loud enough for me, (Dad) but its my sons car.

After a trip to Halfords to look at new HU's which are not ott in price, my son chose a Pioneer thingymebob. He wants to keep his steering wheel controls, so asked the guy in Halfords about wiring looms.

To keep wheel controls you need this type (He says) and it needs to be ordered..........£90.

£90 for a wiring loom says I............****** to that.

So my question is............can a subwoofer and amp make the standard HU sound any better?

He also wants his ipod connected, and I have seen a few leads posted on here, but are they pretty much ALL the same, or are some better than others.


Its been a long time since I have tinkered with cars and stereo's as I used to call them............last time I changed a car stereo was in my first car. (Austin Allegro I'm embarrassed to say )
But then again............I am nearer my half century than most of you I bet.

 

[homeward]

I am nearer my half century than most of you I bet.

How much are you willing to bet...?!

51, in two weeks time -- but only feeling (and acting) as old as the car I drive...! (Although I could probably do with an MOT -- not to mention a good servicing...!?)

 

[volxstu]

Ditch the steering controls. You will soon get over them not being there. That could just be my opinion though. I have never used them in any car i have driven.
A decent aftermarket unit will sound better than the standard one as the internals and amps will be of better quality and power.
I would avoid Halfords though have a search around on the forums for decent second hand, caraudiosecurity.com caraudiodirect.co.uk and even ebay. If you see something you like then either post it up here for an opinion or just do a price check on google. Be wary though there are some retailers online who will give ridiculous prices.


As for subs and amps it depends on what you want to achieve. Obviously a sub isnt going to make the speakers in the car sound any better but it will add the low end frequency element that is missing. I get the feeling your son isnt after that full stereo sound and wants something to annoy the neighbours? Weve all been there and who are we to stand in the way of the younguns having a play with bass.

Stu

 

[Regan21]

So Homeward.......u old fart your'll remember the Austin Allegro then.

Volxstu, thanx for your reply........I think he wants to keep his steering wheel controls, cos thats another bit to fiddle with. We have been looking at subs with amps, and came across this on fleabay............what do ya think??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-fli-sub-and-amp-/170894758751?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D1327033335516941502%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D3%26

Along with a lead set,

http://www.google.co.uk/products/ca...a=X&ei=JqwqUL_hHMbP0QX6-4DgBA&ved=0CGIQ8wIwAQ

I honestly dont think he really knows wot he wants......but as I know feck all about these kind of things.......We both need as much help as poss.

 

[volxstu]

Things like that get boring quite quickly. I would personally save up and buy something proper and get a professional to show you how to scope the amp. I wish somebody had told me that when I first started. The amount I spent on blowing subs was silly lol. I just wish I had bought a decent sub and seperate amp and got somebody in the know to show me how to tune it.

I personally wouldn't put anything less than a 4 gauge wiring kit into a car. That makes it more future proof. Knukonceptz.com sell great stuff at reasonable prices.

The best thing to say to somebody about car audio is as long as you go to the right place you get what you pay for. Shortly followed by saying avoid, Fli, Vibe, Pyle, Boss, edge, theloudest.com and car audio Center.
On a budget then a JBL Gt5 sub with between 5-700w RMS and a decent ported box is a great place to start.

Stu

 

[Devious]

See.... Volxstu is the man in the know and that's a FACT. Heed his advice well.
Old? What's age gotta do with it. I'm 29 and had an Austin Princess, it was the shiz...

if its just bouncy, bouncy bass, tbh that would be fine (expects to be corrected shortly {see how I was corrected}), however if he wants to go down the hi fi route, then I think something with a little more finesse would be needed with a lot of tinkering and fettiling to get the levels and acoustics right.
Ta

 

[homeward]

So Homeward.......u old fart your'll remember the Austin Allegro then.

Surely do! Should have gotten myself a gold Vanden Plas, with the neat radiator grille... -- and, oh, that steering wheel: what a vision of delight! Shame they made the road wheels pretty much the same shape...

Old? What's age gotta do with it. I'm 29 and had an Austin Princess, it was the shiz...

Now there was a truly great piece of cheese...!

My then father-in-law had one, when they first came out; and it was actually a wonderful motorway cruiser, with loads of interior space, etc.. Saw a yellow one, the other day. Ah, the memories...!

Anyway: it's late; and I'm exceedingly off-topic... :wave:

 

[Devious]

I've still got the 8 track in the loft somewhere...
(bringing it slightly back on topic)
Ta

 

[Regan21]

Things like that get boring quite quickly. I would personally save up and buy something proper and get a professional to show you how to scope the amp. I wish somebody had told me that when I first started. The amount I spent on blowing subs was silly lol. I just wish I had bought a decent sub and seperate amp and got somebody in the know to show me how to tune it.

I personally wouldn't put anything less than a 4 gauge wiring kit into a car. That makes it more future proof. Knukonceptz.com sell great stuff at reasonable prices.

The best thing to say to somebody about car audio is as long as you go to the right place you get what you pay for. Shortly followed by saying avoid, Fli, Vibe, Pyle, Boss, edge, theloudest.com and car audio Center.
On a budget then a JBL Gt5 sub with between 5-700w RMS and a decent ported box is a great place to start.

Stu

TBH my son just wants a half decent base speaker, he doesn't really want to blow away everything with his sounds, BUT, as we all know........the standard HU's in most cars are crap.

Will have a look at the JBL GT5 and the like, but he doesn't want to go tooo mad, and as for the future.........he'll probably get shot of the car after a year or so????

Cheers

 

[Regan21]

Surely do! Should have gotten myself a gold Vanden Plas, with the neat radiator grille... -- and, oh, that steering wheel: what a vision of delight! Shame they made the road wheels pretty much the same shape...

Vanden Plas............with that orrible massive grill. Looked like a cheese grater

Now there was a truly great piece of cheese...!

My then father-in-law had one, when they first came out; and it was actually a wonderful motorway cruiser, with loads of interior space, etc.. Saw a yellow one, the other day. Ah, the memories...!

Anyway: it's late; and I'm exceedingly off-topic... :wave:

As for the princess...........very bouncy car, if you were unlucky to go over a sleeping copper.

God........I do feel old now.

I've even started looking for a Vauxhall Viva :slayer:

 

[Devious]

Chivette FTW...
Ta

 

[Regan21]

Chivette FTW...
Ta

Had a Chevette saloon, mint condition back then .........Until the wife smacked it