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Thread ID: 85001 2007-11-26 07:59:00 Car Stereo improvements miknz (3731) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
615348 2007-11-26 07:59:00 Just need a bit of help with a planned enhancement to the family car stereo. I have a 2000 diamante nz new with an inbuilt intergrated stereo. it has 4 speakers and two tweeters but lacks a bit of bass. Does anyone know what the process is to get me a bit more bass without replacing the orginal face? Is it even possible to add a sub without doing an amp etc as well? I have never done a "proper" speaker install before unless putting the home stereo speakers into the back of the Corolla counts! So I need a bit of help.

Cheers
miknz (3731)
615349 2007-11-26 08:10:00 The factory head units usually can't handle a sub, but most new head units could handle a small sub OK without an amp. Greven (91)
615350 2007-11-26 08:17:00 The factory head units usually can't handle a sub, but most new head units could handle a small sub OK without an amp.

So if I put an amp in can I then connect it to a sub?
miknz (3731)
615351 2007-11-26 08:25:00 You need an amp. One with a low pass filter. Then connect your sub to that. pine-o-cleen (2955)
615352 2007-11-26 09:45:00 Whatever you do, don't cut or modify the parcel shelf to fit new speakers, your vehicle will fail its next WOF if you do (I know, coz I'm a vehicle inspector :cool: ), would also advise you to bolt your subwoofer (and amp) down to boot floor in the interest of safety, if your rear seats fold down (dont want it joining you in the front seat in a prang, eh).

Here's some info on subbies that may help
www.crutchfield.com
feersumendjinn (64)
615353 2007-11-26 10:02:00 More stuff
www.caraudioanddjequipmentadviser.com
feersumendjinn (64)
615354 2007-11-26 15:36:00 Whatever you do, don't cut or modify the parcel shelf to fit new speakers, your vehicle will fail its next WOF if you do (I know, coz I'm a vehicle inspector :cool: ), would also advise you to bolt your subwoofer (and amp) down to boot floor in the interest of safety, if your rear seats fold down (dont want it joining you in the front seat in a prang, eh) .

Here's some info on subbies that may help
. crutchfield . com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/car/subwoofers_faq . html" target="_blank">www . crutchfield . com

What part of a vehicle is the "parcel shelf"? Youse guys use such strange names for things . . . nyuck, nyuck . <We call that area a "dinglehoffer" as it was originally deigned by the inventor . >

If it's what I think it is, why in the world would any inspector care or have a rule to follow concerning it? It's not a structural part of the vehicle . . . . seems kinda daft to even consider .

A "prang" in the front seat could only be a errant spring that got through the upholstery and "pranged" you in the bottom .

Sheesh! Youse guys make me smile . :blush:
SurferJoe46 (51)
615355 2007-11-26 18:41:00 Whatever you do, don't cut or modify the parcel shelf to fit new speakers, your vehicle will fail its next WOF if you do (I know, coz I'm a vehicle inspector :cool: ), would also advise you to bolt your subwoofer (and amp) down to boot floor in the interest of safety, if your rear seats fold down (dont want it joining you in the front seat in a prang, eh).

Here's some info on subbies that may help
www.crutchfield.com

Aeee?????

I have done numerous things to the parcel shelf, including cutting and completley removing, and having boxed speakers sitting there not anchored to anything. Every car I've had I've cut the parcel shelf to put in some better speakers, and never even had it mentioned, after 10+ warrants.
wratterus (105)
615356 2007-11-26 20:38:00 Aeee?????

I have done numerous things to the parcel shelf, including cutting and completley removing, and having boxed speakers sitting there not anchored to anything. Every car I've had I've cut the parcel shelf to put in some better speakers, and never even had it mentioned, after 10+ warrants.

feersumendjinn is quite right. the parcel shelf on most but not all cars is a structural part of the car. cutting it or repairing it without certification will fail a warrant. obviously your taking it to a testing station thats blind which quite a few are ;)
*(parcel shelf.....the area under the rear window where the factory speakers are often fitted. the seat belts also often bolt into it and it ties the rear end of the car together.)


upgrading the stereo.......

first thing to do is get some decent front speakers. just about all manufactures fit cheap junk speakers to their cars, even if they have a big brand name head unit.

if you need bass then fit amp + sub. you can get built in combos that you simply bolt/tie to the floor. the amp etc is all built in. however your head unit may not have RCA outputs for an amp. if so then a new head unit is required, which is not a bad idea as a lot of cheaper (ie OEM) ones have poor quality bass anyway. i'm not a fan of using speaker outputs as inputs into the amp, its generally noisy and poor quality sound. the extra distortion kills speakers quickly.
tweak'e (69)
615357 2007-11-26 20:53:00 VTNZ FTW!! :D :lol: :p wratterus (105)
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