What is your car audio/entertainment set up?

T-Maxx · 28-03-2013 02:22PM

Standard.

I'm old enough to know no one else wants to listen to my junk.

Taylor365 · 28-03-2013 02:25PM

I don't know how anyone listens to the 'tape plugged into phone/ipod' set ups. The sound quality is atrocious.

I've a really old Legacy JBL sound system i bought from a mate. 2 sub woofers on either side with an amp in the middle (looks like a jet engine). Never seen anything like it anywhere else. So far I've had it 7 years (3 cars) and soon to be put into the 4th

scamalert · 28-03-2013 02:32PM

No one in ireland really bothers with proper ICE,now on some US sites theres some masterpieces to see,like here http://www.fiberglassforums.com/build-pics/ or just look up fiberglass sub boxes etc plenty of good setups,not standard bose or halfords stuff.

Eric Cartman · 28-03-2013 02:35PM

scamalert wrote: »

No one in ireland really bothers with proper ICE,now on some US sites theres some masterpieces to see,like here http://www.fiberglassforums.com/build-pics/ or just look up fiberglass sub boxes etc plenty of good setups,not standard bose or halfords stuff.

it really is a shame, most cars come with crap audio systems out of the factory , very few people do anything with them.

MuppetCheck · 28-03-2013 02:40PM

Had a Pioneer F930BT with an old iPod in the glovebox. Will be keeping that in the next car but with the factory nav unit and upgraded speakers.

terrydel · 28-03-2013 02:47PM

Not trying to piss on anyone's chips, but I just dont see the point in spending big money on car hifi.
The environment provided by a car (small, lots of ambient noise etc) just cant do justice to really good speakers/sound systems imo.
Prefer to spend my hifi money at home!

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 02:48PM

scamalert wrote: »

No one in ireland really bothers with proper ICE,now on some US sites theres some masterpieces to see,like here http://www.fiberglassforums.com/build-pics/ or just look up fiberglass sub boxes etc plenty of good setups,not standard bose or halfords stuff.

Big culture difference with the americans for instance.
But there are people who care here and did some very nice upgrade.

I am currently working on mine, just waiting of my 2 amp wiring kits now...

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 02:52PM

terrydel wrote: »

Not trying to piss on anyone's chips, but I just dont see the point in spending big money on car hifi.
The environment provided by a car (small, lots of ambient noise etc) just cant do justice to really good speakers/sound systems imo.
Prefer to spend my hifi money at home!

That's where sound deadening comes into place.

Believe me, a properly insultated car with proper sound system is orgasmic.
I am not talking about bass monsters, I am talking about volume, clarity that is so overwelming all around you that it really takes your driving experience to the next level.

Taylor365 · 28-03-2013 02:53PM

terrydel wrote: »

Not trying to piss on anyone's chips, but I just dont see the point in spending big money on car hifi.
The environment provided by a car (small, lots of ambient noise etc) just cant do justice to really good speakers/sound systems imo.
Prefer to spend my hifi money at home!

I'd disagree.

My surround system at home does sound good but its not as enclosed as a car. The sound doesn't feel as personal.

Also, hitting really low frequencies in the car has a much different effect than at home

terrydel · 28-03-2013 02:54PM

bmstuff wrote: »

That's where sound deadening comes into place.

Believe me, a properly insultated car with proper sound system is orgasmic.
I am not talking about bass monsters, I am talking about volume, clarity that is so overwelming all around you that it really takes your driving experience to the next level.

I dont doubt you mate, I just think the space is ultimately too small to do big sound real justice.

terrydel · 28-03-2013 02:56PM

Taylor365 wrote: »

I'd disagree.

My surround system at home does sound good but its not as enclosed as a car. The sound doesn't feel as personal.

Also, hitting really low frequencies in the car has a much different effect than at home

What you got at home mate?
I am really talking in terms of comparing having proper audiophile standard stuff at home, and having a **** hot system in the car.
I just feel that spending on the former you get a far better return. A car is a really small space and the soundstage of a lviing room, even a small one, cant be matched.
Good debate tho

Eric Cartman · 28-03-2013 02:59PM

terrydel wrote: »

Not trying to piss on anyone's chips, but I just dont see the point in spending big money on car hifi.
The environment provided by a car (small, lots of ambient noise etc) just cant do justice to really good speakers/sound systems imo.
Prefer to spend my hifi money at home!

for me I have to have both, I have no problems spending 1500+ on a car hifi setup , as I spend hours every day there and want it to sound perfect.

But I also only buy sennheiser headphones, and have top end hifi gear at home aswell.

the sound quality is important no matter where I am, and most factory systems in cars just dont do tracks justice, especially the lower notes.

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 03:03PM

terrydel wrote: »

I dont doubt you mate, I just think the space is ultimately too small to do big sound real justice.

You would be surprised at how good it sounds, well again, when done properly.
Lots of technologies and methods available.

Taylor365 · 28-03-2013 03:32PM

terrydel wrote: »

What you got at home mate?
I am really talking in terms of comparing having proper audiophile standard stuff at home, and having a **** hot system in the car.
I just feel that spending on the former you get a far better return. A car is a really small space and the soundstage of a lviing room, even a small one, cant be matched.
Good debate tho

I don't want to embarrass meself and face being stoned for my excuse of a 'surround system'.

You are correct in that a car can't lump around the equipment needed to achieve the high sound quality you can acquire in the homestead.

