In Car speaker upgrade

markfj

Hi all

Looking to get a nice sound system for my car (suzuki swift) I am clueless as to what I am looking for, but on suzuki website they have these as an upgarde to the current system

http://www.suzuki-shop.co.uk/index.cfm/fa/shopdetails/Product_ID/494

I am just looking for advice I guess, does the above look any good/worth the money? I just want nice sound, good bass as I love hip hop/rap music, so sound quality is most important, but didnt know how good the above were, or cheaper alternatives etc

Thanks!

callistris

Cheapest and best place online for car audio is https://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk I would give a link but I've been having a problem lately accessing the site, hope this isn't a bad thing!

Just putting new speakers into a car won't really make any difference as the first thing that has to be looked at is the source of the music, i.e the Headunit, whats yours?

That kit you posted a link to only has front speakers, does your car not have rear speakers?

The sub in the package is an under seat type which don't provide lots of bass, but will add that extra dimension to the music. Judging by the music you like would a small bit of bass be sufficient or do you require something with more punch?
Also is an underseat fitment crutial, or have you any space in your boot?

From what I can find that kit does look expensive, and its not really going to make a massive improvement.

Whats your budget for an upgrade?


As an idea cost wise I upgraded my system in my car which cost me about £400 and this got me 2x 12" subs with amp (from ebay) 4ch amp for door speakers (from ebay same seller as subs) set of 6" component Pioneer speakers and a set of rear coaxial Pioneer speakers. I already had a high end Alpine head unit and all cabling (which doesn't cost much off ebay)

For this I've got an extremely loud high output system with lots of bass, but a system which sounds very good quality.

The subs and amp stuff I've got are from Vibe car audio

markfj

Hi

Thanks for the link, much appreciated

That site works fine for me by the way

My car does have rear door speakers so I thought was a little odd their upgrade has 2.

The Headunit is as factory fitted Im clueless but here is a link to one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-SWIFT-2005-2010-CD-HEAD-UNIT-PACRO1-/150584118645

Underseat fitting I guessed woild be more ideal as the shift has a small boot, but I can install in boot too if thats a big issue for sure. I am just not entirely sure what I am buying, when it comes to amps, subs, speakers and cables thats why I was looking for a package I guess

I appreciate your help

A for price, its a prsent for me from my parents but I am willing to pay the rest should it be expensive, so not too bothered about cost really as long as its not stupid money Its only a small car so I dont really need loud music, just great quality and good bass is what Im after
Thanks

callistris

I would seriously look at replacing the factory fit unit in your car, as by keeping that your options are limited. Maybe then you could buy yourself a new head unit and your folks could buy you a sub/amp package. This would give you extra bass in the car that you are after.
Then save a bit more then look at upgrading the factory fit speakers in the future, but for now adding a sub would improve the sound a lot for you:D

I'll have a look for some reasonably priced good quality kit for you if you think it will help:cool:

markfj

Hi

Thanks again for the details, was hoping not to have to replace head unit, but I can see why it's suggested and if that's what I have to do then I will

Thanks, that would be very helpful

Thanks again

callistris

No problem I'll have a look tonight.

My neighbour has a swift so I'll ask to take a look to see what boot space there is to see if something will fit in there without compromising the whole boot space.

With the head unit do you want something with iPod control and/or Bluetooth or just cd?

What year is your car so I can find the correct fitting kit for the head unit?

markfj

callistris wrote: »

No problem I'll have a look tonight.

My neighbour has a swift so I'll ask to take a look to see what boot space there is to see if something will fit in there without compromising the whole boot space.

With the head unit do you want something with iPod control and/or Bluetooth or just cd?

What year is your car so I can find the correct fitting kit for the head unit?

Much appreciated thanks

I do use the boot quite often, but I can work around it as Its a car only I use, so space isnt normally a huge problem, just occasionly not convenient

I would like ipod controls or bluetooth thinking about it, as I have an iphone.

The swift is a 2006 Model.

