Audio Questions

Post by **cam740** » 01 Aug 2005 12:44 am

Ok so i've had my 360 for a month or so now and i'm thinking it's time to get a cd head unit and some speakers in there!!

so 2 questions:

1/ Any tricks/traps I need to be wary of when doing the head unit? (I ask this after gutting my 740 to put a head unit in!!)

2/ where are you audiophiles putting extra speakers - cause 2 lil door mounted 4" speakers REALLY dont cut the mustard!!

thanks guys

cam

Post by **bodejodel** » 01 Aug 2005 01:09 am

If all is right there is a connector in the car which a radio can connect with. Maybe you need an adaptor.
I have 2 220W 9"x 6" speakers in the parcel shelf and that sounds great!

Post by **foggyjames** » 01 Aug 2005 01:40 am

Depends which stereo you have. If it's the 'slanting front' one, try to get the facia adaptor from a late car - much nicer.

You'll probably find you have to file this adaptor down a bit, as the original HUs are slightly less than DIN size.

As for speakers...

That's what I did in the front. The best way to go depends on what you want from the system. If you want cheap / easy and sound *quality*....fit 4" components in the front, and 6x9s or 8s in the shelf, plus a sub if you want one. The large rears will fill out the midbass. If you're not bothered about SQ but want to piss off the neighbours, cut the rears, or fit 4x6s (or 4s) in the stock rear-pillar locations, then fit a BIG sub. Lots of sub + shelf speakers = blown shelf speakers.

Don't forget you'll want an amp, even for the mid/high speakers. HU amps are almost all totally worthless. I keep mine under the passenger seat.

cheers

James

Post by **cam740** » 01 Aug 2005 01:52 am

thanks for that guys!!

I want to try and do away with the parcel shelf - the interior is gonna go on some diet pills at some stage and thats something thats slated for removal!!

I know a stereo will add weight but I just cant handle going from my 740 with a fairly expensive (to me!) stereo to a 2 speaker shitbox!!

Is there anywhere else in the car that 6*9s can be fitted?? what about IF i take the rear seats out and mount the speakers in an enclosure??

cause the rear doors aint gonna be worth putting speakers in and I cant see anwhere in the rear that would be strong enough to mount something!

cheers

cam

PS i really just need it to drown out the noise from the rear end!!

Post by **foggyjames** » 01 Aug 2005 02:19 am

The parcel shelf weighs almost nothing

Removing the rear seats is worthwhile...right Steve

A 10" sub in a sealed box, together with a pair of quality 4" speakers in the stock mounts (components if you can justify the expense) would be a nice budget setup.

cheers

James

Post by **cam740** » 01 Aug 2005 03:03 am

foggyjames wrote: The parcel shelf weighs almost nothing

correct - but lookin at it i'd have to reinforce is with some wood of some sort otherwise its gonna be a pretty shitty mounting!!

foggyjames wrote: Removing the rear seats is worthwhile...right Steve

sounds like a story there!!!!

foggyjames wrote:
A 10" sub in a sealed box, together with a pair of quality 4" speakers in the stock mounts (components if you can justify the expense) would be a nice budget setup.

cheers

James

would a set of 6 * 9s in the area that the rear seat USED to live

create a decent amount of midrange??? I'm also trying to avoid a subby floating around in ma boot - already got that in the 740!!

Post by **foggyjames** » 01 Aug 2005 03:26 am

The shelf is supposedly a bit wimpy, but mine is fine.

When we went to Santa Pod I took all the excess crap out of my car, including the rear seat squab (the bit you actually sit on!), while Pete and Steve had tools and everything in there. Over the distance of the 1/4 mile, that weight counteracted the B200K (stock at the time...pre carbs!)'s 15bhp disadvantage, meaning I finished less than a car length behind!

Yeah, theres some nice space there, especially if you use the rear footwells.

cheers

James

Post by **cam740** » 01 Aug 2005 04:10 am

foggyjames wrote:The shelf is supposedly a bit wimpy, but mine is fine.

When we went to Santa Pod I took all the excess crap out of my car, including the rear seat squab (the bit you actually sit on!), while Pete and Steve had tools and everything in there. Over the distance of the 1/4 mile, that weight counteracted the B200K (stock at the time...pre carbs!)'s 15bhp disadvantage, meaning I finished less than a car length behind!

Yeah, theres some nice space there, especially if you use the rear footwells.

cheers

James

bloody good idea James - didnt even think of the footwell....

how loud was it without all the interior etc???

Post by **foggyjames** » 01 Aug 2005 04:30 am

There was an increase in transmission whine, road noise and exhaust noise, but that's it. Nothing terminal...maybe a 20% increase on average?

With a 10" sub, my tool crate, and the rear seats out, there's a noticable improvement in performance.

cheers

James

Post by **5lab** » 01 Aug 2005 07:45 am

Post by **cam740** » 01 Aug 2005 01:24 pm

that looks great!!

how much better does it sound!!??

Post by **Chris_C** » 01 Aug 2005 01:51 pm

Anyone have some piccies to hand of my shelf???

And doors? (though I currently in phase of uprating my front sounds!!) Else I'll dig some out when I get home

Post by **bodejodel** » 01 Aug 2005 02:32 pm

Thats about the same setup as I have and I am surprised on how good the sound is and how little of the car is resonating.
I have spent a total of € 200,- on the audio (Sony Xplod CDX S2200 MP3, 220W 6"x 9" XS-F693N and 120W 4" XS-F1031) and I did not expect this great sound quality.
If you make your parcel shelf heavy enough the sound is pretty pure and clear.
All I have to do now is weigh down the door cards where my front 120W speakers are mounted.
I'll get some pics up...

Post by **bodejodel** » 01 Aug 2005 03:15 pm

I took some pics of my humble audio installation.
I was thinking about an extra sub but after hearing this I did not think it would be necessairy.
Note how the 4" speakers fit behind the original covers.
The tweed doorcards will be replaced by the plain grey plastic ones and maybe I will make the whole interior black/grey to better match the bleck leather...
The volvo logo's on the Parcel shelf hide the extra screws I used to mount the MDF with. Just to be safe...

Post by **foggyjames** » 01 Aug 2005 03:22 pm

Hehe...Jeroen has tweed trim...teehee

And leather with rear headrests

cheers

James