Punto MK1 Newbie ICE Questions

[foo25]

Hey guys, been looking around here for a bit, but I wanna ask a little advice on where to go next with my car. It's a '99 Fiat Punto MK1, and so far I've picked up a pair of 10cm Pioneer eMotion Coaxial Speakers -

And a Sony CDX-GT23 stereo (mainly for the AUX input for my iPod) -

Now, the new speakers are pretty good, but obviously lacking in the bass I'm looking for. It seems the stock speakers gave better bass response, which was a little disappointing, but the Pioneer speakers do sound better in everything else, so I can't complain

I had no problem fitting the new speakers and stereo, but I'm unsure what to do next. I'm considering a pair of Pioneer 8.7cm (3.5") speakers for up front in the dash, but I definitely want more bass, but I'm really unsure of what way to go about it. Some suggestions on sub solutions would be great, and how I'd go about fitting them as the height of my knowledge was fitting the rear speakers I've no idea about wiring a sub or anything remotely close.

Essentially, how do I get lotsa bass for little money, and are there any decent 3.5" speakers for a decent price? Cheers

 

[volxstu]

I really wouldnt bother with the front speakers unless you have a reasonable budget.

If i were you i would think about geting some components having the woofers in the rear and then you can hide the tweeters in the dash.

You will need to replace the HU before you start geting amps as the one that you have doesnt have any pre-outs which is the wire that sends the signal to the amps.

When you are finally sorted i would get JBL sub and amps.
4 Channel Amp
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JBL-GTO-504e-...oryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Sub Dual Voice Coil so that you can run it at 2 ohms and get more power out of the amp.

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/4800.html

If your budget allows and you
http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/product/products_id/8038.html
But you would need to invest in some pretty powerful components.

 

[foo25]

Thanks for the quick response. I probably should've posted here before buying that new HU then... Just picked it up yesterday you see. Is there any way to separate the highs, mids and lows without having to invest in a new HU at all? If not, is there anyway to give me any bass boost with my exisiting equipment, other than the stereo's settings?

Thanks

 

[volxstu]

Thanks for the quick response. I probably should've posted here before buying that new HU then... Just picked it up yesterday you see. Is there any way to separate the highs, mids and lows without having to invest in a new HU at all? If not, is there anyway to give me any bass boost with my exisiting equipment, other than the stereo's settings?

Thanks

Is there any chance that you can take the HU back and swap it.

There is a way that you can take the signal from the speaker wires and convert it to an RCA which plugs into the amp or you can buy an amp that has a Line level input it will say on the specs of the amp if it has that feature.

The best way to get better bass from the speakers you have now would be to sound deaden the area around them and build more solid mounts but i cant remember what the mounts in the mk 1 look like. But if you could get some pics then we could give you some ideas.

 

[foo25]

That's the standard rear speaker mount, each one either side of the parcel shelf. I like the sound of the RCA or Line In idea, but tell me this, would I need an amp, or will the sub run off of the stereo (which I'm doubtful of)? If so, how would I go about adding another output to the sub. If using RCA, could I just connect the R + L in parallel to the existing rear speaker cables and run them to the sub?

Thanks again

EDIT: Actually come to think of it, I think I remember seeing SUB OUT on the back of the new stereo if that helps, however I'll have another look tomorrow and give you proper details on it.

 

[volxstu]

That's the standard rear speaker mount, each one either side of the parcel shelf. I like the sound of the RCA or Line In idea, but tell me this, would I need an amp, or will the sub run off of the stereo (which I'm doubtful of)? If so, how would I go about adding another output to the sub. If using RCA, could I just connect the R + L in parallel to the existing rear speaker cables and run them to the sub?

Thanks again

EDIT: Actually come to think of it, I think I remember seeing SUB OUT on the back of the new stereo if that helps, however I'll have another look tomorrow and give you proper details on it.

I meant could you take a photo of where the new speakers are.

You would need an amp for a SUB.

If using the HU for the coaxial speakers a large bassy sub would just drown them out so i would suggest geting a 4 channel amp and amping them up too so they can keep up with the volume.

I could be wrong about your HU not having pre-outs they look like the plugs that take sound and picture from a DVD player or something but there is only 2 of them not three.

 

[foo25]

Went out and had a look in the freezing cold It has the labels stamped in the back for Rear + Sub Out, and then R + L above it, but doesn't actually have the outputs That picture shows where my new speakers are, I just replaced the old ones and they fit in the same place (assuming your talking about those).

I'll definitely look into an amp and sub, thanks very much for all the help I've a fair idea of what I need to do now, cheers. One more thing, what exactly does an active sub do that a regular one doesn't?

EDIT: Should have asked, with a proper amp, I should be able to wire in my 4 speakers and a sub, but how do I take the signal from the stereo to the amp?

 

[volxstu]

Sounds like you have got 1 set of pre-outs and that is the thing that will take the signal to the amp. Then you need a + Power from batter, Ground from amp to spare wheel bay, Remote which is the blue wire at the back of the HU (this tells the amps to power up).

An active sub means that they have the amp built into it all in one unit but these tend to be a bit naff so unless you really want to save space or you really cant be bothered to do it properly i wouldnt go for the Active rout.

If you want to amp up all the speakers you will need a 5 channel amp but i would reccomend that you get some better speakers as most amps will blow cheap speakers.

A good 5 channel amp
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/JBL-GTO-5355-...oryZ4950QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[foo25]

Great, I'll look into a few subs and amps and see what I can do. I've a good idea of what I need to do now, thanks very much. I'll post back when I get everything set up.

Cheers

 

[foo25]

I think I've decided what I'll do, return that HU tomorrow and get one with RCA out, and then get an amp and sub sorted out shortly after. Again, thanks for the help

 

[volxstu]

I think I've decided what I'll do, return that HU tomorrow and get one with RCA out, and then get an amp and sub sorted out shortly after. Again, thanks for the help

I think that it may actually have one set of pre-outs but without seeing the back of it i cant tell. I have had a quick look on the net and one place says it doesnt and others just dont go into that much detail.
If it says sub out on it then that would suggest that it does have one.

 

[foo25]

Yeah, it says sub out on the back, I went out and had a look, but there's no actual outputs, just the labels. It's probably just a standard heatsink they use, but I took the stereo out and checked, so I'll return it and get the next one up in the range which definitely has the RCA out.

 

[BluePutnoMK1]

Could any one tell me how many watts are the old speakers? Because i never had the old speakers my car came with sony xpold speakers and head unit Thanks

 

[volxstu]

Can i ask why? There is no reason to need to know TBH. Perhaps we can help more if we know what you are trying to achieve?