I guess its best to get a decent shop to fit it all out once bought? as I wouldnt know where to start, but I have some guys that work on do all my MOTS and my family MOts so they might be able to help

Thanks again!

callistris

First of all some head units:)

A great kitted out Pioneer unit, doesn't have bluetooth though

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pioneer-deh9300sd.html

A well kitted out Kenwood unit again minus bluetooth

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/kenwood-kdc6051u.html

Same unit but with bluetooth as well

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/kenwood-btc61u.html

A fairly decent JVC unit with bluetooth

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/jvc-kdr721bt.html

Out of these units the Pioneer and the kenwoods are the best kitted out units and you're getting alot of stereo for your money if your budget stretches to this:)

Subwoofers.

One of these would fit in the boot and wouldn't take up too much space but would still deliver plenty of the low down frequencies:)
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/vibe-slr12-active-limited.html

Or for an under seat option
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/pio-tswx110a-pioneer-ts-wx110a.html

Another option for under the seat
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/vib-liteair-auto8a-vibe-liteair-optisound-auto-8-active-subwoofer.html

A fitting fascia for replacing your factory fit unit with an aftermarket one like those listed above.
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/con-ct24sz02-ct24sz02-facia-plate-for-suzuki-swift.html
Before getting this double check its definitely the right one for your car:)

The amp wiring kit required for getting power to the amp and the sound from the head unit.
http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/aut-pc4-27cca-autoleads-8awg-wiring-kit.html

Have a google check in your area for independant car audio suppliers (not halfords) as these guys will have kitted out cars you can listen to, to get an idea what your going to get, plus they can help with installations.

To pay for it to be professionally fitted expect to pay between £100 - £200 but its worth it as these guys do a fantastic job

markfj

wow, thanks for all the effort you went to, things are much clearer now than wha they were

Stupid question time :rotfl:

1. The Headunits you linked me to, I guess by reading the specs I wouldnt need t buy an additional amp?

2. What specs exactly am I looking for, subwoofer wise to know the sound quality?

3. Is having the sub in the boot better than underseat or is this purely for preference

Thanks very much again, really appreciate it!

I will no doubt get it installed professionally

callistris

markfj wrote: »

wow, thanks for all the effort you went to, things are much clearer now than wha they were

Stupid question time :rotfl:

1. The Headunits you linked me to, I guess by reading the specs I wouldnt need t buy an additional amp?

2. What specs exactly am I looking for, subwoofer wise to know the sound quality?

3. Is having the sub in the boot better than underseat or is this purely for preference

Thanks very much again, really appreciate it!

I will no doubt get it installed professionally

1. All headunits have built in amps for powering up speakers, but these aren't powerful enough to drive subwoofers. The subs I provided links to all have built in amps, and those are known as active subs. A basic set up is active sub, and speakers running off the headunit. The next level to this is using an amp to run the speakers, instead of the headunit. This gives you more control over the sound and louder volumes.

2. Specs wise on subs RMS is the true output wattage figure this is how loud it will be at max volume and the other spec is the frequency range of the sub. The best spec one I listed is the first one. This would be louder and cover lower frequencies than the 2nd 2 subs, but that is also that its a 12" sub compared to 8", but with Vibe you usually can't go wrong, its good stuff and affordable:)

3. Its only until recent years that subs were always in the boot, due to their sizes. Modern day requirements though have brought in the under seat options. These will never be as loud or provide as much punch as a decent sub could in the boot. I have 2x 12" Vibe subs in my boot which pack alot of punch.
It all boils down to what you want, lots of back punching bass - bang a 12" in the boot. Or just add extra low end bass without the punch and the extra dimension then a under the seat one should be fine:)
I'm old skool so subs for me always go in the boot as I want lots of bass:)

markfj

Thanks very much or all the details, much appreciated

I will do as suggested and buy msyelf a new headunit, and ask the parents to help with the other stuff

I looked around regarding the boot vs underseat woofers and like you suggested the boot ones are rated higher. I could I guess get a twin in the boot, but not sure id really need a big one for the size car Ive get

Thanks for the advice once again, most helpful

Mark