You need a bus for that

HandsomeDan · 28-03-2013 05:07PM

terrydel wrote: »

Not trying to piss on anyone's chips, but I just dont see the point in spending big money on car hifi.
The environment provided by a car (small, lots of ambient noise etc) just cant do justice to really good speakers/sound systems imo.
Prefer to spend my hifi money at home!

Disagree. The few quid I spend on my upgrade setup made a big difference to my enjoyment of the car.

T-Maxx · 28-03-2013 05:41PM

I reckon the amount of money spent on ICE is inversely proportional to age.

Voodoomelon · 28-03-2013 06:00PM

bmstuff wrote: »

You would be surprised at how good it sounds, well again, when done properly.
Lots of technologies and methods available.

I must get you to look at the way I have my system setup; spent the guts of €2k over the years on Boston Acoustics Pro50SE components, Alpine PDX-F6 amplifier and a shallow Pioneer subwoofer but it sounds distinctly average at best.

It's all to do with my source i reckon, didn't want to loose headunit functionality so it's all tapped into the BM24 radio module. Without the subwoofer, there's virtually no base response.

0ph0rce0 · 28-03-2013 06:08PM

This is what fills my motor with tunes.

BANGIN

Eric Cartman · 28-03-2013 06:10PM

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I must get you to look at the way I have my system setup; spent the guts of €2k over the years on Boston Acoustics Pro50SE components, Alpine PDX-F6 amplifier and a shallow Pioneer subwoofer but it sounds distinctly average at best.

It's all to do with my source i reckon, didn't want to loose headunit functionality so it's all tapped into the BM24 radio module. Without the subwoofer, there's virtually no base response.

this is the reason I want to fit DSP when im doing the nav retrofit, a lot of people saying dont bother but It does sound far better than the bassless non dsp system

Voodoomelon · 28-03-2013 06:19PM

Never heard DSP first hand from noughties, its supposed to be decent enough when working.

crosstownk · 28-03-2013 06:21PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

this is the reason I want to fit DSP when im doing the nav retrofit, a lot of people saying dont bother but It does sound far better than the bassless non dsp system

Agreed. Fitting the DSP for me made a massive difference. The amount of control it gives on a multi-amp system is incredible.

Turtle-TM · 28-03-2013 06:23PM

In my last car I had a Sony head unit with aux port on the front, played music and radio from my iPhone through it, on the A8 I have the Audi ami in the glove box with an iPod connected. Looked at getting the Bluetooth adaptor to stream music from my iPhone but they've discontinued it for some reason.

I'd be happy with a simple aux port on my next car, a 9-3 hopefully and a dash mount for the iPhone and control the music from there

crosstownk · 28-03-2013 06:23PM

0ph0rce0 wrote: »

This is what fills my motor with tunes.

BANGIN

The model of choice for Dublin Bus drivers

Mint Sauce · 28-03-2013 06:43PM

Factory installed stereo and (7) speakers, with the Bass turned up slightly.

Ocassionally inside of the car does rock out sometimes. Most of the time though its todayfm or BBCR2, or what ever CD I have handy.

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 07:35PM

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I must get you to look at the way I have my system setup; spent the guts of €2k over the years on Boston Acoustics Pro50SE components, Alpine PDX-F6 amplifier and a shallow Pioneer subwoofer but it sounds distinctly average at best.

It's all to do with my source i reckon, didn't want to loose headunit functionality so it's all tapped into the BM24 radio module. Without the subwoofer, there's virtually no base response.

I don't think so, fastest way to tell would be to swap with another head unit.

Most likely your set up needs some adjustments, check your crossovers settings, gain, filter settings...

But I read the PDX F6 has quiet a bit of mixed reviews, it might be not that great, but it should sound much better than average in my opinion.

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 07:41PM

Eric Cartman wrote: »

this is the reason I want to fit DSP when im doing the nav retrofit, a lot of people saying dont bother but It does sound far better than the bassless non dsp system

Yeah but DSP amps/processors focus is not on woofers specifically
With a DSP it will sound better and overwhelming overall.

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 07:43PM

crosstownk wrote: »

Agreed. Fitting the DSP for me made a massive difference. The amount of control it gives on a multi-amp system is incredible.

Any pictures buddy, would be nice, and what is your set up?

CrowdedHouse · 28-03-2013 07:49PM

Harmon Kardon system with a million speakers..well 16 seemingly, 625 Watts allegedly,I'm still fiddling with the eq

This is it http://www.bmw.harmankardon.com/en/vehicles/BMW-3-Series/technical.aspx

bmstuff · 28-03-2013 07:52PM

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Harmon Kardon system with a million speakers..well 16 seemingly, 625 Watts allegedly,I'm still fiddling with the eq

This is it http://www.bmw.harmankardon.com/en/vehicles/BMW-3-Series/technical.aspx

16 speakers should be nice. More speakers does not mean better sound, but I am sure it is nice nonetheless.

I read recently while looking for a radio harness for a Range Rover, some new 2012 Range Rover model has some Logic7 amp with...bear with me...29 speakers lol

Matt Simis · 28-03-2013 09:57PM

Becker Cascade (dedicated Ipod connection, Bluetooth, GPS, compact flash with new Maps) external Mic, OLED screen all on single DIN) which brings all the modern bits I want but integrates virtually perfectly as an OEM alternative. Ive had people say "wow is that the original radio".. on a 20year old car.

In the boot I have the stock amp for the stock speakers (its very difficult to change on the E31 or any BMW with DSP Amp) and also a rather large Sub plus aux Amp that I bought from Dar83 but cannot remember the name of. I can remember it has "tasteful" flashing blue LEDs that he didnt recall.

What is your car audio/entertainment set up?

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